Back where he belongs
15 Jun 2010
After a difficult period at tighthead prop, John Smit has returned to hooker. And he wants to stay there.
In the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine, on sale this week, Smit reveals how he feared for his safety when he was moved to tighthead prop in 2008, and how the constant media attention on the positional switch drove him crazy.
He goes on to explain why hooker is his best position and says he plans to finish his Test career in the No 2 jersey.
Smit also talks about how his leadership role has changed since 2007, why he doesn’t like to be rested, working with Os du Randt, and having to shed weight to play hooker again.
Also in the new issue:
– Super 14 wrap: We rate all five South African franchises, and pay tribute to the champion Bulls. Eddie Jones, in his first column for the magazine, looks back on the Soweto final and where it was won and lost.
– New Springbok scrum coach Os du Randt on what went wrong with the set piece last year, his ideal front row, and bringing back South Africa’s overseas stars
– Springbok assistant coaches Gary Gold and Dick Muir have had a major influence on the team’s playing philosophy
– Zane Kirchner is ready to establish himself at fullback for the Springboks
– If there’s one thing the All Blacks fear ahead of this year’s Tri-Nations, it’s getting caught out again by the Springboks
– When Will Genia arrived in Australia a decade ago, he hadn’t even heard of rugby union. Now he’s one of the world’s most dangerous scrumhalves
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– Dan Carter on his Super 14 struggles, why the All Blacks will pose a serious threat in the Tri-Nations, his ideal halfback partner, and next year’s World Cup in New Zealand
– SA Rugby magazine looks at the evolution of Super Rugby from the first instalment in 1996 to the competition’s new format in 2011
– Southern Kings CEO Stephan Pretorius on Saru’s empty promises, Alan Solomons’ role as director of rugby, and transformation
– Butch James: ‘I want to play in another World Cup’
– Mike Catt heads into retirement as one of England’s greats, writes former team-mate Will Greenwood
122 Comments
14 Jun 2010, 06:30 am
Butch…thanks but no thanks
Genia…a legend is born
Smit…you’ve lost weight?
14 Jun 2010, 07:08 am
If Smit’s going to play 2 he can hopefully loose some of that much needed prop weight and get more MOBILE!
14 Jun 2010, 07:11 am
PdV should bring another tight head prop into the system real soon.
14 Jun 2010, 07:12 am
what a selfless hero john is, playing even though he fear for his safety. Captain Courageous
14 Jun 2010, 07:12 am
Hooker is whereSmit makes the least damage, but he isn’t a bad choice at LH!
JS is a must for the Boks team, he cannot possibly be replaced as a political captain and on-field selector, his waning game is of no concern with the decline seemingly of France, ABs and the Wallabies.
14 Jun 2010, 07:14 am
Similar thoughts on the Smit piont.
Genia? Well yeah classy but I’m a bigger fan of Quade Cooper; but I guess we already had an article on him
As for Butch, we buddy, I think you’re can be played off the bench if you do get a chance to play or get choosen at all. We’re happy with loyally South African-based Morne Steyn. Come back down to the Sharks and try compete for a spot in 2011.
As anyone noticed that this article has come right after PDV has started to play a few overseas-based players??? Looks like the “Overseas-based Policy” is been trampled on a bit.
14 Jun 2010, 07:17 am
that cover photo is flattering to john, photoshop makes him look very slim
14 Jun 2010, 07:51 am
Good morning all.
Yip Grant10 was correct and now that is history.
Currently JS will have to step up to be a international hooker imo. The pace is furious and he is not competing enough. Catching the ball next to our fulback in our 22 that’s been kicked by their scrumhalf behind a maul on their 22 just doesn’t work for me..
Bissie is injured so John can now play for an extended period so let’s see.
Bulls – ya well no fine..
nuf said … these Dragons are … well Dragons!
Silver & Minder??? … sorry i don’t rate them at all. Just good average coaches imo.
Genia…. hmmmm.. imo the jury is still out.
Butchie… sorry ou maat die bus is vol.. imo.
Mike Catt? who he?
