S14 Fantasy League – Big Names Back
Round two is around the corner, with a number of star players back after injury layoffs – here are the teamsheets.
The Brumbies will be relieved to welcome back their star-signing Matt Giteau at flyhalf, as well as Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom. For the struggling Sharks, the return of Ruan Pienaar at flyhalf will offer some hope in a hard-to-call clash with the Cheetahs in Durban on Friday night.
For last year’s finalists the Chiefs, powerful No 8 Sione Lauaki is back in the team, and joined by centre Callum Bruce.
No such good news for the Western Force, who are still without long-term absentees Cameron Shepherd, Mark Bartholomeusz, David Pocock, Richard Brown and Andre Pretorius. Now there’s further disaster, as Wallaby centre Ryan Cross has been withdrawn due to injury concerns.
It’s still early days in the Super 14, and some games seem pretty hard to pick a winner this weekend. Chose wisely for your Fantasy League team…
Round 2 Teamsheets
Highlanders vs Blues, Friday 8:35am, Dunedin
Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 James Paterson, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Jimmy Cowan (captain), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 John Hardie, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Fetu’u Vainikolo.
Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Rudi Wulf, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Rene Ranger.
Reds vs Crusaders, Friday 11:40am, Brisbane
Reds: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Tim Walsh, 22 Will Chambers.
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Sean Maitland.
Sharks vs Cheetahs, Friday 6:00pm, Durban
The Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Adrian Jacobs, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Willem Alberts, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Andries Strauss.
Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Hennie Daniller.
Lions vs Chiefs, Friday 8:00pm, Johannesburg
Lions: Earl Rose; Tonderai Chavhanga, Deon van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange, Wandile Mjekevu; Carlos Spencer, JP Joubert; Todd Clever, Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), Willem Stoltz, Franco van der Merwe, Ross Geldenhuys, Hannes Franklin, Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: Charles Emslie, JC Janse van Rensburg/Kevin Buys, Jacques Lombaard, Jonathan Mokuena, Jacques Coetzee, Burton Francis, Michael Killian.
Chiefs: 15 Mike Delany, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Sione Lauaki (captain), 7 Luke Braid, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Hurricanes vs Western Force, Saturday 8:35am, Wellington
Hurricanes: 15. Cory Jane, 14. Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. David Smith, 10. Willie Ripia, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Scott Waldrom, 6. Michael Paterson, 5. James Broadhurst, 4. Bryn Evans, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (captain), 1. John Schwalger
Replacements: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Rodney So’oialo, 19. Karl Lowe, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Andre Taylor
Western Force: 15 James O’Connor, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Josh Tatupu, 11 Haig Sare, 10 Sam Harris, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Sam Wykes, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Pek Cowan, 1 Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Tyrrell, 17 Nic Henderson, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Chris O’Young, 21 Stefano Hunt, 22 Joelin Rapana.
Bulls vs Brumbies, Saturday 5:05pm, Pretoria
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 John Mametsa.
Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.
Stormers vs Waratahs, Friday 7:10pm, Cape Town
Waratahs: 15. Sosene Anesi, 14. Lachie Turner, 13. Tom Carter, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Berrick Barnes, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (captain), 6. Ben Mowen, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Will Caldwell, 3. Al Baxter, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Hendrik Roodt, 19. Dave Dennis, 20. Josh Holmes, 21. Daniel Halangahu, 22. Rory Sidey
Stormers: 15. Joe Pietersen 14. Gio Aplon 13. Jaque Fourie 12. Juan De Jongh 11. Bryan Habana 10. Peter Grant 9. Ricky Januarie 8. Duane Vermeulen 7 Francois Louw 6. Schalk Burger (C) 5. Andries Bekker 4. De Kock Steenkamp 3. Brok Harris 2. Tiaan Liebenberg 1. JC Kritzinger
Reserves 16. Deon Fourie 17. Eusebio Guinazu 18. Anton Van Zyl 19. Pieter Louw 20. Dewaldt Duvenage 21. Lionel Cronje 22. Sireli Naqelevuki
Super 14 Injury Worries
Matt Giteau is in a race against time to be fit for Friday's clash with the Force.
With rugby’s most anticipated tournament less than five days away, many of the top teams are facing injury worries.
With the Sharks Argentinean flyhalf Juan Hernandez long departed, and the ever-injury-prone André Pretorius pulling out of the entire Super 14 with a hamstring ailment on the weekend, it seems like many teams are struggling with the crucial No 10 position in the run-up to the start of the season.
The Brumbies flyhalf Matt Giteau – back after a three-year sojourn with the Western Force – is also struggling with a leg injury, after he suffered a tear in his left thigh in training two weeks ago. Should he not be fit for the Brumbies opener with his old team the Force on Friday, it will be a significant blow for the Canberra-based side.
