*Ed’s note: Today brings a brand new writer to PotzCorner’s Sports Rants. With Saville out swearing at construction workers and Boeta C “So nat soos a pentie by die Bieber concert” due to the rain, I decided that it’s time to hear from a Blue Bull fan. Like a proper one… so proper, he owns their pink kit…. Lady and Gentlemen… I give you CJ Ooshuizen
Blues vs Stormers
After a kak start to the season the Stormers are beginning to find momentum. Their mission this weekend is to take on the Blues, currently second in the New Zealand conference, who have surprisingly scheduled this match away from their beloved Eden Park.
Going down to the Reds by 1 point in one of the most impressive performances of round 11 the Blues have now lost ground on the tournament leaders. Playing at the less familiar North Harbour Stadium statistically goes against the hosts chances whilst a recent outbreak of flu in Auckland (skaap snot) which reached the Blues squad in the past week may level the playing fields even further. However the Blues appear a very balanced side, statistically a key trend lies in tries conceded to forwards.
After two “mal” wins on the trot the Stormers are only a round or two away from things going in their favour injury-wise. That makes this clash against the Blues that much more crucial as the remainder of the season already promises a strong finish. The Blues strengths against the Reds were at the breakdown and in breaking tackles. Should the Stormers manage those two aspects of the game this could well prove a scalp for the taking. The Blues however will push their pack all the way having dominated in 2013 thus far in that department. With their back-line largely unchanged (Duvenage now starting and Elton still on bench where he belongs) the Stormers have reshuffled their pack due to the return from injury of Siya Kolisi who covers for unavailable Michael Rhodes whilst rotating their tight 5.
Prediction: I’m going the way of a possible upset on Stormers +2.
Highlanders vs Sharks
Coming off a bye the South Islanders will be looking to create a new line of form if they can manage to defeat the Sharks who have now lost three matches on the trot.
In the very same mould as the Blues of 2012 the Highlanders just haven’t managed to get things going.
Already on their worst run of form since 2 April 2011 the Sharks look to make amends against the battle weary Highlanders. Having rested key players in their loss to the Chiefs it is plain to see that Plumtree is taking this fixture against the current wooden-spooners as seriously as is possible. Their side is much improved from round 11 however one possible weakness lies in the back-line reserves. The key battle of the match is certain to be in the centres. How are Francois Steyn and Meyer Bosman going to fair against a pair of All Blacks?
Prediction: I’m going with Sharks +7
Bulls vs Hurricanes
Two of the form sides of the competition meet in Pretoria in one of round 12′s most highly anticipated fixtures.
Fokol love will be lost as the Bulls host the Hurricanes at a resurgent Loftus Versfeld (The Bulls Ring). Now in their groove the hosts should put out a good performance consistent with last round as they field an ever improving available 22. This weekend Springboks Wynand Olivier and Deon Stegmann both return from injury into the starting side giving Jan Serfontein and Arno Botha (bench) a rest respectively. Having fixtures against the Sharks and Stormers away later on in the tournament this is a must win match for the Bulls if they are to have a chance of securing home play-off matches.
In their first fixture on tour the Hurricanes will look to make amends for a poor performance against the Stormers. Decision making let them down time and again yet that is something which cannot be taught and may be exposed this weekend. It will take a massive effort for the Canes to get up at altitude however their great try scoring ability marks them as a dark horse in any contest should the bounce of the ball go their way. The return of Julian Savea should not be under-estimated, probably the form left wing in world rugby. The chink in their armour however is the terribly off form Beauden Barrett. His territorial kicks remain sound but apart from that his game has gone to nothing.
Prediction: Bulls to win. The Hurricanes have the ability to stay in touch but lack the pedigree to win. If they take a hiding it will likely be at the hands of a poor Beauden Barrett performance. Not really a risk worth taking however.
Kings vs Warratahs
Having received a brutal welcoming by other South African conference sides since returning from their successful tour the Kings are likely to be looking forward to foreign opposition with hopes that they can get their season back on track. The travelling “skapies” will be looking for nothing less than 4 log points from this encounter as they attempt to close the widening gap on both the Brumbies and the Reds.
Psychologically the Kings are in a rut due to getting ahead of themselves on the back of public praise and fame since returning from their successful tour where they managed a draw with the log leading Brumbies and win over the Rebels. Now having lost all focus, composure and momentum they struggling to get back into Super Rugby gear due to a lack of experience. Star player Sergeal Petersen returns from injury adding depth to an otherwise unchanged side to take on the Waratahs.
The visitors will feel hard done by following yet another poor referring display in round 11. That aside, their performances have been inconsistent of late, failing to shut sides out especially when playing away from home (0/4 away v.s 4/5 at home!). This stat alone opens the door for the Kings but is their mental block now too big to get up again? All of this bodes well for an incredibly interesting challenge between two sides that have forgotten how to win (Tahs when away), with likely soft underfoot conditions complicating matters further!
Prediction: Tahs will bag this one with +8
Footie Corner 