14 Jun 2010, 08:04 am
JS looked out of puff against France, he will need to do a hard conditioning program before the 3N.
Chilli did well when he came on and the scrum looked better for him being there. Vic did his job, Danie another big game and if we had Juan on then we would dominate the tight-loose.
What a great player Flo is becoming, much like a younger Shalk but far more accurate. Shalk flew all over the show but i think Juan will complement the loosies better. Spies still not that good on defence, I have yet to see him cut a forward down .. still what a great athlete he is.
Ricky was ok again, better than his critics say he is. Morne had a good game I thought. WO is not going to make it, better play JdV. Aplon great game.
Regret Zane is not Intl standard, he has had many chances and still does not instil confidence..
Overall a good result which anyone would have taken last week..
14 Jun 2010, 08:19 am
Definately a hooker and if needed a number 1 at a push at international level.
14 Jun 2010, 08:24 am
@Staal(Staal)-8: I think Mike Catt played for Maties a number of years ago – I haven’t heard a lot about him since then, other than I think he got into the doormat industry.
@bananas(bananas)-9: John Smit played the whole of the first half with a hamstring injury, off course he looked out of puff! Zane hasn’t had many chances – he played against the Lions in the 3rd test, some games on the end of year tour and played about 5 minutes against Wales and 55 minutes against the Frenchies. Thats hardly a lot of opportunities. Percy played 70 tests before he had a good one.
14 Jun 2010, 08:33 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-11:
I think he started a rugby coaching academy…
Mike Catt’s school of ineffective tackling
14 Jun 2010, 08:37 am
John Smit is a legend. Another brilliant Springbok and captain whose full worth will only be known when he hangs up his boots. Just like Teich. Just like Pienaar.
14 Jun 2010, 08:41 am
I ask myself ….. what do Australians know about football.
14 Jun 2010, 08:42 am
Blitzkrieg.
14 Jun 2010, 08:47 am
@bananas(bananas)-9:
He tweaked a hammie in the final minutes of warm-up in the French game.
14 Jun 2010, 08:49 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-14: About as much as they know about scrumming!
14 Jun 2010, 08:50 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-17:
And where are all those Ricky naysayers today.
And all those Aplon critics.
Jeez.
14 Jun 2010, 08:57 am
FRANCOIS STEYN IN FOR KIRCHNER
much more solid player in defence and attack
and his boot is very very useful
14 Jun 2010, 08:59 am
Those Italians are gonna wonder if they playing in the Arctic tonight.
14 Jun 2010, 09:02 am
january made 1 good tackle ..that was it .. still 5th best nr 9 in SA … Aplon was brilliant …
14 Jun 2010, 09:05 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-18:
if january
was
good
olivier
was brilliant
14 Jun 2010, 09:06 am
@Staal(Staal)-8: Mike Cat…. aka “Jona’s door mat”
14 Jun 2010, 09:07 am
I’m not in the mood for the village idiots today.
14 Jun 2010, 09:09 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-24:
stay
away
from a
mirror
then
14 Jun 2010, 09:10 am
Januarie did nothing wrong! did what was asked of him,
Aplon shut my mouth for sure, briliant!
Olivier was average, but imo his worth will come through when tighter games are played!
14 Jun 2010, 09:12 am
Prawn is mos Pietman’s hootchie girl
14 Jun 2010, 09:23 am
@Tisme(Tisme)-26:
quite
right
olivier
was average
and so was
january
difference is
olivier
is
a top 2
contender
for no 12
while
january
is at
the best
a no 5
contender
for 9
just like
poor chilli
@ 2
aplon was
100%
and desrves
to be
there
14 Jun 2010, 09:32 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-24: I feel your pain !!!!
14 Jun 2010, 09:33 am
Yaaaawwwwwnnnnn…….here we go again !!!!!
14 Jun 2010, 09:34 am
@Gonzo Journalism(Gonzo Journalism)-29:
and i
feel
yours
14 Jun 2010, 09:36 am
STEYN IN FOR KIRCHNER
14 Jun 2010, 09:38 am
@umfaan(umfaan)-32:
yes please
and i’m
a
bull
supporter
14 Jun 2010, 09:49 am
im also a mad bulls supporter
WE NEED STEYN IN
he offers so many more things then Kirchner..
