179 Comments

• 1.Black Panther:
  8 Jul 2011, 17:16 pm

  NO SH*T

• 2.willievz:
  8 Jul 2011, 17:19 pm

  Keo, we can’t have our bread buttered on both sides.

  You know that.

  The guys need a rest if we are going to win the biggest prize in rugby.

• 3.Transformation:
  8 Jul 2011, 17:21 pm

  new soapbox for Black Panty to jump on

• 4.grant10:
  8 Jul 2011, 17:30 pm

  facts are we should just be honest. I understand the rationale….but why lie about it….poor old PDV looks so guilty!

• 5.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!:
  8 Jul 2011, 17:30 pm

  well those are strong words.

• 6.Black Panther:
  8 Jul 2011, 17:45 pm

  @Transformation(Transformation)-3:

  yep, its funny isnt it, von Trapp.

  The Safas can say it all they like – now, even Keo himself has deigned us with his version of the same opinion. And noone bats an eyelid.

  Then a big mean Kiwi wades in, repeats the same, and its suddenly ‘from a soapbox’.

  bunch of girls

• 7.Black Panther:
  8 Jul 2011, 17:47 pm

  @Transformation(Transformation)-3:

  Keo says the Boks have sold their jersey down the Swanney

  cut’n'paste THAT, von Trapp.

• 8.Nils:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:17 pm

  Alright. First crush the leftovers, then skittle rested big boys.

• 9.Transformation:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:18 pm

  Black Panty, where’s the requisite ‘baxxies’ war cry?

• 10.Agile T*t-Tyrant:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:29 pm

  KeoTV: Bok sham bullshit

  Keo was just looking for an excuse to put “Bull” and “shit” together in one headline……

• 11.Blitzbok:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:30 pm

  the tri nations is worthless bullsit just like super rugby. bok jersey is worth resting the players and getting ready for the world cup you doos!!

• 12.Blitzbok:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:31 pm

  @Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-10: keo is a gobshite posting more flawed and useless ****. always good for a laff mate.

• 13.Dawn:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:39 pm

  Wat vloek keohane so vroeg op ‘n vrydagaand

• 14.Agile T*t-Tyrant:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:41 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-12:

  The only thing I hated about the video was when Keo called Wales and the rest of the NH teams and some SH teams, “Micky Mouse” teams.

  That doesn’t sit well with me.

• 15.ET.:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:44 pm

  Div names Tri-Nations squad
  July 8 2011 at 04:02pm

  The Springboks on Friday announced a squad of 27 players for their away leg of the Tri-Nations later this month.

  SPRINGBOK SQUAD

  Backs: Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Juan de Jongh, Adrian Jacobs, Elton Jantjies, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Morne Steyn. Forwards: Heinrich Brüssow, Jean Deysel, Dean Greyling, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Werner Kruger, Ashley Johnson, Johann Muller, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Deon Stegmann, Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe. – Sapa

• 16.Bill Reyts:
  8 Jul 2011, 18:53 pm

  Sadie and JJ Engelbrecht a huge loss to Province but a big gain to Bulls. Good luck chaps…

• 17.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:03 pm

  gawwwwwwd! i so wish this comes back to bite keo. just like his false crusade he set about to end.

• 18.Dawn:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:08 pm

  @he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-17:

  Who is messiah in your nic

• 19.Inevitable:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:10 pm

  This farce could hand a significant psychological advantage to the a Wallaby’s & All Blacks. The Springboks now HAVE to win the WC and that is going to translate into mega pressure on them.

  Do they have the mental capacity to handle it? I doubt it, but time will tell.

• 20.Inevitable:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:12 pm

  @Black Panther(Black Panther)-6:

  Dodgy girls

  Slags!

• 21.kevin w:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:17 pm

  So nice to find a journalist with the ability to write outside of all the sensational bullsh!t

  Weakened Boks not so weak
  by Gavin Rich 08 July 2011, 17:10

  The absence of 21 players who have been ruled out for injury rehabilitation purposes has not completely robbed the Springbok squad that will leave on the Tri-Nations tour next week of all its strength.

  – Bok barometer
  – Bok fixtures 2011
  – Photo galleries

  Indeed, in some areas it could almost be argued that some of the players are better than those who are staying behind because they are considered first choices. For instance the starting team against Australia in the first Bok match in two weeks from now could have both Bjorn Basson and Lwazi Mvovo on the wings, two pacy players who have shown better try-scoring form this season than incumbent left wing Bryan Habana.
  Patrick Lambie, if he gets a chance there, is also arguably the best fullback around, and while Danie Rossouw is being touted as a No 8, which is where he trained with the shadow Bok team this week, he is probably a better No 4 lock these days than his Bulls teammate, Bakkies Botha.

  Talking of the Bulls, there is certainly nothing wrong with the two young props from that region that will be flanking skipper John Smit in the scrums. Smit, as expected, gets a chance to play successive matches at hooker and thus gain the momentum in that position he was unable to during a stop-start season with the Sharks in Super Rugby.

  Juan de Jongh gets a chance to prove he could be a worthy option at outside centre, while Wynand Olivier might be getting his last chance to show that he can take Super Rugby form to the next level. He, like his Bulls teammate Morne Steyn, who should start at flyhalf, have plenty to play for — Olivier to prove he should be part of the World Cup squad and Steyn that he can play No 10 ahead of the favourite, Butch James.

  And then there is former Sharks scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, who played well for the Boks on the last end of year tour and can also be used at flyhalf or fullback if needed.

  “We have rewarded Super Rugby form but obviously the injury situation, with all those players unable to tour, was crucial in determining the make-up of this squad,” said Bok coach Peter de Villiers in announcing the squad.

  “But there is a backbone of experience and the upside is that this means all of our top players will be getting test match exposure this year,” he added.

  There are five members of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad in the group of 27, with six uncapped players. The uncapped players are Bulls prop Dean Greyling, his teammate Werner Kruger, Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen, Sharks scrumhalf Charl McLeod, Cheetahs loose-forward Ashley Johnson and Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjes.

  Johann Muller, the former Sharks flank and captain who led the under-strength Boks on the away leg of the 2007 Tri-Nations, is also part of the group and is expected to lock the scrum with Flip van der Merwe.

  The squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Monday and depart for Sydney next Thursday.

  Springbok squad: Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Juan de Jongh, Adrian Jacobs, Elton Jantjies, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Morne Steyn, Heinrich Brüssow, Jean Deysel, Dean Greyling, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Werner Kruger, Ashley Johnson, Johann Muller, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Deon Stegmann, Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe.

• 22.seabiscuit:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:23 pm

  Keohane u are really annoying!!!!! Everyone of your articles is a load of as u say BULL-****!!!! U complain more then support anything in sa rugby!!!!!! For **** sake go support the poms u annoying bald headed wimp!!!! Freak I bet u never even played rugby at school, intact I bet u were picked on weren’t u!?!?!?!!!

• 23.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:26 pm

  @Black Panther(Black Panther)-6:

  Big mean ugly kiwi…

  Surely?

• 24.ET.:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:27 pm

  The purpose of that squad seems to be to inflict as much possible physical damage to the genuine threats for this WC thus leaving little to be done during the home leg for the ‘good guys’.

