Blacks cut senior boys
10 Jul 2011
The All Blacks have named a Tri-Nations squad featuring some notable absentees.
The inclusion of Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata is dominating the back pages in New Zealand, but the players not in the mix are more interesting. Among those are men previously favoured by Henry – Joe Rokocoko, Neemia Tialata and Luke McAlister.
Furthermore, the duo of Cory Jane and Sitiveni Sivivatu only make the squad as cover for Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle). The five have, however, done little to aid their cause this season.
With Tony Woodcock still injured, the Crusaders’ impressive prop Wyatt Crockett is included in the group. Corey Flynn, Richard Kahui and Piri Weepu also return after injury ruled them out of contention for last year’s Grand Slam tour to the northern hemisphere. Crusaders wing Zac Guildford receives a recall on the back of a good Super Rugby campaign.
Henry has backed Colin Slade as his deputy to flyhalf Dan Carter, despite two broken jaws forcing him to miss the bulk of the season. This is the most worrying position for the All Blacks, with a massive gulf in quality between the incumbent and his replacements.
Henry said he placed a high premium on winning the Tri-Nations, even though the World Cup is a primary focus.
‘The Tri Nations also remains an important competition for the team this year. We are proud of the record we have achieved over the years and the fact that we have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and it is crucial as we look to build towards the Rugby World Cup,’ he said.
All Black Tri-Nations squad -
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu
Forwards: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore
Injury replacements: Wyatt Crockett, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ben Smith.
243 Comments
10 Jul 2011, 07:46 am
If DC gets injured or his indifferent form continues the AB’s are goin to have a scary WC…..
10 Jul 2011, 07:47 am
AB Dragons, BTW!!!!
10 Jul 2011, 08:30 am
@Siyavuna(Siyavuna)-1: If DC gets injured, kiwis won’t win, simple
10 Jul 2011, 08:39 am
Fark, the ABs select Piri piri Bushpig?
Its all over rover.
10 Jul 2011, 08:43 am
Piri’s as good as any and he’s a very good goalkicker too. Robbie Freuan is unlucky not to make the list. Slade’s good #10 backup.
10 Jul 2011, 08:47 am
Piri’s as good as any… 30kgs lighter.
ABs quota player?
10 Jul 2011, 09:00 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-6:
keo’s quota blogger…..
10 Jul 2011, 09:03 am
@gretep(gretep)-7: Your Mum?
10 Jul 2011, 09:11 am
I’d like to see Cruden on with Piri; thay have as good a combination going as Genia/Cooper. Cruden was given a list of ‘work ons’ which he did very well and deserves to be rewarded IMO.
Ben Smith deserves to be there more than Jane on form but I guess they’re hoping Jane will pull himself together in a black jersey.
They should have another specialist openside flanker, but I assume they are intent on working Richie hard to get him back into matchfitness and his usual top class form.
Apart from that the squad is acceptable to me and as expected.
10 Jul 2011, 09:11 am
Pretty impressive, but not unbeatable. Reds beat the bulk of this team. The addition of Ali, and Kaino will add value. Despite the big hu ha about the Boks C team could blow up big time in the kissing cousins faces. If the Boks win or even lose marginaly, the worry will be excaberated knowing the Boks best await at home and on the way to defend their title! Go Bokke!
10 Jul 2011, 09:14 am
robbie freuen very unlucky.
he’s playing fantastic rugby, he’d be my preferred 13 if i was henry….particularly if henry goes the dan carter-sonny bill route at 10/12.
combinations/combinations
10 Jul 2011, 09:45 am
1. Tony Woodcock…………………. Dean Greyling
2. Keven Mealamu………………… John Smit (c)
3. Owen Franks…………………….. Werner Kruger
4. Brad Thorn………………………… Flip vd Merwe
5. Ali Williams……………………….. Johann Muller
6. Jerome Kaino……………………. Deon Stegmann
7. Richie McCaw (c)………………. Jean Deysel
8. Keiran Reid……………………….. Danie Rossouw
9. Jimmy Cowan……………………. Ruan Pienaar
10. Dan Carter……………………….. Lwazi Mvovu
12. SB Williams……………………… Wynand Olivier
13. Conrad Smith…………………… Juan de Jongh
14. Hosea Gear……………………… Bjorn Basson
15. Mils Muliaina…………………….. Patrick Lambie
16. Andrew Hore…………………….. Adriaan Strauss
17. John Afoa………………………….. CJ vd Linde
18. Sam Whitelock…………………. Al Hargreaves
19. Adam Thomson……………….. Heinrich Brussow
20. Andy Ellis………………………….. Charl McLeod
21. Colin Slade………………………. Adi Jacobs
22. Isaia Toeava…………………….. Ryan Kankowski
Challenge accepted.
But we have some strange problems in the backline. Unless PdV is planning on using Aplon as a fullback and Elton makes his test debut. Neither of which sounds great.
Rossouw is supposed to be at 4, this will put Flip as good backup for 4 and remove Hargreaves, but then you have Kanko or Johnson at 8, or and 8 and 7. Oh well. And I’m sure Chiliboy will be on the bench, eventhough Strauss is better.
I don’t know if CJ can recover in time, but he can backup tighthead. Otherwise we have only 1 damn tighthead and then we have to use Coenie on the bench.
Difficulties everywhere. The AB are much more specialized and settled.
10 Jul 2011, 09:46 am
Hmmm… Not sure about Slade ahead of Cruden. Cruden’s really impressed me this year. Good decision-making. Pace to burn and a decent boot as well. Tough one. And the All Blacks just don’t have a quality scrumhalf IMO. Interesting TriNations ahead.
10 Jul 2011, 09:50 am
mentioned it yesterday during the final that fruean is not ab material yet, he is wa too raw & his error rate is too high, plus his defence is weak, the reds 12 was beating him with ease the whole day yesterday. He’s still young and can still improve for now Snakey is the incumbent.
Piri is a GH favourite, when fit he can be a tricky customer like we saw last year when he came on the tri-nations and controlled games with ease eg soccer city.
Not a bad team, rokocoko didn’t appl himself or play brilliantly. Jarrad Hoeata deserves his spot there as he is a future all black @ 4 when thorn calls it quits.
10 Jul 2011, 09:54 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-12:
I would have sent
Juandre Kruger in Hargreaves’ place,
Stephan Terblanche in Adi’s place,
GvdHeever in Odwa Ndunganes place,
Ebersohn in Jantjies’ place,
and maybe consider Gerhard Mostert too.
That would have seemed more solid.
Anyway, we will have to see what positives we can take from this adventure. If the boys lose heavily, what will it mean for the reputations of the fringe players?
There are 8 A-team players in that squad.
10 Jul 2011, 09:56 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-14:
Can’t see Hoeata in ahead of Whitelock. But Williams is still recovering so……
10 Jul 2011, 09:59 am
agile t*t: lwazi’s surname is mvovo & not mvovu #jusayin
10 Jul 2011, 10:03 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-17:
#and?
10 Jul 2011, 10:09 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-17:
Oops.
10 Jul 2011, 10:12 am
agile t*t: i agree to an extent, sam play in the loose is fantastic but GH might look @ the fact that jarrad covers both lock & blindside with equal proficiency.
10 Jul 2011, 10:18 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-20:
I wouldn’t worry about that.
10 Jul 2011, 10:19 am
Bloody Olivier is going to lose us the tests. He is the ultimate backline quota of note.
10 Jul 2011, 10:23 am
I reckon that these players are going to experience burn out
The S15 is just too long and the NZ and SA derby’s too taxing on the players
Watch this space
10 Jul 2011, 10:26 am
Also watch the replay of yesterday, Crockett drops his bind and binds illegal.When he shoves he does not even bind at all.
Keep an eye out for his binding
10 Jul 2011, 10:26 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-15:
I agree on all accounts but Kruger… he’s another Ross Skeate… but yes it is ‘Party-boy’ Hargreaves… he ain’t a lock in any sense of the game of union!
10 Jul 2011, 10:27 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-22:
Don’t worry, he is the best defending centre in South Africa.
10 Jul 2011, 10:27 am
Donnelly, Todd, Mathewson, Ranger, Fruean, Maitland
Unlucky!
10 Jul 2011, 10:28 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-22: Snor has already lost the Boks these tests by sending a 2nd/3rd team, and he is going to lose the Boks the Tri-Nations and World Cup by being unprofessional and clueless.
Lying about the injuries is diabolical, unless all those players are really injured, in which case, South African players are soft.
Deans and Henry seem to have their squads and game plans under control. De Villiers is all over the place, contracting in any-one who has ever coached anything. What does he actual do these days, other than press conferences? The scrums? He has someone else for every other role.
10 Jul 2011, 10:29 am
the crusaders players will be ‘rested’ as gh said last week. Other dudes like Adam Thomson are well rested – injuries & not participating in the playoffs.
10 Jul 2011, 10:29 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-25:
I know Hargreaves must a be a favourite of someone’s, so I don’t want to be too insensitive, but I think Hargreaves is really an average lock. Average for SA.
We had a good look at the two last CC.
But Hargreaves was U/21 Captain, so, I don’t know if they think that should count for something……
10 Jul 2011, 10:30 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-15: Now why would you wanna take Zimmerframe Terblanche with, team photographer?
