Force vs Stormers vs Sharks: Neo Africa Tri Series

[PaarlBok]

Fresh from the Slaapstad High Court about Dunning & Potgieter
SARugby

Monday, January 25, 2010
SARU Media Release
Outcomes of Potgieter and Dunning Disciplinary Hearing
Vodacom Stormers flanker Jacque Potgieter and Western Force prop Matt
Dunning on Monday attended a SANZAR Judicial Hearing in Cape Town.
Both players received red cards from referee Mark Lawrence for punching an
opponent during a Vodacom Super 14 warm up fixture which was played at
Newlands on Saturday. The Vodacom Stormers defeated the Western Force
54-12.
Dunning and Potgieter both pleaded guilty.
SANZAR Judicial Officer Peter Ingwersen deemed that the red cards handed
out by Lawrence on Saturday were sufficient punishment and as a result,
both players will be available for selection for their respective
franchise's future Vodacom Super 14 warm up fixtures.
Issued by SARU Communications

 

[Biffo]

What is "Neo Africa"? Sponsor?

 

[PaarlBok]

Yep.

Logo

Stormers site

The tournament’s principal sponsor is Neo Africa, which is a well-established supporter of several sporting codes. A National Supporter of the 2010 FIFA World Cupä and sponsors four of South Africa’s top boxers, this is its first foray into supporting rugby.

“It is a great feather in our cap to be associated with Super Rugby. Fans are eager for the 2010 season to start, and I have no doubt that they are in for a feast of exciting rugby with the Neo Africa Tri-Series,” says Neo Africa Group founder and CEO Vivien Natasen.

“While this is a friendly warm-up tournament, the historical rivalry between our East and West Coast teams, and between our teams and their Australian counterpart, means that we anticipate loads of good old-fashioned, bone-crunching action on the field,” he adds.

Attracking 18,000 to this match at the same time they had the opening of the brand new WC 2010 Cape Town Stadium (old Greenpoint) who had the same amount I think is pretty special.

 

[Biffo]

Thanks, PB. What does Neo Africa sell?

 

[PaarlBok]

Stormers site

Neo Africa’s Innovation division is an Information Technology and Communications unit specialising in turnkey solutions using state-of-the art, secure platforms developed in-house. Its groundbreaking IT systems focus on large-scale mobile office environments and portals, mobility solutions and automated processes. Their systems are characterised by ease of use and are generally web-based portals, accessible via the World Wide Web and from hand-held devices.

Neo Africa Lifestyle was born of the need in the market for an exclusive and personilised service to manage high profile VIP clients with a seamless turnkey solution, well surpassing industry standards. We have the ability to meet unique requirements by operating as a luxury facilitation mechanism with the following premium service capabilities:

• Aviation company to manage charters
• Event planning and support
• Access to major events as a VIP
• Private Chauffer service in luxury and exotic vehicles.

 

[PaarlBok]

Some photos from saturdays action

http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Galleries/Image/Rugby/Super14/Warm up friendly - Stormers v Force

 

[Thomond78]

Fresh from the Slaapstad High Court about Dunning & Potgieter
SARugby

Monday, January 25, 2010
SARU Media Release
Outcomes of Potgieter and Dunning Disciplinary Hearing
Vodacom Stormers flanker Jacque Potgieter and Western Force prop Matt
Dunning on Monday attended a SANZAR Judicial Hearing in Cape Town.
Both players received red cards from referee Mark Lawrence for punching an
opponent during a Vodacom Super 14 warm up fixture which was played at
Newlands on Saturday. The Vodacom Stormers defeated the Western Force
54-12.
Dunning and Potgieter both pleaded guilty.
SANZAR Judicial Officer Peter Ingwersen deemed that the red cards handed
out by Lawrence on Saturday were sufficient punishment and as a result,
both players will be available for selection for their respective
franchise's future Vodacom Super 14 warm up fixtures.
Issued by SARU Communications

Now, that's a heartening turn of events. A ref had the stones to give not one, but two straight reds; and the committee had the brains to treat it as being sufficient punishment for a decent clean fight. Well done, all concerned. :thumb

 

[Lindommer]

Not surprising, Thomo, it was Mark Lawrence. Very good ref.

