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It will probably be the first real Tri-Nations match this weekend when A Team plays A Team with Craig Joubert to referee it. The television match official is Glen Jackson, once a top player and now a top referee.
It was semifinal time in the Super 15. 1 played 4 and 2 played 3 - Reds played Blues and the Stormers played the Crusaders. Both matches produced clear winners.
Monday's discussion was on the penalty the referee awarded against the Sharks for dangerous play while the ball was still in the scrumhalf's hands and there was no physical contact between the players. The referee described it as 'dangerous play'. It may well be worthwhile to look at some aspects of the decision again.
Just when you think you have seen it all, you are reminded that you have not.
There is just a solitary round to go and even the top of the log is creaking. There are some interesting totals, for example how the Bulls' penalty counts have increased with their increased effort to get into the play-offs. 'Ball in Play' time is higher this week as efforts increase.
Increasingly desperation is creeping in as the top sides vie for top places. The ball in play time increased and so did the number of penalties, but not the number of tries. The difference between the Stormers and the Rebels in tries conceded is remarkable.
Guess which side has had the fewest sanctions in terms of citings and cards? Which has the most? Which is the most penalties conceded by a team in a Super match this season? Which team was that? It happened this week.
The Lions and the Cheetahs sprung the biggest surprises of the weekend and the Chiefs produced the biggest comeback. We have fairly detailed statistics of getting and using possession and scoring and being scored against.
The Aplon decision when the Stormers played the Chiefs had a big impact on the outcome of this Super Rugby match in Hamilton on Saturday.
At the request of a reader we have added tries conceded this week. There are other interesting bits of statistic, e.g. the team that has scored the fewest tries has kicked the most penalties
The Stormers play the Crusaders at Newlands. Gio Aplon puts a foot into touch and Kieran Read takes a quick throw-in which Dewaldt Duvenage intercepts and races away for a try. The referee awards the try. He then sees the assistant referee with his flag in the air and goes off to consult him. The assistant says (twice) to the referee: "Foot in the field of play. Advantage applies." The referee cancels the try and awards a line-out to the Crusaders.
Some big scores, some yellow cards, who got ball from scrums, line-outs and penalties, who scored tries and penalty goals, which match had the ball in play most, which team is the most penalised, which team has scored the most tries. Things like that are in these statistics
The Reds have the dubious distinction of being the first side to reach a century - of penalties conceded and yet they are such a form side. Jan Terblanche's ball in play stats may well be of interest as well as the mode of scoring for the Force and the Stormers - few tries and many penalty goals. And there are lots of other things, including a continued improvement in scrumming
The Hurricanes played the Bulls in a Super 15 match in Napier earlier this month. Playing for the Hurricanes was experienced prop Neemia Tialata, capped 43 times for the All Blacks.
There are some interesting stats this week - a match with no resets, a team penalised just once, a match with most tries so far this season, the week with the most tries. The stats also show that scrum resets have nearly faded away, which is a massive mercy
Gilbert has released a new line of rugby cleats. The Gilbert Virtuo 8S is part of the exciting new product. Check it out.
The Barbarians are one of the top invitational rugby sides with a long history and classic rugby jersey.
The Nike Tiempo is a solid rugby cleat and one of few styles still made from full-grain natural leather.
The Lions get ready for their matches with this green training jersey. It's what the players wear. Get in the Gear!
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Wear the crest of the British and Irish Lions on your t-shirt. A great look for the summer.
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The Lions are ready to get their Australia tour underway. They arrive in Perth on Monday.
The New Zealand All Blacks training jersey for 2013/14. Get in the Gear!
The USA Rugby Pro Alternate rugby jersey is perfect for any fan of the Eagles. Get yours to wear during the summer Test matches.
The NEW All Blacks 2013/14 jersey has arrived at World Rugby Shop. Dare to wear the colors of the All Blacks.
