Penalty count crucial
7 Jun 2006
Discipline is the key to victory in the first Test between South Africa and Scotland, says the tourists’ coach Frank Hadden.
“We are proud of our discipline,” Hadden told Die Volksblad’s Hendrik Cronje. “During the recent Six Nations we won the penalty count every time. We would like to do the same on Saturday.”
“A team’s attitude towards the referee can be crucial these days and we’d like to stay in Donal’s (Courtney) good books.”
“Referees differ, and one gets to know them through experience. Fortunately, we have experienced players who will quickly observe on the field what Donal wants,” Hadden said.
One hopes that Courtney is less pedantic than South African referee Tappe Henning, whose shrill whistle was the dominating factor in the Boks warm-up match against the World XV last weekend.
Hadden is pleased White has recalled some of his established players as they are hoping for victory and not a hollow one against a second string outfit.
“We don’t want anything less; that is why we are here. We have a good team and we’ll play good rugby. However, we realise the Absa Stadium is one of the most difficult grounds to play on.”
The Absa Stadium is in fact the Springboks least successful ground in South Africa. Of the 21 Tests played there, the Boks have won 13, drawn 3 and lost 5, which represents a winning percentage of 61,9%.
Hadden has given his team the best possible chance of an upset by retaining the pack that took Scotland to victory against Italy in their last Six Nations match of the season. The backline chosen for Saturday is the same one that played against England and France.
12 Comments
7 Jun 2006, 22:27 pm
Eins
7 Jun 2006, 22:29 pm
trapp halle bokke
7 Jun 2006, 22:31 pm
deutche_bok
Pull your wire boetie – at least say something, anything FFS!!!!!!
7 Jun 2006, 23:20 pm
We should win easily. Scotland have only the following changes from Nov 2004:
De Rollo, Blair, Murray, Douglas and Lawson replace Hinshelwood, Cussiter, Grimes, Jacobsen and Bulloch.
On paper that doesn’t strengthen them much.
We have de Villiers, Paulse, Snyman, Schalk, Juan, Rossouw, Os and Eddie to replace Julies, Joubert, Habana, Solly, Rossouw, Bakkies, Gurthro and CJ.
Some better, some worse. I agree with the bookies, we should win by 15+ points.
8 Jun 2006, 01:01 am
penalties. at least we got someone who can kick, is in form with the boot. and more importantly percy’s confidence should be up there.
8 Jun 2006, 01:29 am
The Boks look shaky, poor fly half, injuries proned front row, a bench which is nothing short a travesty.
8 Jun 2006, 07:00 am
We need Stans old lady in the front row.
8 Jun 2006, 08:37 am
Is Donal Courtney a northern hemisphere muppit?
8 Jun 2006, 08:52 am
It irks me how arrogant the Scots are. They are acting as if they know something about the test that we don’t, almost as if they have been told that they are going to win on Saturday.
Give them their due, they did improve, but I think they are underestimating the Boks. Hulle gaan op hulle moere kry.
8 Jun 2006, 12:25 pm
Chuck on the bench to keep the Scots in order should they revolt !
8 Jun 2006, 13:21 pm
Chuck you clearly don’t have a clue what you are talking about. Anyone who knows the Scottish nation will tell you that arrogance is not a trait common to it’s people. We leave that to the Poms and Aussies.
Perhaps you can point to one arrogant statement from Frank Hadden to shut me up or maybe you need to go check out a dictionary?
8 Jun 2006, 15:07 pm
If the Boks play to there potnetial we will hammer them. I think we will win by 15 at least.
The Scots seem to be talking themselves up bigtime. Which amazes me no one is having a pop at there coach. The moment Jw TALKS US UP WE HAVE A GO AT HIM.
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