De villiers has to get off his high horse and select him for both tests against italy
14 Jun 2010, 09:54 am
@umfaan(umfaan)-34:
That is of course if Steyn made himself available for the Boks.
14 Jun 2010, 10:04 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-35:
de villiers and steyn need to sort out whatever problem they have…
it was very unprofessional for de villiers to make those comments about steyn to the media…he states hes not the best fullback in the world…and yet he picks kirchner??
steyn is the logical choice for many reasons…
they both need to just sort there **** out
14 Jun 2010, 10:07 am
@umfaan(umfaan)-36:
That I agree with, they need to sort their **** out.
And he said Steyn was the best 15 in 2009, but fell off the pace since then – he still very much rates Steyn, but both parties need to come to the party.
I am afraid the damage has been done though not so much through Steyn directly, but his agent who insists all communications must go through him.
14 Jun 2010, 10:14 am
I see the racists out in full force today.
14 Jun 2010, 10:14 am
@Porra the Fat Speedster(Porra)-33: I need your advice. I’m going to watch the Portuguese play the Commie Koreans next Monday and I was thinking of making a witty banner. Something along the lines of ”Porras, give ‘em carrots!”
Would this be offensive?
14 Jun 2010, 10:15 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-37:
yes plus with the media hyping it up
just want him back in the team
14 Jun 2010, 10:19 am
Ive always preferred Smit at 2 over Bismark anyway.
Only legend captains have lifter the William Web Ellis trophy and with Smit there, 2011 will be no exception
14 Jun 2010, 10:19 am
@umfaan(umfaan)-36: At Saturday’s test I heard some rather disturbing comments, alleged to have been used by F.Steyn towards PdV. I’ll rather not repeat it, because it may be just another “story”. It more or less boils down to the fact that Steyn doesn’t want to be involved with the Boks if PdV is the coach. I can’t believe that he would have been that stupid – maybe his agent said something, but why will a player say something that will cost him a place in the Bok team ?
14 Jun 2010, 10:22 am
@katman(katman)-39:
you just
go
right ahead
and the
porras
will give
them
carrots
14 Jun 2010, 10:33 am
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-42:
Steyn has not covered himself in glory at all.
And as the whole Watson saga showed if you place personal issues ahead of Bok aspirations you are in trouble, no matter how good you are.
14 Jun 2010, 10:35 am
Said here before – Steyn is not the answer at 15. Move Aplon to 15 when JPP is fit. He will cut opposition to pieces with the space he has at 15. I reckon for ever drop goal that Steyn will kick from 60 metres, Aplon will score or set up three tries. You take your pick
Januarie brilliant on defense, but still too slow to the breakdowns and takes an age to pass. Must admit that there was a 50% improvement in that department and his kicking game was far more accurate. He will deserve his place if his speed to the ball doubles and his service becomes quicker.
14 Jun 2010, 10:50 am
@GI POT(GI POT)-45: January is getting better, and hopefully the trend will continue. The problem is that he’s a favourite with PDV, so we’ve got him, whether people like it or not. Turns out he plays better for his country than for WP so that’s ok
I still saw far to many delayed ruck clearances and the french drove over more than once. It needs to be addressed as we don’t commit enough people to the ruck to have it static for too long. I’ll bet the Aussies and Kiwis have taken note of this.
14 Jun 2010, 10:58 am
And I hope Smit stays at 2. The longer, the better.
The no2 no2.
14 Jun 2010, 11:10 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-18: Also wheres the Ricky article from KEO????
14 Jun 2010, 11:14 am
BJ Botha was annihilated at 3 for the second week in a row. I honestly do not see what everyone sees in him. He will do well against the shorter looseheads in the game like the Aussies, but against big blokes he struggles.
Jannie Dup was better and I believe that it is time for Werner Kruger to be brought into the side. CJ should be played at tighthead as well.
