It's all a bit messy at the moment
Springbok centre Robbie Fleck looks back at Round One of the 2008 Super 14 and the FNB Varsity Cup - matches that will forever be remembered by the introduction of the already infamous Experimental Law Variations (ELVs). And, of course, he also makes his predictions for Round Two of the Super 14.
Virtually my entire weekend was spent watching Super 14 rugby and there was more rugby for me on Monday in the shape of the Varsity Cup - with my UCT team hosting Pukke in the first-ever game in this exciting tournament.
I also managed to catch the end of the Maties-Tukkies game on TV (we play Tukkies at home next week), and I saw the score in the UJ v TUT (UJ won 35-12) match - all in all, it was a fantastic start to a brilliant tournament, which can only get better and more exciting as it progresses.
Unfortunately for Dobbo (head coach John Dobson) and myself, our guys went down 17-23, but not without a fight. Matthew Proudfoot - the former Scotland and Bulls prop, and now the head coach at Pukke - was very complimentary of our side afterwards, but we were very disappointed; it was a game we could, and should, have won.
A try just before half-time ultimately cost us and we went into the break 15-5 down (instead of 8-5 down) and were forced to play catch-up for most of the second half. We gave it a big push at the end, scoring two late tries, and when the final whistle sounded we were right on the attack, having also had a try disallowed.
All in all, it was a good effort from a very young UCT side against a semi-professional Pukke unit that has been training hard for some time now, but I can't help thinking what could have been had we not conceded that try before half-time and if the breakdowns had been policed better.
Time and time again, the Pukke guys got away with not being on their feet and playing the ball and it was very frustrating as a coach not being able to do anything about it. I am sure the Pukke coaches would also have been frustrated with the calls going against them, making it an interesting night on the whole - for everyone.
All teams in the Varsity Cup are playing according to the full Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), whereas just some of the ELVs are in use during the Super 14. I was excited last week, but having played under these law variations just once, I am not a fan!
For starters, there are too many grey areas and teams are killing the ball under pressure, conceding a free-kick, and then simply killing the ball again. As a player, I was frustrated by about 50 per cent of the refs' calls. As a coach, initially, about 80 per cent of the calls got to me, but now, almost every single call upsets me!
Fourie du Preez probably summed it up best when he said the ELVs made the traditional 15-man game too much like Sevens - and what worries me is that the game could go the way of a free-for-all, making it look like 30 dogs out there chasing after a single tennis ball. There is no intelligence at all in this 'new' game, but worse, still, is that the supporters are being alienated.
Rugby has never been the simplest of games, but the ELVs have made it even more intricate. We had a fantastic RWC last year, the fans seemed to buy into the game and its laws nicely, yet now they are being confused by all these changes. Why fix what ain't broke?
Looking back at our game against Pukke on Monday, it was hard not to hear some supporters screaming at the ref at the breakdown, and then almost muttering to themselves straightaway, "Is that right or wrong?!". With sideline cries of "Hands out, hands out" at one breakdown, the next breakdown one would hear the supporters shouting, "But they used their hands, it's ok!" at the next...
Just like the Bulls did against the Stormers on Saturday, Pukke were very streetwise on the deck against UCT. I don't think that the Bulls or Pukke know the new laws any better than the Stormers (especially under a student of the game like Rassie) or UCT, but I think they were both allowed to get away with murder on the ground, as the referees are still battling to come to terms with the ELVs.
Regular readers of this column will know that I am a huge Wikus van Heerden fan, but everything he did against the Stormers - on the deck - was illegal, which was unfair on Rassie's guys, who were basically being penalised for trying to play the game against a negative Bulls team.
It was blatant for all to see that the Bulls were not on their feet, but yet the attacking sides seem to be the ones getting punished. Is that what these new laws are all about? I hope not...
I could, of course, be wrong about the ELVs. It is, after all, still early days and maybe come next year I will be praising them and lauding the lawmakers and people responsible. Well, I would be happy to be wrong and have the game improve, but judging by the first week of the ELVs, they are not the answer.
