Not hot: Kings stuffing Lions
It's time for our weekly wrap up of who has their name in lights at the moment...and who is making the headlines for the wrong reasons.
They're smoooooookin'!
Leinster: The team first team since Leicester - ten years ago - to successfully defend their European title. The 42-14 Twickenham drubbing of Ulster was also the biggest winning margin in a Heineken Cup Final. With the nurse's office almost empty and confidence overflowing in Dublin, only the very brave would bet against BOD and co. completing an historic Euro-PRO12 double on Sunday.
Leo Cullen and Brad Thorn The Leinster second-row in London last weekend will go down as one of the most decorated partnerships ever to take the field. Thorn became the first player in history to win a World Cup, a Heineken Cup and a Super Rugby title. Meanwhile, captain Cullen become the first player to lead a side to three European Cup titles.
Crusaders: Way to answer your critics. After that hiccup in Melbourne, Todd Blackadder's boys smashed the Blues by a record score, touching down nine tries in the process. Within hours Zac Guildford was back in the All Blacks squad.
Will Genia: Is it any coincidence that the Reds' return to form has coincided with Genia finally producing his best rugby? We think not.
Quade Cooper: He's baaaaaack...it took a while, but the 'Cooperman' finally returned from a seven-month lay-off. He only played one half, but he was already showing hints of the attacking prowess that made him Super Rugby's best pivot last year.
Zack Holmes: Brumbies fans were a worried bunch when news broke that Christian Lealiifano had joined Matt Toomua on the injury list. But 21-year-old Holmes reassured the Canberra faithful that their play-off hopes are in good hands with a cool 22 points - including a try - in his run-on debut.
Bbbrrrr... Someone turn up the heater!
The SARU-SANZAR-Lions-Cheetahs-Cats(?)-Parliamentary-Portfolio-Committee-Exco-General-Council debacle: The South African press was all aflutter on Tuesday with stories about who will represent the country in Super Rugby next year. What did we learn? Not a whole lot.
"The Kings will play in the competition in 2013," SARU CEO Jurie Roux promised the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport.
Nothing new there.
"...but not at the expense of one of the other franchises," he added.
This much we've heard before too. A solution to problem is less forthcoming however.
"Resolving that part of the equation is the issue at hand and we have a number of proposals to take to the Exco (the SARU Executive Council) and ultimately to the General Council for a decision in July," said Roux.
So....we're still at square one.
Kings president Cheeky Watson says that a second special meeting between SARU and franchise representatives ended in an agreement that the bottom team (ie the Lions) will be relegated.
Other sources say that the failed attempt to merge the Lions and Cheetahs into the Cats will not be revisited. No surprises there either.
So beyond everyone being reminded of the dangers of mixing sport and politics, very little useful new information has emerged. Just how SARU expect to keep all the current franchises in the competition without a merger remains a mystery. We wait for an answer.
Double booking at the Stade de France: Speaking of making promises you can't keep, there has been an almighty mix up in Paris. It seems the final of the Coupe de France (that's soccer) and the Top 14 Final have both been booked for 1 June 2013...at the same venue. Good luck sorting that mess out.
Politics in Samoa: Oh dear. It seems Fiji and South Africa aren't the only places where politics and rugby make for uncomfortable bedfellows. Was Mo Schwalger axed as Samoa's skipper because he's too old, or because he had the balls to speak up against the powers that be? Something smells rotten.
The Premiership promotion-relegation debacle: The team that should have been relegated is staying up. Whoever wins the Championship and thus deserves promotion, is staying down. It leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth.
Compiled by Ross Hastie
Comments
rustytrumpet says...
Nice comment about Leinster, yes they have been great. BUT, you should never bet against a retiring WELSH LEGEND.
Posted 12:29 29th May 2012
ruggaluva says...
jeez... we have seriously dumb bastards running rugby in SA. it makes me so mad i could spit.
Posted 20:30 28th May 2012
APV1 says...
@ Bones7 - an excellent and elegant solution. Only one ref though, qualified in both. Otherwise there'd be too may whistles and you'd never get the matches palyed.