 

[PaarlBok]

Sharks side to play the Force at 19h00(they are lucky) tonite

The Sharks

15. Stefan Terblanche
14. Luzuko Vulindlu
13. Waylon Murray
12. Riaan Swanepoel
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Monty Dumond
9. Rory Kockott
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Jean Deysel
6. Keegan Daniel
5. Steven Sykes
4. Alistair Hargreaves
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Craig Burden
1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements:
16. Bismarck du Plessis
17. John Smit
18. Johann Muller
19. Jacques Botes
20. Charl McLeod
21. Andries Strauss
22. Odwa Ndungane
23. Patric Cilliers
24. Willem Alberts
25. Gerhard Mostert
26. Patrick Lambie
27. Adrian Jacobs
28. JP Pietersen

Look like their backup team.

Those of you wanting to follow the action live , I'll get you the link sure Sharksworld will link up again.

 

[Thomond78]

Not surprising, Thomo, it was Mark Lawrence. Very good ref.

One or two brain explosions apart - and in fairness, all refs will have them at some stage, just like players - I'd have to agree. If we get him in a game, I'm always happy enough with it and so are the oppo, which is usually a good sign for any ref.

 

[Richard D. James]

Bit of a turnaround from last week.

Andre Pretorius made a successful debut for the Force in their comprehensive 26-0 win over the Sharks at Newlands.

It would be too early to claim this showing is the start of the the resurrection of the former Lions flyhalf’s career, but it served to highlight the problems the Sharks have in the position with Juan Martin Hernandez out of the Super 14.

The Force surged to a 19-0 lead after half an hour as Pretorius had a hand in their opening two tries in the first quarter. Lock Sam Wykes crashed over after six minutes as his flyhalf attacked the advantage line and delayed his pass to perfection. The next came from a simple switch move off first phase as Pretorius’ pass found Ryan Cross, who made his way through some porous midfield defence.

Pretorius was subbed early in the second stanza, but his earlier contribution was enough to help secure the result and he would’ve been content with a successful debut for the Perth-franchise.

In contrast to former Bok No 10, Monty Dumond had jittery night. Dumond wasn’t the answer to the Sharks flyhalf problems when he was put out on loan to the Cheetahs last year, and nothing has changed. His performance was littered with errors, hid decision-making poor, while his lack of a prowess as a tactical kicker means coach John Plumtree will have to look elsewhere.

Plumtree did just that with 17 minutes remaining as Pat Lambie moved to flyhalf, also with little success. Steve Meyer is set to arrive from Perpignan in time for Friday’s match against the Stormers, and the Sharks coach will be hoping for more authority from his recruit.

The Sharks didn’t have a shortage of possession throughout the first half, but when they got it, there was no clear direction. Their loose approach didn’t help in retaining ball in contact, while hooker Craig Burden also failed to find his jumpers at lineout-time on three occasions in great positions.

David Pocock led the Force’s assault on the breakdown, but their superiority wasn’t down to just one man. Their technique was impressive and they committed more numbers to the breakdown.

Wing Cameron Shepherd claimed the third with 10 minutes of the half remaining, again poor defence on the blindside to blame for the Sharks.

Plumtree’s response was to push the panic button straight away as he brought on 11 substitutes – five of them Springboks – after the break. Only Steven Sykes, Ryan Kankowski, Dumond and Waylon Murray retained their places from the starting XV, and immediately there was more impetus from the South Africans.

The Force didn’t get out of their half for the entire third quarter, but the Sharks’ attack lacked imagination and the visitors’ negative tactics at the breakdown paid off. The Sharks’ scrum also failed to produce a stable platform with John Smit struggling at tighthead against Nic Henderson, a sobering fact from a national perspective.

The match further degenerated into a scrappy one and embarrassingly the Sharks – with all their big guns – failed to score a point, with James O’Connor causing further pain with his last minute score.