10 Jul 2011, 10:30 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-22:
Really?
In a country lacking quality 12′s WO yet again had all the best stats of ANY RSA centre in this years S15… most metres run, most line-breaks, most line-break assists, most tackles…
So just who the fark would you select smarty-pants?
10 Jul 2011, 10:34 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-28:
What really makes me smile, is that they sent Spies on holiday right after the S15.
Then they give him his “medical” and conclude that “whoopsie daisey” we have another injured here.
But he pitched up on the final day of training.
10 Jul 2011, 10:34 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-28: So has Henry and Deans
Go and look at their coaching staff and then blag off against PDV
Even Braam is coaching the Aussie kickers, what is Deans doing seeing that he us an ex fullback
You just anti PDV and that is blurring your judgment
10 Jul 2011, 10:34 am
*daisy
10 Jul 2011, 10:35 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-26: He is a turnstile at international level and a 12 needs to be more than pretend to wave the opposition through his channel.
10 Jul 2011, 10:35 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-28:
What does he do?
Why, he travels to Palestine when he should be preparing for the Tri-Nations, not to mention the most important tournament of his tenure which directly follows the 3nat.
But then he has Rassie doing the real coaching with the first-choice Bok team and Smit marshalling the 2nd-stringers so why not head to the middle east for some diplomatic hand-shaking?
10 Jul 2011, 10:35 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-32: Look at his international record, period.
10 Jul 2011, 10:36 am
@JL1(JL1)-31:
Well, in place of Adi Jacobs. Who else? Robert Ebersohn? Jaco Pretorius? JL Potgieter? Stephan Dippenaar? Deon v Rensburg?
10 Jul 2011, 10:36 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-30:
RSA might be a flanker manufacturer… but they are severely lacking at lock… the U20 RWC is a case in point… only two were selected in a 30 plus squad and that Etsebeth was the pick of the bunch and he was OWNED!
NZ on the other hand had 3 players over 204cms and this at 19 yrs old…
Hargreaves is AVERAGE in every sense of the word on the paddock… he’s like a Ralepelle!
10 Jul 2011, 10:37 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-32: Are you telling me that you would select Olivier as the no 1 inside centre if all the other candidates were available? Really? If so, don’t be so stupid as to call others names.
10 Jul 2011, 10:38 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-39: Anyone, pick my aunt, she is faster over 100m
10 Jul 2011, 10:38 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-36:
He defended well in the Tri Nations last year. How many tackles did he miss?
10 Jul 2011, 10:40 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-38:
Yes pal… answer the question… just who would you choose that is in better form at 12 that will fit into that backline?
10 Jul 2011, 10:40 am
@JL1(JL1)-42:
Over Stephan, or Adi, or both?
Terblache didn’t look too shabby when he scored that try against the Bulls recently…….
And we know he is preferred above Adi, that is why I said that I would rather have taken him. And I’m serious.
10 Jul 2011, 10:40 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-43: And how many tries did we score again.
10 Jul 2011, 10:41 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-43: Who is the defensive leader in the backline, Mossie
Now who will fill that role
10 Jul 2011, 10:41 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-41:
See above dilettante!
10 Jul 2011, 10:41 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-44: Seriously? You’d seriously chose Olivier as the first choice inside centre every time? Enough said.
10 Jul 2011, 10:43 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-48: Actually, Aussie-wannabe, I am lamenting that SA doesn’t have enough quality inside centres for international level outside of JDJ (when Mossie is fit for outside centre) and JDV.
10 Jul 2011, 10:44 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-40:
Ogh weeeell.
We seem to manage at test level. At the Bulls we have/had Matfield, Bakkies, Danie, Flip, Kruger, Berend, and some good youngsters coming though. So I think we can say that South Africa is a flank- and lock “manufacturer”
10 Jul 2011, 10:44 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-45: Adi does break the line, but why not pick Sadie or Ebersohn and see how good they are
10 Jul 2011, 10:44 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-49: He is talking about the 2nd/3rd choice Springbok team that is being sent over the NZ and Aus. Who would you select ahead of Olivier? Considering all the knee, groin and hamstring “injuries”.
10 Jul 2011, 10:45 am
Even try Lambie at 12
10 Jul 2011, 10:45 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-51: Who is Berend?
Never heard of him.
10 Jul 2011, 10:46 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-46:
“WE”?
Oh, I only realized now that you are a South African.
@JL1(JL1)-47:
Olivier of course.
10 Jul 2011, 10:47 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-53: And I am talking about Olivier being a liability at international level regardless. Try out a youngster. You know what you’re getting in Olivier – a 1 try wonder in almost 50 tests who is shut down more easily than Ford Estate in a drag race.
10 Jul 2011, 10:47 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-55:
Berend Botha.
Ferreira coming though perhaps. Saddled with Fudge Mabeta for a while. Cornell Hess also seems to not be going places.
10 Jul 2011, 10:48 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-56: Speed up man. I know some northerners are slow but that takes the cake
10 Jul 2011, 10:49 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-57: Give a name.
10 Jul 2011, 10:51 am
i don’t care what the stats say, wynand is useless @ TEST level, period!
Geez, the guy was sooo scared of sbw he was literally chucking the ball @ the sight of sonny. +/- 36 Tests and zilch to show for it but a solitary try, nobody in the world rates this guy.
10 Jul 2011, 10:51 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-59:
Just being sarcastic-pointing out that you seem kinda hostile toward our boys.
Honestly, there is nobody else available right now. No better player.
You don’t have to worry, WO will hardly miss a tackle.
10 Jul 2011, 10:52 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-58:
The seniors are gone… Juandre was average in the NH… have not heard of Botha… hopefully he’s great…
Sharks have zero locks, Cheetahs have zero locks, WP have Bekker (and Eldstadt is more a 7 than a test lock), Lions have fokal… so who else is there?
Aussies have several already as do the Kiwi’s…
10 Jul 2011, 10:53 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-61:
So big cheese WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
10 Jul 2011, 10:53 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-61: Yes, his stats at S15 may be good but his test stats do not stack up
He is my least favourite player because of that
He is only a super rugby player, nothing more and nothing less
10 Jul 2011, 10:54 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-63: Juandre was voted as the top lock when he played in the Premiership in England. Voted in the team of the year.
10 Jul 2011, 10:54 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-61:
Have to remember that most of his tests were from the bench.
Also please bare in mind that in the PdV era Habana hasn’t scored a whole lot either, our back line is not doing so well.
….Isn’t the backline **** Muir’s job………Hmmmmmmmm
10 Jul 2011, 10:55 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-63: Who are they in Oz
10 Jul 2011, 10:55 am
Seriously this filter needs a tweak.
10 Jul 2011, 10:56 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-66: That is hardly the bench to measure top rugby players by
10 Jul 2011, 10:58 am
@JL1(JL1)-70: He said Kruger was average in Europe, I was merely indicating that that was not the case.
10 Jul 2011, 10:59 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-63:
Well, Flip came from the Cheetahs bench to the Bulsl and was a Springbok a year later. So let’s see what we can do for Juandre Kruger, hey?
And also you menton the Wallabies. They are playing with a SA lock- Vickerman.
And Van der Walt is coming through for the Cheetahs. Uys is a good lock too. the Sharks (had) Mostert. The WP (had) Van Zyl.
These are good locks.
SA IS a lock factory. Even you Aussies are using our locks.
10 Jul 2011, 10:59 am
Transy doesn’t care what the stats say… ROTFLMAO… he doesn’t care who the best defender out of the S15 RSA centres was, he doesn’t care who made the most line-breaks as a centre, he doesn’t care who made the most run metres, he doesn’t care who made the most line-break assists, he doesn’t care who was the most solid defender… he doesn’t even care who even scored the most tries as a centre…
I have to ask… WTF criteria are you using for selection… Xhosa moo-tee and Sangoma nouse?
10 Jul 2011, 10:59 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-62: I don’t hear you saying similar when someone criticises Smittie.
Why, am I not permitted by you to have an opinion on the applicability of a player for international level.
10 Jul 2011, 11:00 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-73:
That’s rhetorical of course!
10 Jul 2011, 11:01 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-63:
Anyway, we will have to wait and see next year how it goes. Nobody at this point doubts that SA has the best locks in the world. So I’m just disagreeing that we are not a lock factory.
10 Jul 2011, 11:02 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-71: Agreed very hard for a SH player to be average I’m the NH premiership
10 Jul 2011, 11:02 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-62: Sorry. Ignore my previous post. I shouldn’t have got wound-up.
I don’t rate Olivier and think it is a poor reflection on us that he is rated as the third/fourth best inside centre behind JDV, JDJ and Steyn (if PDV rates Steyn as an inside centre).
We are the country who has produced the likes of Michael du Plessis etc at inside centre. We need to develop someone else.
10 Jul 2011, 11:04 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-74:
I’m not some mod, go ahead and lambast our boys.
10 Jul 2011, 11:04 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-72:
I like Uys… but he’s a blind-sider or 8 IMO… the Tahs with Brussouw, Smith and him were MASSIVE…
10 Jul 2011, 11:05 am
Nothing to see here. Think I’ll pop in again tomorrow.
