Auckland upset a blow for underdone Boks
19 Sep 2011
JON CARDINELLI doubts that the Springboks will be at their peak of their powers for the largely unexpected quarter-final showdown with the Wallabies.
The luck of the Irish is ironically South Africa’s misfortune. After losing four World Cup warm-up games and struggling to beat the USA in their opening Pool C match, Ireland produced an inspired performance to down the Wallabies at Eden Park.
It was an unexpected result that breathed fresh life into what was shaping to be an all-too predictable tournament, and it was a result that should have South Africans feeling more than a little nervous.
Ronan O’Gara said afterwards that the Ireland management had prepared the team to peak for that specific clash, and that it was always the plan to ride the resultant momentum into the play-off stages. Ireland should go on to top Pool C and play Wales in the play-offs, while Australia will finish second and meet the Boks sooner than anybody but an Irishman would have anticipated.
The Boks have played it cool when asked about the Ireland vs Australia result, and just how it will impact on their planning. But make no mistake, that result will have profound repercussions.
Ruan Pienaar admitted it was an unexpected result before attempting to steer the conversation back to the Boks’ upcoming game against lowly Namibia, while assistant coach Dick Muir went as far to suggest that because the Boks play the Wallabies every year in the Tri-Nations, they will not need as much time to analyse and prepare for that probable play-off in Wellington.
But an earlier admission by Muir was more telling. The Boks beat Fiji 49-3 on Saturday, scoring six tries in the process. Muir said that the side had shown steady progress both on attack and defence, and that it boded well for the rest of the tournament. He did, however admit that the Boks had come into this global competition underdone.
It was always the plan of Peter de Villiers and his coaching staff to prepare the Boks to peak in the play-offs, but they would have identified a semi-final showdown against the All Blacks as their defining moment. Going by how the Boks fared in the Tri-Nations and in the Pool D opener against Wales, not to mention their rotten run with injuries, it was always going to be a tough ask.
Had Ireland lost to the Wallabies and faced the Boks in the quarter-final, they would have provided stiff opposition, particularly at the set-piece. The pool matches were initially targeted by De Villiers as an opportunity for his best side to gel as a collective, and the Ireland clash would have been viewed as more a dress rehearsal for the showdown with the All Blacks than anything else.
I don’t think the Boks would have taken the Irish lightly, but they would have backed themselves to beat Declan Kidney’s men and take some confidence into the all-important clash with New Zealand. They would have continued to build in that match and sharpen a few areas before the crunch semi-final at Eden Park.
But Ireland’s victory will force them into an early meeting with Australia. There shouldn’t be a lot of confidence in the Boks at this stage considering their struggles for collective form. Injuries have also contributed to the battle for synergy and the fielding of their best side, as while they hammered Fiji last week four senior players missed the game and only two of the preferred combinations, the halfbacks and back row, started.
De Villiers will make a number of changes again for the match against Namibia, and will recall his first-choice players for the final pool clash against Samoa. This will be the Bok first-string’s last opportunity to improve as a collective before the play-offs.
Muir said that the Boks’ came into the tournament underdone, and that the game against Fiji was a step in the right direction. But can the Boks make sufficient strides before meeting a team of real substance?
Their last defeat to Australia (in Durban) was blamed on a lack of game time, and it wouldn’t surprise to hear that self same excuse rolled out following another defeat to the Wallabies. The significant difference is that one defeat would have resulted in nothing but wounded pride, while the next would have resulted in the Boks’ exit from the tournament.
The Wallabies have beaten the Boks seven times in 11 matches since De Villiers’s tenure began back in 2008. Despite their recent defeat to Ireland, they will fancy themselves to down the Boks again, and their cause should be aided by the return of players like Digby Ioane, Stephen Moore and the Boks’ nemesis, David Pocock.
It is by no means a forgone conclusion, but the odds are heavily stacked against this Bok team. As their own coaches and players suggest, the best players have not enjoyed sufficient game time and they are yet to click as a unit. Their time to prepare and build continuity has been cut by as much as a week, and judging by their recent showings and injury-effect circumstances, they may struggle to produce a collective performance capable of upsetting a Wallabies side with established combinations, confidence and momentum.
