Before the quest to glory kicks off in earnest on February 17, I’m looking at preseason form from the teams that will compete this year.
Stormers vs SWD Eagles
This game started off as a typical second tier v third tier matchup – no real contest.
It didn’t take long for the Stormers to assert their dominance with two of their 11 tries coming in the first few minutes of the game.
The Stormers were never really troubled, with a couple of penetrating runs being the extent of the Eagles attack.
Stormers 77-0 SWD Eagles.
Bulls vs Sharks
This game had a pretty strange feel to it in that the Bulls had split up the squad between two games played on the same day. The Sharks on the other hand had divided their squad into two first half/second half teams.
In the first 40 minutes neither side made many inroads with a 7-all scoreline seeing us into the break.
After oranges the Sharks makeshift lineup made the most of their extended game time as the Durban-based side zipped out to a 12-point buffer.
The game went into a scoreless period for some time before the final 10 saw the Sharks asserting their dominance with a few more points.
Sharks 31-14 Bulls.
Lions vs Bulls
Clearly the weaker Bulls side, and the Lions didn’t fail to take full advantage with a massive win.
Even though the boys from Pretoria showed a lot of attacking intent in the first 40, they were never really in it, and gave the game away in the second half ultimately losing by 44.
A comprehensive Lions victory, and one that could mirror the Bulls season.
Lions 66-22 Bulls.
Chiefs vs Blues
Both teams in the lead-up named pretty unexperienced teams for the first 20, with the replacements kicking in after that.
In what has been dubbed the Battle of Bombay, the Chiefs and Blues traded tries for the first quarter, to finish at 14-14.
A tough 20 minutes in the second period didn’t lead to to any scoring, before the third saw the Blues’ young guns strike twice in a pretty short time to take a close lead into the fourth.
After the break, the Blues stormed away to put some weight onto the scoreboard – eventually winning with ease over the Chiefs.
Blues 45-19 Chiefs.
Loftus
Guest
How did you decide that the Bulls scoreline vs the Lions could mirror their season, if you said earlier that the Bulls' strong team played the Sharks at the same time?
Wal
Roar Guru
Hurricanes 43 (Jonah Lowe 3, Ben Lam, Julian Savea, Finlay Christie, Vince Aso tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 2 con, Ihaia West 2 con) beat Crusaders 22 (Billy Harmon, Jack Stratham, Tima Faingaanuku, Manasa Mataele tries; Brett Cameron con) HT: 24-5
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I really can't understand at all. Obviously it's unsurprising that Coleman, Genia, Hodge, Koribete, etc. weren't selected for this match given their workload for 2017. But what I found odd was that they ran out a few guys who you think would be in the starting XV (the front row, Fainga'a and DHP) a couple of guys you'd expect to be in the 23 or pushing for a spot at least. But then at least 15 or more guys who are uncontracted, or 3rd choice options at least. I was shocked not to see any of Sa'aga, Weeks, Ainsley, Daley, Rangi, Philips, Parling, Timani, RHP, Meakes and others not included. Looking at their 10s squad, the same approach has been taken.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Untrue. The Reds played themselves and we couldn't even win!
AJ
Guest
The Reds won, without Quade.
DaveR
Guest
TWAS, why do you think the Rebels would play a sort of fring combination? With a new team that has just come together, why wouldnt Wessels use the trial to start to meld the top 15 selection ahead of the real stuff?
Train Without A Station
Guest
Brumbies won comfortably but hard to judge as the Rebels played a handful of top 23 players and a bunch of uncontracted fringe players. Whilst the Brumbies played a much stronger team. Almost Rising vs Brumbies.
Taylorman
Guest
Also, Highlanders thumped the Tahs 55-29, the Reds played themselves and the Brumbies play the Rebels today.