10 Jul 2011, 11:05 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-78:
Well, I have high hopes for Francois Venter. Unfortunately he is at the Bulls, so I don’t know what that will do for his reputation around here…….
10 Jul 2011, 11:06 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-80:
Smith was injured already by that game…..
10 Jul 2011, 11:07 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-81:
disappointed.
10 Jul 2011, 11:08 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-60: No. I am not falling for that guessing game. It is the job of the provincial coaches to develop quality 12s.
10 Jul 2011, 11:09 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-82: I think the Bulls should play someone like him and Sadie as their centres next year. Start afresh.
10 Jul 2011, 11:11 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-12:
Holy crudd, I left out 11 Sivivatu and 10 M Steyn on my teams.
How’d that happen?
10 Jul 2011, 11:13 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-86:
Start without experience? No guidance? Olivier is signed till 2013. Aint gonna happen.
10 Jul 2011, 11:20 am
agile is nothing but an afrikaner p ussy who believes that the sun shines out of his arse when it comes rugby,the nazi-loving p ussy probably still believes that god gave this country to him and his swine race.
10 Jul 2011, 11:23 am
@gunther is nazi-loving german rent-boy(Valkyrie)-89:
You forgot to add “…and to his children….”
10 Jul 2011, 11:25 am
@gunther is nazi-loving german rent-boy(Valkyrie)-89:
Well, I do love to listen to Karajan, if that qualifies me as a “nazi-lover”
Calm down….take it easy mate. Why so serious? What did I do now?
10 Jul 2011, 11:28 am
@gunther is nazi-loving german rent-boy(Valkyrie)-89:
Well his rugby acumen certainly makes you look like a Cape Crusader!
10 Jul 2011, 11:31 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-72:
Vickerman is as much a Wallabie as Beast Mtawarira is a Japie…
10 Jul 2011, 11:33 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-93:
I’m just sayin’: he is South African….
A son of the soil, an African brother, right Val?
10 Jul 2011, 11:37 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-94:
Stoked to see he is back playing rugby after his ‘enlightening’ period at Cambridge… no other lock has won as many accolades in Super Rugby… he’s a Bakkies and Matfield rolled into one… no other great since John Eales has come close…
10 Jul 2011, 11:44 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-95:
Anton van Zyl is an Oxford alumni too. We don’t only breed em locks tough here in SA, but smart too.
Have you ever heard Bakkies conduct himself in English? Voice and eloquence of an angel.
Can’t wait to see Vickerman in action myself, I thought he was done a fews years back. IMO, I can see Juandre Kruger become such a player.
10 Jul 2011, 12:00 pm
good to see the ABs and Wallabies have the honour to name their best sides…
as for the exclusions, finally Tialata is no longer wanted, never thought he added value to the side… McAllister is another whose form doesnt warrant selection, has proven this super season that hes not the answer at 1st 5/8. and Rokocoko is not the player he once was…
knew Henry would stay loyal to the majority from last year…
10 Jul 2011, 12:10 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-97:
That All Black squad is a nice tall order.
Do you think maybe Div has planned on sending our dirt trackers to maliciously brutalize the ABs and incur injuries with the hostile intent to cause bodily harm adversely in a negative manner of unsportsmanlike behaviour?
Don’t even need a drawing board. By the time the RWC Showpiece rolls around, it will be South Africa’s A-team vs New Zealands B-team.
10 Jul 2011, 12:11 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-96:
Same as Spies… even Adriaan Strauss the form hooker of the season products himself in perfect Engels… not that it matters all the same…
Kruger just does not come close to Vickers in the physical stakes being 6 cm shorter and almost 10kgs lighter… not too mention the mental stakes… not that any rugby player needs to be as smart as Schalk ( with straight A’s on higher grade and a Viticulture degree) as the Nonu’s of the world prove every year…
The new breed of locks are the James Horwill’s… and Aus has shed-loads of them… RSA… not so much.
10 Jul 2011, 12:26 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-99:
Was being facetious .
And we certainly will see about the lock situation soon. South Africa has been dominating lineouts for over a decade in the pro age. I don’t expect that influence to be reduced to nought so soon.
Dewald Potgiet is another takhaar flank with straight A’s. 8 Distinctions in Matric I think it was.
Ja, we’ll see. I would love to see what happens next. Importantly, I wonder whether Div’s contract will be renewed.
10 Jul 2011, 12:47 pm
Olivier is one-dimensional and gets completely shut-down at test level. An 18 year old Manu Tuilagi ate him alive in 2009 for Leicester and he hadn’t even played club rugby before. Wynand looks good at S15 level because the defences are nowhere near as tight, but has always struggled when making the step up.
10 Jul 2011, 12:54 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-11:
my feeling is sbw is gonna let him down in the end, but then again wynand olivier, oh i’m sorry, i meant to say ma’a nonu’s not exactly gonna lift him up either.
so ja, combinations, combinations, combinations…
10 Jul 2011, 13:04 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-100:
Yeah, Bekker will probably make sure SA dominate the lineouts for a bit longer . Not 100% convinced though.
IMO:
best all rounder lock in pro era: John Eales (no-one comes even close)
best line out lock- Victor M
best “enforcer” lock : Martin johnson.
10 Jul 2011, 13:11 pm
@JL1(JL1)-24:
i’ve said the same thing to friends when watching their games a number of times. and theyr’e doing it on the lh and th side often. you can shove forward so much better when you dont have one of your arms raised for the bind. perhaps we should watch some of their games again to see if theyr’e doing it with their other arm also and not binding to the hooker either.
three guys pushing forward with their arms by their sides? maybe thats ‘pushing’ it but maybe not.
10 Jul 2011, 13:13 pm
SA coaches have sh’t for brains much like these dubious expatriated Aussie wannabe money grubbers do. The twat Olivier was JW’s stand in back up to JdV at 12. Had it not been for EJ’s influence White would have played him at 12 in 2007 and not Steyn and we would have lost the WC. Olivier is the most uselessly overrated non happened excuse of an international center we ever produced, much like Pretorius and Jorrie or Helgaard Muller. Never produced fckall in any test he’s ever played and there been plenty enough to count. Olivier and Johann Muller through first two non international palookas I drop and next is Kankowski. Jacobs, DeJongh, Jantjies, Ebersohn, Sadie, Taute, Hollenbach, Le Grange, Mapoe, Uys, Venter,, in fact almost anybody ahead of that dismal dysfunctional doos of a non effect center Olivier any day of any week.
10 Jul 2011, 13:22 pm
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-28: \
yes, but so did clive woodward. i’m not saying he’s as good as woodward, but i’m just saying…
10 Jul 2011, 13:40 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-32:
yes, but as the old saying goes – ‘stats alone don’t paint the prettiest pictures’. maybe he’s just SO 1 dimensionaly good at his game and his game alone (running his meters, breaking his line, assisting others to break the line and making the most tackles) that he loses the ‘multi-dimensionally’ complex 15 man team game plot dynamic? maybe thats him in a nutshell more often than not?
in regards the 12 and 13 centres, should the one be a work horse and the other a show pony? or should both be a bit of work horse and a bit of show pony when and where neccesary?
but yes, who should play his position instead then, hmmmmm?
10 Jul 2011, 13:42 pm
This Squad is short on specialist wing threequarters.
Looks like Nonu is destined to a 11 or 14.
10 Jul 2011, 13:47 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-45:
have you been drinking a lot last night? and if not, have you been drinking today?
10 Jul 2011, 14:02 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-97:
maybe this is his version of throwing a bigtime dummy to the rest of the world? maybe the players from last year is his version of an ‘injury’ free list?
maybe he’s holding his cards real, real close and will play his killer hand when the pot is really stacked?
maybe?
(thoughts of kenny rodgers – ‘know when to hold em’ going thru the mind)…
10 Jul 2011, 14:23 pm
@cane(cane)-108:
if that because of sbw, then sbw, like jonah lomu before him, my gut says is gonna turn out to be one massive super sized piece of hype this wc. and, the people for whom it matters will, like the song says ‘not believe the hype, cos its a sequel’….because when it matters most, like jonah, my gut says he wont deliver.
maybe they shoud have one start and the other on the bench in the semi?
10 Jul 2011, 14:32 pm
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-107:
Oh I agree… I rate not one of RSA’s centre’s in that watered down list… but as I’ve stated… if you don’t rate WO (which I don’t)… THEN WHO THE FARK DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THERE (too many cannot name them)…
The cupboard is bare in RSA at 12… La Grange probably the best of a shite bunch outside of Frans Steyn…
There’s a guy like De Jong that many are punting… the dumb Fack cannot even pass to his left…
10 Jul 2011, 14:33 pm
WO still taking up space on Keo? Mind boggling, I say.
@Michael(mikeybrass)-78:
“We are the country who has produced the likes of Michael du Plessis etc at inside centre.”
I’m sure you can name a few of the “etceteras.” Three names will be in order.
No matter who the centres are or how good they are, if you employ people like FdP and MS as your half back pair, the ball will be up in the air more often than not instead of than through the hands thus rendered the rest of the back line ineffective and living of crumbs.
