Sunday, October 31, 2010

Worrying times for SA Rugby Journalists

Below are a few quotes from various sources. What worries me is that it seems as if rugby journalists have no clue what they are talking about. As you know by now, the Currie Cup final was won by the Sharks over Western Province. On the day, it was a very one sided final. In fact, it was the largest winning margin in the final since 2003.

So let's begin:

"Even with Dewaldt Duvenage’s inclusion on the bench in doubt because of a back injury, WP should win the kicking game if that is what it comes down to – and it was one of the reasons why the Province management, when told of the wet conditions that greeted us in Durban on Thursday, weren’t exactly cast into a pall of gloom.
The much-maligned Willem de Waal to make his exit from WP and South African rugby as the match-winner in another Currie Cup final? Don’t bet against it. " JOHN BISHOP, News 24


"Assistant Province coach Robbie Fleck believes a spark of individual brilliance by one of his backline Springboks could tip the contest while opposite number Hugh Reece-Edwards is convinced that the Sharks tight five can lay the platform for a win as they did in making history 20 years ago against the Blue Bulls at Loftus." JOHN BISHOP, News 24


"Unlike in 1995, it might just be WP this time who are better equipped to deal with all possible eventualities. For if rain does have a say in this game, it could well be that Province might look back at the early stage of the season, when they were criticised for kicking too much, and be thankful for it." GAVIN RICH , IOL Sport

Even the bookies are dodgy...

"In spite of the Sharks' home ground advantage, the SA bookies SportingBet have this one narrowly in favour of the Springbok-laded Western Province outfit. WP have a one point handicap and enjoy slightly shorter odds than the Sharks for the win. " News 24


"WP and Bulls lead the way" Gavin Rich, SuperSport

This one is just sad....


"Marais reckons though that WP, after a nine-year silverware drought which
stretches back to his last game for the province in the 2001 final, also against
the Sharks, might be the team that wants it the most.
And it is interesting to note that he feels it is the Springboks in the team, in particular Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers, who drive and inspire that hunger."

So what do we take from all of this? Don't read opinions about sport, rather make up your own from the facts!