14 Jun 2010, 11:14 am
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-42: I heard its not Steyn thats the problem, its his dad
14 Jun 2010, 11:16 am
I was at newlands on saturday (close to the field and had a very close view of quite a few of the scrums) and was watching the scrum setups closely. Because Gurthro is taller than BJ the scrum had to set at an angle in order to get the hit even. What I mean by this is that BJ sets slightly in front of JS, who is slightly in front of Gurthro. The result is that the scum has to Wheel forward clockwise at engage, with BJ engaging from a closer distance than Gurthro, who has longet to go in order to make sure his back isn’t bent at contact. This makes the timing a lot more inconsistant and will take some getting used to before the team is getting it right consistantly.
People forget that props and hookers come in varying shapes, sizes and particularly heights, and all of this requires an adaption depending on the combination. That’s why i was in favour of a Beast JS Jannie combo as they are a well drilled unit. With Beast out of the way and Gurthro in the mix you have a strong argument for Werner’s inclusion at T.H.
14 Jun 2010, 11:16 am
@GI POT(GI POT)-49: Tall looseheads normally battle against the shorter tightheads. Os used to say so.
14 Jun 2010, 11:16 am
@GI POT(GI POT)-49: Tighthead still a problem for us. Boy is a guy like Visagie missed
14 Jun 2010, 11:18 am
@Oubaas2009(Oubaas2009)-52:
Hayman is 6’5”.
The Big Girl Sheri is about the same.
Not too shabby at scrumtime.
14 Jun 2010, 11:19 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-46: I don’t think it is a question of him playing better at Bok level than WP. I think it is a case of the different game plans that they employ. WP depend on quick ball to get strike runners going. Bekker, Burger and Liebenberg are used to punch holes and then quick ball goes to the back before defense is ready.
Duvenhage is ideally suited to this type of game and Januarie not. The Boks are more defense orientated, but under PDV they are showing much more attacking flair. I believe that it is this added dimension to their play that scares the AB’s and others the most. We have always been a good defensive side, but it did not mean that we were getting the results.
PDV will work on Januarie’s all round game because it is vital to his new philosophy of play. There is hope
14 Jun 2010, 11:20 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-50: That makes more sense.
14 Jun 2010, 11:22 am
Jannie saved a guy’s life!
Good on you Jannie.
14 Jun 2010, 11:22 am
@GI POT(GI POT)-55: Good points. I hope he does improve that side of his game, as he’s going to be in the mix for a while.
14 Jun 2010, 11:22 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-54: Hayman is a tighthead, thats a number 3.
14 Jun 2010, 11:26 am
@Oubaas2009(Oubaas2009)-52: Yes, that used to be the case when there was a contest allowed in the front row, ala they could “pop” the opponent or the tighthead was allowed to scrum in on the hooker to put pressure on him.
A good tighthead was characterized by not having a neck because then he could get under the chest of the loosehead and lift him out of the scrum.
It was the looshead’s job, therefore, to keep the tighthead scrumming straight and to prevent him from getting under him. That is what made short tightheads a bugger to scrum against, ala Olo Brown of the AB’s and Dougie Heymans of the FS who Os regards as the toughest opponents he had faced.
The contest is now out of the game and I believe that is why we have so many resets at scrum time. The art of scrumming is dying because of pedantic laws. WP Nel proves that short tightheads are no longer a necessity – they have become a liability.
14 Jun 2010, 11:30 am
@Oubaas2009(Oubaas2009)-59: Just serves to illustrate my point. Hayman is a big bugger and regarded as one of the best tightheads around – if not the best. Nobody messes with him at scrumtime
14 Jun 2010, 11:50 am
@GI POT(GI POT)-61: Size is not everything.
Nicolas Mas, the french tighthead is lighter and a little shorter than BJ Botha.
The loosehead who Botha scrummed against (Domingo) is shorter and lighter than him.
IMO BJ remains the best bet at 3. Let the boys settle on a combination. You scrum as a unit. Its been said many times and remains true.