10 Jul 2011, 14:36 pm
1.Woodcock
2.Mealamu
3.O.Franks
4.Whitelock
5.Thorn
6.Kaino
7.McCaw
8.Read
9.Weepu
10.Carter
11.Toeava
12.Nonu
13.Smith
14.Gear
15.Muliaina
16.Hore
17.Afoa
18.Williams
19.Thomson
20.Cowan
21.Slade
22.Bill-Williams
10 Jul 2011, 14:46 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-112:
I agree, his passing to his left is appalling for someone who plays at this level. But he can work on that aspect of his game. Passing is a general problem amongst most, if not all, back line players in SA. No wonder the Brumbies took Clyde Rathbone aside for a whole year just to coach him some basic rugby skills, like passing. Did you see some of those passes that Cooper threw yesterday? Brilliant.
Besides his passing, de Jongh is the most explosive of all the SA centres, of that there is little doubt. That makes you the dumb FACK. Poephol.
10 Jul 2011, 14:51 pm
They should try Lambie at inside centre. Play maker outside Steyn and takes the pressure off of Steyn, more time. Gives the backs another kicking option. He is a sound defender and snipes through gaps quite well.
10 Jul 2011, 14:54 pm
Here’s players that won’t make the cut for world cup squads but could possibly beat all but a few teams at WC:
Crocket (Nz)
Strauss (Sa)
Mujati (Zim Sa)
Donelly (Nz)
Jack (Nz)
Flouw (Sa)
Deysel (Sa)
Vermeulen (Sa)
Sarel Pretorias (Sa)
Nick Evans (Nz)
Sivivatu (Nz)
Brad Barrit (Sa)
Jauzian (Fra)
Maitland (Nz)
Jane (Nz)
10 Jul 2011, 14:55 pm
@nama1(nama1)-113:
maybe fdp and ms know better than to pass it to wo?
its a lottery either way.
10 Jul 2011, 14:56 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-112: Bryce,
Lambie could play 12 and play damn well there as well. His defence is superb and at least our 13 will see some ball.
I also don’t rate Olivier at all. With Lambie at 12 and JdJ 12 on this tour we would do well. But unfortunately looks like Olivier will start and so will Morne. I personally would have had Morne on the bench for this tour and start Lambie at fh. If not at fh then play Morne at fh and bring in Lambie at inside centre.
10 Jul 2011, 14:56 pm
@Puma(Puma)-119: Meant – JdJ at 13
10 Jul 2011, 14:58 pm
@ CSI, Lambie is way over rated, people 4get how he cracked under pressure eoyt, I agree he is good but not ready for starting posistion WC
10 Jul 2011, 15:00 pm
So my backs would be.
15 – Aplon
14 – Basson
13 – JdJ
12 – Lambie
11 – Mvovo
10 – Morne
Have Morne at fh cause he will start.
10 Jul 2011, 15:02 pm
Guru, not for RWC, just for this 3Ns. Experience against Nonu and SBW and also against Giteau and co will hold him in good stead. RWC I’d have de Villiers and de Jongh.
10 Jul 2011, 15:02 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-121: He only messed up with kicking at goal. But his overall play was superb. Just look at his defence compared to Morne and Olivier? He covers his channel brilliant. Also finds the gaps don’t just run bash into players and most of all he passes.
Take away the goal kicks from Lambie and then rate him. He would get 9 out of 10 everytime.
10 Jul 2011, 15:04 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-116:
well he’s not too much shorter or lighter than wo, given the jake white era standing policy (thats never been repealed) of ‘size and bulk trumps all else’. so maybe they should.
10 Jul 2011, 15:04 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-116: Jeez missed your post but I AGREE. Play Lambie at inside centre.
10 Jul 2011, 15:05 pm
@ Puma, what does Lambie offer at 12? Nothing special realy, iconsidering the squad touring, u would have to go with WO and JdJ! How well did lambie play against bulls and crusaders? How well did he kick eoyt? Who threw the intercept try that cost the sharks the game in play offs?
10 Jul 2011, 15:09 pm
@ CSI, I bet SBW and nonu will be licking there lips with the prospect of playing against steyn at flyhalf and lambie at inside centre, defensively its just not sollid enough.
10 Jul 2011, 15:12 pm
Lambie should be considered at 15 and 15 only if at all in WC squad behind F. Steyn and / or Aplon.
Boks brains trust is non existent.
Pienaar and James are both better running 10′s than M. Steyn
best two 9′s in the country currently are actually Duvenhage and Pretorius, not Pienaar or FdP or Hougaard or Mcleod.
At center we should be playing new talents or at least combining the likes of De Jongh with Jacobs or bring in Taute at 13, relying on Olivier is doing the same fckup idiocy thing you been doing for 6 long years and expecting different results. Even Einstein would have told you it ain’t gonna happen ever.
Jantjies can play 10 perhaps in time to come or even slot in at 12 at a push, but not against the likes of Aussie or NZ. Neither can Lambie.
M. Steyn or F. Steyn can both cover 12 or 15 and play a play making 10 like Pienaar or James. And then play a go to scrummy like Duvenhage or Pretorius to bust open the gaps with quick efficient service, something neither Mcleod nor Hougaard can do. Hougaard better at wing or even 13 at a push partnering De Jongh, that would get the poppeies dancing. Imagine this
Pretorius / Duvenhage
Pienaar / James
Basson / Mvovo
De Jongh
Hougaard
Aplon
Lambie / Steyn
10 Jul 2011, 15:12 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-127: He messed up once with that intercept try. Every player this season in all teams had done something wrong in the 80min.
Lambie is a great talent. He is equally good at 10/12 and 15.
WO?? JdJ would never see any ball nor would our wings. Have never rated WO sorry. He is okay playing Bulls style rugby. Bash it up and go to ground. Just never passes. No we can’t have him at inside centre. BUT we will for the away leg of 3Nations and that is a pity.
Lambie at 12 and JdJ at 13 would be perfect for this tour. I would prefer to see Lambie given a chance at fh. Give the kicks to Ruan. But that won’t happen either cause Morne who can kick well but that is it will be playing fh. So with Morne at fh and WO at inside centre JdJ and our wings will see no ball.
10 Jul 2011, 15:13 pm
JdV and JF has 2b the 1st centres at WC with JdJ and Fransie covering if need be. These people that want to start youngsters in WC showpiece against the elite players of the world is out of there mind, there’s only a few youngsters that can step ala frans steyn and jpp
10 Jul 2011, 15:15 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-127: Lambie played well against the Bulls. Remember our last game at Loftus?
Btw a small tip. Just look to your very far right of the box to the post you are answering back, there is a arrow there, just click on that and it goes straight to the box below where you type back your comment. The posters number and name you answer back to will come up in your post.
10 Jul 2011, 15:16 pm
Guru, I’m sure they will, but as mentioned above, it’s purely on experience alone, this squad selected does not offer much in the way of back line defense. Remember how Mauger took the pressure off of Spencer and Carter when playing at 12? Lambie is a good player with the potential to be great. Nothing to lose playing him at 12. More experience the better.
10 Jul 2011, 15:17 pm
@nama1(nama1)-115:
Olivier?
OK, look, I’ve read on this thread that WO is a turnstile and a few other things.
It’s ok, I suppose. He isn’t popular around here.
But that post is so untrue.
Wynand Olivier’s passing is just flawless. Seen many tries for the Bulls come in off a perfect long pass without him breaking much speed, and judging the distance leading the outside backs with 100% precision and stable spin and flat-enough trajectory. Both left and right. What the heck is wrong with his left pass? He’s right handed. Where did you get this from?
You can hate WO for whatever reason, his hairstyle, his looks, his home union, his predictable inside break attempts..whatever. One thing one cannot accuse him of is a poor pass. Watch video highlights of him putting the outside backs away for the past couple of years. It’s flawless.
10 Jul 2011, 15:18 pm
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-118:
Hahaha.
You may just have a point.
@Puma(Puma)-119:
We’ll have to settle for Hougaard, MS and WO as our inside backs and Hondo can then come on here and tell everybody how useless JdJ, Aplon, Mvovo and Adi (as a replacement) were in the match.
10 Jul 2011, 15:18 pm
@ Puma, we touring with our 3rd team, the best would be to keep it close and play kicking game. We not going to run Aussies and all blacks off their feet with our team. Our back three will see ball because Aus and Nz will not kick the ball into touch then they can counter from the back. Aplon, bjorn and mvovo are dangerous from counter attack
10 Jul 2011, 15:19 pm
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-109:
Not at all. I’m always sober. I mentioned that in regards to Adi’s selection. Not ideal, I agree, he’s retiring. But look at the situation you’re dealing with at the Sharks. Seriously, there are 5 outside centres I would rather take on tour.
10 Jul 2011, 15:19 pm
well ******* me sweetly sideways…it looks like tacitus’s ‘cyclical peak theory’ of teams peaking in cycles of about five or seven years may be right after all. their best chance to win a title is supposed to be somewhere close to the peak point of their cycle or they dont win at all, according to him. anything outside of that is just exceptions that prove the general rule (again, according to him).
this from the new zealand herald:
Rugby: Crusaders may be rocked by post-final shake-up
By Gregor Paul
5:30 AM Sunday Jul 10, 2011
One of the great sporting stories of the age may have a sad epilogue with the Crusaders likely to lose some players no longer willing to live in Christchurch.
