[2020 Super Rugby] Round 2 (7-8 February)

[TRF_heineken]

Friday, 7 February 2020

VS.

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Time: 08:05 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Highlanders: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Tima Fainga’anuku, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Josh Ioane, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 James Lentjes (captain), 6 Dillon Hunt, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Michael Collins, 23 Teariki Ben-Nicholas

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy Ward

VS.

Venue: GIO Stadium
Time: 10:15 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 James Slipper, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Will Miller, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Andy Muirhead


Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Michael Wells, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Matt Gibbon

Substitutes: 16 Steve Misa, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Gideon Koelenberg, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Richard Hardwick, 22 Ryan Louwrens, 23 Campbell Magnay

​

Saturday, 8 February 2020

VS.

Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato
Time: 08:05 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Sam Cane (captain), 7 Mitchell Karpik, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Tyler Ardron, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross

Substitutes: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Ollie Norris, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Alex Nankivell

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 David Havili, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetukamkamo Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Oliver Jager, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Cullen Grace, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Faingaanuku

VS.

Venue: Mcdonald Jones Stadium
Time: 10:15 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Tom Robertson

Substitutes: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Jed Holloway, 21 Tepai Moeroa, 22 Mitch Short, 23 Jack Maddocks

Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Jordan Hyland, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Dalton Papalii, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe

Substitutes: 16 James Parsons, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Tom Robinson, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Emoni Narawa

VS.

Venue: Emirates Airlines Park
Time: 15:05 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Duncan Matthews, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Martin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Dylan Smith

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Ruan Vermaak, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Manny Rass, 23 Shaun Reynolds

Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Henry Speight, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith

Substitutes: 16 Sean Farrell, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Isaac Lucas, 23 Hunter Paisami

VS.

Venue: DHL Newlands
Time: 17:15 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Johan du Toit, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kithsoff (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Ersnt van Rhyn, 21 Juarno Augustus, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis

Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka

Substitutes: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18.Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw

VS.

Venue: Estadio Jose Amalfitani
Time: 23:40 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Jaguares: TBA


Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Fraser Armstrong

Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Vaea Fifita, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Vince Aso

​

 

[Oliver Madden]

Predictions:
Highlanders v Sharks - can see the Sharks squeezing the life out of the Highlanders In this game.
Brumbies v Rebels - don't think the Rebels will recover from their 1st game disaster
Chiefs v Crusaders - now this is a tough pick!!. I still think that the Crusaders are the better side though. I expect plenty of needle in this one.
Waratahs v Blues - I thought the way the Blues capitulated last week was worrying. I think the Waratahs will take this at home.
Lions v Reds - I think this season could be a real struggle for the Lions, their grand final era looks over to me.. in saying that they should just about get the win against one of the poorer teams who don't traditionally travel well.
Stormers v Bulls - the Bulls are very poor this season. The Stormers picked up a couple of untimely injuries against the Canes but still think they'll comfortably beat the Bulls.
Jaguares v Hurricanes - sadly the Canes will get another thrashing this week. this could be a 40 point whooping.

 

[petite]

Landers +5 close
brumbies +15
chiefs (yes they can)+5
tahs +15
lions +10
stormer's +20
jags (don't see them blowing the canes away) + 10 (hope you are right @Oliver Madden )

 

[unrated]

Sharks
Brumbies
Crusaders
Tahs
Lions (Alltitude)
Stormers
Hurricanes to lose a very close game

 

[Seeker]

 

[Gena_ZA]

Sharks
Brumbies
Crusaders/Chiefs - need to see if Cruden and McKenzie will play, if the case and at home then the Chiefs can take this one by a whisker
Blues - they can do it if they stick to their structures and learn from last week
Lions - they can just fold as well and Reds can take it - not sure about this years Lions team
Stormers
Jaguares

Two/potential three away wins, brave predictions


***EDIT***
Just read Blues Ioane out for 6 weeks with a broken hand and they lost 3 players in the first round, suddenly it might be a mountain to high for them to climb

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Josh Ioane starting at 12, this could be exciting, we're either going to win by 50 or loose by 50, a fast team, lots of kick and chase and relying on the counter attack i think

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Sharks tend to travel well enough and Highlanders are coming in green. I'll pick the Sharks.
Brumbies
Crusaders Sjo, this and War/Blu are 50/50s for me.
Waratahs
Lions though I can see the Reds take it in a coin toss if it detetiorates into a 7s game which I can see happening TBQH. But Lions stay my pick
Stormers I'll back the home team in a Sto/Bul derby
Jaguares

 

[Gena_ZA]

Teams are out

Sharks - Just cause Landers first game
Brumbies
Crusaders/Chiefs - need to see if Cruden and McKenzie will play, if the case and at home then the Chiefs can take this one by a whisker - they are both playing
Tahs- Blues to many injuries to soon
Lions - they can just fold as well and Reds can take it - not sure about this years Lions team
Stormers
Jaguares

 

[big ginger 8]

I see Oliver Jaeger is starting for. The Crusaders this week and started last week. How's he playing? Is there and injury that has him in or is he the legitimate starter?