Notably, Willem Alberts also made his Sharks debut, which is set to put in motion the legal battle between the Lions and the union.

The result is not the most important aspect in warm-ups, but the Sharks’ inability to do the basics would’ve worried Plumtree and he’ll realise much work lies ahead before their Super 14 opener against the Chiefs on 13 February.

 

[Blue]

Sounds like the typical clueless Sharks performance we were treated to in the second half of last season. Like I said elsewhere, I predict a looong season for Guppie fans.

Plumtree is going to get fired one season too late.

Also server to confirm that the Force will be tough to beat if they can keep their first team healthy but that they're in for troubles if and when injuries happen.

 

[PaarlBok]

Guppies suck big time. That got that big name Bok players that goes on holiday surfer mood when in banana clothing. We'll see on friday if they can get their mojo back.

 

[JJJ]

Great effort from the lads to bounce back like that. From what I've read the Force were huge at the breakdown and in the scrum. Considering the Sharks were playing an all-boks front row that's pretty encouraging. I hear our lineout was dominant too, and that Pocock seems to be adapting well to the new tackle laws.

But yeah, depth still a worry. What else is new in Aussie rugby though?

 

[Biffo]

Let's not get carried away by trial "results". Let's remember the scores of the trials and correlate them with the real things. There won't be much relationship between the two sets of scores.

 

[Ash]

Still good to hear a big turnaround from the shellacking in the previous game. Will give some confidence, at least, going into the next few trials.

Good to hear Pretorius is playing well, and Shepherd sounds OK too. Really hope that both (serial crocks) have an injury free year.

Would like to hear how the Force's hooker went. At the very least, sounds like he threw straight.

 

[PaarlBok]

Captain Schalk back for the last match against the Sharks on friday night. The Stormers stick to their guns for this match
Stormers team:

15. Joe Pietersen
14. Gio Aplon
13. Jaque Fourie
12. Juan De Jongh
11. Bryan Habana
10. Peter Grant
9. Dewaldt Duvenage
8. Duane Vermeulen
7 Francois Louw
6. Schalk Burger (C)
5. Andries Bekker
4. De Kock Steenkamp
3. Brok Harris
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
1. Wicus Blaauw

Reserves

16. Deon Fourie
17. JC Kritzinger
18. Eusebio Guinazu
19. Anton Van Zyl
21. Pieter Louw
22. Bolla Conradie
23. Lionel Cronje
24. Sireli Naqelevuki
25. Frikkie Welsh
26. Fabian Juries

Would love to see young Lionel Cronje get another shot in 10 after his big performance and good to see the Argie on the bench nr18

Also good to see a lot of WP vodacom and Stormers youngsters going straight into battle for Maties in their first round match in the Varsity Cup on monday.

Maties vs. NMMU: Jurgen Visser; Tythan Adams, Stokkies Hanekom, Dabeon Draghoender, Danie Poolman; Hayden Groepes, Conrad Hoffmann; Tertius Daniller, JP Mostert, Boetie Brits, Hugo Kloppers, Reinard Elstadt, Lourens Adriaanse ©, Matt Dobson, Michael Rice. Reserwes: Callie Visagie, Johan Roets, Andrew Pryor, Joss Strauss, Johan Laker, Stefan van der Merwe, Jonathan Francke, Buhle Mxunyelwa

 

[PaarlBok]

Sharks team for tomorrow nights match

The Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Odwa Ndungane, 10 Monty Dumond, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Johann Muller, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Jannie du Plessis.
Replacements - from: Stefan Terblanche, Luzuko Vulindlu, Riaan Swanepoel, Lwazi Mvovo, Ryan Kankowski, Steven Sykes, Alistair Hargreaves, Craig Burden, Tendai Mtawarira, Charl McLeod, Steve Meyer, Patric Cilliers.


Look more like the real thing.

 

[PaarlBok]

Highlights of the Stormers vs Force match

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaS4hZ-zL3o&feature=player_embedded

 

[todd4]

Thanks for the highlights PB..... :thumb


Any chance of highlights Force Vs Sharks?.......