Comment by Katsesnor : March 10, 2008 @ 12:01 pm

Who would ever have thought that Gaffie would be described as ‘calm’ and ‘stable’? In Lion country it obviously doesn’t take much to be a ‘wenner’.

The Bulls are his next victim.

Is it April 1st today or Monday the 10th of March, because I haven’t read something so funny in ages.

Gaffie du Toid has the mental fragility and toughness of Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua if suddenly left to fend for itself in the bush and confronted by a pack of hungry Hyenas.

This is a guy who’s big match temperment ranks right up there with ‘winners’ such as Wayne Ferreira, Elana Meyer and Tim Henman.

I’m not for a second suggesting that he didn’t have talent. I watched him play for Griquas when he was something like 19 or 20 and yes he set the world on fire….or more accurately, he set the Vodacom cup on fire… As soon as he was thurst into the big league with aggresive defenses he went to pieces – I saw this long before his and Dave von Hosselin’s disasterous test debut’s against NZ.

And all this boohoo-nancy-wancy cr*p about Mallet is so effing over played it makes me cringe. Yes Mallet publically lambasted Gaffie which wasn’t good – but it was hardly as bad as they make out.

And even if it was – grow an effing chin and get on with it!

Gaffie was given more chances than any player in the entire history of the game and lived on past reputation (reputation for ‘promise’ that is) far longer than any player I know.

He was a complete journeyman and mercenery and must surely hold the record for having played for more provinces in SA than any other player.

Far less talented players in numerous sports, not just rugby, have had disasterous debuts, been lambasted by coach, fans and media, and come back tougher and better for it!

The excuse that Mallet’s jibes crippled his carreer is I’m sorry to say nothing but soft-c*ck rubbish.

If you going to compete at the highest level of sport then mental toughness is one of the key attributes you need.

All things considered Gaffie has gone okay, but don’t make me laugh…

Unfortunetely he was destroyed by Mallet.

Very fast of the mark. He has scored one of the best flyhalf tries -for Griquas anaginst Free State – I evere witnessed.

Massive boot and SUPERB passing skills to both sides.

BUT, he is 31 years old. Nearing the end of his career.

I believe the Lions urgently need experience at 10, and someone like Gaffie can slot in at 11, 14 and 15 IF Andre P returns.

If the Lions had a player like this they could have taken the CC in 2007 and would have done better in the S14 thus far. It’s really what they need imo.

I always knew Gaffie would do well in France but he should have left after Mallet had lambasted him all those years ago, he could have become a great flyhalf for SA.

Who would sign him out of the bigger unions? Maybe Griquas would take him back.