  But it will fail.

• 25.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:36 pm

  Speaking of failures….

• 26.Dawn:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:56 pm

  @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-25:

  Yeeeeeeesssss?

• 27.sandeno:
  8 Jul 2011, 19:59 pm

  You are an annoying pompous twat Mark. You are seriously overcooking your lack of media worthy opinions and have little market value on the rugby scene.
  Keep your desperation to the scope of Twitter.

• 28.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:01 pm

  @Dawn(Dawn)-26:

  Hello my lovely.

• 29.Dawn:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:04 pm

  @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-28:

  Good evening

• 30.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:08 pm

  @Dawn(Dawn)-29:

  My spies tell me its cold in cape town.

• 31.Dawn:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:10 pm

  @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-30:

  Actually today was an absolutely perfect winter’s day.

  Clear cloudless sunny!

• 32.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:15 pm

  @Dawn(Dawn)-31:

  Lovely.

  No doubt it will piss down copiously upon my return.

• 33.Gerhardt:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:34 pm

  Keo, thank God we all have our own opinions. I agree with seabiscuit’s comment.

  Dont you dare downtalk our boys in green, They represent MY Country

• 34.Blitzbok:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:50 pm

  @Inevitable(Inevitable)-19: What are you talking about you lunatic? nobody has more mental toughness than the boks! next is england you ninny. with arsestalia and mud island nowhere in sight! as for momemtum? B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T!!! When has tri nations ever correlated to world cup success einstein? NEVER!! but the boks HAVE to win now? what fekking kak man. remember 2003? mud island whooped aus and the boks clean by 50 points? went home with tails between their legs. get your facts straight mate.

• 35.nama1:
  8 Jul 2011, 20:57 pm

  It was not that long ago that everybody was calling on PdV to take his “B” side on the away leg, even Keo if I’m not mistaken. Now that he is doing just that, he (PdV0 is wrong. AGAIN, in Keo’s eyes.

  Keo, we know by know that whatever PdV does, you’ll take the opposite view.

  Weren’t you one of the “journalists” who praised JW for his insight when he left his 1st team Boks behind in 2007 on their away leg for the 3N? Didn’t you give him credit for that after they won the RWC?

  Now, I know this team have not won the RWC yet, but to call this BS smacks to me of just a swipe at PdV for a decision he made with the input of SARU. Something we came to expect from you when it comes to PdV.

  *Btw, tell us a bit more of what went down in Durb in the IOC meeting. You were one of the privileged to be there as a spokesperson for NOCSA or whatever they are called nowadays.

  @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-32:
  Good to have you back.

  Amper vergeet ek die smilie.

• 36.JL1:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:04 pm

  @nama1(nama1)-35: Yes, he just cannot win. I agree

  He should rest them, maybe for the home strectch would have been better

  If Aus had a so called B team then they would have been the first to rest their A side

  Give PdV a break I say.

• 37.Big Hit:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:05 pm

  Why is keo acting like the ABs aren’t going to rotate and rest players, Hansen has already said they will. Deans has also said he’ll be ‘trying out combinations’.

  Bottom line, keo’s ire should be directed at the structure of SA rugby and the lack of central contracting meaning the Bok management cannot protect their players from being overplayed during the S15.

  Resting players from at least part of the 3N is necessary if they want a near full strength side at the World Cup, Nick Easter knows it, Graham Henry knows it, Robbie Deans knows it, the fans know it, but so many complain anyway.

• 38.nama1:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:06 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-34:
  Does that mean that you agree with the selection of this squad?

• 39.Blitzbok:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:07 pm

  @nama1(nama1)-38: yeah i do! the Dork has fucked up for three straight years but this aint a bad idea at all!

• 40.toddke:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:10 pm

  How does it cheapen the jersey? Most of those guys going down under are already Springboks!! C team yes, but cheapening the jersey, NO.

  So you give the guys are rest, big friggen deal. All that matter in WC year is WC. Forget all these amateur Glory days and stats. Coaches are now employed from WC to WC and are judged on WC performance and they are allowed to “build” teams for WC. Who gives a nosher.

  Don’t like it – don’t watch it. It is not big bad Springboks who are selling out. It is the administrators who keep selling these buggers down the river, with a season from Feb to Dec. So they must peak for entire Super Rugby, then June Tests, Tri Nations, Currie Cup and WC. Yes sure.

  Aussies would do exactly the same thing. Problem is beyond their match 22 they would be pulling dudes from School boy teams. When people are whining – you know you are doing the right thing…..

• 41.Blitzbok:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:12 pm

  @toddke(toddke)-40: some guppies have no foresight aye?

• 42.ET.:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:12 pm

  FORTY-NINERS here they come again on the away leg?

• 43.ET.:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:15 pm

  @toddke(toddke)-40:

  Yes that is a good question indeed!

  After all it is already cheap as it is the exact same racist green and gold of old, not so?

• 44.Blitzbok:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:18 pm

  @ET.(ET.)-43: cheap? look at the anc flag. no better than used toilet paper. the boks are the only thing we have to be proud of in south africa.

• 45.ET.:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:25 pm

  Are you talking about their black and gold one?

  Agree with you too if it is that which you refer to.

• 46.nama1:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:30 pm

  @JL1(JL1)-36:
  First let me put myself on record here: I believe that you play every test with your strongest possible team. That’s why I did not agree with calls last year to take a 2nd string team on the EOYT. I also don’t believe that all these players are injured as is now claimed and therefore I don’t believe that this is the best possible side that we are touring with.

  However, people like Keo and many on this site, proposed exactly what PdV AND SARU are doing now. Now all of a sudden, Keo has a problem with it? It’s ridiculous!

  Wrt your suggestion about the strongest team going on tour and then resting for the home leg? The suggestion on this site was exactly what PdV and SARU are doing now….tour with a “B” team and play at home with your “A” team. The reason behind it was that if the “A” team beat the AB’s and Aus at home, they go into the RWC with some momentum.

  Nobody said what will happen if the “A” team lose at home or if the “B” team surprise all and win away from home.

• 47.toddke:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:30 pm

  @ET.(ET.)-42: Maybe – could be worse. Do I really care? Did the team of 2006 really care post WC? BIG NO. remember the 49-0 was not a C team that went down there. Infact in 2007 the Aussies got out of jail big time in Sydney with a Bok C team after those pieces of KAK went 17-0 up very quickly. Aussies had to resort to the old much criticised kicking game of Boks.

  Just because KEO whinges, doesn’t mean he is right. remember the whine in 2010 when bulls rested all there players for last game after they qualified for playoffs? That decision was vindicated and then had to listen to Keo whine of ref performance blah blah blah.

  NFL teams do the same when they qualify for payoffs – also get whining there too.

  Jump up and down all day – result stays the same. Senior Boks are not going. What’s the big deal any way, they are meant to be over the hill and on downward slope playing archaic rugger under KAK coach. makes no difference anyway. Here’s a challenge – go nail them by more than 49-0.

• 48.Blitzbok:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:30 pm

  @nama1(nama1)-46: keo is an a cup boob nothing more. forget him.