281 Comments
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19 Sep 2011, 08:52 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-76:
2007 – We beat England who were reigning RWC champions and who had just beat Aus in QF. We also beat Arg who smashed France (twice) who beat NZ more often than not when the playing field are level.
Just for your info cause I can see you are an inbred ******.
19 Sep 2011, 08:53 am
.
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Say no to Shampoo.
Insist on REAL poo!
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19 Sep 2011, 08:53 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-97:
friend – imo you are taking ths way to personal!
19 Sep 2011, 08:53 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-88: BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
19 Sep 2011, 08:54 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-97: Dude, you need to calm down.
Its a blog, a pretty meaningless one at that.
Hope your day gets better.
19 Sep 2011, 08:54 am
My favorite shampoo ad had a catchy tune:
“I’m gonna wash that siht right out of my mouth”
19 Sep 2011, 08:56 am
@conan wishes he was a springbok #4 locks girlfriend…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-98:
That would be a sight to behold!
19 Sep 2011, 08:57 am
@Staal(Staal)-103:
I don’t blame him for reacting so badly.
It must be immensely humiliating.
19 Sep 2011, 09:01 am
Morning all.
Let’s try and keep some perspective here, After all it was Fiji and they were never going to trouble us over 80 minutes. Having said all this, there were some very illuminating points to come out of the game:
John is looking better and better each game, and put in a great performance on Saturday.
Frans Steyn played really well at 12. I must eat my words here as I was very sceptical about this move. He really stepped up in all departments. Well played.
Lambie: There has been some criticism of his play on Saturday, but I thought he handled the ball when he came into the line very well. Gave to Boks an extra man on the outside a few times. Nice to see a fullback joining the line like that.
Tactics: For me the best part of the game was the game plan that we employed. We kept the ball, cycling it through the phases and never put up any box kicks. For the life of me I cannot understand why we persist with that low return tactic. Our forwards carried the ball up very well, put in the hard yards and the points came.
If you don’t have the ball you cannot score any points. Simple. For me that was the most gratifying part of the game.
19 Sep 2011, 09:02 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-104: Morning fella!
19 Sep 2011, 09:03 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-97:
that’s right big guy…its a lynchmob…
perhaps you’re right about the last laugh (who knows), but you gotta admit it’s funny when you get shown up for being shown up… c’moon…
19 Sep 2011, 09:03 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-109:
That is because Frans Steyn has always been the most hated and underrated Bok in modern rugby playing history.
19 Sep 2011, 09:05 am
@klingon_x(klingon_x)-112: I don’t think it’s a case of him not being rated. I’ve always rated him, just at 15 and not really anywhere else. But he proved me wron on Saturday. I’m not ashamed to admit it,
19 Sep 2011, 09:08 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-110: good morning bro , you well??
yeah agree with ur points made
Andi agree re Lambie, People want spectacular when spectacular is not called for, do the basics and add value to the players around you is what was needed , and thats what they got,
lambie could have kicked ball away , or stayed at the back, play it safe lol
19 Sep 2011, 09:09 am
@Helen(Helen)-99: Nope I’m not planning on apologizing to idiots … especially idiots who think they are clever
I will admit that Boks surprised me in the manner they decimated Fiji on the day and I have already stated on match day that ALL of them especially the management of PdV, Rassie, even Gold and Muir and John Smit need to be commended for their showing against Fiji
Then you still get Moron twats here who proclaim they would rather have AB’s winning the WC than congratulate or acknowledge any credibility towards PdV..
So NO I am NOT apologizing to ANY dumb fck morons here .. including you… who also seem to think you have some type of rugby superior understanding when its clear in most cases you a follower of sentiment rather than reality…
I warned against the possibility of Fiji upsetting the apple cart if boks go on with Smit, FdP, Ndungane and Lambie ahead of Bismark, Hougaard, Aplon and JdJ… I was pleasantly surprized by the otcome and have ALREADY stated that I COMMEND the ENTIRE TEAM including PdV and his management of Rassie Nienaber Gold and Muir for their diligency and pulling the astounding win out the way they did..