14 Jun 2010, 12:03 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-54:
I was reading your rantings on another thread about 2 of or players getting suspended during the lions tour, when are the likes of you goona shed this perception that all bok players are brutal thugs, I mean that notion did hold ground once upon a time, and yes we have been guilty of thuggish play, but I believe that has been stamped out since the Jake white era, so every time I hear other fans crying foul I just think they disgruntled a$$hole falling back on outdated ramblings because the Boks are usually thuggish when they are losing, not winning like our current outfit who are setting the global benchmark!!!
14 Jun 2010, 12:30 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-38:
You know, 33% of the starting 15 are POC nowadays, so does that mean we can’t crit 1/3 of the team in fear of being called a racist?
Just wondering – I think the Boks did great Saturday and everybody except Olivier and Kirchner looked international standard
14 Jun 2010, 12:42 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-64:
You can crit anytime.
Just when it’s warranted not just cos the player is not white.
14 Jun 2010, 12:45 pm
Smitty back at Hooker!
Great News. That means Bismark is on the bench.(at best).
Bismark was, O for awesome last year. Around the field no better Bok.
14 Jun 2010, 12:48 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-65:
Are their any White Players The Banarama’s, (your soccer team).
14 Jun 2010, 12:49 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-67:
Yes.
And my rugby team is called the Irees.
I don’t know the Banaramas.
14 Jun 2010, 13:09 pm
It may be where Smit wants to be but I’d prefer to see him at home, with a pie on Saturdays, while I watch fit people play rugby.
14 Jun 2010, 13:27 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-69: Agreed, Smith and Zane need to stay home.
14 Jun 2010, 13:27 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-69: Man, I agree with you 100%. If ever there was evidence that John Smit shouldn’t be in the Bok team, it is on the replay of Rougerie’s try (angle from behind the posts). You can see John Smit hanna-hanna along but getting nowhere… A fit hooker like Bissy, Liebenberg, Gary Botha or Schalk Brits would’ve tackled the guy before that last pass to Rougerie. (I apologise if John S was carrying an injury, but then again he shouldn’t be on the pitch if this was the case)
14 Jun 2010, 13:29 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-65:
and the opposite is also true, right? Don’t just crit because a player is white…
Just saying it starts to get difficult in SA to crit some players as a lot of people have the race card as the final “Ace” in the hole – going to become more difficult to have objective discussions on here regarding players in the future imo, since the team is becoming more representative, fully on merit I believe.
just musing… no point really.
Carry on…
14 Jun 2010, 13:30 pm
@panniepeet(panniepeet)-71:
yeah, a any hooker in the world would have tackled that world class wing…
wait, what?
14 Jun 2010, 13:32 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-73: Read my post again
14 Jun 2010, 13:39 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-73: Rumour has it that even the Hillbrow hookers feel that JS is dragging their names through the mud…????
14 Jun 2010, 13:40 pm
@panniepeet(panniepeet)-74:
ok, give me a second…
there done.
still says the same thing – he should have tackled the first guy or the try scoring guy, right?
using a hooker’s potential tackle on a 13 or a wing as your defenitive measuring stick for “should he have been there…” is off base
talk about scrumming, line-out throws or other main characteristics of no 2 play of you want to talk about form
imo, he did most if not all of the no 2 jobs well on Saturday
And what do you mean by “hannah hannah”ing around and getting nowhere – was he standing still? Was a buying a burger? having a chat with the ref? or was he just being…outrun…by…a…wing?
Shock and horror
14 Jun 2010, 13:42 pm
@JohnyBlue(JohnyBlue)-75:
I put about as much stock in their opinion as yours
14 Jun 2010, 13:47 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-76: You’re not the sharpest tool in the shed, are you? Make an effort to go and look at the replay of Rougerie’s try and see for yourself who made the pass to Rougerie… so ‘my defenitive(sic) measuring stick’ is not ‘off base’ when you see that it’s actually a forward making that pass to Rougerie. And yes, it bloody looked like he was standing still! (He actually maybe should’ve stood still – that would’ve probably been less embarrassing on the replay for him)
14 Jun 2010, 13:53 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-77: Rougerie STROLLED past John. Don’t bother with all the rhetoric, Smit was hamstrung (pun intended).