• 49.ET.:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:38 pm

  @toddke(toddke)-47:

  You are far too serious for a Friday night /afternoon (wherever you are) unless it is due to the disturbed emotions brought on from imbibing ethanol.

  ‘ Ek soek maar net skoor, man’.

• 50.toddke:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:39 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-48: Hehe – that is pretty funny.

  Did you see the press conference? There were more camera men than journos.

• 51.toddke:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:40 pm

  @ET.(ET.)-49: You’re right. I am in US and just finishing my work day.

• 52.TASSIES:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:40 pm

  nice squad. Look forward to some interesting stuff. Takes the pressure off I’d think. Front row couldn’t do any worse that the current mob. Locking pair a bit suspect but Danie gives one a bit of comfort. Nothing wrong with the loosies. Halfbacks okay and worth a shot. Adie probably a weakness but one never knows. WO solid if unexciting. The rest could deliver anything, given a bit of ball. Don;t think they have the beating of the Oz and they will get klapped by any AB combo. As I said: give it wings.

• 53.nama1:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:44 pm

  @toddke(toddke)-40:
  …and if you don’t win the RWC in RWC year, all the other test matches still means vokkol?

  Fortunately we only play four test matches before the RWC in the 3N this year. Last year we played 6 3N matches and only won once. So, 1 from 4 this year will be better percentage wise, whether we win the RWC or not, I guess.

  @ET.(ET.)-43:
  It was always green and gold. Even on the other side.

• 54.TASSIES:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:48 pm

  I don’t particularly feel like enduring a Tri-Nations which I’m pretty confident we’ll get nailed six love. SA rugby is not currently in a good space IMVHO. Talent’s there but the management isn’t. The next three months should be employed to select the right players, fine tune the strategy and build confidence in the team. We’ll have as good a chance as any if this is done properly.

• 55.toddke:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:54 pm

  @nama1(nama1)-53: That is the risk absolutely – but atleast you can give it a go with full strength. This will happen more and more, especially in non WC years when we have S15 – June Internationals – S15 – TN – EOYT.

  What I foresee is teams like Stomers who go pay big cash for guys like Brussouw and are on edge of qualifying for playoff, who then don’t want to risk their key player(s) for meaningless Int against likes of NH teams.

  This issue would all go away, if SARU capped amount of playing time for players, local and Int. So players can’t play all 4 NH games on EOYT tour plus Barbarians if they have reached their max time and again cap out game time for Super Rugger, so no one will play every minute of every game.

  Don’t get me wrong – I love watching full strength Boks giving it a go in NZ – but big picture in pro sport is WC and championships. You see it in soccer and that is the way rugger will go with Crazies like we have now making these guys play all this rugby year in and year out.

  Anyway – enough of me – starting to sound like a whinge – maybe it already is…

• 56.nama1:
  8 Jul 2011, 21:54 pm

  @TASSIES(TASSIES)-52:
  “WO solid if unexciting.”

  You got the 2nd part right.

  The forwards won’t be able to provide ball to the backs and if they get any ball back, Steyn swill kick it up in the air only for O’Connor/Beale or Muliaina/Dagg to counter.

  Moerse scores awaiting this team down under, I’m afraid. Hoping they’ll surprise me but can’t see it happening.

• 57.nama1:
  8 Jul 2011, 22:12 pm

  @toddke(toddke)-55:
  The solution to the problem will be if SARU give contracts to a core group of players and then dictate to the provinces/franchises about the amount of time that the players should play in championship competitions.

  As Tim Noakes said the other night on the news: “PdV has no leeway because the provinces run SA rugby”

  Why is it not possible for SARU to tell the Bulls or Stormers?: Listen, VM, Schalk, Bekker, Spies etc are part of our plans for the RWC. We want you to give them some rest and not play them every game.

  They cannot do it currently because the franchises have 1st option on the players. Get that right and the next coach will have less problems with injured/tired players.

  Btw: Brussow’s agent denied that Stormers made an offer for him. Don’t know what to believe afa that is concerned.

• 58.Hondo:
  8 Jul 2011, 22:54 pm

  @nama1(nama1)-57:
  Money talks
  Making the Super Rugby play-offs and the CC to a lesser extent earns a huge revenue for the Unions, SARU hasn’t met any of its commitments since Louis Luyt reign to compensate the Unions for loss of revenue so the Unions not obliged
  Simple?

• 59.cab:
  8 Jul 2011, 22:58 pm

  Shame the Maestro looks deflated, never seen him look so down in the dumps.
  Possibly the greatest heart and mind to ever coach the green & gold.
  Yip I know we gonna win, Keo is predicting doom and gloom its always a great sign.

• 60.kevin w:
  8 Jul 2011, 23:01 pm

  @toddke(toddke)-51: where are you in the US? Rugby coverage is cr@p here!

• 61.5t0rmer5fan:
  8 Jul 2011, 23:07 pm

  Lets look at this from a diffirent perspective. NZ and Aus didn’t field weaker teams during the 2007 Tri-Nations and they klapped us if memory serves me well. So, according to Keo they had “winning momentum”. They also played some Mickey Mouse teams on their way to the 2007 RWC finals. Now can somebody(Keo) please explain how the “winning momentum” helped them win the 2007 RWC? If you think about it NZ has had “winning momentum” in every RWC and how many times did it help them. We should defend our our title as world champs and we can’t do that if our players are played to a stand still.

• 62.nama1:
  8 Jul 2011, 23:09 pm

  @Hondo(Hondo)-58:
  Why doesn’t the money talk the same language in NZ, for example?

  Don’t think it is that. It is more to do with these “rugby administrators” and their ego who won’t allow SA rugby to get real professional. They’re most probably afraid to “lose” out, if you get my drift.

• 63.cab:
  8 Jul 2011, 23:23 pm

  winning momentum, schmentum, rule no 1 get your best players fit.
  Let the kiwis win another 3N, while we scope up the big one in their backyard.

• 64.5t0rmer5fan:
  8 Jul 2011, 23:30 pm

  @cab(cab)-63: Give this man a Bells!!!

• 65.cab:
  8 Jul 2011, 23:31 pm

  @5t0rmer5fan(5t0rmer5fan)-64:
  lol, thats the worst advert i think ive ever seen.

• 66.toddke:
  9 Jul 2011, 00:11 am

  @kevin w(kevin w)-60: Kevin in Connecticut. If you have Directtv channel 490 is HD and all games shown live and no extra cost. That channel is only Rugby and will show TN and WC.

  Then there is Fox Soccer Premium channel that has European Rugby and also is showing a series called Rugby Archives. Watched NZ v Lions and Boks, France, wales and Australia from 1965 – 1966 and then 1972. Is awesome!!