New Zealand’s Blues, based in Auckland, also have a fair share of injury concerns leading up to the tough derby with local rivals the Hurricanes on Friday. Fullback Paul Williams took a blow to the head, and will have to undergo cognitive testing this week; George Pisi is nursing a damaged shoulder; Anthony Tuitavake is out indefinitely and Luke McAlister is out for the first three Super 14 matches.
Fortunately for Stormers fans, Schalk Burger’s shoulder injury – sustained in the warm-up friendly against Boland on Saturday – is less serious than originally expected, and he should be fit to play on Saturday.
Thumbs up for Super 14’s attacking plan
Super 14’s attempt to bring some pizzazz back into rugby has been given a thumbs-up from coaches as the tournament prepares to kick-off.
Already there have been pleasing signs from refereeing interpretations as the whistlemen look to bring some clarity and positivity to contentious areas that dogged the game last year.
The tackle area, scrums and players advancing from off-side positions during kicking phases are all under extra scrutiny as rugby looks to open up again. It has quickly become apparent that the team with the ball has the ability to maintain possession.
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Blues coach Pat Lam appears to be a fan: “I still think it’s a little bit messy at the offside line at times. But as well as the players, the refs are feeling their way through it and there is a genuine focus towards the attacking team which is good,” he said after his team hustled their way past the Chiefs 31-21 last weekend.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster offered similar sentiments: “What we saw here was a game where once you have hold of the ball, you had a very good opportunity to hold onto the ball for long periods so the question is going to be how much of a contest are the lawmakers going to allow us to have.”
“There is total agreement between all three SANZAR countries that Super 14 rugby needs to return to its roots and deliver excitement and attack on the field and we believe these initiatives can help deliver a better game for everyone,” said Sanzar referees manager Lyndon Bray.
Mr Bray said the 2009 season review process brought out four major priorities, which coaches, players and referees have bought into, in order to help create some fundamental change to the game on the field.
“In the past two months, I have attended workshops in all three Sanzar countries with coaches and officials and everyone has responded positively to this approach.”
Referee performances will also be measured against these priorities throughout the Super 14 season which will guide the selectors in the appointment of officials as the tournament progresses.
Bray outlined the four key areas as:
Tackled Ball:
“The tackler, once hitting the ground in the tackle, must release the ball and the ball carrier. This gives the ball carrier a chance to ‘play the ball’, and will tidy up the tackle-ball area which has previously been weighted towards the tackler. As well, any player involved in helping make a tackle, who is in contact with the ball carrier when he is taken to ground, must then release the ball, before then attempting to contest possession, even if he is on his feet. This ensures that in Super 14, we are truly refereeing the Law at the tackle, and it provides the ball carrier with his rights, having been tackled. After this tackle, any player then on his feet, in a position of strength (his side of the tackle) may then contest possession.”
Scrum engagement:
“The scrum engagement must follow a true sequence, starting with all props required to touch, on the touch call. Props must also have their head and shoulders above their hips, and then hit straight on engagement. This enhances the chance of the scrum being contestable, and to stay up resulting in less resets.”
Players in front of the kicker:
“Players will be forced to comply with standing still or retiring in relation to being in front of the kicker. This will see referees calling for a player to stop advancing – if he continues to advance, he will be penalised and players must retire from within 10m of the receiver of a kick – otherwise an immediate penalty will be given where these players look to contest the kick. The objective is that this will improve the time and space for players to counter attack, when receiving kicks in general play, and reducing some of the aerial ping pong people we have been seeing in rugby.”
Formation of the maul:
“At the time that a maul is formed, players supporting the ball carrier will not be allowed to obstruct the opposition. This is intended to at least make the maul defendable at the set up stage.”
Bray said these initiatives are a return to the laws of the game and do not represent any change in law, but are simply limiting room for interpretation and should create clarity and certainty for coaches, players, officials and fans.
Courtesy of stuff.co.nz
Super 14 Fantasy League Is Back!
Sports Illustrated and Ultimate Dream Teams bring you the exciting and FREE Super 14 Fantasy League. Now you get to call the shots and pick your ultimate fantasy team from the greatest players in the southern hemisphere.
• Choose a full squad of 15 players from any of the Super 14 teams
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• Stand a chance to win fantastic prizes
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Super 14 Fantasy League Is Back!
Ladies and gents, boys and girls … it’s Sports Illustrated Super 14 Fantasy League time again and that means lots of thinking, great prizes and, most importantly, bragging rights with your mates.
Sports Illustrated and Ultimate Dream Teams bring you the exciting and FREE Super 14 Fantasy League. Now you get to call the shots and pick your ultimate fantasy team from the greatest players in the southern hemisphere.
• Choose a full squad of 15 players from any of the Super 14 teams
• Your players score points for you based on their actual game performance
• Challenge your friends, family and colleagues to play against you in private leagues
• Manage your team each week using the available transfers, but remember to stay within budget!
• Stand a chance to win fantastic prizes
Get your season started and compete against all your mates and fellow rugby lovers around the world.
CLICK HERE to enter you Super 14 Fantasy League side and put yourself in line to win some awesome prizes!
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