Jimellow

I'm relatively new to the game of rugby, but have watched it sporadically in the past. This year, I added a subscription to Setanta Sports in time to watch the Super 14 season kick off.

I like the Super 14. It seems to have nice representation from the southern hemisphere, and starts just after football season ends. The pace seems to be quick, and despite my limited knowledge, the players seem quite good and recognizable to followers of the sport.

I find it enjoyable to watch, as I don't know the rules fully, and it's like experiencing something that is totally new and a bit mysterious, but also enjoyable. I like how the team consists of an array of players, and they all have different roles and even body types.

Given that I don't know anyone that follows rugby, let alone the Super 14, I figured a thread here could be a neat opportunity for people to share their thoughts on it as the season progresses; providing there are others out there with interest.

Given the time delayed nature of internationally played sports, it is probably a good idea to use a spoiler tag or indication when posting direct match results.

Does anyone else follow the Super 14? Do you have a favorite team? I don't yet, as I'm new to the sport, but I suspect one team will catch my eye as I continue to watch games and start to understand the varying play styles more.

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Dawolf13

i am a big follower of the stormers and the sharks (both south african teams). the super 14 is by far the most entertaining rugby league in the world (my opinion, i know the euro leauges arent that bad). I also believe the athletic and skill quality is probably the best as well.

if the NFL players played rugby since youth, USA would have a great team. unfortunately it doesnt seem to popular there.

Vaultboy

Shame.

The Stormers are perennial underachievers and their rugby is just.....bad. Individualistic, broken and inconsistent. I live in the Cape (Stormers territory), but I dont support them (for various off-the-field reasons, actually).

The Sharks are probably the best SA team, and always entertaining to watch.

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"Failing tastes of bile and dog vomit. Pity any man that gets used to that taste."

ANSHULchugh

hi..........

healer

I'm not as big a fan of the Super 14 as I should be. Plus, since I no longer live in a house with DSTV, I can't watch any of the games at home.

My Dad was a huge Bulls fan. I countered by supporting the most underachieving team possible...the Cheetahs. I still dig the style of rugby they play, just not how kak they seem to be playing it this season.

Bulls look set to take it, provided they keep playing the way they are and rest key players periodically.

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Vaultboy

Ja, I also supported the Cheetahs, but moreso the Cats before them. I've always liked Free State rugby since forever. Twas a pity when Disco Rassie left for the stormers. I thought there was real potential.

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"Failing tastes of bile and dog vomit. Pity any man that gets used to that taste."

spindles

My location should be a give away that I'm a waratahs supporter. I'm also a bit like healer in that I don't have pay-TV so don't get to see a lot of games.

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Dawolf13

I know its a tough life, but i support western province and boland (played for both at u-13 levels). Its also tough considering douche watson plays for us...but usually newlands gives him a big boo nowadays. Sharks are great (apart from agaisnt the reds, shocking that one), its a pity that de villiers and jacobs dont play together for their domestic teams.

Vaultboy

Yeah. Adi has found new life under PdV, and I hope that him and JdV fomr a lasting partnership. He looks klas for the sharks sofar this season. I dont like Steyn at centre - his best position is fullback IMO.

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"Failing tastes of bile and dog vomit. Pity any man that gets used to that taste."

Dawolf13

I completely agree with you, Steyn at centre or fly-half is a bit dodge. The problem for Steyn is that Terblanche has been brilliant fr the last two seasons and the Sharks possess two good wingers in Pieterson and Ndungane(very underated). Lets not forget Fourie is also a quality centre(look at his try-scoring record), so steyn is down the pecking order at the moment for the boks but he has time and Terblanche is getting older. South Africa is really in a position of strength and depth in all positions at the moment. Quite scary really.