• 67.seabiscuit:
  9 Jul 2011, 00:13 am

  Keo u silly ***, if Pdv did indeed play his full strength team in the 3N and we won 3 outta 4 games but still didnt win the title because of points difference let’s say, and we then went on to not won the world cup wat would u say?? Now let’s look at what’s goin to happen, Pdv is goIng to play some younger players and let em show us what they are made of, and let’s say we win one or no games and of course still don’t win the title, but come world cup time we win, wat are u going to say then???? Fact is u belong in a old age home, u needa sit in a corner and just talk away so we can’t hear u, I personally only come here for the comments from various ppl on this site and their insight to news, freak I can’t wait for someone else to open up a site so we can watch this place rust, keo, no player in that squad is gonna let us down!!!! If we loose so be it but they’ll play with their heart on their sleeve and that’s all I need and I’m sure alot of ppl agree, the poms are waiting for u keo

• 68.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 00:45 am

  @5t0rmer5fan(5t0rmer5fan)-61: 2007? we beat aus and new zealand only just scrapped that home test. we fielded b/c teams in the away leg and nearly beat full strength arsestalia team and gave new zealand a good fight. no way man. you are not remembering wwell how it happened! 2003 yeah new zealand klaaped arse and bokke by 50 points each!! no team has won the tri nations and the world cup in the same year. only englnd have won their test competition (six nations) and world cup in the same year. so momentum talk is kak. it a different competition with different challenges you need to be fresh. divvy is doing the right thing. Jake never had to rest all his players for the whole 2007 tri nations because he managed his players better. divvy has no choice. it would be suicide not to rest them. so i say stuff sanzar cheating ******** to sheol!!!

• 69.TheTackler:
  9 Jul 2011, 00:51 am

  @Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-10: Surely not? It’s a concise yet spot-on two-word season summary of the ex-Northern Transvaal rugby team of 2011, surely? You know, the one where they were smoked like kippers by 29-0 against the Crusaders?

• 70.Yetirat:
  9 Jul 2011, 00:56 am

  Mmmm psychological advantage come RWC with a bunch tired and battered players running on empty, or a fresh envigorated team ready to do the business starting on a clean slate? I know which one I’d rather have.

• 71.horiman:
  9 Jul 2011, 00:58 am

  I say good on crunchy. If he feels trying to look credible on TV while at the same time lying through his crocked teeth, then all power to him. George Bush did it, look what happened him? he had to duck a flying shoe.

• 72.Yetirat:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:00 am

  The brutal truth is we always get hammered in the Tri-Nations anyway. Why let it happen again this year to the detriment of our RWC hopes?

• 73.Agile T*t-Tyrant:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:06 am

  @TheTackler(TheTackler)-69:

  It happens.

• 74.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:13 am

  @horiman(horiman)-71: obama did it even better than bush. he lied worse and gets worshipped for it! now that’s skill! jajajaja

• 75.garth:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:31 am

  If we had to play NZ today, we would get whipped. Sending a full strength team can only be a positive thing.

• 76.Dex:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:35 am

  Best thing for Rugby as a game would be for the AB’s or Wallabies to win.

  This SA team does not deserve it, not the players and certainly not the coaches. We got very lucky in 2007 but the final was a horrible advertisment for rugby.

  The deserve and need to lose.

• 77.garth:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:44 am

  @Dex(Dex)-76: The best thing would be to send the best team in PDV confused mind to the TN and have them get whipped so they can get a wake up call. Send the following old men to get their arses kicked:
  1. Beast
  2. JS
  3. Jannie
  4. Bakkies
  5. Matfield
  6. Schalk
  7. SMith
  8. Spies
  9. Fourie
  10. Steyn
  11. Brian
  12. Jean
  13. Jacques
  14. JP
  15. Frans

• 78.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:45 am

  @Dex(Dex)-76: actually chump new zealand and australia made a very poor advertisement for the game in 2007 with their kak performances. the final was real rugby. not the show pony bullshit that the super rugby is made today. the league wannabe trash. if you want innaccurate glory boy cricket score games then watch another sport. the boks deserved that win more than the All Kaks did in 1987 and more than they did in 2007. no luk involved no law changes no irb to manipulate refs and let them get away with everything.

• 79.garth:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:54 am

  @garth(garth)-77: The game has moved on. The old men cannot cope with the pace of the game. This team would ahnd it to them:
  1. Coenie
  2. Bis
  3. Mujati
  4. Flip
  5. Bekker
  6. Brossouw
  7. Alberts
  8. Vermeulen
  9. Sarel
  10. Lambie
  11. Hougaard
  12. Juan
  13. Ebersohn
  14. Sadie
  15. Aplon

• 80.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 01:58 am

  @garth(garth)-79: bis bekker lmbie have not had one good test in their lives. thats a very bold move in my opinion. lambie is a good player but way overrated. bekker is a nobody at test level. the less said about p!ssmark the better.

• 81.garth:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:07 am

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-80: So you are of the opinion that JS and Morne are better players than Bis and Lambie? That is a very conservative view. So Lambie is getting rated on last years performance when he was a spring-chicken. Bekker has always been played out of position at 4 and in a role he is not used to. JS does not come anywhere close to Bis. The only issue I have with Bis is the number of penalties he gives away. If he can sort that out he’ll be the best in the world.

• 82.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:12 am

  @garth(garth)-81: p!ss has done nothing at test level. not one big perfomance in any big game for the boks thats a fact. lambie was great last year in super 14 but was embarrassing on the eond of year tour. he was very good in the first few games this but then average for the rest of it. he is has done nothing to prove he will be better than morne. bekker has played 5 many times for south africa. he has failed at 4 and 5 every time he has played on either position. john is the better all round hooker than p!ss. p1ss can not throw into lineouts even and that is our biggest weapon! im glad your not coaching the boks and divvy is.

• 83.ET.:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:23 am

  @toddke(toddke)-51:

  Sorry for this late reply, I too am here in the US hence my playfulness as another busy week draws to a close when I taunted you.
  Your being here and not in SA probably explains your lack of quickly getting angry.
  Enjoy the game tomorrow morning early, 5.30am EST

• 84.garth:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:27 am

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-82: Hey Pieter, JS has been left on the bench the entire season by his coach. A coach that does not owe him anymore loyalty than Bis. Where the two players can go head to head. JS has been a bench warmer. Test rugby has moved on and the pace of the game that the ABs and Ozzies will be playing this years will be beyond what our old men can cope with.

• 85.Bludeks:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:27 am

  Mark Keohane has passed his use by date and should be put out to pasture.

• 86.ET.:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:34 am

  @nama1(nama1)-53:

  This is at least the 2nd. time I have to inform you that your claim is not totally correct.

  Up to the 90s the genuine , non-racial SARU jersey was Black (for the majority people) with a gold collar and cuffs (for the mineral wealth).

  It may have changed at the time of the ongoing merger negotiations (’93) when you mainly saw that ‘poephol’ AC in the team(he was to mind the worse SARU s-h).

  ‘ Ek sal jou klap as ek jou weer moet inlig omtrent hierdie geskiedenis ‘.

• 87.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:43 am

  @Big Hit(Big Hit)-37:

  big fat wobbly Easter Egg

• 88.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:46 am

  @toddke(toddke)-40:

  all eggs

  in the 1 RWC basket

  and not an Easter Bunny in sight (unless youre English, of course).

• 89.kevin w:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:50 am

  @toddke(toddke)-66: I’ve got Fox Soccer Plus through Brighthouse – definately need to get Direct TV, been watching Super 15 on the pc. Thanks for the advice.

