Super Rugby Tries to Break National Stereotypes

So, I was just looking at the stats on ESPN scrum and noticed that out of the top four try-scoring teams in Super 15, two are from NZ and two are from SA: none is Australian!! The leading try-scoring team from SA are the Bulls!! These stats don't really fit the stereotypes....Anyways, I thought that was interesting, use it don't use it...

Disclaimer: no-value judgement attached to the above observations.
Author's note: did you see what I did with the title there.

No oz side featuring is more an indication of the lack of depth in general combined with the key injuries. They're hardly going to be topping try counts when they're not topping the table.

The bulls have had some high scoring matches and they've needed the tries as they've also let a lot in. Where are they on the defensive ratings?

Not sure what their loss last night means but its not the best form to be taking into the finals.

The Bulls let in the sixth most tries. But then again the Bulls isn't the top franchise in SA and the Stormers are probably playing the gameplan closer to the historical Springboks and they are doing the best in the conference.

With the Brumbies topping their conference it seems like the Jake's defensive structures works for the Aussies too.

The Bulls' try scoring ability is misleading anf only proves they can outmuscle weaker teams, whe they meet teams that can physically match them their inability to change their gameplan is so evident that it scares me to think Heyneke Meyer might miss the obvious truth.

Week 1 - Sharks
0 tries - outscore Sharks with penalties

Week 2 -Cheetahs
6 tries - Physically outmuscle them

Week 3 - Blues
3 tries - Decent performance but still lose

Week 4 - Reds
8 Tires - Overrun a depleted Reds team

Week 5 -Stormers
2 Tries - No variation

Week 6 - Crusaders
2 Tries - Survive a late onslaught by the Crusaders, Steyn keeps kicking away possession

Week 7 - Lions
5 tries - Need I say more

Week 8 - Brumbies
2 tries - One came from a blatant knock on, Steyn kept on playning Brumbies were stunned and stopped playing, once again Steyn keeps kicking away possession and the Bulls barley survives

Week 9 - Rebels
5 tries - It is the rebels after all, but this was a close one.

Week 10 - Waratahs
3 Tries - Not a great Waratahs team

Week 11 - Highlanders
1 try - Physical team

Week 12 - Chiefs
1 try - Physical team

Week 13 - Stormers
1 try - Physical team

Week 14 - Cheetahs
6 tries - again physical domination

Week 15 - Sharks
1 try - physical team.

When you look at that it is clear the Blls tactic works against teams that cannot deal with their physicality. But every time the Bulls run into a team that can match them, they kick away posession, struggle to score tries, and in most cases lose the match.

Their gameplan is one dimensional and flatters to decieve.

That's 46 tries for Bulls
21 againsts 7 SA team games (17 against Cheetahs and Lions)
18 against 4 Aus team games
7 against 4 NZ team games
Looks a bit uneven

Generally the same reason SA will get three into the playoffs.
They ha e the perfect combination for getting three in.
Three strong teams and two weaker ones for the derbies.

We had four and one. The highlanders causing problems locally and Oz had two and three, not good enough at the top end to get two in.

I don't think it matters much how many teams you get in anyway, the most important thing is who is at the top, those are realistically the teams that win the tourament.

nganboy wrote:That's 46 tries for Bulls
21 againsts 7 SA team games (17 against Cheetahs and Lions) At an avg. of 3 tries per match (5.6 per match vs lions and cheetahs / 1 per match against Sharks and Stormers!)
18 against 4 Aus team games At an avg. of 4.5 tries per match
7 against 4 NZ team games At an avg. of 1,75 tries per match
Looks a bit uneven

And as for the Sharks (the other top try-scoring SA side): 43 tries in total

19 against SA sides in 7 games (avg. 2.7) (11 tries vs Cheetahs and Lions - 3,6 tries per match / 8 tries against Stormers and Bulls - 2 tries per match)
17 against AUS sides in 4 games (avg. 4,25)
7 against NZ sides in 4 games (avg. 1,75)


You may have a point there Ngan and Taylor! Although it is more defined in the case of the Bulls.
And so might Biltong about AUS lack of strength when spread over 5 franchises!

I think the sharks plays a more unpredictable game than the Bulls, in fact I prefer the Sharks gameplan above all other SA Franchises.

The Stormers are too conservative, the Bulls are to predictable, the Lions and Cheetahs at times lose structure and the risky game plan of theirs means their defences on counter attack is too slow and unorganised.

Yes once again it reflects the disjointed space SA rugby finds itself in with no real leadership from the top in terms of the direction of SA rugby. Each franchise does its own thing. It works to some extent in terms of variation but it sure doesnt help the likes of Meyer and selection. Can see why he favours certain teams.

Notice the Lions have found some form without mitchell as well . Ten.ds to happen when his teams get freed up from his vice grip