14 Jun 2010, 13:55 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-76: It was the French 8 man, Smittie was in a position to catch him or at least force him out wide.
14 Jun 2010, 13:57 pm
Probably going to be slaughtered for this but why not start with John Smit on bench – keep him team/tour captain; and he can come on in last 30 if and when needed (ie cr@p hits the fan). best of two worlds: better hooker on for first part of game, cool headed captain on for last part.
14 Jun 2010, 14:12 pm
@panniepeet(panniepeet)-78:
I would have let this slide, but no-one questions the sharpness of my tools, so let’s go to school…
You are obviously coming unarmed to a battle of wits, so let me not try and confuse you with the facts too much
try and keep up…
I looked for a match summary on this heavenly internet tool we call Youtube – which you may not have heard of there in Put-Sonder-Water yet – and posted it on my site – click on my username to view it
ok, still with me? no? ok, I’ll wait….
5 minutes later> ok, go to time code 1:42, this is the try from the side – here, I’ll summarize events for your benefit as you are possibly still on dial-up and cannot see the video
* Ball is passed to French 15
* tackled by Louw and Olivier leaving the outside gap – French 15 offloads to French 12
* French 12 tackled by Habana coming off his line and leaves more of the outside open – Habana has been doing this all game in order to exert pressure in the inexperienced French mid-field,
French 12 offloads to French 8 who leaves Smit in the dust
* SA 15 does a silly little half tackle on French 8 and French 14 goes over the try line.
ok – now stick with me here, please – go to timecode 1:57 – the much vaunted “behind the poles” angle.
Now, look to the right of your screen, Yes – that is JS coming in from the right of your screen trying to defend from halfway up the field when French 12 gets the ball – he is the one with the number 2 on his back, a dead giveaway.
When 8 gets the ball on the angle, JS is still about 5 meters away from him having come from ******* i n g far away…
Now sit back, think, and ask yourself this question…
Would you expect Liebenberg to catch Spies in that situation?
No? Good, school is over – let the tirades begin
14 Jun 2010, 14:28 pm
@Oubaas2009(Oubaas2009)-59:
Gee thanks……
What is Sheridan then ?
The tall vs short was the relevant point. But dont mind me if youre so desperate to clock some ‘points, your insecurity levels seem to need it more then mine.
@Gonzo Journalism(Gonzo Journalism)-63:
I dont have toooo much of a problem with the players themselves – despite assessing dear BaXXies as a thug, Ive also said he’s an awesome player and 1 that I would select. But I wouldnt be at pains to argue that he’s innocent when the victim is a non-Safa (Mortlock, A.jones) and that he’s guilty when the victim is a Safa (Aplon). For exactly the same offense. Kiwis were happy to acknowledge R.loe as a thug and yet select him on the basis he was a walking penalty-risk. Noone denied his strengths NOR his weaknesses.
What I DO have a problem with are those that Protest Too Much to declare what is clearly Black is, instead, White.
And quite why youre so desperate to say “that was in the past…..Jake White era” when we are still talking about the immediate past-season, 2009, under PDivvy ?! And BaXXies is CURRENTLY serving a ban for exactly the same repeat offense.
Wow. Come on, Gonzo, where is the ‘journalism’ in that ?
@Panzer Chief(cane)-66:
Bismarck was Boks best player vs ABs last year, outside of Matfields dismantling of the AB ‘lineout’.
Long Live King Smit !!!!
14 Jun 2010, 14:33 pm
@Gonzo Journalism(Gonzo Journalism)-63:
Journalism assignment for the day:-
” The wearing of the Justice4-armband by the Springboks in 2009 was both a protest of 1 players treatment (BaXXies) whilst condoning the actions of another (Burger), from the same match (2nd Test).
Discuss”.