• 90.kevin w:
  9 Jul 2011, 02:55 am

  @Black Panther(Black Panther)-88: just a couple of years ago we had the world cup; Lions Tour; Super 14; and I think even the 7′s title.

  That’s one big friggin basket mate … no other team in the world has EVER done that. Oh yes and the World Cup was won away from home. Something NZ will not be able to in nearly 3 decades.

• 91.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 03:26 am

  @kevin w(kevin w)-90:

  since 2009, all those Trophies have gone in 1 direction

  and now

  just 1 left

• 92.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 03:29 am

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-78:

  that Engl team were absolutely DIRE

  good luck trying to convince anyone otherwise

  (and keep praying for Fiji)

• 93.kevin w:
  9 Jul 2011, 03:39 am

  @Black Panther(Black Panther)-91: and good luck to you guys … but you still have to gt past those Froggies who have your number in world cups even before the knockout stages this time.

  And yes you’ll be playing on home soil … and I really didn’t know NZ beat the Lions after us -I must have been in a time warp, or eating dinner with suzie, or with Wayne Barnes practicing forward passes, or with Stirling Mortlock’s gypsy fortune teller who told him about the intercept

  I have tickets from SA’s first game right through to the finals … the only ticket i don’t have is the semis which will probably involve the Boks and the Blacks – either way that turns out, the final will be amazing.

• 94.bryce_in_oz:
  9 Jul 2011, 04:35 am

  I could not agree more with Keo…

  In 2007 JW rested his players because he had the Bulls and Sharks in the S14 final, played England twice then Samoa and then Scotland before the RWC on top of the 3N… Snor is not is that position!

  Where better for a RWC practise session than against the team they are more than likely going to have to beat to progress to a title defence and in the country the RWC is being held?

  A win or good performance would make all the difference psychologically…

  The Buffoon machine moves on!

• 95.TheTackler:
  9 Jul 2011, 04:38 am

  @ET.(ET.)-86: Black jersey with gold collar = Boland rugby (and, curiously, Wellington NZ too.)

• 96.Dex:
  9 Jul 2011, 05:14 am

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-78:

  Typical whinings of a nationalistic ignorant fool. The 2007 final was not ‘real’ rugby, it was an abomination of what is at essence supposed to be a running game with the ball kept in hand. I suggest you do some reading as to our games origins and what will keep youngsters attracted to it before making your ignorant and completely incorrect claims.

• 97.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 05:16 am

  @Black Panther(Black Panther)-92: really? how about your beloved all kaks? did you suck them off after the game as a consolation? england humiliated arsestalia and were way ahead of new zealand. fiji’s qf game was one arguably their best showing in their history. but lets not allow facts to get in the way, hey? just like your last anti-saffer bullshit you tried to pass off here. goodluck trying to convince everyone your not a one-eyed *******.

• 98.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 05:18 am

  @Dex(Dex)-96: what a pathetic tosser you are! that was real rugby you ****. there is more to rugby than running aimlessly and slipping tackles. or are you a closet league fan? the final was accurate and hard fought. if you dont like it then pop in a video of the 1999 farce between arsestalia and france. you know fek all about rugby you doos.

• 99.bryce_in_oz:
  9 Jul 2011, 05:26 am

  @nama1(nama1)-57:

  What’s the big mystery… the franchises HAVE to win as many games as they can to surivive… hence they HAVE to play their best players as much as they can.

  Their man-management in some cases can be better though.

• 100.poppa69:
  9 Jul 2011, 05:53 am

  to all those on this thread talking about momentum and psychological implications of the 3Ns..

  according to Transformation forensic services, it doesnt matter if the Bokke lose all 4 3Ns games, it “‘apparently” wouldnt have any detrimental affect to the Bok team going into the WC tourny..

  or so I was told yesterday… eish..

• 101.poppa69:
  9 Jul 2011, 05:58 am

  imagine trying to do business with SARU..

  you beat them, its because of the WC and having to help them get people on seats,
  or it is a declaration of war..

  then, when they have the opportunity to put people on seats, they reneg on the deal and go back on THEIR word… how utterly duplicitous..

  the true nature of Saffas and their contempt for their business partners is atrocious…

  no wonder everyone wants to “get the yarpies’

  you okes friggin deserve it..

• 102.stormer in a teacup:
  9 Jul 2011, 06:17 am

  What a load of bollux. If SaRU had chosen the number one side this article would be about how stupid they were to do so.. An ordinary player can rack up more caps coming on with 5 minutes to go than many of the greats who wore the jersey in the past. How many caps has Mujati compared with H O de Villliersfor example. The Bok jersey will have been worn by almost all these guys already. Was it made **** when they wore it then?
  I say send the netball team if it means our top guys are in the best condition to win the RWC.

• 103.bryce_in_oz:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:03 am

  @poppa69(poppa69)-101:

  Mentioning the NZRU and ‘business’ in the same sentence is about oxymoronic as it gets!

  SARU and their buffoons can at least turn a profit and the end of the fiscal year… the NZRU is in dire straits the past two and this huge loss they will be making hosting the RWC is only going to send them further into the red.

  Imagine if the NZRU didn’t get all the ‘Yarpies’ S15 money… they’d be finished.

  Anyway who you punting for tonight… I watching the game at the same table as Julian Huxley, Adam Freier and a few ex Reds (and the entire Rebel Army) so I’m going for the Aussies as I’d like to see a new name brining home the silverware… albeit I certainly won’t be disappointed if the fantastic Crusaders continue their winning form.

• 104.Inevitable:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:06 am

  The Boks have put themselves into a no win situation. If they win it will be because they cheated and if they lose – the end of the world for SAFFA supporters.

  Imagine the wailing and whining here at the Keo alter if they blow it. I would pay good money to see such a spectacle.

  After that the site would be dead.

  It’s ALL or NOTHING for the Boks – lets see how they handle the pressure!

• 105.Inevitable:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:09 am

  @poppa69(poppa69)-100:

  Forensic services!

  You joke?

  

• 106.Inevitable:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:13 am

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-78:

  Juvenile!

• 107.cab:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:14 am

  Its a walk in the park for the Boks, the current world champions have won everything there is to win – unlike the current oz or nz team – and it gets even better that everyone’s written them off.

• 108.grant10:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:20 am

  some breaking news.

  Riaan Viljoen, who was apparently on the WP and Stormers radar, has signed with the Sharks and will join them after the CC…

• 109.cab:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:21 am

  The pressure is totally off the Boks, its as if they are frollicking through the tulips and dandelions, while the ABs are utterly desperate for a RWC win – in fact they are beside themselves to win the the thing.

  Well guess what more big tears coming up – its a strange thing but often the more desperate one is for something the less likely they are to achieve it – the ABs are out of contention.

  The aussies have a powder-puff pack as per usual. The real danger will come from the rested NH teams who will only get stronger as the tournament progresses into their season.

• 110.Inevitable:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:27 am

  @cab(cab)-107:

  Shame!

  I understand why Skop loves you so much.

  You believe your deluded rationale and then to make it worse you post it!

