| Sharks vs. Blues game [message #983061] |
Sun, 23 April 2006 20:57 |
|
I may be a one-eyed Sharks fan but this season's performance by them has
really been impressive. They were predicted to be the worst SA side and
may end up being the best.
5 wins, including 3/5 against NZ sides. The two they lost against NZ
sides (Crusaders and Canes) were both away and narrow defeats. Two of
their 3 other defeats were also narrow.
The Sharks seem to have a good blend of youth and experience. I have not
seen so many up and coming youngsters in the side since their glory
years 1990-1996.
Bodes well for the future. I reckon we are going to produce some new
Boks this year. BJ Botha and Ruaan Pienaar look very good. and Pietersen
in a year or 2.
The game against the Blues was a decent game except the Sharks 'went to
sleep' in the 3Q. However the Sharks tight 5 were magnificent and laid
the platform for a good win.
I am holding thumbs for our last 3 games; Bulls (away), Stormers and
Force (home).
I somehow suspect though that the Sharks are going to end up 1 win (OK
maybe 2) short of what is needed to make the semis.
However lets keep trying. You never know.
|
|
|
| Re: Sharks vs. Blues game [message #983066 ] |
Sun, 23 April 2006 23:50 |
|
x-no-archive:yes
Yes, dominant, impressive performance by the Sharks, really restricting
the Blues the entire game and scoreline reflecting that fact.
As a one-eyed Blues fan I am impressed and relieved somewhat by the
late charge towards the top 4 by the Blues, and had hoped for a narrow
win by but the Blues were outclassed by a confident and positive Sharks
side, all but ruling them out of a final 4 spot.
It's always a pleasure to see a side playing with their heads up - even
if they're beating my team.
My one gripe of the match was AJ's shoulder charge into Afoa's kidney.
Not needed...and with the precedent for hard punishments being handed
out by the judiciary, I'm mystified as to why it wasn't raised.
> I somehow suspect though that the Sharks are going to end up 1 win (OK
> maybe 2) short of what is needed to make the semis.
And that's what being a S14 fan at finals time is largely about!
(especially if you're a Blues supporter....)
Often the fight between positions 5-8 on the standings ladder provides
the best rugby of the competition - those teams who are having a late
peak vs others slipping off the peak of their game. Desperation and the
"we've got nothing-to-lose" attitude make for exciting, fast rugby.
Out of interest - "holding thumbs" - is this a regional saying? What
does it mean?
|
|
|
| Re: Sharks vs. Blues game [message #983075 ] |
Mon, 24 April 2006 02:05 |
|
"Kozz" <richard.raudon [at] gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1145829024.698531.144070 [at] j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> x-no-archive:yes
>
> Yes, dominant, impressive performance by the Sharks, really restricting
> the Blues the entire game and scoreline reflecting that fact.
>
> As a one-eyed Blues fan I am impressed and relieved somewhat by the
> late charge towards the top 4 by the Blues, and had hoped for a narrow
> win by but the Blues were outclassed by a confident and positive Sharks
> side, all but ruling them out of a final 4 spot.
We can take solace from the fact that at least the Blues picked themselves
up enough not to be humiliated, but it's been a definite "what-if" season
given the number of injuries (having McDonald and McAllister out of action
for so long, especially) and the moronic insistence at playing Lavea at 10,
long after it was clear he wasn't doing the job.
> It's always a pleasure to see a side playing with their heads up - even
> if they're beating my team.
And you've got to admit, watching Tony Brown is a nice blast from the past.
Thinning hair and all.
Andrew Muir
|
|
|
| Re: Sharks vs. Blues game [message #983081 ] |
Mon, 24 April 2006 03:12 |
|
Andrew Muir wrote:
> And you've got to admit, watching Tony Brown is a nice blast from the
past.
> Thinning hair and all.
>
> Andrew Muir
Blast from the past indeed. He's playing well, and I think he and
Pienaar together at 10 and 9 have really sparked the Sharks' performance
this year. He's playing like a man ten years younger than he is. Did you
see him driving for the line through a pile of bodies like a forward in
the first half? Brought a smile to my face :)
shg
|
|
|
| Re: Sharks vs. Blues game [message #983085 ] |
Mon, 24 April 2006 07:36 |
|
Kozz wrote:
> x-no-archive:yes
>
> Yes, dominant, impressive performance by the Sharks, really restricting
> the Blues the entire game and scoreline reflecting that fact.