 

[JKK]

Big money for the Landers today Jabby ....$1.46 into $1.36 ....which could only mean the Sharks have had to change the line-up or their flight got diverted via the Falklands.
I am with you on the speed the Landers will play the game and play it for the full 80 mins with a lot of fresh young faces wanting to leave a mark on the game.
Don't under estimate Tony Browns coaching ....the quiet guy in the flat cap has a super rugby brain.
Go the Landers.

 

[Seeker]

I don't like the fact that the Sunwolves have a bye week so early in the season. They played so well in their first game that I was really looking forward to watching them again this weekend. It's going to be another long week waiting to see them play again.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I've added the teams to the OP.

I'm really interested to see what tactics the teams will have in the Stormers vs. Bulls derby. I see some the articles are already saying that they think the Bulls will try to go for the tussle of having it being decided on penalties and kicks at goal with Morne Steyn vs. Damian Willemse doing the kicking. Although, the Stormers have a very decent kicker on the bench in Du Plessis.

Or maybe it will be a double-bluff scenario

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Well....I think I called the game plan right, loads of kick and chase...just not the best kicking...ok, **** kicking, rob thompson had a shocker

enough good to be a little excited, nareki had a great game, looses we’re great, Mackay and Hunt had rough ones

 

[JohnKA]

Fassi bok #15 !

 

[unrated]

Love how we destroyed the Highlanders despite the ref constantly blowing against us and breaking up the continuity of the game, then the commentators has the nerve to say yea the ref blowing the whole time (In favour of the Higlanders granted) is the reason the Higlanders is so far behind because "They could not get their free flowing game going" and they said once it becomes like that (Free flowing) then the Higlanders would make a comeback . Such Confidence, Much wow. But then Mapimpi and Fassi do what they do best! Score tries. Wont reveal the score just incase someone still wants to watch it. But its very high.

Venter at 6 impressed me, mvp for us.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Very impressive game by the Sharks
Brilliant game control by Bosh, Fassi surely a better option than Gelant at 15
James Venter providing the Sharks exactly what they missed last yer
Well done Sharks!

 

[TRF_heineken]

The confidence that Fassi had in this game is what seperates him from the others. He just looked like he was having fun, and not a care in the world.

Great game to watch.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Love how we destroyed the Highlanders despite the ref constantly blowing against us and breaking up the continuity of the game, then the commentators has the nerve to say yea the ref blowing the whole time (In favour of the Higlanders granted) is the reason the Higlanders is so far behind because "They could not get their free flowing game going" and they said once it becomes like that (Free flowing) then the Higlanders would make a comeback . Such Confidence, Much wow. But then Mapimpi and Fassi do what they do best! Score tries. Wont reveal the score just incase someone still wants to watch it. But its very high.

Venter at 6 impressed me, mvp for us.

The sharks played very well but the ref was blowing against you because you were always off side...can you really claim to be hard done by?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Fassi bok #15 !

I was thinking the same thing. Hope he can keep this up. Fantastic running, between him and Bosch they have distance on their kicks and he chased and competed well in the air. Good thing for the Bokke that the Sharks and Stormers are keeping Bosch and Willemse at 10 and seemingly sticking to Rassie's directives. Pollard will probs still be starting 10 for a good while but Willemse and Bosch are excellent like for like bench options covering 10/15 which means we can either continue with the 2 backs on the bench or have a center option on the bench.

Here's hoping for the Bokke that Fassi continues along in this vein of form delivering on the promise he has shown last year.

 

[SomeOke]

The sharks played very well but the ref was blowing against you because you were always off side...can you really claim to be hard done by?

Have to agree with this, if you play the rush defense game, you take the good and the bad. Game was a little ****ly (especially in the first 20 minutes or so) with regards to penalty count with both teams aggressive at the breakdown, but I didn't think either team was hard done by.

Sharks have a very solid game plan. Extremely dangerous outside backs who are lethal on the turnover, and an excellent territorial game (helped by Bosch's excellent boot) to only play ball in the right half of the field. They will be tough to beat, but the real test will come when their pack is matched.
Fassi and Venter excellent.