Here, then, are my Super 14 predictions for Round Two:
HURRICANES v REDS:
Friday, February 22 - 8.35am (SA time)
Wellington
The Hurricanes disappointed against the Waratahs, but they have some big names and they always tend to fire at home.
The Reds, on the other hand, rewarded my faith last week with a charmed win over the Highlanders, but I can't see them winning away - something they have not been good at in recent years.
Fleckie's prediction: Hurricanes to win.
CHEETAHS v FORCE:
Friday, February 22 - 6pm
Bloemfontein
I'm still trying to work out how I got the 'surest thing' wrong last weekend?!
The Cheetahs should beat the Lions nine times out of 10... Last week was that one time, not helped by Noel Oelschig's brain explosion when his team needed it like a hole in the head!
If I were Naka Drotské I would fine him R10,000 and give him a serious talking to. Imagine if the Cheetahs go on and win some matches now, but then miss out on a semi-final - or a home semi - by two points... It wasn't clever and it cost them...
The Force very nearly came away with a win in Durban last week, but the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein could just be a bridge too far for them - especially with the Matt Henjak saga rearing its ugly head once again. Nathan Sharpe should be back, but now they have also lost Cameron Shepherd.
Fleckie's prediction: Cheetahs to take this one. (Come on guys, you owe me one!)
BULLS v CRUSADERS:
Friday, February 22 - 8pm
Pretoria
For some reason, the Crusaders tend to raise themselves more than other visiting teams in the feared 'Bull Ring'; they love it! The likes of Ali Williams, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have targetted this game as the 'Big One' and one they have to win.
The Bulls, on the other hand, are without an injured Bryan Habana and once again without Ndungane and Bakkies (also injured) and, of course, they have lost Victor Matfield and Heyneke Meyer.
Fleckie's prediction: I am going against the grain here - Crusaders to win.
CHIEFS v WARATAHS:
Saturday, February 23 - 8.35am
Hamilton
The Chiefs did not look half-bad against the Blues last week - a team that I rate highly - and they have plenty of potential, especially out wide with the likes of Muliaina, Anesi and Sivivatu.
However, the Waratahs were very impressive against the 'Canes, especially their flanks, Elsom and Waugh, who were good at the breakdown. That new league convert of theirs, Timana Tahu, is strong on his feet and that Turner youngster has plenty of pace from the back.
Fleckie's prediction: 'Tahs to win away from home; they're a more settled team and have been together longer.
BRUMBIES v HIGHLANDERS:
Saturday, February 23 - 10.40am
Canberra
In days of old, this would have been a table-topping Super Rugby match, but, sadly, injuries and the European market have taken their toll on both teams.
The Brumbies, already without Gregan and Larkham, are missing even more key men this week, whilst the Highlanders could not even beat the Reds in Round One.
Fleckie's prediction: The Brumbies to take this in what should be a dour game.
SHARKS v STORMERS:
Saturday, February 23 - 5pm
Durban
The Sharks, as I said last week, are one of my pre-tournament favourites. They have it all - talent and depth - and have been together for some time now. Sure, they battled to beat the Force, but it's the sign of a quality side to scrap out a win - no matter what.
The Stormers, meanwhile, missed out on a fantastic opportunity to beat the Bulls and they will find the going tough against the Sharks, especially in Durban.
Fleckie's prediction: Sharks.
LIONS v BLUES:
Saturday, February 23 - 7pm
Johannesburg
The last fixture of Round Two sees the team that defied me last week (Lions) up against the side that impressed me greatly last time out (Blues)...
The Lions did very well to come away with a win in Bloemfontein - thanks again Mr Oelschig - but they will find the Blues a different and far more difficult proposition this week. They did well, yes, but they will not be semi-final contenders come May.
The Blues, however, are a quality team and their backs are a class above. Nick Evans was excellent at flyhalf and did you see how well Isa Nacewa did when he was moved to inside centre?
Fleckie's prediction: The Blues to win.
Chat next week,
Robbie Fleck
* Email Fleckie at sport365@365digital.co.za with your Super 14 picks for this week!
* Fleckie's 'Last Word' will appear weekly on sport365.co.za - and also on rugby365.com and iafrica.com - so log on next week for more Super 14 views and predictions.