14 Jun 2010, 14:39 pm
@Oubaas2009(Oubaas2009)-62: You are right, size is not everything, ask Aplon. My problem with BJ is not his size, but his lack of scrumming ability. However, as you say, maybe he deserves a chance to gel with the rest of the team. We shall see…
14 Jun 2010, 14:45 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-82: No need for tirades because all your explanations relating to what happened before John S’s ramble means absolutely zip. Have another look at John Smith hannah-hannah-ing along when he ‘tried’ to keep up with the Frog 8 and tell me honestly if you think that he is a fit international hooker and if it looks like he can keep up with the pace… There is no way. Then you can go and watch the rest of the game before AND after that incident and you’ll see much of the same from him throughout the game – jogging slowly everywhere, looking like he is carrying an injury. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t be on the field and if it’s not the case, well deary me…
14 Jun 2010, 14:53 pm
@panniepeet(panniepeet)-86:
wow, I give you facts, video and a run-down of the try – you give me your opinion…
what an argument
14 Jun 2010, 15:02 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-87: No, if you read my post you’ll see that I simply asked YOUR honest opinion. Man, is it THAT hard to admit that John Smit is over the hill and should not be allowed to take the field without a zimmer frame…?
14 Jun 2010, 15:20 pm
@82. DOOMSAYER
F.ck you’re boring!
14 Jun 2010, 15:23 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-87: By the way – strange how your facts has changed – in your post 76 it was 13 or a wing that outstripped Smit and passed the ball to Rougerie. You then had to be corrected and after you’ve actually watched the clip you’ve now decided that we need a second-by-second analysis of what happened and that Smit is still not at fault? You’re obviously a doughnut so let’s leave it there.
14 Jun 2010, 15:33 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-82: ‘When 8 gets the ball on the angle, JS is still about 5 meters away from him having come from ******* i n g far away…’ I’ve actually just seen that comment in your post and nearly pissed myself laughing. The Frog try came from loose play – John Smit was standing in the middle of the park – and he basically had a few meters to get there (Poitrenaud even stepped inside AND outside to give him more time to get there before passing to the 12 and on to 8 etc…) Shocking, but watching the replay from behind the posts is even more shocking when you see Smit’s effort.
14 Jun 2010, 15:34 pm
@The Dude(RaynoG)-89:
If only you were as cool as the real Dude, the big lebowski, I might give you the time of day…
but you’re not, so fffffffuuuuuuuucccckkkkkk offffffff
14 Jun 2010, 15:38 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-92: Yep, Big Lebowski… It all becomes clear – you’ve been smoking way too much bergpietersielie/papegaaislaai to talk about rugby you plank.
14 Jun 2010, 15:38 pm
@panniepeet(panniepeet)-90:
yeah, I first thought it was a 13, watched the clip, saw it was a 8 – came back and gave a proper argument
you have yet to do so, over and above your own opinion.
answer the question first though, would you expect Liebenberg to catch Spies in the same situation?
or maybe Gary to catch Duane?
14 Jun 2010, 15:41 pm
@panniepeet(panniepeet)-93:
ok, so this is degenerating into name calling? I can play…
I may be a doughnut, but I heard you like a different kind of round hole
14 Jun 2010, 15:44 pm
@ DOOMSAYER
Just be less boring. ******!
14 Jun 2010, 15:44 pm
@Doomsayer(www.pollwar.co.za)-94: I’ve got sad news for you – there are NO pills for stupidity. End of.
14 Jun 2010, 15:47 pm
@The Dude(RaynoG)-96:
you are the poster child for pro-choice
14 Jun 2010, 15:48 pm
why cant I say chr!st
14 Jun 2010, 15:52 pm
@panniepeet(panniepeet)-97:
There are, they are called contraceptives – your parents should have used them.
zing!
ok, guys – this has been fun
let’s do it again sometime
14 Jun 2010, 15:53 pm
Someone’s gonna be grounded after all of this…
14 Jun 2010, 15:54 pm
@The Dude(RaynoG)-99:
no linguistic expertise?
a lisp?
cannot use vowels?
I give up, tell me!
sorry – that was the last one…
14 Jun 2010, 15:57 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-101:
14 Jun 2010, 16:11 pm
@ DOOMSAYER
You dont listen do you? I respectfully asked you to stop being boring. Maybe you’ll listen to your mother. I’d tell her but she just loves it under the sheets. I guess she cant get enough of my BIG LEBOWSKI
14 Jun 2010, 16:18 pm
@The Dude(RaynoG)-104:
You know the Big Lebowski was a middle-aged, half-limp, could-not-get-up-to-work sorta guy, right?