>
> As a one-eyed Blues fan I am impressed and relieved somewhat by the
> late charge towards the top 4 by the Blues, and had hoped for a narrow
> win by but the Blues were outclassed by a confident and positive Sharks
> side, all but ruling them out of a final 4 spot.
>
Yes the Bles start of season did not look good. Now playing some decent
rugby.
> It's always a pleasure to see a side playing with their heads up - even
> if they're beating my team.
>
> My one gripe of the match was AJ's shoulder charge into Afoa's kidney.
> Not needed...and with the precedent for hard punishments being handed
> out by the judiciary, I'm mystified as to why it wasn't raised.
>
Fair enough. It was dumb. AJ has really cleaned his act up but that was
a bit of a blast from the past.
I also noticed one of the Blue players throwing a punch in a ruck. Did
not see who though (in the 2nd half).
Apart from that the game was played in a pretty good spirit
>
>>I somehow suspect though that the Sharks are going to end up 1 win (OK
>>maybe 2) short of what is needed to make the semis.
>
>
> And that's what being a S14 fan at finals time is largely about!
> (especially if you're a Blues supporter....)
>
> Often the fight between positions 5-8 on the standings ladder provides
> the best rugby of the competition - those teams who are having a late
> peak vs others slipping off the peak of their game. Desperation and the
> "we've got nothing-to-lose" attitude make for exciting, fast rugby.
>
> Out of interest - "holding thumbs" - is this a regional saying? What
> does it mean?
>
It means more or less the same as "cross fingers".
My grandparents used to use that saying and they were born in England.
However you got me wondering so I googled it.
a lot of South African references.
Some Scandanavian references
I did find a few English references. Here is one
http://www.myfootballnews.co.uk/news_jump.html?team_id=7& ;story=625848
Even the odd Aus reference
It is possible that the Aus and UK reference were SA influenced. (Lots
of expats)
I reckon - the saying originated outside SA but it seems that SA use it
widely and it has fallen into relaitve disuse elswhere. Can't back this
up though.
|
|
|
| Re: Sharks vs. Blues game [message #983120 ] |
Mon, 24 April 2006 11:55 |
|
On Sun, 23 Apr 2006 20:57:18 +0200, "Dave (SA)"
<david.baker [at] domainfollowsgilga.com> wrote:
<<>I am holding thumbs for our last 3 games; Bulls (away), Stormers
and
>Force (home).
>I somehow suspect though that the Sharks are going to end up 1 win (OK
>maybe 2) short of what is needed to make the semis.
>However lets keep trying. You never know.>>
The players in the Sharks team look as if they have mercifully been
released from the straight jacket of stupid blackboard game plans
hatched by dumb coaches - and are actully allowed to play ordinary
rugby.
They will probably beat the Bulls this coming weekend.
|
|
|
| Re: Sharks vs. Blues game [message #983121 ] |
Mon, 24 April 2006 11:57 |
|
On 23 Apr 2006 14:50:24 -0700, "Kozz" <richard.raudon [at] gmail.com>
wrote:
<<>My one gripe of the match was AJ's shoulder charge into Afoa's
kidney.
>Not needed...and with the precedent for hard punishments being handed
>out by the judiciary, I'm mystified as to why it wasn't raised.>>
It was stupid. Specially with all the eyes watching these days. On
Sharks side the apparent punch by the Blues no 2 of Ackerman is
mentioned. Maybe no citings from either side?
<<>> I somehow suspect though that the Sharks are going to end up 1
win (OK
>> maybe 2) short of what is needed to make the semis.>>
Yes.
|
|
|
| "Holding thumbs" (was: Sharks vs. Blues game) [message #983163 ] |
Mon, 24 April 2006 21:38 |
|
Dave (SA) wrote:
> Kozz wrote:
>> Out of interest - "holding thumbs" - is this a regional saying? What
>> does it mean?
>>
>
> It means more or less the same as "cross fingers".
>
> My grandparents used to use that saying and they were born in England.
> However you got me wondering so I googled it.
I would say that SA English got it from Afrikaans: "Duim vashou"
|
|
|