Posted 15:00 24th May 2012
Bones7 says...
@leinster_goy, I'm actually relieved for you that Leinster FINALLY got a mention! I could feel the frustration from here!
@APV1 I think both games should be played simultaneously to keep it fair.
Posted 12:57 24th May 2012
FoxandHound says...
Maybe I should work at my spelling and grammar before I post something again. I meant to say
'I believe that relegation and promotion in SR should start at lower tier, Vodocom cup and Currie cup for SA. How about we keep the current format and once the Kings or any other team in SA for that matter has shown their metal in the Currie cup against at least 1 of the top 5 teams then we can look at including them and excluding the other. They don't need to win the Currie cup they just have to be higher on the score board and beat the team up for relegation This way they would have worked for their spot and the team being relegated would have proved they don't belong. I think reforming the Cat's is a bit of an insult to the Cheetahs who has worked hard at improving their game to give us some very interesting and exciting games.'.
I would like to add for those who don't know that the Kings is an attempt by Cheeky Watson to make himself and his son relevant on the rugby stage again. Cheeky cant wait for the Loins to be relegated so he can have their players for his team cause lets face it they don't have any one of any relevance except Luke (debatable) Reformation my foot!!! We all know you need to build it up from grass root level. Not suck up a 'team' of nobody's and force the powers that be to except them to be the next best thing. Show SA and the world that you deserve it.
Posted 12:31 24th May 2012
startledwombat says...
In the interest of completeness I await another 'who's hot'.
The big bloke in bright yellow padded armless ski jacket with "water" emblazoned on it, who jogs onto the field every time a Crusaders player takes a shot at goal.
He deserves his own fan club but is also a man of mystery -
- how much were his airfares to South Africa? What deft kicking-tee handling skills are needed that he, and only he, does this job for the Crusaders?
- why 'water' on the goliath-sized jacket? Why not 'Tee boy'?
Posted 12:03 24th May 2012
fozza says...
I agree the relegation thing is farcical and they need to revisit the rules but I say the same here as I did elsewhere. As far as I'm aware these rules have been in place all year. Also, the Threat of relegation was still there all the way through the season until Bristol were knocked out.
As for Brad Thorn, let's not forget his legion of league achievements... Won the Premiership with the Brisbane Broncos, A Grand Final with the Broncos. A number of State of Origin matches... A true legend of all kinds of Rugby. Next he'll be refereeing!!!
Posted 11:10 24th May 2012
FoxandHound says...
I believe that regulation and promotion in SR should start at lower tier, Vodocom cup and Currie cup for SA. How about we keep the current format and once the Kings or any other team in SA for that matter has shown there metal in the Currie cup against at least 1 of the 5 top teams then we can look at including them and excluding the other. They don't need to win the Currie cup they just have to be higher on the score board and beat the team up for regulation. This way they would have worked for their spot and the team being regulated would have proved they don't belong. I think reforming the cat's is a bit of an insult to the cheetahs who has worked hard at improving they're game to be able to give us some very interesting and exciting games..
Posted 09:18 24th May 2012
missionary says...
You forgot to mention the Blues of Auckland. Woeful. Inept. Unprofessional. Laughable.
Posted 00:33 24th May 2012
JayStarr says...
(Part 2)
That's in principle. In practice it's even more ridiculous. Because what are the Kings planning on doing to be competitive next year? They've got a shopping list about as long as my forearm. Are these going to be black EP players? Of course not! They're already few and far between for the Kings at the moment. It will probably consist of mostly jobless Lions players (those who haven't gone to play overseas) and rejects from other provinces... and Luke Watson. So replace Josh Strauss with Luke Watson and you've basically got the Lions - only worse.
The transformation banner is a joke. The only way for SARU to try and save face now (and save the Lions union), is to keep the Lions in SR by reforming the Cats. The Cats were a success when it was run properly - they made the semi finals twice (which is two times more than the Lions or Cheetahs did by themselves) and the wheels only came off when they stopped running it properly (and appointed Chester as coach). With the right management and the right coaches, the Lions and Cheetahs will be much more competitive as the Cats. With depth being as important as it is in the current SR format, I don't think they have a choice.
