David I don’t know where you (or Star) I guess got that info from but Francois is definitely bigger than Gio, Francois is 5″10 and 97kg Gio is 5″9 and 78kg. You shouldn’t even need to look at the stats to see who’s bigger, it’s pretty obvious.

But that is not the important, Hougaard is built in the Clyde Rathbone mold, he’s quick, strong and relishes contact, Gio is more of the elusive type but as Hendrikp said he doesn’t have the strength in the contact area, and is easily tossed around. He’s still definitely one of the top backs in SA but I don’t think he can ever become a regular fixture at least againt top opposition. Especially with Hougaard on fire, JP coming back into form and Mvovo itching for a chance.

Kiwis accused of spitting and swearing at Ozzies supporters at the Irish game

French select their B team

mmmmmmmmmm

Kind of thing you would expect from wet pantie during a Bok game. Good keeewee hospitality

The French, well I don’t even think Mr L even knows who his best side is, but maybe he would also prefer the other side of the draw…..

Looks like everyone does

No walloping there. Maybe that tour was not “traditional” enough, though

Without (despicably) losing a game on purpose.

You may wish to think it through a bit more.

SA beat Wales – 4pts
Fiji – 5pts
Nam – 5pts likely

Total 14pts

Wales lost to SA – 1pt
Samoa – 4pts
Nam – 5pts likely

Total 10pts

If SA “throw” their game like chickenshits against Samoa (I will lose all respect) they end on 14pts, provided they lose by 7 or more. A loss within 7pts means SA will top the pool no matter what else happens, on 15pts.

Wales play Fiji a whole two days later. They will have two long days to work out all the permutations…

All Wales would need to do assuming the pool plays out as above is beat Fiji without a bonus point to finish second. Ending with 14 points in the pool (tied with SA) they will qualify in 2nd place by virtue of having lost to SA in the pool stage. Them’s the rules of the tournament.

So even if SA threw away all their proud history (losing to Samoa FFS!) and decided to try manipulate the situation in a cowardly fashion, Wales would still have the final and likely say…

If I were Wales I would beat Nam without the bonus, nothing lost to them as they still win, but it would mean SA would gain nothing at all by losing to Samoa – SA would still finish first on 14 points.

So think first before confirming your idiot status.

Not this part of that crowd!

I said this 18 months ago, Aplon will always be a very special CC and Super Rugby player – test rugby (for now) is different.

Aplon is the Brent Russell of de Villiers’ selections. Everyone knows he can run but other than that he just doesn’t compare to the other choices.

If he played for Wales, Ireland or Scotland he’d be the gamebreaker in those teams…..for the Boks he’s just another fast player amongst bigger stronger players.

Yes, I agree with that. I was just poking fun at the fact the French don’t really have a gameplan besides setting themselves a platform.

Yeah, but “expect the unexpected” isn’t exactly having a special plan haha.

It’s correct of course that the forwards will decide the match, but that holds true for most games. Once/if it gets to the French backs though it’s anybody’s guess what they’ll do with it. For better or worse.

He does not need to be in the 22. Or in place of who? Hougaard? JPP? Habs?

Can you see Gio make a try-saving tackle on the line like JPP did on Saturday? Or rip a ball in a tackle like Odwa? Does he have the positional play of any of these guys? The impact of a Hougaard from the bench? The work rate of Habana?

If you give me a choice between the names mentioned above and Gio, I would choose the above going into the play-offs

iyakubonana ebusuku