BRU Super Rugby race wide open
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 18, 2017 15:24
The shock victory follows another surprise result after Gaborone Hogs beat title favourites, BDF Cheetahs last weekend.
The BRU introduced the Super Rugby last season with four top teams competing. This season saw the BRU alter the format where teams in the Super Rugby will be playing each other four times.
The team that tops the log plays number four while number two and three face each other.
Jaguars manager, Feddy Mutenheri told Mmegi Sport that their win signifies a turnaround in local rugby.
“Here at Jaguars, we seek to lead the way on how development, governance, and the approach to rugby has to be viewed. We are looking at nothing but top spot in the league,” he said.
Reflecting on their wins against the big three teams; Hogs, Cheetahs and Rhinos, Mutenheri said they seek to create a winning culture.
He said by the way they are running the club, the entire country and the Union would benefit.
“We have brought competition and it is now business unusual for all other teams. We have achieved this in a short period of time,” he said.
Jaguars have been given another tough opponent in Cheetahs for the Saturday return leg.
Cheetahs coach, Seabe Gabatladiwe appreciated that Jaguars are in top form but his mission tomorrow is to walk away with maximum points.
“My senior players were resting in the last match, but tomorrow I am throwing everything I have into the field. I want us to become the first team to break Jaguars winning streak. We would be returning the favour because they did the same to us,” Gabatladiwe said.
Regarding the new Super Rugby format, Gabatladiwe said he is against it. He said clubs were caught off-guard about the changes. He said the best format is for position one and two to play each other in the final while position three and four face each other for third and fourth place.
He said the new format brings a lot of pressure on the teams because it would be heart breaking for a team in position one to be beaten by position four in the semi finals.
Hogs team manager, Lynn Warburton said they are ready for Rhinos. Warburton holds a different view regarding the league changes, saying the new Super Rugby format makes for exciting rugby when teams of similar strength play each other often.
She said however, the format makes it a long season for the players, some of whom have been on national duty mid-season.