Next week is another episode and they better be WIDE awake for Samoa who HAVE to beat us to stand any chance of qualifying.. if we get selections wrong next week it can ALL be going straight back to the drawing board again..
19 Sep 2011, 09:10 am
Honestly, I am delighted by the Irish result.
Because I would rather play Aus in a QF than a F.
Here is a chance to knock-out both the Aussies and the Kiwis before the final.
Our destiny is in our own hands.
19 Sep 2011, 09:12 am
@klingon_x(klingon_x)-112: hiyas Kling
Stormerboy mate is not like the shamp(poo’s) of this world
he never gets personal with players etc in insulting them
19 Sep 2011, 09:12 am
@Staal(Staal)-103: Its OK Staal you the ONE decent chap here who has scruples and decency between your ears unlike this other pack of hound dogs thinking they are Einstein incarnated when it comes to rugby
19 Sep 2011, 09:13 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-114: Ja I thought he did OK. I’d be inclined to keep the setup as it is given what I saw on Sat. Lambie at 15 and Frans at 12. I think it could work really well.
I hope the niggles aren’t too serious, looks like this will be toughest route that we’ll have to take to winning this thing.
Such is life I guess……
19 Sep 2011, 09:14 am
@klingon_x(klingon_x)-112: In who’s world is Frans Steyn hated.. yours? Or who’s ?
You an arrogant dumb doos but lets not let your so called superior rugby idiocy get in the way of some reasonable understanding shall we..!!
19 Sep 2011, 09:14 am
Article makes no sense. If you really believe the Springboks planning could have been so perfectly worked out that they would be good enough to beat Ireland in a KO game but not Australia than the management and senior players are geniuses in disguise. KO games are great levellers and in a world cup quarter final Irelan are gna be no worse than 5% off the Aussies. Sure they play a game that we may be better at fronting up against but that doesn’t mean we could be anything less than 100% ready for that QF. If we weren’t we would have lost.
Heres the thing. We were gna have to beat NZ, Aus and Ireland to win the world cup. Nothing has changed. Based on the form of England and France so far we still need to beat NZ, Aus and Ireland to win the world cup. Only the order has changed. There can be no excuses and any reasoning that the Aus result made it more difficult to win the world cup is flawed.
The Irish proved that the pressure of a world cup, a bit of rain, and a big effort to negate the plamakers and the Aus gameplan becomes very difficult for them to execute. Theres no reason we cant replicate the Ireland victory. But if we don’t we were never gna win the world cup and Saturdays result really makes no difference.
19 Sep 2011, 09:17 am
So far, this has been the most entertaining RWC I have ever watched, which is since ’95.
The minnows are brilliant and put together 14 phases regularly and cross the advantage line with at least every 2nd phase. Suddenly, every game is a contest and worth watching. Even the tier 1 nations are finding only parity in set pieces.
The upset of the weekend just added more spice to an already great tourney!
Fra vs NZ will be the big one in the next week!
19 Sep 2011, 09:19 am
I thought the boks played a wonderful game of rugby against Fiji, it’s the first time we’ve seen real impetus from them. Even the Aura had an authoritative game, then it came to me this is Fiji. They’ve improved no doubt but it’s still fiji poor at set pieces, with little structure at the breakdown. I’m really uneasy about this WC I did not see Ireland taking the wallabies, I never realistically thought wales would put it to the boks. The ABs still have not been tested yet, the France is playing their B side on the 24th against the ABs! It’s all very unsettling, in the knockout stages will the ABs play tactical rugby or will they back their running game? My superbru has gone down the drain, I’m at a loss. Though this is the best WC ever!
19 Sep 2011, 09:20 am
If i was PDV, i’d go and lose to Samoa! …. Guarenteed Final … anything can happen then! … second place better than 5 – 8!