A relegation system would not work. It will just end up being a game of "you're it" between the Lions and the Kings ad infinitum - with their only hope being that the Cheetahs have a terrible year. But with neither team being able to build up any momentum (or finances, player quality/depth, etc.), they will keep making turns as the doomed whipping boys of SR.
Reforming the Cats is the best option. Put someone like Rassie Erasmus in charge of overseeing the structures, appointments, etc., get a solid coaching team, sort out the logistics and watch the Cats become a force in SR.
The end.
(That's right, light a flame in me and I can out-write Margaret Mitchell).
Posted 23:04 23rd May 2012
JayStarr says...
I wouldn't be so quick to say the worst team in SA should be relegated if I was Cheeky Watson, because the Kings are bound to be the worst team next year... and the year after that... and the year after that... So what if the Lions are promised they'll get back into SR? Then the Kings will be relegated next... As far as I'm concerened that should happen at the end of 2013. "Hey, we promised you you'll be in SR in 2013, not 2014..." Lol
But seriously, I too am waiting in anticipation to see how this preposterous imbroglio unfolds...
I hope Watson realises that the Kings will be the most unpopular team in SR history when they enter the fold next year. Where the Cheetahs are the darling team of SA, the Kings are already the villains... and not just in SA. Judging by their 2nd tier Currie Cup performances, I doubt whether they'll be winning our hearts over with their brand of rugby either. I think they better start preparing for all the booing that'll be ringing in their ears...
The most laughable thing about this whole pantomime is the fact that it's done in the name of "transformation". Now I am all for "transformation" - I think there is massive potential in SA amongst the black community, who (understandably) largely rejected rugby and supported soccer during apartheid. If the correct structures could be put in place all over SA - and the same opportunities be created for all South Africans - then SA can more than double their current rugby player resources and could become the most dominant power in world rugby...
But to ruin an established union, in the 2nd most populated province in SA, which is about 80% black, in order to build another union, in the 3rd most populated province, which is about 90% black, does not make sense on ANY level. It does sweet f-all for transformation - it only favours some fat cats over others...
(continued)
Posted 22:51 23rd May 2012
Lucasrg says...
Congratulations to Thorn and Cullen....who said you are old and cannot play anymore?!??! Legends
Posted 20:28 23rd May 2012
melkdave says...
Not bad PR concise and hard to argue any of your points.The SARU mess though really shows politics just shouldnt get anywhere near sport at any time.Real shame the Cheetahs-Lions merger failed that was the only solution i saw .Also WTF are the RFU doing great way to make an important game totally meaningless ,wonder just how many fans of the teams wont go now.Hope they are going to compensate the Cornish pirates and LondonWelsh for any lost revenue ..I dont belive M.Schwalger would be too old after all he would be only 34-35 in 2015 and many players have been older and played in the RWC Roncero comes readily to mind .I just hope the manager is telling the truth as it is the right time to blood players ,if so Schwalger should be back l8r this year or next.The double bookibg in France LOL well that just sums up the FIR,given their debarcle of the France-Ireland test earlier this year
Posted 19:09 23rd May 2012
NHsaints says...
Wow...a good who's hot and who's not column as well as a perfect set of calls in the Heineken cup 15? What's going on here?
Posted 18:11 23rd May 2012
APV1 says...
Once again SARU try to become the world's most rediculous governing body, only to be tipped to the top. First the Samoan's tried to knock them off that particular pedestal, with the appalling treatment of Schwalger et al. But thankfully up stepped the RFU and gave us the Promotion : Relegation debacle!
Not only has Thorn won all of those trophies, but aren't they also all within a year of each other? Pretty darn impressive. Especially for an old man..! ;-)
I think there should be a "Last man standing" fight to decide who gets to play in France. Simple and effective.
Posted 18:02 23rd May 2012
leinster_goy says...
now, was that so hard?
Posted 16:25 23rd May 2012