Habana backs English fight back
25 Nov 2008
Bryan Habana has drawn comparisons with England’s poor form to the state the Boks were in only two years ago.
England face the likelihood of three losses in a row at Twickenham when they face the Grand Slam-seeking All Blacks this weekend, but the Bok winger has given some encouragement to the beleaguered Poms. He equates their situation to that of the Boks’ disastrous run in 2006, highlighting the 49-0 drubbing by the Wallabies as a low-point.
Habana feels the English will rise from this slump, just as the Boks did when they toppled the All Blacks 21-20 in Rustenburg. “As much as people are discrediting England, we were in the same boat in 2006 when we lost five games in a row. We got a 49-0 beating in Brisbane, but went on to win a World Cup a year later,” Habana told The Telegraph.
Pressure is mounting on manager Martin Johnson, but Habana feels the English have to stick with him, as the Boks did with Jake White in 2006. It was the Boks’ third year under White, while Johnson has only had three games at the helm, but Habana believes reverting back to what has brought them success in the past will aid in the recovery.
“I think this England side has got potential and there is a lot of exciting talent. In someone like Martin Johnson they have a guy who has amazing leadership capabilities and, if they stick to what has been working for English rugby in the last two years, I can see them going in an upward curve,’ said Habana.
“We continually got a hiding in 2006. It seemed the more we tried the harder it got. The more you wanted to change things the worse it got.”
The Bok winger was prominent on defence and scored a late try in the 42-6 win at Twickenham, but despite the scoreline he said it was a physically-taxing encounter. “As much as everyone is writing off the English, I don’t think my body would be feeling as sore as it is if they did not put up a bit of a fight.
“They are renowned for what they do and the way they bounce back.”
17 Comments
25 Nov 2008, 13:16 pm
DRAGON!!!
25 Nov 2008, 13:20 pm
donkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25 Nov 2008, 13:21 pm
cheetas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25 Nov 2008, 13:24 pm
Bouncebackabillity,think Habs is having a laff!!! Cant wait to see these mupetts get hammered three weekends in a row!!!
25 Nov 2008, 13:32 pm
Habana definately needs a break because he is not thinking straight. England might bounce back in 2011 to knock OZ out of the WC though.
25 Nov 2008, 13:35 pm
Cheers Bryan, yourself John Smit and Ruan Pienaar have spoken very well and respectfully about our team and you didn’t have to. Gentlemen and Boks to be proud of.
25 Nov 2008, 13:49 pm
#6 Big Hit: Big,you need to re-name this cup you playing the AB’s for on Sat along the lines of “World Cup” or “Webb Ellis” then you may be in with a shout!
25 Nov 2008, 13:50 pm
Habs, your future in commentating looks rosie, but i fear you are letting your emotions dictate your mouth.
they are **** mate, and they are staring down the barrel of the gun this weekend.
25 Nov 2008, 14:08 pm
The Boks got an absolute hiding in 2004 when we won the 3N from the English.
The infamous boys against men tour.
4 years later we were crowned WC Champs, and gave the same England team 50-odd point snottings.
25 Nov 2008, 14:14 pm
“if they stick to what has been working for English rugby in the last two years, I can see them going in an upward curve,”
Problem is Habs, that’s exactly what they’re not looking to do. Johnson wants out with that old style and in with a new SH type running style. Which to be fare, is the right decision by Johnson. People just need to be patient though, Rome wasn’t built in a day…
Habs you are a legend though and can say whatever you like…
25 Nov 2008, 14:49 pm
:-X
25 Nov 2008, 15:02 pm
#5 It is just a game: Hahahaha what a site that would be!
25 Nov 2008, 15:03 pm
#7 oxfordshark: LOL
25 Nov 2008, 15:04 pm
#6 Big Hit: Nice one Big Hit. I agree they have been very sporting and gentlemanly. I think its definitely in response to the way the English team have carried themselves, even in defeat, and the respect that Martin Johnson is held in
25 Nov 2008, 18:27 pm
England have got play better this weekend. They will dig deeper. They have pride.
They erroneously believed their press not giving SA a chance. It was an oversight. Never had England been subjected to such bone rattling tackling. For 59% possession they had very little to show on the scoreboard.
They will improve but NZ will take the game. I think both teams will up their game and we may have a classic on Saturday. Not to be missed. Can’t wait.
Rugby is after all a lekker ding!
25 Nov 2008, 22:05 pm
The 49-zip drubbing would probably just have been 10-zip if Paul Honiss was not the ref on that fateful day in Brisbane. He was the best Australian on the field that day – it was a happy day when Honiss announced his retirement.
25 Nov 2008, 22:56 pm
Thank you Brian, Lets hope some English players get wind of your comments.
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