Sonny Bill Williams is seriously considering both the Blues and Chiefs. The world’s best off-loader saw his inner city apartment damaged by the February 22 quake and, with his mum in Auckland, the city where he grew up, the prospect of returning ‘home’ is appealing.
Robbie Fruean has also been affected by the quake and the Hurricanes are desperate to take him back. He left in 2010 ranked behind Conrad Smith at the Hurricanes. But, with Ma’a Nonu having moved on and depth clearly important, his former franchise are hopeful he’ll return.
Zac Guildford and Sean Maitland both ran into town in their bare feet on the day of the second shake as their respective partners were in the CBD. The former, despite being troubled by the volatility of the city, says he wants to stay. Maitland is a Waikato boy and the arrival of Dave Rennie at the Chiefs could have a bearing on where the flying wing ends up.
Kieran Read has had a hard job persuading his wife to stay in Christchurch – she and their young daughter spent time in Pukekohe during the campaign.
But, despite the fact the Blues would love to sign him, he’s another who says he wants to guts it out.
“I definitely want to be here,” says Read. “You never know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you but I’m sure, when the city can rebuild, it’s going to be pretty cool. It’s still a great place to live.
“It’s hard when you are away because you leave behind family and you know what they’re going through. We had got used to it and it was sweet but then last week [major after] shocks knocks you back down to earth.”
Tom Marshall, the Tasman and Crusaders fullback, is being targeted by the Blues and is thought likely to go.
When Israel Dagg is fit, he will take back the No15 jersey whereas the versatility within the Blues means Marshall could see more game time at fullback than he will at the Crusaders.
The worry for the Crusaders is that now that the campaign has ended, many of their players may collapse emotionally. They have been amazingly resolute and focused for the last five months and their mental strength remarkable.
They haven’t moaned nor found excuses and it has been inspirational to see a group galvanise themselves so effectively and powerfully. But the reality is there will be a comedown.
The toll will tell on some who have been living in houses in disrepair or spending large periods of time with their families in other places. They have done it hard and even the most committed among them will not relish having to repeat their schedule next season. That’s the key problem. Having certainty around the future of AMI Stadium would be helpful. Knowing they have a permanent home again would remove much of the stress – as the prospect of shifting around the country again to play home games is hard to relish.
Even knowing they have a permanent ‘temporary’ home in the region would probably be enough for most players so they can see they won’t be packing up and heading off somewhere every week of the season.
But even then, some players and their families simply don’t want to be in Christchurch. Rugby-wise they desperately want to be with the Crusaders but some are going to have to balance that against that the desires of partners and children.
end.
if most of this happens will the crusaders still be the crusaders next season? it’ll be blackie’s 4 year in charge proper, and no titles to show for it.
10 Jul 2011, 15:21 pm
@ Puma, thanks for tip buddy but I don’t see any arrows or anything. I’m posting from my blackberry so maybe that the reason?
10 Jul 2011, 15:22 pm
@nama1(nama1)-135: Probably….hehehe.
Jeez would like to see Lambie and JdJ play together in this away leg of the 3Nations.
We won’t though bud. It will be never pass Olivier at inside centre and kick it up the whole time Morne at fh.
Look Morne kicking at posts is great but that is about it.
10 Jul 2011, 15:23 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-139: No problems. Thought you were working from a laptop.
10 Jul 2011, 15:25 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-127:
“…what does Lambie offer at 12?>
- good eye for a gap.
- good defence.
- good kicking boot out of hand.
- good distribution skills.
- good reading of play.
- good acceleration from a standing start.
- 1st choice or back up kicker to the poles.
Apart from defence, you can’t accuse WO of any of the above.
10 Jul 2011, 15:26 pm
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-138: Plum spoke to the wrong player then…hehehe. Nonu has signed with the Blues, he should have spoken to Robbie…hehe.
Only joking. Really pleased Nonu is not coming to Sharks. We have to play our youngsters. That way we go forward.
10 Jul 2011, 15:27 pm
Look I do think lambie is good and after this WC, he will be my 1st choice but for now, he must soak up the atmosphere and learn as much as possible from the senior players. Guru over and out
10 Jul 2011, 15:28 pm
@nama1(nama1)-142: Yip spot on. Now with another player like JdJ with a good eye for the gap he and Lambie would play well together.
JdJ gonna be wasted with Olivier at inside centre. Olivier hardly passes.
10 Jul 2011, 15:29 pm
We talkning tri nations here not WC
For tri nations I would have played following prospects
Viljoen, Taute, Aplon, Basson, Mvovo, R. Eberhson, De Jongh, Sadie, S. Eberhson, Pienaar, Pretorius, Duvenhage and maybe Lambie and Jantjies, though I’d play it something like this
Viljoen / Aplon
Aplon
Hougaard / Taute
De Jongh
Basson
Pienaar
Pretorius
Bench
Taute / Lambie
Ebersohn / Sadie
Duvenhage
10 Jul 2011, 15:29 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-137:
jeez, i think i would have rathered you’d told me you were drinking in that case. hehe…
10 Jul 2011, 15:30 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-144: Cheers buddy.
10 Jul 2011, 15:30 pm
JDJ can’t even pass grade 3! wat nog van ‘n rugby bal?? make him a winger!
10 Jul 2011, 15:35 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-146: They not there Skop. No use thinking about the ifs.
Who would you play from the players that are selected for the away leg?
10 Jul 2011, 15:36 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-88: Olivier has reached his limit. The others can go further. Olivier can sit on the bench as insurance. Sadie has done a year’s apprentice under JDV and Mossie. He can make the step up. Venter can too.
10 Jul 2011, 15:37 pm
Out of here.
Cheers everyone.
10 Jul 2011, 15:39 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-105: Hell, I’d take a old age Helgaard over Olivier.
10 Jul 2011, 15:39 pm
@Puma(Puma)-143:
with plum being a nz’er you’d think? hehe
agreed on nonu. only one question. just how old are those youngsters “stefan, adi, meyer, michalak” that you speak of? hehe
10 Jul 2011, 15:41 pm
Ashley Johnson (spelling? who cares?), Mvovo and JDJ the only coloured players worthy of the Bok jersey! .. the rest are all quotas! John Smit & Spies are also a quotas – (a player picked based on other reasons than his playing form!)
10 Jul 2011, 15:43 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-134:
We were talking about JdJ’s passing Titman, not WO’s.
Somebody asked you earlier if you drank today. I think you just answered that question.
10 Jul 2011, 15:58 pm
MISH
Jarrad Hoeata
YOU called it FIRST
respec, bruv, huge respec’
10 Jul 2011, 16:04 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-3:
heh heh heh
HO HO HO
thing is
Slade, as a no10, is probably the equal, if not better, than 75% of the other flyhalfs landing at Auckland International in September. He’ll do a job – he’s certainly no worse than Toby Flood who Engl will be resting their hopes on.
you really HAVE gone to the Dark Side, havent you Padawan.
10 Jul 2011, 16:06 pm
@gretep(gretep)-7:
Priceless – contender for ‘Keo Reply of the Year’.
10 Jul 2011, 16:13 pm
@eye_gouger_kieran_read(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-155:
You satisfied with the form of the following players then, I suppose:
Brussow? What form? How do you judge it if he did not play much rugby.
Hargreaves? Yeah right!
MCLeod? Poor the whole season imo.
Deysel. Returned from injury just the other day.
Johan Muller?
Flip vd Merwe? Was much better last year.
Kankowski? Could not even make the Sharks starting line up for the last few games.
At least we can agree on your definition for a quota, Mr Quota-Sux.
10 Jul 2011, 16:14 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-98:
But of course, as with all SA teams down the ages, THE key selection is the Mid-Week Thug, prepared to risk a RC for the ‘Good of the Nation’. Last Years Burger Geldenuys is This Years …….?
The ABs have selected Jarrad Hoeata as their Nail of choice, by the looks. We should set up a Pre-RWC Cage Fight between Jarrad vs Burger on the under-card of SBWs next Superbout (and ‘slip’).
10 Jul 2011, 16:24 pm
possible AB backline (?)
9. Bogan
10. DC
12. SBW
13. Conrad
14. Hosea
11. Ma’a
15. Mils
*ouch*
If Lord Ted is thinking SBW at 12 and Nonu on the wing – as indications seem to suggest – then he MUST play those combinations in NOW and NOT leave it until the RWC. And 4 x TriN matches would be perfect preparation.
and NO MATTER WHAT
NO Fullbacks selected at Centre.
The Boks can afford to have an ‘Injury’ Break given that their Test combinations dont need to gel given its the same team that won when Moses was a boy.
10 Jul 2011, 16:26 pm
Venter, De Jongh, Sadie, Taute, Ebersohn those the centers I would have taken to tri nations and I betcha they would have caused a headache for Pdv as to who to select for WC because they’d produce far more than WO or Jacobs in the 3N.
Venter / Taute or De Jongh / Sadie would rip those AB and Wallaby backs with some go forward they not used to coming from saffa centers for a long long time.
And I wouldn’t be playing Lambie at 10 or 12. Only place I’d consider him is at 15. Behind Viljoen or Aplon or even M.Steyn at 15. Because M.Steyn would be more use at 15 than he is at 10.