19 Sep 2011, 09:20 am
@GreenFan(GreenFan)-121:
Great post! You should be writing for keo.
The only thing you don’t mention is the psycological effect in the cup, especially the play-offs. Aus will have serious doubts about their abilities come Qrt final time. They will be reminded that they lost a pool game and before the world cup they lost to Samoa. Playing against SA, these psycological barriers will be negated by their belief that they have beaten us in the last 2 TN outings.
19 Sep 2011, 09:22 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-123: Agree 100% with your last comment. Great tournament so far. Usually at this stage of the tourney, it lulls a bit, but with the minnows perfoming like they do, evefry game suddenly has an impact on the tournament
19 Sep 2011, 09:23 am
What if the Aura, matfield, FDP, PdV, and Rassie decide on a 230 am meeting at a non-disclosed venue, and PdV opens the meeting by stating the following: “ja maybe we should drop the Samoa game!?”.
19 Sep 2011, 09:23 am
@klingon_x(klingon_x)-101: You a dumb fck moron who somehow THINKS he’s fcking brilliant … but lets not forget how dumb you actually are … we wait for reality to set in first..
Ireland have Most times got Aussie number.. even in 91 where Campese, Horan, Little, Lynagh, Eales, Farr Jones, and their strong pack were decimating EVERYONE including AB’s – Ireland gave them a hard game in the semi’s with only Campese off loading to Lynagh breaking the deadlock
So it is no surprise that Ireland were up for the Aussie game.. Aussie will be BACK , make no mistake.. and AB’s will not choke at home.. they will have to be BEATEN in the semi’s
We have a 7 – 3 win loss ratio over Ireland in recent showings since 92 – only Jake Fcked up twice vs Ireland whereas most other Bok teams have beaten Ireland both home and away .. we have a superior win / loss ratio against all teams including Wales , England , France, EXCEPT Australia and New Zealand who have both beaten us MORE often than we have beaten them in the last 19 years since readmission in 1992.
19 Sep 2011, 09:24 am
@Johan_Goosen_best_nr10_the_world_will_ever_see(p0ppa69)-124:
The thing with throwing a game is that you are never sure whether you lost because you ‘threw’ the game or if you were just poor and would’ve lost anyway. That doubt plays havoc with your psycological prep
19 Sep 2011, 09:25 am
At the end of it, it’s WC and you’ve got to be ruthless in achieving your end by increasing your chances to hold the bill.
19 Sep 2011, 09:27 am
Yip its a GREAT WC so far .. unlike that one sided cake walk in the Parc des Princes where Boks were gifted a f’ng hail sesame road to the final meeting absolutely NOBODY en route
Far better to play the BEST and win than beat a Nobody and pretend you are the fckng bees knees when you absolutely AIN’T
Out… work to do
19 Sep 2011, 09:27 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-128:
Girlfriend, considering your recent embarrassment, don’t you think it is perhaps wise to lay off the insults? Your humiliation was made so much more acute, because you called everyone who disagreed with you last week all sorts of names, only to be proven wrong and then logically calling yourself all those names.
Just a thought.
19 Sep 2011, 09:28 am
I don’t think there should be any talk about throwing any games. Let’s win this thing the honest way, beating the top 2 teams in the process, and shutting our critics up in the process.
If we aren’t good enough, then so be it, but let’s go for it.
19 Sep 2011, 09:29 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-131:
Cheerio! Thank for making us laugh ….
19 Sep 2011, 09:30 am
Helen: with the way things are going if I was PdV, I’d risk the Samoa game, and face the NH sides to get to the final. NH teams play a forward dominant plan, the can match and beat them upfront and now that the boks also have a running game complimenting their kicking repertoire, it’d be too much for the NH chaps to argue with.
