Comments on: Smittie: I’m not done yet

By: Tbozknows

Tbozknows — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:11:22 +0000

You are right you do need tight forwards, but I am one enjoys the attractiveness fast,powerful, flowing rugby. I just belive that South Africa have hookers in abundance.. Smit is not even starting for his club.

I believe depending on the opposition you play the appropriate hooker should be used. Meaning Smit cannot always play for the boks. The teams tight head mentioned France, Argentina and England are all scruumaging sides. Hence you need a hooker with a tight game, however the game has evolved and mobility is key. Props and hookers are looking leaner and more muscular the front rows are losing weight..

By: tight head

tight head — Sat, 10 May 2008 08:37:42 +0000

Bye the way, 3 loose forwards, who do their job right are enough in one team.
At the same time you need tight forwards, and the last time I checked hookers were tight forwards.
Or is it better to play 1 tight forward short because your hooker wants to be an extra loose forward and third centre?
Hell, if we keep going we can get rid of tight forwards altogether, we just have to do away with scrums and line outs!!

By: tight head

tight head — Sat, 10 May 2008 08:30:50 +0000

#34 Tbozknows: Yes, lets get Kuhn and Brits to scrum against the Argies, England, France and the All Blacks, because the scrums don't matter, we can go backwards there and still get enough good ball to have hookers who can run around and score tries!!

By: Tbozknows

Tbozknows — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:09:52 +0000

To be fair Smit is a great leader for his country, I have come accross very few since Pienaar in 95, however at hooker in South Africa these days, you be mad to play Smit. In form hookers of the Super 14 right now are Du Plesiss, Kun and Brits are playing like loose forwards right now. Their mobility is serious which Smit lacks. I respect what Smit has done for South African rugby but these players are knocking on the Springbok door..Particularly Brits. This Man Brits is scoring tries, tackling and beating flankers to the break down..I respect this man’s skills.

By: tight head

tight head — Sat, 10 May 2008 06:24:54 +0000

#32 TheTackler: Good day Tackler. Great chirp mate!!

By: TheTackler

TheTackler — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:12:05 +0000

#30 tight head: A valid passport, an air ticket and a good pair of fishnet stockings?

By: Pot Blou Gevaar

Pot Blou Gevaar — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:36:44 +0000

Further more, it seems like De Villiers has his mind set on continuity. Imagine what could happen to a guy like Brits once he’s mastered the intricacies of hooker play (not that after 12 e-tv *****)! Strong as an ox up front with the heavies, and if ball is secured, can rightfully stand out on wing (real hot stepping unlike a certain Uli Schmidt) and dazzle with his skill. Yup, he MAY BECOME the complete forward, a’la Dan Carter.

At the moment, and foreseeable future though, Smittie covers the basics exceptionally, and is to guide these young guns.

By: tight head

tight head — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:18:49 +0000

#29 kyleh: All the qualities you mention about Britz are those that you want in a centre. You mention NONE of the qualities that are needed in an international hooker.

By: kyleh

kyleh — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:09:35 +0000

#29

I would say O Smittie is a trooper no question bout that that but the man reaching his time. You have a guy the like of Brits as you mentioned, his a strong runner, he has pace, he has vision and he has the ability to make some very crucial tackles at crucial time’s. Smittie good but Brits is up coming talent and I think with the new rules he a better man for the job.

By: tight head

tight head — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:07:47 +0000

One more thing, because he can perform under pressure like that, he gives the rest of the team confidence.
Very, very important in a do or die situation with 1 minute to go and no room for error in order to win a test series.

By: tight head

tight head — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:04:49 +0000

The difference between winning or losing a test match to the All Blacks can come down to one bad line out throw or one bad scrum.
That is where you judge a good test hooker.
He is the one that you can bet your life on, will deliver that line out throw or scrum under intense pressure time and time again.

By: Pot Blou Gevaar

Pot Blou Gevaar — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:53:04 +0000

At the moment;
- Brits the best hooker from broken play, strong as well.
- Liebenberg / Bismarck performing exceptionally in the tight-loose.
However Smit is what you’d call an honest player, good at the donkey work, finding Matfield at will come line-out time, inspirational leader, etc, etc,. I’ld keep this guy around for as long as possible, mentoring any of the above.

By: tight head

tight head — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:51:01 +0000

#24 BokiNZ: Benny Alexander, I believe!! Good day to you my friend.

By: BokiNZ

BokiNZ — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:27:28 +0000

If anything, #23 tight head: If anything, he pops up too often in the scrums. When the heat is on his head will be the first popping out. But that's a minor. I'm with you. He is the best hooker in SA.

By: tight head

tight head — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:26:27 +0000

So we get back to the same nonsense about him not being the best hooker.
Those who claim he is not the best hooker, please answer the following:
By what criteria do you judge the competence of an international hooker?
Please give me the 2 most important qualities that he should have.

By: cab

cab — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:12:20 +0000

very understated and underrated player, u can see why he was made captain tho. good move PdV keeping him on (pity sharks did not do same), Bismarck tho is really making a name for himself in the S14…always a fan of Smit, but i’d be tempted to start with Bismarck with Smit on the bench as cover (also been playing prop in France) and to close the tests out.

By: Kietzphat

Kietzphat — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:50:00 +0000

John Smit is a Dragon’s Dragon

By: the peanut gallery

the peanut gallery — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:04:12 +0000

#14 st.a.t.w: how do you know he's not the best hooker? there might be other hookers who look better at s14 level but can they produce consistantly good performances at test level like js has. eg. gary botha - looked flash in s14 but was found out in tests.

By: THE MAULER

THE MAULER — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:36:21 +0000

He damn well was the best hooker at the WC! And at the moment not 1 hooker is playing better than he did last year!

By: Stoney

Stoney — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:29:24 +0000

John might not be the best hooker in sa rugby but surely his leadership cannot be doubted