Duvenhage/Pretorius 9, Pienaar/S. Ebersohn 10. Mvovo/Basson 11. De Jongh/Sadie, Venter/Taute/R. Ebersohn centers. Aplon/Sadie/Viljoen 14, Viljoen/Aplon 15.
10 Jul 2011, 16:40 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-162:
i think they should rather put sbw at 11 and ma’a at 12. sbw would be a helluva wing (like lomu) but he’d additionally have his killer offload and better link play ability cos his mind is a centres and not a wings. and ma’a's not bad at his job, its just he’s had the sbw show blow up like a suicide bomber on a 787 on him.
10 Jul 2011, 16:45 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-163:
I like those centres too! A lot of flair and youth. Time to start building me thinks.
10 Jul 2011, 17:12 pm
nama1 what coloured players would you like to replace :
Brussow?
Hargreaves?
MCLeod?
Johan Muller?
Flip vd Merwe?
Kankowski?
10 Jul 2011, 17:30 pm
@nama1(nama1)-156:
Whoopsie daisy. Been throwing an eye on this tab now and then between work.
Please forgive me.
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-161:
eh?
Jarrod seems to have been one of the tournament’s top tacklers. No doubt a fit boy. I don’t think it would be an interesting fight. Who cares? Put one tight-lock against another.
I bet Jarrrrrrrrad would last 10 seconds. I’d pay tp see that.
Let’s see BaXXies or Pakslae vs Hoeata
Anyway, that’s just silly. Get on with it.
10 Jul 2011, 17:30 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-162:
there’s no real pace in that backline, it looks quite comforting to a Bok supporter actually.
10 Jul 2011, 17:32 pm
wouldn’t last 15….
10 Jul 2011, 17:32 pm
@cab(cab)-168:
This is not a sprint.
10 Jul 2011, 17:35 pm
@nama1(nama1)-156:
Anyway, I first asked if it was Olivier you were talking about to make sure.
I just assumed it was WO since the mood was negative and you’d just switched over from mentioning him.
10 Jul 2011, 17:37 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-170:
yes, but they need some sharpness, its one thing have ageing forwards, but a very different matter not having any quick legs outside, hell our outside backs could catch them all even after missing them the first time round.
yip, we are marching to auckland, auckland, auckland.
10 Jul 2011, 17:45 pm
@cab(cab)-172:
Hi cab,
how are u doing?
Re the world cup; i reckon the marching will be done by either NZ / Aus or as an outsider England.
As far as the Piet / John/Victor show is concerned i give them a 10% chance at the most. Same for France and Ireland.
The others have zero chance.
10 Jul 2011, 17:56 pm
We could have had Doppies le Grange at 12 or Robert Ebersohn in at 13instead of Wynand (only good for the Bulls) Olivier and Adrian Jacobs. We could also have had Butch at 12 if he will not be the 1st choice 10 at WC or Francois Steyn, who did a great job in the last WC and plays centre for his club Racing Metro.
10 Jul 2011, 18:02 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-173:
lol, hi rob, that doesn’t sound like good odds.
nah, i think we;ve got a v good chance, but they must start with bismarck and brussow, and bakkies and matfield and the other old toppies need to put in a collosal effort. we’ve already won it twice and everyone expecting the ABs to win it, i reckon its set-up very nicely, look how close england went with their defending champs and ours is an every better setup.
10 Jul 2011, 18:37 pm
@cab(cab)-175:
if I was a betting person i would have put something on the Aussies.
As far as we are concerned;
Bismarc won’t start, Brussow probably also not (piet is a schalk disciple), The Captain is a plod, Bakkies is turning the “other cheek” (at last), victor is past his prime and a wannabe centre, jean is nearly a donkey, brian has sold out for the good life in CT, Spies has always been useless, kanko is a fairy, Deysel is a sicknote, Alberts is overweight and a slow legged one tricked poney, vermeulen is injured, Fourie du P has become a prima donna, piet is a clown – no, fark, no ways, we wont make it with this lot.
10 Jul 2011, 18:51 pm
is this venter being bandied about the baby boks centre francois venter?
some of you guys are just suckers for hype!
Why is this kid now being mentioned in springbok circles? 1stly his distribution was suspect even against ireland, although he seems to run good angles his decision-making is questionable, sure he can take contact from his peers but would be found wanting punching it up with the big dogs!
Easy on the bloody hype.
10 Jul 2011, 18:53 pm
Look stats lie and Olivier was below average this year, in my opinion the previous 2 super 14 seasons he was the best center but and each year I held my breath thinking he was gonna carry that form through to the boks season but again and again he failed, I’m convinced now that his cealing of potential is super rugby, the other center oprions ahead of Olivier for 12 should be Jdj and lambie, for 13 we should have looked too erberson now, he was outstanding this season, anyways my WC center combo is f.steyn and fourie, not impressed with de villiers, as I said stats lie, go look at his and they might paint a pretty picture but honestly we all know he is below par and his injuries have now caught up with him
10 Jul 2011, 19:11 pm
Olivier at centre?
That’s going to upset the keo youth league.
Some industrial action is called for.
Strike whilst the madams iron is hot.
10 Jul 2011, 20:16 pm
USA! USA! USA!
Well done ladies in beating favs Brazil in Quarters
10 Jul 2011, 20:21 pm
no p!ssmark? we might win this!! at least we win our lineouts! wahey
divvy starting to think like a champ.
10 Jul 2011, 20:24 pm
@seabiscuit(seabiscuit)-178: olivier is like bekker a very good super rugby player but not a test players backside! thats just how it is. lambie also doesnt look like a test boejtie. basson flopped as well. better not start any of these guys or we’ll be screwed.
10 Jul 2011, 20:25 pm
@Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-182:
I agree about WO he has not proved to be able to step up to Test level rugby
10 Jul 2011, 21:36 pm
Suprized that Cory Jane is only a injury replacement when he has been fantastic for the all blacks since 2009 and has been injured in the 2011 super rugby tournament… right now I would prefer to have Cory Jane on the wing than Zac Guildford..
10 Jul 2011, 21:52 pm
interesting.
just read today that south africa provides 70% of the viewership for the superrugby comp.
to put it into context fully:
average sa viewership for superrugby games involving sa teams = 580 000
average nz viewership for superrugby games involving nz teams = 78 000
aussie viewership was not mentioned.
so i guess that settles who is paying whose way.
with these stats in mind, it would appear that all of the b itching and moaning from the kiwis and aussies about the bok “b” team being sent down under is a little like the guy who owns 1 week in a timeshare/fractional ownership scheme b itching that the big money shareholders refuse to put flat screens in every room.
oneil and his lapdog tew better wind their necks in or we will take out the aircons as well (read: stop subsidising their pillaging of the islands).
10 Jul 2011, 22:13 pm
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-184:
I wouldnt read it that way – Izzy Dagg is clearly still not fit and his inclusion, now, is of nominal value. As is the utility, Toeava. Jane will undoubtedly get some gametime at some stage, esp considering he covers wing & fb and the squad only incl’ing 2 specialist wingers.
10 Jul 2011, 22:33 pm
BP-151
Thanks mate,Hoeatta has been huge and deserves it plus what he does for the squad selection dynamic is HUGE.
Another one is Woodwock not sacrificed for Crockett who is only injury reserve..Crockett has been in great form but he slips the bind still and hipos above shoulders at times leads to collapses.his time will come but not now.
Nonu on the wing??? Eish not enough speed and has never done well there.that would be a mistake.
11 Jul 2011, 00:02 am
Ranger
the thing were bitching about I’s you guys going back on your word
who could EVER trust a Saffa??
NZ does more for the islands economically then you guys EVER do for those who live in the squalor of the townships?
you still poaching rhino horn? smuggling people across the border? diamonds?
mamparra.
11 Jul 2011, 00:28 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-187:
1. NO, Nonu on the wing is not my choice either – that selection is just what looks like happening when considering balance of squad and that there are 2 wingers there. And also GH loves throwing in red-herrings on/off the bench. My wingers would be Hosea and Tarzan and Nonu would stay teamed with Conrad in centres. SBW still looks no more than an impact player to me.
Having said that, I think Nonu makes a punishing winger and furthers the ‘total football’ concept that Henry likes, allows continuity and, therefore stretches opposition at pace. Youre right about his lack of pace tho and I dont rate his D outside of the 12 channel.
2. I like Hoeata’s incl because it brings 1 fresh new face to the squad which always seems to raise energy levels and hopefully that is infectious. He may not see much/any gametime and Boric may come back in, but Im relieved GH has rewarded form here, like he shld, and that reputation was not enough for Rocko (wonderful AB servant tho !!!) and Cool Hand Luke. Im not sure why Tia’lumpa was even mentioned as an exclusion altho he WAS huge vs France last EOYT.
3. Woody has major experience SO impt in frontrow. I think Crocketts technique has already improved, it is no more than tweaking of his technique. His form this season has been fantastic and workrate is huge, ABs lucky to have lots of quality on hand here. Amazing to think the lengths they went to to get Carl Who’man back.