  Only consolation is that a few like Blitsbok etc are worse.

• 111.cab:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:31 am

  @Inevitable(Inevitable)-110:
  yeah but at least we not a bunch of no-contest no-mas scrumming poefdas.
  are you guys actually going to field a decent set of props and adequate bench replacements or simply fold and throw in the towel at the first sign of trouble as per usual?

• 112.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:44 am

  @TheTackler(TheTackler)-95:

  Black and gold are the Duke of Wellington’s colours.

• 113.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.:
  9 Jul 2011, 07:54 am

  @cab(cab)-111:

  It’s inevitable.

• 114.Transformation:
  9 Jul 2011, 08:27 am

  pdv is a tim noakes disciple, keo.co.za/2009/05/26/noakes-rotation-will-be-key/

  since he doesn’t have the luxury of ordering a compulsory 2 weeks break for all his players like graham henry, he’s had to take matters into his own hands. The snot & trane of the aussies & kiwis is an unintended by product

• 115.poppa69:
  9 Jul 2011, 08:50 am

  @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-103: Im backing the Saders of course, but only because I believe their forwards will outdo the Reds…

  to be honest I think both teams deserve the title, but there can only be one…two best teams in the comp in the final, how it should be…

• 116.Bouts:
  9 Jul 2011, 08:55 am

  LOL! KEO, you hated Jake and everything he did before 2007, calling all kinds of names. Then you became braai buddies, and everything he did was gold in your eyes. Now that he’s not returning your calls, suddenly you hate him again?!? I’m not sure whether you’re childish or… weird. That’s your problem.

  I’ll give it to you you disapproved everything he did before the 2007 mid-year tournaments, but in the Tri-Nations you were already best buds and you supported his choice of playing a second choice team fully!

• 117.Dawn:
  9 Jul 2011, 08:56 am

  @poppa69(poppa69)-101:

  Ja we love you too

• 118.Inevitable:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:00 am

  @cab(cab)-111:

  We obviously don’t need a monster scum to be ranked ahead of the “World Champions”. Besides with our small player base we are only occasionally going to get the scrum we wish for.

  What we lack in the scrum department we more than make up in others. You should hang your head in shame that your mighty Boks have to contest 2nd place with the Aussies.

  You may have the beef but you don’t have the balls to go with it. Unfortunately, guts and fighting spirit can’t be built in the gym – it’s in the DNA.

  Tough.

• 119.stormer in a teacup:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:10 am

  @Inevitable(Inevitable)-118: A nation descended from convicts should not go around comparing DNA.

• 120.optiplay:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:17 am

  @Inevitable(Inevitable)-118: It would be a sad day if we allow AUS and NZ to pick our national side.(you will have Pierre Spies in everytime.)You are making a fool of yourself.@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-119: Good post!

• 121.poppa69:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:48 am

  @optiplay(optiplay)-120: isnt Spies injured? therefore how can we pick him?

• 122.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:48 am

  @kevin w(kevin w)-93:

  wise man leaving out the option for that SemiF ticket then

• 123.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:50 am

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-97:

  whats hip with the teenagers at the moment, Blitzen ?

• 124.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:52 am

  @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-103:

  The NZRU bring the no1 Rugby team in the World to the table; mind your manners.

• 125.Black Panther:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:54 am

  @cab(cab)-111:

  we got the shovels

  since you got the sh*t

  do we put it on the pile with the rest of them ?

• 126.goyougoodthing2:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:55 am

  I have a feeling we’ve all been duped and rugby is the Emperor’s New Clothes.

• 127.poppa69:
  9 Jul 2011, 09:57 am

  @stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-119: I actually thought the Aussies got their DNA from the same place we all got it from…therefore any character traits surely are derived from ancestral DNA, is it not?

  didnt we all start from African DNA?

• 128.wooden spoon:
  9 Jul 2011, 10:00 am

  @poppa69(poppa69)-127: you forget environmental and societal influences…

• 129.Michael:
  9 Jul 2011, 10:28 am

  @poppa69(poppa69)-127: “Didn’t we all start from African DNA?”

  Technically, no not all.

  Go further back in time too and you’ll find the Great Apes (millions of years before the australopiths in Africa) originated in Eurasia.

• 130.carol:
  9 Jul 2011, 10:56 am

  @poppa69(poppa69)-121:
  Spies has a groin injury and has just come back from his holiday!!!

  Mmmm…great holiday!!

• 131.fromthecouch:
  9 Jul 2011, 11:02 am

  I for one don’t give a continental about what the make up of the touring party is. Simply put the World Cup comes first and if there is even a sniff of injury that can be put to good use in order to prepare our Cup Defenders, so be it. The Boks have good depth and testing some of the fringe players in the heat of battle is not the worst idea ever. Wether there will be the vindication of 2007 when the trophy came home with the Boys remains to be seen. I for one will judge PdV on his performance at RWC2011 and that is all that really matters now isn’t it.

• 132.garth:
  9 Jul 2011, 13:30 pm

  Let’s hope Spies is recovering from finding his balls.

• 133.Kritters:
  9 Jul 2011, 13:46 pm

  We all know its a bullshit scheme. But do we think is necessary for some players to take a rest? Is it a wise decision?

• 134.jeest:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:05 pm

  I never agree with Keo – he is a fool – but on this occasion he is right. SARU are robbing everyone with this decision and it will backfire. It will cost SARU money and they will be complaining and blaming the Aussies and Kiwis like the always do.

  Who would do business with SARU????

  They are underhanded and incompetent.

  this has nothing to do with players needing a rest etc – that isn’t the discussion. You make a deal – you give your word – and you have to stick by it. This is a sad sad day for south African Rugby.

• 135.cab:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:08 pm

  Inevitable
  not talking of beef, I’m talking true grit, which the ozzies got none of. hanging in while getting flogged like the stormers were, rather than crying off and pleading no contest like the warataha did vs biulls or and like donut, baxter and rolly polly robinson does every time they see a bokke or English scrum. Only thing in your DNA is crookery, problem is you all getting to fat and pampered downunder on the land of milk and no worries. What’s happened to the okkas and Mick dundees? Instead u got a whole lot of billy elliots running around these days.

• 136.chch:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:09 pm

  I have to agree with Keo on this one (which may be the first time)

• 137.cab:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:13 pm

  Panty
  dunno wtf u saying, speaka da english.
  Are the Saders your team? Hope not otherwise u going to really have your rods bent out of shape tighter than usual today.

• 138.jeest:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:13 pm

  @cab(cab)-135: Perhaps you might want to re-post seeing the Reds just out guts the Saders (and they were getting belted by the forwards).

  Just a thought

• 139.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:21 pm

  @Transformation(Transformation)-114: a tim noakes disciple my gaat. he never listens to him. for the past three years hes given noakes the finger. only now he listens because he is panicking. divvy only listens when he gets himself stuck deep in the crapper.

• 140.cab:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:21 pm

  Don’t be ridiculous jeest, why ruin a good story with a few facts. Queenslanders probably the toughest of the lot, besides they know how to take severe spankings after years of practice. But at test level they take one look at sheridan or vickery and those legs turn to jelly woble and before long they rolled over on their backs – no mas.