Highlanders in my opinion are still getting used to their 2 play maker axis and it got a little sloppy at times, but some good signs, Nareki looks dangerous, the rest of the Highlanders outside backs were a bit rattled today, should come right with time.
That new number 8 impressed as well.

Well played Sharks lovely to see SA teams winning in NZ.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Sharks went well but I think the Highlanders are going to be the bottom placed NZ team this year. Thought so beforehand and this game has gone some way to making me back myself. Crusaders and Chiefs are going to be the challenge.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Sharks went well but I think the Highlanders are going to be the bottom placed NZ team this year. Thought so beforehand and this game has gone some way to making me back myself. Crusaders and Chiefs are going to be the challenge.

Cheers for the doom and gloom, the result wasn’t quite enough

 

[SomeOke]

Sharks went well but I think the Highlanders are going to be the bottom placed NZ team this year. Thought so beforehand and this game has gone some way to making me back myself. Crusaders and Chiefs are going to be the challenge.

Possible, but its very early, Highlanders have time to come right, plus the Canes were pretty bad last week as well, im still not sure who's kicking for poles for them...

 

[unrated]

Possible, but its very early, Highlanders have time to come right, plus the Canes were pretty bad last week as well, im still not sure who's kicking for poles for them...

Yea i can see the Sharks taking the Hurricanes at home, we now have an 8 day turnaround, will chill in NZ and wait for the Hurricanes to finish playing in Argentina. By the time the Hurricanes get back home it would have been:

• Fly from NZ, to Cape Town, Play Stormers
• Fly from Cape Town to Argentina, Play Jaguares
• Fly From Buenos Aires to NZ to play a Sharks team waiting in NZ all along. The Sharks will actually have all the benefits of a home team.

If the Sharks can beat the Hurricanes then we only need to navigate past the worst two Australian teams before heading home for arguably one of the toughest parts of our schedule.

 

[TRF_heineken]

What is worrying for the Highlanders, is that their goalkicker takes forever to kick the ball. His one kick from touch was successfully charged down, and the one before that was also nearly charged down.

If he gets frazzled, then they will start to lose crucial points.

 

[Oliver Madden]

watched the Highlanders/Sharks game this morning and thought the Sharks were impressive. they've got some very mobile players in the pack. thought the back row stood out all game. wouldn't give up on the Highlanders yet. I could see what they were trying to do in attack, it just didn't click. they created space but they didn't finish off the opportunities. I would make the Sharks strong favourites to beat the Canes next week.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Cheers for the doom and gloom, the result wasn’t quite enough

Hey, at least you've had a title. I'm a Stormers supporter so no pity here

 

[Umaga's Witness]

I see Oliver Jaeger is starting for. The Crusaders this week and started last week. How's he playing? Is there and injury that has him in or is he the legitimate starter?

Well there is no Owen franks this year. It’s hard to tell for sure because they don’t always pick the top team every week, but maybe he’s surpassed Michael Alaalatoa too. Can’t think who else has been around, but I think he’s done his time, done his apprenticeship, and may well now be top pick.

The confidence that Fassi had in this game is what seperates him from the others. He just looked like he was having fun, and not a care in the world.

Great game to watch.

He looked like an older kid playing with the younger kids, teasing and tormenting them.

certainly not a team you want to give turnover ball to.

Well....I think I called the game plan right, loads of kick and chase...just not the best kicking...ok, **** kicking, rob thompson had a shocker

enough good to be a little excited, nareki had a great game, looses we’re great, Mackay and Hunt had rough ones

As we know browny likes to be ambitious with his game plans. They were super fast and aggressive on the gain line at times at the start of the game, just not very accurate. You can imagine if they could click with those plays they could open any defence. Will be interesting to see to what extent they continue to be bold. Starting one game behind is not what they needed.

Possible, but its very early, Highlanders have time to come right, plus the Canes were pretty bad last week as well, im still not sure who's kicking for poles for them...

yeah, I think the canes last week were worse than the highlanders this week. What’s more the canes showed zero promise of getting better.

 

[petite]

Sharks went well but I think the Highlanders are going to be the bottom placed NZ team this year. Thought so beforehand and this game has gone some way to making me back myself. Crusaders and Chiefs are going to be the challenge.

did I miss something? last year nz teams where rocking now everybody predicted this win away for the sharks. and also jags to beat the canes. os it the player drain.? the canes back line looks strong to face the jags with laumape lam smith proctor.the sharks where a machine l! is it the wc confidence? they didn't take games in nz so easily last year.