11 Jul 2011, 00:32 am
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-164:
SBW doesnt look light enough on his feet for a winger, and his strengths as a rugby player (or, is that weakness ?) is his distribution. So that would be a mistake to put him on the wing. He could probably ‘do a job’ there, but Im guessing he could get skinned on the outside vs an astute speed merchant like Habadonna or Ashton who run excellent lines.
11 Jul 2011, 00:46 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-188:
F uk you are an ingnorant idiot dude…………… go spent a night with one on the resident keeewee slappers and shut up………..maybe you can tip their average over 20………….hahahahahaha…………slappers
11 Jul 2011, 01:33 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-188:
Bwhahahaha!
11 Jul 2011, 02:11 am
Check this…
Even Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw appeared shell-shocked as he attempted to explain his side’s 18-13 defeat to the Queensland Reds in last night’s Super Rugby final.
While their fans were left wondering just how the team could produce a dud performance littered with handling errors, poor passing, a struggling lineout and questionable option-taking, the Crusaders themselves also struggled to explain why they had misfired so badly.
Having entered the match as favourites to topple the minor premiers, the Crusaders inexplicably manufactured one of their worst performances of the year as they were outscored by two-tries-to-one.
Let me try and help, you were simply outplayed on the night. See, no rocket surgery in it…
24 years on and they still don’t get it that being favorite does not equate to an automatic win, you still have to go out and play better than the opposition.
Or maybe it is a case with Bwycie there they all thought it was a forgone conclusion…I can understand that!
11 Jul 2011, 02:56 am
Wow no Robbie Fruen!!!! As a Bok supporter I say amen to that.
11 Jul 2011, 04:00 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-188:
you sound very african to me there…especially your use of mampara…where did you get that word?
11 Jul 2011, 04:07 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-185:
Foxtel just reported that 530000 people watched the Final in Australia alone…those watching in pubs are not included in this figure.
Figures from RSA were not released for the final…as most went shopping!
11 Jul 2011, 04:09 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-196:
My bad that was for the semi final.
11 Jul 2011, 04:49 am
Whatever
blah blah blah. you saffas want to dish it, I’ll send it straight back WITH interest
still hiding in NZ to avoid punishment for your crimes? thought so
gutless piece of trash.
11 Jul 2011, 04:54 am
Slarti
at least they made the final. did your team?
what happened to the “superior” Saffa sides?
were they ALL injured?
bwahahaha.
11 Jul 2011, 05:21 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-199:
No but they did beat the Crusaders when they met them…
But don’t feel to bad, they also lost against the Reds!
11 Jul 2011, 05:22 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-198:
Yawn, same old same………come up with a new insult doos for brains
11 Jul 2011, 05:25 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-200:
mmmm, also at least the Stormers beat the bleating Blues…………
11 Jul 2011, 05:26 am
@whatever(whatever)-201:
Fresh out of I think, when he resorts to 1970′s retoric he read in books about you know he is at a loss!
11 Jul 2011, 05:47 am
@whatever(whatever)-202: @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-203: ahhh look at the two pillow biters enjoying each others company..
so tell me whatever, how often do NZ send the ships over to “rape the islands” as Rangerman attests? and Im ignorant, what a laugh…
Rangers comment is just as ignorant, but of course you remain silent dont you pondlife?
as for insults, have you found a new word besides Doos,….its been four years and you still havent expanded your vocabulary, surely NZs dole office will give you a little extra to advance your education..
lord nows you need it…
11 Jul 2011, 05:56 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-204:
Ja Pops, if those insults make you feel any better keep it up.
11 Jul 2011, 06:04 am
Whatever
so the stormers beat the blues, who cares. neither team made the final
good comeback though, one of your very best.
11 Jul 2011, 06:33 am
Ranger, is this how NZ “rapes the islands”?
New Zealand aid funds in the Pacific are being stretched thin and need to have increased focus, according to a Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee report.
The Pacific Inquiry into New Zealand’s Relationships with South Pacific Countries, which has been tabled in Parliament, contained more than 40 recommendations for the Government to consider.
Among the recommendations, the committee called for an increased focus for the $600 million of aid given to the region, saying that efforts were being spread to widely.
It suggested that $100 million of aid funds be channelled through existing trading banks on normal commercial terms to Pacific Islanders with “sound business plans”.
http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=15857383514d06c842bf8f30ee0b34&PHPSESSID=
11 Jul 2011, 07:00 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-204:
Jeez, mate have a hernia or what?
Firstly if you want to talk about sticking together, lets talk about wet pantie and you …..you are stuck so far up his ar se it’s not even funny. You can see his tonsils…
You even use his “pondlife” retort…… very original
Also, ranger is ranger, and I don’t take his comments as mine, so reply to him
And yes, I use doos , cause it’s a great description of you
Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooos
Said with meaning , now gaan k uk anderkant dude.
11 Jul 2011, 07:01 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-206:
Stormers my team, Blues yours………..just reminding you!
11 Jul 2011, 07:07 am
@whatever(whatever)-208: hey, youre the one who poked his nose in to my reply to ranger, so how about you stay out of what doesnt concern you..
as for the pondlife remark, I couldnt think of a better term for for such a lowlife one eyed ignoramus… so, no comment on the “how many ships” question I asked you? thought so, avoid the issue yet again… guess thats what you get when you poke your nose in huh? look carefully, you’ll see my comment was directed at Ranger, not you… so, suck on them lemons you sourgat…
as for the Stormers, who cares, they looked real good in their semi final just like my team, but at least my team has 3 Super titles, remind me again how many your team has?
what was that? none you say? bwahahahahahahahaha
11 Jul 2011, 07:21 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-210:
Make up your mind Pops, should we chip in or stay out? Can’t have it both way…
PS I will give you a hint, if you talk kuk about SA on a SA blog expect people to comment on it.
11 Jul 2011, 07:32 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-211: two way street Slarti, or do you disagree?
I only ever respond to rubbish said about NZ… cant remember which thread, but one Saffa was happy Chch got hit by the earthquake? WTF?
would you react to that? would you not get your back up when you see comments like that?
11 Jul 2011, 07:38 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-212:
1 saffa now it is all of us.
if you ever come to South Africa I can organise you lots of accom in townships.
11 Jul 2011, 07:48 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-212:
The thing is Pops, this is a SA blog with +90% of posts coming from Saffas. You can’t expect me to even get close to pull every single SA poster up when they say something off. There are a number of posters I ignore and not bother to even read because of lame and over the top stupid comments. don’t ever expect me to pull them up, it is a fulltime job which I did not sign up for. Best is to ignore them and if enough people do it they will go away.
Having said that if you post your over the top rubbish about a country you have never visited and I come across it you can expect me to comment on it. read that however you want but it does mean that I do read your stuff.
For the record, you go back and see if you can find where I insulted you today before you jumped in with some name calling. Don’t go around kicking my dog just because someone else I have never met kicked your dog. It is childish and reflex poorly…
11 Jul 2011, 07:53 am
@Fern(Fern)-213:
Poops won’t go near the townships.
In case he drops the k bomb again.
He will be avoiding the dutchies as well.
Oh well, I guess capo the poodlefucker will have to babysit him.
They can compare notes.
11 Jul 2011, 07:57 am
Fern
says the bloke who generalizes about kiwi woman as dishgustingly as you do
our mothers, sisters etc.
so it’s not just one saffa huh?
11 Jul 2011, 08:30 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-193:
“rocket surgery”
11 Jul 2011, 08:48 am
@ricane(ricane)-217:
Still one of my favorites but the muppits were so eager to fight nobody even picked it up…
11 Jul 2011, 09:47 am
Seeig as the general consensus is that defence wins WC’s how about the following squad of 40 for the WC?
LH: Gurthro/Beast/Coenie or Dean Greyling
HKR: Strauss/Smit/Bismarck
TH: Jannie/Werner/CJ
Locks: Bakkies/Flip/Rossouw/Matfield/Bekker
Loosies: Brussow/Juan Smith/Alberts/Louw/Burger/Johnson/Strauss/Spies/Kankowski/Vermeulen
SH: Fourie du P/Ruan Pienaar/Hougaard
FH: Lambie/Butch/Steyn
Centre: Strauss/Jean/De Jongh/Fourie/Steyn
Wings: Mvovo/JPP/Habana/Basson
FB: Steyn/Daniller/ Viljoen
A team like this might not be a popular choice with most, but they can defend and win the WC
Guthro, Strauss, Jannie, Bakkies, Matfield, Brussow, Juan, Alberts, F du P, Butch, Basson, Strauss, Fourie, JPP, Frans Steyn
Subs: Smit, Bissy, Bekker, Rossouw, Hougaard, Lambie, De Villiers
11 Jul 2011, 09:47 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-210:
Poppa
now why are you wasting your time on this racist, sexist, bottom-feeding pondlife SCUM ?!
What sort of ‘person’ turns up on a blog and feels the need to expand on his lovelife with his “kiwi girlfriend” – to an audience of anon rugby bloggers – only to then turn around and eloquently now call them all “slappers” ? This whilst living in a country that has offered him an opportunity to better himself, as if the scope for that isnt unlimited.
Do you ever read JockBok – an emigrant – slander his adopted nation ?
or SAussie ?
or SodaJoe ?
you wont even find the Master Baiter, Boy George, dissing his gentrified English surrounds.
or countless others in similar positions ?!