• 141.Frestent:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:23 pm

  Every year, the coach gets to rest top players that need rest and try out new combinations in the “warm up” tests before entering any competition. All over the world and no one bats an eyelid.

  This year, because of the extended S15 and the RWC they’ve had to sacrifice the warm ups in favour of a competition which ends a couple weeks before the RWC? Utter madness. All for profit. Then they come with talk of the “spirit” of the competition instead of about how they need a*ses on seats to make that profit, at the expense of the players and want to investigate?? F*ck right off!!

  The punishment that the human body can take is remarkable but a finite quantity, something which the plonkers in charge don’t seem to understand and the coach has the right, the duty to ensure that he has his best possible side representing his country at the RWC. Period.

  They went for quantity over quality and thats exactly what they’ve got. Reap what you sow.

• 142.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:23 pm

  @cab(cab)-135: inevitable is a stupid arse. can’t see past that chip on both shoulders. you hve to pity the little fella. it was all inevitable given his pedigree.

• 143.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:29 pm

  @Frestent(Frestent)-141: All i care about is the boks these arse-smears got the mulla they wanted so what more do they want? stuffing up our campaign? because a potential bok win might be bad advertisement for the game as some special needs ***** here suggested? bwahahahahaha .they fucked up the calendar AGAIN we did what we needed to be ready for the tournament. so they can literally kiss my ***. I’ll be in new zealand waiting.

• 144.jeest:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:30 pm

  @Frestent(Frestent)-141: Well unfortunately if we want to be professional and take money on offer then sometimes you need to suck it up and do what the money givers want. Rugby is a business, not a sport. It’s entertainment. If SARU don’t like this – they could always go back to being amateur.

  Can’t have it both ways

• 145.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:35 pm

  @jeest(jeest)-144: we never get anything but **** so stuff them. or would these ******** rather see a a poor world cup with the best players too tired to play? great idea! only in arsestalia and mud island would you find idiots that thick.

• 146.jeest:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:39 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-145: I think of the longer term impact this will have. Not the immediate effect it will have on a six week comp every four years. We will NEVER win any comps unless we maintain the flow of cash. Sorry but thats just the way it is these days.

  SARU have made two errors. The first was to agree to field their best team and promise the broadcasters that they wouldn’t rest players at the last negotiation. The second was to promise them, once again that they would field their strongest team a few weeks ago.

  Now, we have no credibility and never will. This will cost SANZAR (and SARU) plenty. No wonder they “screw” us over so much. I’d **** SARU over too if I was them because you know they are deceitful *****.

• 147.Frestent:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:45 pm

  @jeest(jeest)-144:

  Jeest, rugby is a sport first then a business. and like any business, for it to be truly successful you need to ensure that the product you sell is of a high quality.

  slightly less rugby would mean hungrier teams, hungrier spectators and more a*ses on seats. Too much rugby sacrifices that. the ones that need to suck it up are the money givers for a change.

• 148.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:47 pm

  @jeest(jeest)-146: what happened last year with 7 final warnings McCaw and the farce tries scored ALL through foul play lacks credibility. a ref penalizes them and new zealand gets an oppology for it. rugby is becoming like the wwf. cheap pre-ordained bullshit. watch this world cup its going to be the icing on the cake of ****,

• 149.jeest:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:52 pm

  @Frestent(Frestent)-147: They can’t “suck it up” as you put it. They respond to what the fans want – as it gives them their money. This year has been a bumper year for TV ratingings etc and that will provide cash flow to SANZAR. Although that will be a lot less now SARU have pulled this trick.

  And Rugby is no longer a sport at the top level- maybe at the lower levels but it’s a business first at the top level.

  Every event, every team, every game – it all revolves around the profit. Just take a look at the WC. everything about it is about the money – the Rugby comes a distant second. Why do you think they ensure that such a conservative game is played at every WC? Why do refs suddenly allow a forward dominated and ball slowing approach?? It’s because the money is in the NH and they know it will draw a larger NH audience – they don’t give a **** about the quality of the product if the high quality product sells less.

  And “arses on seats” is a secondary concern these days. It’s more about the sponsors dollars and media rights. You really need to move into this century.

• 150.Rhys7:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:57 pm

  If the Sharks want Riaan Viljoen I dont understand why when they already have Louis Ludik, JP Pietersen, Steffan Terblanche and Patrick Lambie who can all play fullback

  For Western Province, Aplon is both wing and fullback and Jantjes is in a career decline so Viljoen would be a good buy?

• 151.jeest:
  9 Jul 2011, 14:57 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-148: McCaw is a cheat and Paddy is a cheat – I’ve never thought or commented anything different. Just look at Bryce Lawrence and the Saders in todays game. The Aussies get the same **** deal we get. And i’m not saying this is the way things should be going – I’m not arguing that Rugby SHOULD be like this – it’s just that is IS like this and it’s the only way forward unless we go back to being amateur and then we will lose all our players.

  but….

  That has nothing to do with what SARU has done. This is not a SANZAR / SARU issue. This is an issue with broadcast rights. The people who are more pissed than anyone are the media corps. It’s a very stupid decision from SARU and I’m sorry, you wont convince me otherwise.

• 152.Frestent:
  9 Jul 2011, 15:48 pm

  @jeest(jeest)-149:

  I’m aware of how sh*t works, Jeest, don’t patronise me. We’re simply exchanging opinions.

  “arses on seats” is just my choice of words. My point is it’s ALL about profit. In the pursuit of it they have created this scenario.

  if, as you said “they don’t give a **** about the quality”. then why are they moaning about an “understrength side”?

• 153.wallabie.:
  9 Jul 2011, 15:54 pm

  PDV is craupping himself now that he has realised that if they beat Wales they are destined to play the ABs in the semis then MAYBE wallabies in the Final…eish they have not faced tougher opposition in RWC in 2 tournaments.

• 154.kevin w:
  9 Jul 2011, 15:59 pm

  @wallabie.(wallabie.)-153: yeah Wallabie, the NZ and Aussie teams have to make the semis and finals first. Something both countries were unable to do last time around.

  You can harp on about who the Boks faced last time around, but the reality is … you have to be in it, to win it.

• 155.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 16:10 pm

  @kevin w(kevin w)-154: arsestalia dont have the vbackline to win the world cup. deans has to suffer them crabbing acxross the field because they got no incision. not like the wallabies of the 90s with horan ripping through with hard fast running. bwahahaa. but ohhh we must face these big strong opponents lmao. as long as we sort our defence our arsestalia have no answers. new zealand havent had one good world cup since 1995 bwahahaha oh the tears are streaming down my face. this is too good. such big talk on the basis of crao all. just like 2007. both these clowns get battered out of the world cup but boast that we never faced the real challenge they would have given us!!! Oh the **** pouring out of their mouths!!! its just too funny. we are statistically the BEST team in world cup history on top for wins and points fools so deal with that first. england fiji argentina even samoa and tonga were far better than arse and mudslide island in 2007 why could it not happen again this year? more big fat egos to be humbled.

