2 thoughts on “2008 Tri Nations Fixtures”

  1. Download the Ou Grote Automatic Outlook Calendar pack for the 2008 Tri Nations. All fixtures will be added automatically to your Outlook calendar.

  2. Dear long suffering Stormers fan,

    I have to admit that the massive shift in the rules, the likely disparity between referee interpretation, the emigration of players/coaches and some bewildering pre-season transfers and warm-up match results have left me entirely baffled as to what to expect from the S14 this year.

    A microcosm of how we can expect the unexpected – I picked the Highlanders as non-starters given the exit of both Nic Evans and the whole AB front row. I thought the Blues looked good having gained the services of the (I believe) brilliant Evans and a pack that looks, shall we say, “familiar in a good way”. So after an ordinary 1st Half the Highlanders scored 30-odd unanswered points to thump the Blues. (albeit in Dunedin). Buggar!

    Mitchell – who I admire both as a good coach and a non-dramatist (though his Animal Welfare record is dubious) -described the rule application in the two Western Force warm-up games as “chalk and cheese” (and the Kiwi’s know their dairy products!). He was neither resentful or scathing in this assessment – he was simply pointing to the enormous scope referees will have to blow away – especially in the first few rounds.

    Yellow cards are on my mind also. Speaking to our resident referee Gareth “Tappa” Lloyd Jones – the only way to really cut down on repeated “free-kick” offenses would be to card players. And in case you were wondering – “coming in from the side” is probably off side. Or maybe it isn’t. It will all be as clear as a June day in Invercargill.

    I really like what the Stormers have been up to in the off-season. Rassie is obviously hedging against global half back shortages and has gone long on scrum-half’s – perhaps going short on locks which will surely have more than just figurative consequences. Development of young local black players has been a priority with the inclusion of Toni Brown (NZ – 34) Naqelavuki (Fiji) and Mujati (Zimbabwe). All in all, given the lottery that may be thrown up with the new rules I’d expect nothing worse than a bottom 5 finish for this well oiled franchise.

    The Reds will probably be one of the sides that really challenge the Stormers in ineptitude. The Brumbies may battle a little too, big shoes having to be filled – and I’d guess the traveling problems the franchise had in the earlier days will likely return. On Home shores the Cheetahs and the Lions seem to me to be short of familiar names on the team sheet. I do not see them turning Currie Cup success into S14 form.

    The Bulls and the Sharks look the picks of the SA teams – I seem to remember the Bulls having 11 Locks that the Stormers would kill for – so I don’t see Bakkies as a massive loss – if he escapes. However, without that absolute iron leadership up front I do not see a repeat of last years heroics – top 6 maybe. The performance of Muir’s men is perhaps the most anticipated. If he gets things right and the game is more open, surely the Natal franchise could challenge for a semi. And their draw looks good again. Still there is still more youth than experience – and Michelak inspires many adjectives but “rock” is not one of them. How did the Theiry Lacroix experiment work out? I don’t recall.

    Over the sea – pundits must guess as to whether the sneaky Aussies figure out the laws faster than the brilliant depth and talent of NZ can learn them. Avoiding stagnant play seems to be important – favoring the Kiwis – but there is still room for tight five dominance and well rehearsed, practiced play. I’m not totally convinced that come the really big games that the laws will lead to the rampant type of basketball entertainment some narrow minded law-makers have envisaged.

    Hard as always not to favour the Crusaders – who have the look of an Aussie cricket squad – and being able to choose from 45 players all who have been well used in a successful franchise gives a coach a huge advantage under any law regime. I really liked the look of the Blues – perhaps the loss to Otago point to their lack of brain-power, but I expect them to challenge for a semi. Otago, themselves, as I said, lost 3 players nobody could lose – and I expect them to struggle especially on the road. Waikato will no doubt disappoint me, I like their half back but I feel their Fly-half is less than exceptional. Expecting them to lose narrowly to the Blues on the weekend and then wobble their way between unexpected wins and bewildering defeats to a mid table 7th /8th . (But I have hope)

    There has been so much drama and media attention with the Force, somehow I expect further improvements from them, with an outside chance at a semi. Though probably just missing out – probably due to a tough ask draw-wise.

    A more open game should suit the Hurricanes. Powerful and alert loosies and a tenacious scrum-half for all those free kicks. I expect a semi-final – even a home one. (A thought – will there be a lot of scrum options from free kicks – we will see if the likes of the Bulls use this, or just tap and goes?)

    Does that leave the Tahs? I think I might have a semi-final spot left for them. Though I do not really like the balance of the side. The form of the formidable Elsom and the talented Beale will be key. I’m hoping they will be the ones battling it out in the skirmish with the Blues, Force and Sharks for 3rd and 4th.

    This prediction business is as easy as nailing jelly to a tree.
    I think the only thing that is certain is the selection of De Villiers and Latham will be “pending a late fitness test.”

    Reuthers.

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