Nope, this bottom-feeding teenage pondlife scum has yet to expand his vocabulary beyond the gutter. Because thats where he should have stayed.
11 Jul 2011, 10:45 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-219:
Andries Strauss at 12???? Hahahahahahaha Him in a Bok jumper was painful to watch vs Barbarians in 2010.He had a good CC 2010, but no way is he Bok material.De Jongh/F.Steyn/De Villiers even Doppies are better players.
11 Jul 2011, 10:46 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-220: chill boys.gunther and his mates do not represent the voice of 50 million south africans.i guess that you have your fair share of kiwi idiots as well.
11 Jul 2011, 10:58 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-221: That maybe, but he can tackle the **** out of anybody in his channel. Remeber I said based on defence!!
11 Jul 2011, 11:15 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-223:
Fair enough but i think your using hyperbole’s to describe Strauss-even his defense.He is solid,very efficient but not a monster tackler like say a Sam Tuitupou or something.Not Bok material period.Dries Scholts and Tiaan Joubert were great defenders but you wouldnt see them anywhere a Bok XV or jumper.Too limited and once you spread the field,his speed is abysmal.Any centre with acceleration can beat him due to that cumbersomeness.He is a solid professional, he did an outstanding job for my Sharks last year for sure.But one CC campaign isnt tantamount to a starting Bok place.
11 Jul 2011, 11:36 am
You’d probably have for the Fiji test the following team for a start.
1.Crockett
2.Mealamu
3.O.Franks
4.Thorn
5.Whitelock
6.Kaino
7.McCaw
8.Read
9.Cowan
10.Carter
11.Gear
12.Nonu
13.Smith
14.Toeava
15.Muliaina
16.Hore
17.Afoa
18.Williams
19.Thomson
20.Weepu
21.Slade
22.Bill-Williams
Full Strength side to hit out against the Fijians.
11 Jul 2011, 11:56 am
My bok WC 30man squad:
15 Gio Aplon / Patrick Lambie
14 JP Pietersen / Bjorn Basson
13 Jaque Fourie / Juan De Jongh
12 Jean De Villiers / Robert Ebersohn
11 Bryan Habana / Lwazi Mvovo
10 Peter Grant / Butch James
9 Fourie Du Preez / Francois Hougaard
8 Duane Vermeulen / Willem Alberts
7 Juan Smith / (Francois Louw or Ashley Johnson)
6 Schalk Burger / Heinrich Brussouw
5 Andries Bekker / Victor Matfield
4 Danie Russouw / Bakkies Botha
3 Jannie Du Plessis / CJ Van Der Linde
2 Bismark Du Plessis / Adriaan Strauss
1 Tendai Mtawarira / Gurthro Steenkamp
11 Jul 2011, 12:00 pm
@gunther is nazi-loving german rent-boy(Valkyrie)-222:
Actually, Gunther happens to be on my ‘Preferred Keo Bloggers’ list and, if anything, adds a far more positive impression of SA here than the vast majority otherwise do. And he MOST CERTAINLY suggests that those descendants of Neanderworld have some hope of sanity amongst the vast throng of Bulls supporters.
11 Jul 2011, 12:01 pm
My bok 30man Tri Nations squad:
15 Patrick Lambie / Riaan Viljoen
14 Bjorn Basson / JP Pietersen
13 Juan de Jongh / Waylon Murray
12 Francois Steyn / Robert Ebersohn
11 Lwazi Mvovo / Rayno Benjamin
10 Morne Steyn / Peter Grant
9 Ruan Pienaar / Sarel Pretorius
8 Ryan Kankowski / Joshua Strauss
7 Ashley Johnson / Dewaldt Potgieter
6 Heinrich Brussouw / Jean Deysel
5 Alistair Hargreaves / Juandre Kruger
4 Danie Russouw / Rynhardt Elstadt
3 CJ Van Der Linde / Werner Kruger
2 Chillyboy Ralepelle / Tiaan Liebenberg
1 Dean Greyling / Coenie Oosthuzyen
11 Jul 2011, 12:05 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-225:
Woodcock will start, he definitely needs gametime and wont be overtly tested vs Fiji. Altho, hopefully he is.
Ali.W also needs to start – his presence and slow return to form is a Major boost to this AB squad. His cherry personality will be so impt as the pressure valve slowly increases. And he’ll teach Whitelock about the whole environment and keep him keen – and hopefully vice versa.
Toeava should only start in Centre or Fb, for injuries. But, again, he needs gametime.
Cant understand Afoas eternal inclusion but he must now be the utility frontrower. Did we see him at hooker this season, after that red herring was thrown to the media earlier this year ?
11 Jul 2011, 12:12 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-227:
you are a gentleman and a scholar.
unlike our four legged friend varkirie who farts_in the face of Darwin.
I would limit my interaction with him to once a day.
any more than that and you risk infection.
11 Jul 2011, 12:15 pm
BP
I thought Toeava played well on the wing on the EOYT. had a blinder against Wales and Scotland on the right flank. Dagg covers the back and is not a bad winger too. Toeava has the speed over most except Guildford. Had Crockett in there thinking Woodcock was still injured. Afoa is a Bolter in my eyes, like Hoeata. Ali Williams, Thorn and Whitelock form a very good locking trio. Talk of Nonu playing wing, rather have Kahui covering the wing spot as well as Centre. Thought Ranger might have made the squad, but all in all, I like this outfit.
11 Jul 2011, 12:22 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-231:
Ranger makes too many mistakes – he was gift-wrapped a chance, and he showed all his tackle-bustling attributes, but carelessly ignored all the disciplinary ones which is what gets you in the squad. You can run thru as many tackles as you like but if your D or positional awareness or your concentration is lacking, then the door is closed – Maitland is a classic case in point, truckloads of tries and yet exposed early in the season on D and never improved. Sivivatu is a classic case – he worked on his D and concentration and suddenly he became a Test fixture.
11 Jul 2011, 12:30 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-231: @Black Panther(Black Panther)-232:
Looks like Cory Jane paid the price of being a Hurricane.
Only two specialists wings in the squad.
NZ have been down this road before:
- playing Cullen at centre.
-playing Mils at centre.
-playing Lochore at lock.
it usually ends in tears.
8)
11 Jul 2011, 12:33 pm
BP
Couldn’t agree more about all the points listed. Throw Rokocoko on that list. I have a great feeling about this forward pack, especially the tight 5. I think Mike Cron has something special for this international season. Tietjens as fitness coach is the smartest move ever. It’s funny watching the news here in Australia about how NZ is worried about the Reds win and the revival of Aussie rugby. Mind games in full effect.
11 Jul 2011, 12:41 pm
Cane,
Not a cane, but being played out of position by Hammett. Best winger on his day but didn’t see anything from him this season, though if he were to be selected on the wing I’d be very happy as well.
11 Jul 2011, 12:46 pm
@cane(cane)-233:
dont forget Ronald MacDonald FB -> Centre
Goldie wing -> FB
lets pray that GH plays whatever combos he has in mind NOW.
I have no doubt Tarzan will be there. He hasnt exactly graced himself in favour tho, the whole stay-go shenanigans and the Twit’a episodes dont fit in to GHs schoolmaster setup.
11 Jul 2011, 12:52 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-234:
Australia, like it or not, are on the right line of the Performance Curve and will be the team to beat come RWC.
The Reds victory is a major fillip for them and so be it, they were great all season. But there is NO correlation betw Super form/results and TriN or RWC glory, too much evidence in support to list here.
Australia DO remind me a bit of NZ 2007 in that they are a young’ish team and over-rely on mercurial talents like Quade and Genia to get them over the line, like ABs did with McCaw & DC. Will be interesting to see whether that is an advantage or a hindrance when theyre at the coalface of BMT.
11 Jul 2011, 12:53 pm
Cane, BP,
I’m sure Ted has enough class to cover all scenarios. Surely a tried and tested team is best. All major positions covered.
11 Jul 2011, 12:59 pm
BP
I still have reservations on their scrums and set pieces. They have the most gifted back line, but as you well know, no forward domination, no front foot ball. I applaud the Reds, deserved victors on the weekend. But agree on the facts of no link between world cup success due to super rugby success, maybe 2007 is an arguement
11 Jul 2011, 15:05 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-238:
In Ted We Trust.
Let’s print it on Our $1.00 bill.
8)
11 Jul 2011, 15:11 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-236:
Ted’s last shot at immortality.
If he has too,
he will go with class bullies, exam cheats and truants.
High School Principle or not.
59 days to High Noon.
11 Jul 2011, 15:55 pm
@cane(cane)-241:
Sure is. Great coach, but his Business Plan still has a few glitches.
Your opinion of him is noted. Lets all hope youre wrong.
If Dingo wasnt Dingo he’d have a little GH-smirk starting to tik….
11 Jul 2011, 16:02 pm
@cane(cane)-241:
flying in the face of public opinion, I suspect that the Crusaders loss might translate in to a good thing for the ABs, not a bad one. Their mindset going in to the RWc must be one of absolute desperation, backs-to-the-wall. Too much cheers-bro success and floss has a tangible downside in a comfy environment. A big scandal could also do the trick, seems to work for the Safas.
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