• 156.cab:
  9 Jul 2011, 16:10 pm

  As per usual the Ozzie backs are fantastico, but their forwards are shithouse – I reckon Ireland, France and England have the beating of them, nothings changed upfront since 07 except England might have slightly less dominant pack but better backs.

• 157.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 16:23 pm

  @cab(cab)-156: australia do not have the hard fast penetrative backs of the 90s. they looked good in the league wannabe super 15 but have never done well under deans at test level. they crab and do everything behind the gainline. hey dont stand a chance of winning the world cup. kak.

• 158.cane:
  9 Jul 2011, 16:24 pm

  @Blitzbok(The FOOL)-155:

  “we (SA) are statistically the BEST team in world cup history on top for wins and points fools so deal with that first”.

  Give me the stats to back this up………………………………………………..

  Blitzbozo……………………………………..you are da FOOL.

  A big mouthed, ignorant, phukkwit ACTUALLY.

• 159.cane:
  9 Jul 2011, 16:25 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-157:

  Stats……….Blitzbozo stats.

  i am waiting…………………………………you fool.

• 160.cane:
  9 Jul 2011, 16:33 pm

  Don’t be shy Blitzfool.
  Show your red ignorant face.

  Or your bottom,
  same dif…..

• 161.Blitzbok:
  9 Jul 2011, 17:07 pm

  @cane(cane)-158: add up the world cup wins, points for the wins and sa is top. do the reasearch you thick c -unt.

• 162.PissAnt:
  9 Jul 2011, 18:16 pm

  Biggest load of bullshit I have seen.

• 163.Hondo:
  9 Jul 2011, 18:27 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-161:
  Just as ludicrous as stating that Chivanga’s 6 tries against those godforsaken Jaguars from Uruguay is the best individual Test record?

• 164.stormersboy:
  9 Jul 2011, 20:55 pm

  keo does this mean that Bullshit is no longer regarded as crass or off-limits?

  Cool.

• 165.crowbar:
  9 Jul 2011, 22:00 pm

  Keo Cartoon TV reminds me of a stand up comedy gig, hope they do not revert to making funny sounds to demonstrate a prediction. It is such a wet ****.

• 166.crowbar:
  9 Jul 2011, 22:08 pm

  How come “fhart” is now dotted out with stars, but bullshit is fine? Keo Cartoon TV applies double standards.

• 167.BringItHomeBoks:
  9 Jul 2011, 23:28 pm

  Keo you are wrong about this. The so-called “top players” lost last year’s 3Ns, so who is to say this is a B-side?
  Your journos have been publishing a lot of articles questioning he form of some of these “top players”, so why should these new players necessarily be inferior?
  They still have somewhere around 400 caps between them, no?
  You are trying to drum up controversy when you should be supporting the coach and the Boks. Do not be sensationalist.

  PDiv – the guns are looking good meneer!

• 168.kwas:
  9 Jul 2011, 23:50 pm

  I reckon Keo TV channel can really boost its image with a few good looking chicks being thrown into the mix. Do we really want to see Ryan Vrede sleeping at a press conference? Keo, just get a few of your regular escorts to heat up this channel. It will take the focus off your bles and your ever expanding boep.

• 169.garth:
  10 Jul 2011, 00:20 am

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-155: Rugby is no longer just about defense. You need to be able to point on the board as well, keeping in mind that different games will have different dynamics. Some time we’ll have to outscore our team. We will not win every game by simply applying pressure and waiting for the mistake. The IRB have realized this and changed the rules to allow a more flow high scoring game. I am really worried about the Ozzie backline. Beale, Cooper, O’Connor and Genia have taken a few years to mature, but they are ****-hot at the moment. They can do the same damage as Carter and SBW. We don’t have any players in that league. Our three “freaks” will be told to play within themselves and be given conservative structured roles to follow and kept far away from the ball (Lambie, Hougaard and Frans).

• 170.kwas:
  10 Jul 2011, 06:25 am

  All Black Squad for Tri-Nations:

  BACKS: Mils Muliaina, Hosea Gear, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Colin Slade.

  FORWARDS: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock

  Injury replacements: Wyatt Crockett, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ben Smith.

• 171.garth:
  10 Jul 2011, 06:50 am

  ABs squad for the TN:
  BACKS: Mils Muliaina, Hosea Gear, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Isaia Toeava, Colin Slade.

  FORWARDS: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock

  Injury replacements: Wyatt Crockett, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ben Smith.

• 172.Heavens Game:
  10 Jul 2011, 08:36 am

  @wallabie.(wallabie.)-153: You assuming ABs will not lose to France in their pool?

  You also assume, less likely of course, that the Wobblies will not lose to Ireland in theirs?

• 173.ashampoopaloo:
  10 Jul 2011, 11:45 am

  I would not be so dismissal of Aussie pack as some here are doing. Rugby today is more about mobility aligned with power than the staid old one dimensional patterns that we are so conditioned to rely on.

  A combo of Waratahs and Brumbies front row along with Horwill and Sharpe at 2nd row and a combo of Pocock, Higginbottom and Samo at loosie will provide more than enough platform for the likes of, Genia/Burgess, Giteau/Cooper, O’Connor, Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell/Cross, Iaone, Davies, Beale etc to run riot off.

  Wallabies represent one formidable combination if Deans can get his combos right, they can take the WC by storm and put the likes of AB’s and Boks to the sword in the correct framework. If Mckenzie was Wallabies coach Henry and Pdv and Johnson could be severely concerned and take notice.

• 174.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!:
  10 Jul 2011, 13:16 pm

  @ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-173:
  agreed, and in a must win game they could even go ‘machiavellian’ and engineer an uncontested scrums situation. theyr’re more than capable of winning everywhere else on the park.

• 175.Diontnz:
  10 Jul 2011, 15:10 pm

  Hey Keo…seeing as you’re half kiwi would the ABs be the side that you would support after the Springboks…?,…Just asking…

• 176.cab:
  10 Jul 2011, 17:24 pm

  only decent pack they got is the waratahs, and thats even an average test pack. england dismantled them just last year and ireland have beaten them regular with genia, cooper, beale, oconnor, giteau and all their other wizards in toe. elsom is at an end and they not picking palu, ridicke samo is good but an old boy now, i remember when he could not get a start at stade a few years ago, which was crazy but they got no grunt. they were also everyone hot tip in 2007, right up until the so-called poor england team, knocked them out in the usual manner upfront, no mas said the props.

• 177.wallabie.:
  10 Jul 2011, 17:45 pm

  @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-172:
  wallabies wont lose to Ireland and ABs wont lose to France!

  this world cup is being played in the SH!

• 178.wallabie.:
  10 Jul 2011, 17:49 pm

  @Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-155:

  You think RSA is on top of RWC wins…you are lucky this is only 4 RWCs for your lot…Aus had the axactly same start as your lot…2 RWC wins in 4.
  In fact we went a RWC with only one try scored against us…how is RSA record…if we need to split hairs!

• 179.wallabie.:
  10 Jul 2011, 17:51 pm

  @kevin w(kevin w)-154:

  History does not point the direction for the future!!

  Wallabies will make the semis even if they lose to Ireland!

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