injuries killing the game?

The injury tally in Super rugby this year seems to be never ending, with the likes of Schalk Burger, James O'Conner and most recently Kurtley Beale being added to the list of casualties. These are just a few of the big names on the list, there are a few players who have returned to the game after a lengthy lay off. With all these injuries to big name players is rugby being cheapened? With the current season being so long and strenuous the possibility of players becoming injured is more likely. Not only will the National teams suffer but so will the appeal of the game, not being able to see the best players playing at their best almost makes you ask, what's the point? A player like Quade Cooper who suffered a serious knee injury, will he ever be able to play the kind of thrilling rugby we've become so used to seeing? Could rugby be burning players like this out before their time, could the current structure of the season actually be killing rugby?

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Rafa king of clay

Rafael Nadal will look to make history in the upcoming Roland Garros. The Spaniard will be attempting to to win his seventh title, if he is succesful he will be the only man to do so. He currently has six and is tied with Bjorn Borg. Rafa has an impressive record on clay of 45-1. loosing only once in 2009 due to a knee injury. Could he be the best ever? Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer would like to challenge that and prevent him from winning his seventh title. Could his immense stammina and incredible spin be the difference this year. Only time will tell as the grand slam starts on Sunday 27 May.

Rafael Nadal © Gallo Images

Kings playing in super rugby in 2013

The Southern Kings, a rugby team from the Eastern cape has been promised super rugby next year. Is this a realistic plan being that there are no Springboks currently playing for the the team and that they do not feature in the Currie cup premier division. Is this fair to place them in one of the toughest if not one of the best competitions in the world and have had no experience playing at the highest level. SARU says that SA cannot add another team which means that one of the current teams will have to be left out. Who of the current teams could you leave out? the Bulls who have won the competition numerous times, the Stormers who have led the log for the past few years or the sharks who have won the Currie cup in recent seasons. The obvious choices would be the Cheetahs or Lions but the Lions are current Currie cup champions and the Cheetahs are playing some of the most attractive rugby in the competition. Some of the possible solutions for this would be to join the Cheetahs and Lions to from the Cats which was the team in the past. The southern kings would be way out of their league being up against the likes of the Crusaders, The Reds and even local teams which they have never played before. They will embarrass not only themselves but South Africa as a whole. Only time will tell what will happen.

Injuries to key players

The long super rugby season is taking its toll in terms of injuries, but especially to players who have a good chance of making the springbok team this year. With players such as Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Johan Goosen on the injury list as well as many others including some young prospects, could the Springbok team be compiled of players who are not the best at the moment but by circumstance they get to play. This may give some players a chance to perform on the bigger stage in the absence of the big name or in form players but will the best players be chosen. Players should not be chosen just for the sake of choosing them but because they are the best or next best in a case of an injury.

(Photo © Gallo Images)