14 Jun 2010, 16:23 pm
also, doing a momma joke is the same as grunting and flinging poop
kindergarden stuff
14 Jun 2010, 16:23 pm
Nothing limp about mine
14 Jun 2010, 16:29 pm
@The Dude(RaynoG)-107:
if you gonna defend it, there is usually some truth to it…
own up Dude, you eat viagra with your kellogs for breakfast, every morning you are like NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM as you throw those little blue bad-boys down your gullet…
14 Jun 2010, 16:32 pm
now, since I have made you my prison b!tch, I formally request you change your nick to Doomsayer’s Prison B!tch and all is forgiven
14 Jun 2010, 16:46 pm
DOMSAYER
U r k*k vissin
14 Jun 2010, 23:06 pm
So after vilifying every blogger critical of John Smit at 3, especially Grant, now it seems that we were not that wrong after all.
Kak 3.
Very good 2.
Great captain.
But every dog has it’s day, and John’s days are every shorter.
Such is the life of a professional sportsman. No shame in that. And certainly no shame for John Smit, an all time great Springbok.
15 Jun 2010, 07:27 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-111: LOL
Soda….perhaps i took it too far…..but i really felt strongly that our WC hopes would be be under pressure with a makeshift 3……
and you were 100 % correct when you once commented that you feared for smits safety.
Anyway, its water under the bridge…..thankfully the experts saw it our way.
15 Jun 2010, 07:58 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-111: everyone knew Smit’s best position was hooker, however some also knew he is capable of doing a job at tighthead – and he did, for 15 tests to the tune of 12 victories and two major trophies culiminating the Boks best year since…?
15 Jun 2010, 08:00 am
must say he looks very tight and slow in the legs in that video
15 Jun 2010, 08:02 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-113: and if it was up to you and some other morons on this site he would still be at 3 turbo reversing…..
15 Jun 2010, 08:06 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-113: and coming from a country that has always prided itself on your scrumming prowess you should be bloody ashamed of yourself…..
attempting to convince us of the merits of TURBO REVERSE SCRUM….BLOODY DISGRACEFUL…..YOU DONT THINK ALL SAFFAS ARE AS DOF AS THE SMIT APOLOGISTS ON THIS SITE DO YOU?
15 Jun 2010, 08:06 am
@grant10(grant10)-115: come now
you know most would have Smit at 2 with BDP out
The debate was never about Smit’s best position, it was always about whether he was the best 3 in SA and to be honest with BJ in the NH and factoring in his leadership, he probably still is!
15 Jun 2010, 08:08 am
In fact BH….instead of trying to weaken our scrum i suggest you attempt to influence the poms on how to win a test match….for that matter it appears there football team needs a bit of assistance too.
15 Jun 2010, 08:09 am
@grant10(grant10)-116: chill g10, it’s too early to get into a turbo-reversing tailspin
Scrums can be important, but winning is even more important. We had all the scrum dominance last weekend and lost!
15 Jun 2010, 08:10 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-117: end of debate…..you are so delusional now this is less than boring……
Smit better get into tip top shape….a certain B D P is starting to play again in August!
We will not tolerate 2 nd best anymore…..we are farken deadly serious about defending Bill.
The new wave is here….smashing on the door, all and sundry need to prove they are the very best.
klaar
15 Jun 2010, 08:13 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-119: you know that argument is utter kak…..trying to convince that a turbo reberse scrum is in any way acceptable is a defeatist, weak kneed response and is nothing less than contemptible and the weakest message of all time!
Perhaps reflective of your rugby team, not ours……
We had a problem, a glaring one….thank fark we big enough to admit and fix it…..never again do i want to see a replay of the 2009 scrum fiasco.
outta here
15 Jun 2010, 08:14 am
@grant10(grant10)-120: I’m not convinced about the new wave of SA players just yet, tougher tests await them. I think the ABs might well take it this year, Boks might well have lost too many star players to win in NZ. Should be interesting.
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