Blow to Waratahs as Bulls set to rest stars in South African stitch-up

[Sheikh]

On the other hand, if you are the Stormers who are in the finals (unless a pretty remarkable run of results go against them), and you are up against the Bulls 1st string, would you look to nobble their stars in the ruck when the ref can't see?

[AndyS]

The best outcome for the Bulls would be the Stormers finishing 3rd, but the temptation would be to rest the players as a luxury earned. Seriously, if it was us they were playing this week, would we expect to play the first team? It makes no difference to the Bulls who they are playing, it just happens to be the Stormers. It would be a risk though, depending on how much you value momentum going into the finals.

Still, folk talk about the spirit of rugby and the interests of the sponsors, but that wouldn't be much consolation if they were to come out of a dead rubber match with a captain, kicker and front rower injured by a desperate opponent. I suspect they may rest a couple of key players, bench a bunch more and hope to get through without needing them.

The key question will be, if they do decide to play hard and win well, do they fancy facing the Stormers twice in two weeks? I'm not sure they will.

[blueandblack]

The best outcome ...

is for the Tahds and Brumbies to both lose.

[beige]

Hurricanes for one are sucking it up: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...146692,00.html

Nice little taste of next year's 6-team finals format this weekend with the Waratahs-Hurricanes and Crusaders-Brumbies matches being virtual elimination finals.

[hertryk]

Who cares? I agree with Sheikh and it certainly looks like it is mainly the media who are raising this.

If the Tahs or the Crusaders won a game or two more this wouldn't be an issue. Shouldn't have to rely on other results to scrape home for a home final
Posted via Mobile Device

The Bulls can do whatever...Oh! to be in their position I say...Media hype get over it...The NZ rested their players for most of super 14..before the World Cup....Cheesh!!!!

[jazza93]

This is ok unless the Bulls plan on letting the stormers win.

[beige]

Hurricanes for one are sucking it up: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...146692,00.html

Waratahs not sucking it up quite so well: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...148575,00.html

[jargan83]

NZ rested their players for most of super 14..before the World Cup

Yeah well that didn't work out so well did it

[TOCC]

huh, apparently i smoted sheikh in this thread... either i was even drunk or the computer is playing silly buggers on me

[zimeric]

Interesting line up for the Bulls
I wouldnt write them off just yet as i said.. they could cause an 'upset' and win the game with the players theyve thrown out there

I really rated De Wet Barry when he played for the Boks and hes been brought in.

Tiger Mangweni (9), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (51), Stephan Dippenaar (11), De Wet Barry (78), Deon Helberg* (0), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (29), Heini Adams (35), Pedrie Wannenburg (110), Gerrit-Jan van Velze(0)*, Derick Kuun (53), Bakkies Botha (capt) (85), Flip van der Merwe (16), Bees Roux (28), Bandise Maku (18), Jaco Engels (39).

Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle (18), Dean Greyling (2), Fudge Mabeta (1), Okkie Kruger (0)*, Ruan Snyman (0)*, Francois Brummer (0)*, Stefan Watermeyer (0)*.
highlighted players are all formidable in any team

[James]

De Wet Barry is a cheap nasty thug. Always has been always will be. He makes Schalk Burger look like a saint.

He does have a cool name though.

[Sheikh]

huh, apparently i smoted sheikh in this thread... either i was even drunk or the computer is playing silly buggers on me

You're alright, TOCC - didn't feel a thing!

[Timbo]

We need a different icon for "drunken smite"!!

Lucky there's the remove smite for the morning after.....

What a shame that can't be done in "real" life.