The Official Rugby Thread

[echo]

As for the CC, I'll keep rooting for Province! Hopefully they won't choke like they did in the Super14. Big up to the Lions this year. I didn't expect much of them as their performances of previous seasons really sucked, but this year they are a great young team. I just heard this morning that Ricky is playing in Duvenhage's place ... my heart sank. I despise that gangsta.

This x1000. Agree on everything. Even if we choke every damn game I will always believe we will get back up and win the CC. Blind loyalty FTW!

And in other news: Cape Town wants to move Province to Cape Town Stadium, Province says: we refuse.

Well, about the springbok thing: Just be thankful that we are still called the springboks and are still allowed to have the logo on our jerseys. If the ****ty politicians wanted to remove the springbok entirely they would have already. Thank God for Madiba.

[KraMGarD]

India's got a 7's team?? Nice.

[Boggle24]

Are they going to make it an Olympic games item as well then, or have they already?

They will yes, only in 2016 though if memory serves me.

EDIT:

yeah what I like about sevens, especially as an Olympic item is that it allows lots of nations who'd not have been able to get medals to now stand a chance at a few, maybe even some gold medals.

Even Zimbabwe could potentially win a gold medal in 7s, that's the beauty of the sport.

[MrDeVil_909]

Sucks about the move for the symbol, but my outrage gland is totally atrophied. I actually think the sleeve is a cool spot for a symbol though.

While my second choice team is WP (coast>inland) I'm hoping we can smack them this weekend to avoid the Bulls until the final. And with their selections I think AC is panicking a bit.

[wisp]

And in other news: Cape Town wants to move Province to Cape Town Stadium, Province says: we refuse.

the Sharks are in the same situation with the Moses stadium and it is right across the street from then , Durban muncipality wants them to move but they also refused

Talking about stadums i heard a rumour that they are going to move the Lions to soweto and turn Ellis park into a shopping center,any one else heard this -tragic if true

[MrDeVil_909]

the Sharks are in the same situation with the Moses stadium and it is right across the street from then , Durban muncipality wants them to move but they also refused

Yeah, the Union makes money from the stadium, it would need to be a hell of a sweetner to get them to move. Although Kingspark looks like a dog turd from the top of Moses Mabidha.



At least Durban was smart when they designed their stadium though, it's the only one big enough for any sport, none of the others can fit cricket.

Talking about stadums i heard a rumour that they are going to move the Lions to soweto and turn Ellis park into a shopping center,any one else heard this -tragic if true

Doubt it. No one would go there to shop. ;) And also because GLRU still makes a lot of money from Ellis Park.

[Cleric]

And also because GLRU still makes a lot of money from Ellis Park.

You clearly don't live in JHB. Ellis has been dead for a long time now. In fact, my sister and her boyfriend victims of an attempted highjacking on the way to the province game a couple weeks back. It's just not safe to go to Ellis anymore.

Soccer City on the other hand, is safe, stunning and the perfect place for the JHBers longing for a winning team to congregate around the revival of a great SA franchise.

[MrDeVil_909]

You clearly don't live in JHB. Ellis has been dead for a long time now. In fact, my sister and her boyfriend victims of an attempted highjacking on the way to the province game a couple weeks back. It's just not safe to go to Ellis anymore.

Soccer City on the other hand, is safe, stunning and the perfect place for the JHBers longing for a winning team to congregate around the revival of a great SA franchise.

I do live in Joburg (sadly) and I've been in the Ellis Park area recently. You're right, it's seriously dodgy, but people do go watch games and the lease for the ground is super cheap from what I recall reading a while ago, so it's cheap for the Union to run.

And the Lions are starting to win so more people are going to watch. Soccer City would be great for the fans, and rugby in general, but I don't think it would be the best thing for GLRU so they will fight moving.

[Cleric]

I guess I hear what you're saying. But if the Lions become a top side in the next year or 2, it may start to make sense.

EDIT: Also, really sorry for sounding so condecending. Bad Cleric!

[MrDeVil_909]

I guess I hear what you're saying. But if the Lions become a top side in the next year or 2, it may start to make sense.

It may. It's hard to say, especially without access to the numbers, but I remember reading that when the game went pro the Unions all negotiated really good lease terms with the municipalities. That's why there's a very strong resistance across the board to moving the teams.

I would definitely like to see Rugby in Joburg move, and if the team does do well then the city may be able to put pressure on the team, like Cape Town is trying with WP. We will have to see.

EDIT: Also, really sorry for sounding so condecending. Bad Cleric!

Heh, no problem. It's easy to seem harsher than intended in text.

[cr@zydude]

About the springbok: if anything the team got a reprieve from the SA sports commitee, were the last to adopt the Protea. Now all SA sports team wear a protea on the left.

As for the stadiums, it will be an emotional issue for the next few years. In 10 years though I see WP at CTS. Newlands has about 15 years before the building will be unstable, and they will not get building permits in that area. They will likely sell the land for a ton, and someone will build apartments there. WP actually put in a tender to operate the stadium, but were reject as they wanted to only have rugby played there.

Moses Mabhida's main focus has always been the Olympics. Sharks may move, but the athletics track will be an issue. The will likely stay at Kings Park, but the city could always pull something with the lease. KZNRU only rent the land that Kings Park stands on.

As for the Golden Lions, I'm not a fan of them going to Soccer City. I'm normally for rugby and soccer sharing, but this stadium shouldn't have a weekly tenant. It should be like Wembley and the Stade de France, kept in perfect condition for cup finals and national games. I think that the Golden Lions, and maybe Lions, should move games to Soweto, but Orlando Stadium is better suited. They have a good chance of getting close to filling 40 000 seats. I'd hate to see the Golden Lions damaging the pitch each week, in front of 20 000 people.

[KraMGarD]

Righty-O, so my wish came true. Cheetahs against WP in the semi's at Newlands. Time to get tickets..

[echo]

So just when the Lions get everything right (almost, I'm kinda ignoring friday night's disappointment) their coach gets stabbed.

Johannesburg - The Golden Lions are still in shock at the attack on their New Zealand coach John Mitchell on Saturday night when the former All Black mentor was stabbed in a housebreaking incident.

Source

And in other news, can we Province guys start smack talking yet?

[KraMGarD]

And in other news, can we Province guys start smack talking yet?

You can try. You can try... Cheetahs are not renowned for being giant killers for nothing.

[MrDeVil_909]

Pity the Sharks played so badly this weekend, now we need to face the Bulls. Urk! Oh well, can't be champs without beating the best.

Been watching the Sevens in the CWG this morning. Fun game, the small teams play with a lot of heart, but no upsets yet. SA beat Tonga already and are busy stomping India ATM.

[brazed]

MrDeVil...the Sharks just faced the best...and lost ;)

[MrDeVil_909]

Nah, had a bad day. Starting with an ex-Lion at flyhalf didn't help.

:p

[brazed]

I'm looking forward to a WP/Bulls final at Newlands.

[MrDeVil_909]

Maybe next year. I see a Sharks/Cheetahs final this year.

[brazed]

You need glasses.

:p