19 Sep 2011, 09:31 am
in durban we played **** and lost by what 6 or 9 points, . What is the point of these articles and tv clips when they are provided by guys who have no idea of the nature of sport and the passion of the people who play it. Ireland to beat OZ.. no way. yet they did. If there is any team to back in a world cup right now , south africa is looking strong and not only because we hammered fiji but in the context of other results with the 2nd tier and minnows playing out of their skin. these predictions are plain stupid weak journalism at the the end of the day. Having watched this world cup so far , i’d say been a rugby commentator or journalist is one of the easiest jobs in the world. They state the obvious what we all can see when commentating or make up copy just for the sake of it. where do i find intelligent rugby analysis coz it aint on this site.
19 Sep 2011, 09:32 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-127:
Late night meeting in a smoky room? I can picture that. Especially P Divvy holding a bright torch light in FdP eyes and saying “Just do what you’ve been doing so far, because we need to throw the game.” with Vic punching FdP’s kidneys every time he hesitates with an answer.
19 Sep 2011, 09:33 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-104: You up this Apartheid riot police scum’s backside says it ALL about you… keep laughing you dumb fck idiotic moron … don’t fckng forget it … last laugh is coming for you … stupid ignoramus dumb idiotic Schmuck
@Helen(Helen)-134: and same to you pisswilly idiot fool .. try fool the world .. you ain’t about to fool me.. twat.!!
19 Sep 2011, 09:33 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-133: Agreed. Would rather meet the ABs in a semi than the final in any event.
19 Sep 2011, 09:35 am
We are far more comfortable against NH opposition because they play to our so called strengths than against NZ and Aus.. vs NZ and Aus its a Russian roulette lottery how we go on the day.. against NH sides we KNOW how to beat them AND we mostly have had their Number throughout… UNLIKE against NZ or Australia.. especially down under.
19 Sep 2011, 09:36 am
Let’s take it a game at a time……
19 Sep 2011, 09:36 am
I just don’t see the boks beating a full strength wallabies and AB team in two consecutive weekends. With the way this WC is going I could be very wrong but I’m not seeing it happening. Boks must drop the Samoa game and take the European route to the final. Let some other idiot deal with Aus and the ABs.
19 Sep 2011, 09:38 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-138:
I wouldn’t dream of making you look like a fool, you do it so well yourself.
19 Sep 2011, 09:39 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-131:
Wow son, you are a real embarrassment. You remind me of the types of “fringe” teenagers one occasionally comes across with their filthy language and obvious lack of breeding. At the same time as feeling sorry for their obvious lack of opportunities they make you feel a bit “ick”. Add to this what must be near-terminal shame at being called out on not only your pseudo insight, but the disgusting style of interaction…
Develop some self-respect boy. Wash out that potty-mouth of yours with soap. Get an education. Watch people with manners and grace and try to emulate them.
Mostly don’t keep reinforcing your low-class, and lack of self esteem with more such vile behaviour
19 Sep 2011, 09:39 am
How do you think this morning has gone for you so far skop?
19 Sep 2011, 09:39 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-142: “Let some other idiot deal with Aus and the ABs.”
19 Sep 2011, 09:40 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-138: back to being a 5 year old i see???
grow up dude , ur impressing no one with ur childish little outbursts.and any time sonny , if you think ur scaring me with little online threats??
Like i sad … GROW UP
19 Sep 2011, 09:41 am
@Rangatira(Rangatira)-144: PREACH THE PREACH BROTHER
19 Sep 2011, 09:42 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-139:
As much as we might be scared of facing the kiiws and wobblies, let’s not forget that they are probably more scared of facing us.
After the first weekend, everyone was saying that it will be a Kiwi Aus final.
After the second weekend, the conventional wisdom says SA and kiwis are the teams to beat.
I suspect after the 3rd weekend, it will be Fra and SA who’ll attract the smart money.
19 Sep 2011, 09:43 am
Helen 137: hehehe. Rassie being the analyst and technical aficionado, looks the rest of the guys in the bunker meeting dead in the eyes, and says “PdV may have a point! This is no time to be fanciful. AURA even your legendary powers won’t get us through this minefield!”. Puff adds on ” ja besides why meet the haka now, I’d rather yawn in the final.”
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