Wallabies add to Matfield’s woe
26 Nov 2011
JON CARDINELLI watched the Wallabies thrash the Barbarians 60-11 to ensure Victor Matfield’s international career ended on a depressing note.
Australia edged South Africa 11-9 in last month’s World Cup quarter-final, a result that stretched their record against the Springboks in 2011 to three from three. This Saturday’s fixture at Twickenham represented a final attempt at revenge for Matfield, but as much as he tried as an individual, he couldn’t lift the collective to the point where they could mount any real challenge.
The result sees the Baa Baas missing out on a hat-trick of wins against the Sanzar nations, having beaten New Zealand in 2009 and South Africa in 2010. It also sees Wallabies coach Robbie Deans getting one over the All Blacks’ Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, who took charge of the Barbarians for this particular encounter.
The Baa Baas looked a disinterested and disjointed bunch for much of the contest. They butchered two early try-scoring opportunites, and failed to make the Wallabies pay when Adam Ashley-Cooper and James Slipper were yellow-carded at separate intervals in the first half.
The visitors struggled to fire early on, but certainly looked the more structured and ambitious of the two teams. It finally came together in the 26th minute when flyhalf James O’Connor found Digby Ioane, who proceeded to expose some poor Barbarians defence.
This aspect of the Baa Baas’ game grew worse as the game progressed. They managed to keep the Wallabies in check in the first half thanks to the two yellow cards, but in the second stanza, there was no stopping the relentless green and gold wave.
The Wallabies’ bench provided the desired impetus, but the defensive effort of the Barbarians was nothing short of shocking. In a definitive period between the 40th and 70th minute, those wearing the black and white hoops ushered the Wallabies to the tryline no less than five times.
It will go down as the worst performance by a Barbarians side in recent times. Although they managed to score one consolatory try in injury time through young league star Sam Tomkins, it was the gutless defensive effort that will anger officials and members of an extremely proud and elite club.
446 Comments
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26 Nov 2011, 21:21 pm
@JC
The Barbarians’ match’s result is hugely irrelevant to Matfield’s spectacular career. It was just an exhibition match in which most players went out there to have fun. Matfield played well, but the Barbarians’ defense did look pathetic.
Still, when people think back at Matfield’s career they won’t think about his last result; a loss with the Barbarians. They’ll think about the career of the greatest modern lock ever, his superb leadership abilities, career achievements (World Cup, Tri Nations, Currie Cup, Super 14, 100 Bok caps) and what a fantastic servant he was for the game.
Nothing, especially not the result of a friendly international match, will ever take away Matfield’s achievements as a rugby player.
Thanks, Victor. I didn’t like you when we played against the Bulls, but I loved you when you played for the Boks.
26 Nov 2011, 22:37 pm
VM was probably the best lineout I have ever seen…..a true great….I will miss him, not sure he will be easily replaced.
27 Nov 2011, 00:46 am
Grant WTF u doing out the tub?
27 Nov 2011, 01:34 am
VM a lineout master, but what else did he offer? Can’t recall him EVER knocking anyone back in the tackle. Hardly ever broke a tackle (incl a scrumhalf) in front of him. Hardly ever cleared out rucks, master ruck inspector though. Very decent taking kick-offs. Physically offered very little as spend a lot of time in the backline and that is exactly why he got noticed. Biggest showpony ever. Spies is very close second.
27 Nov 2011, 01:52 am
@UK Bok(UK Bok)-104: agree completely… a great of the game, but far from the best lock ever… in his prime Ali Williams was a much better all round lock imo..
27 Nov 2011, 01:59 am
[JON CARDINELLI watched the Wallabies thrash the Barbarians 60-11 to ensure Victor Matfield’s international career ended on a depressing note.]
Same old Negative ****..
The Barberians have become a
Joke because they don’t pic the right combinations and have un-imposing fluffers running around at 10 like Dannie Cipriani..
27 Nov 2011, 02:03 am
NZ have never had a lock of that quality. Dan Vickerman is the only other lock that could come close, but was always bested. Matfield made many vital tackles in many big games, his support play was outstanding. In 2005 he made a monstrous tackle on an All Black that knocked the poor fellow out, remember that? Of course not, these pesky little details ruin all the fun, eh? He was not the Enforcer that Bakkies is, or Danie, but there is no weakness to his game. His lineout expertise is better than anyone else, and was always the best in his position throughout his entire career. I can say the same for very few players.
27 Nov 2011, 02:05 am
@Guns(Guns)-106: Deans has always used a very structured game to defeat the Barbarians, putting much emphasis on defence. It worked well today against a side with very few working combinations and some very average individuals. If anyone thinks this means something in the context of Aussie rugby, then they had better think again.
27 Nov 2011, 02:12 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-107: NZ have never had a lock of that quality? what a joke you are..
Williams, Haden, Pinetree Meads just to name a couple..
but continue on your delusion, its fun to watch..
27 Nov 2011, 02:14 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-107: did he knock the AB out with his armguard?
27 Nov 2011, 02:15 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-109: Keep rolling out the names, all inferior to Matfield. New Zealand have been blessed with great centres, but locks and loose forwards is where South Africa have had the clear edge always. If you want to find a contender to dethrone Victor, he will be found in South Africa.
27 Nov 2011, 02:19 am
I’m a Kiwi, but it is easy to admit that New Zealand have never had a lineout forward as good as Matfield. It’s pretty straight forward really, that guy is so reliable in the air it’s amazing.
27 Nov 2011, 02:22 am
there is more to lock forward play than just being great at the lineout…
@Alucard(Alucard)-111: all inferior to Matfield? lmfao
27 Nov 2011, 02:24 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-111: loose forwards always been SA? strange, Zinzan Brooke, Michael Jones, McCaw, Kronfield etc… only SA’s domain you say?
you make me laff..
thanks
27 Nov 2011, 02:25 am
@Pencil(Pencil)-112: We will miss his game analysis immensely! It was not merely the lineout, he affected our entire preparation. Eddie Jones remarked how detailed and accurate his work is, claiming it to be astounding. The likes of Bekker, who are touted as natural successors, all lack his brains and consistency. He was incredibly durable, how often was he actually injured? Very rare indeed such occassions were. You can always tell who the greats are by the negative spam Keo and his poodles throw at them. It was Monty, Os, Schalk, Smit, Morne, Frans and it seems not even the likes of Victor can escape it! Very poor form here.
27 Nov 2011, 02:29 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-114: You are so amiss it is astounding. Almost as laughable as your post regarding Adi, the man on fire in 2008! I already dealt with that, so I won’t stray from the topic. Lets be quite clear here, did I state that NZ never have had quality loose forwards? No. So rattling off little lists does little to prove anything more than the fact that your reading comprehension is shockingly errant. South Africa have more quality loose forwards in single generations than most top nations combined! That is one of our greatest areas of depth, by far it is without equal. Just as Italy have the largest depth in the front row, having literally 6 world class looseheads alone. That doesn’t mean nobody else has good front rowers, but their depth is without equal. Please read carefully before posting.
27 Nov 2011, 02:38 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-116: your unfounded arrogance is the only shocking thing here…
we have heard about SA’s depth for the last four years, and that has been shown up as the pipe dream it is..
its blind belief like yours that has SA rugby in the dire mud it finds itself in, but continue, until you guys lose the arrogance you’ll never be the best in the world..
27 Nov 2011, 02:39 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-116: name me the current 6 world class loose forwards that prove SA’s loosie depth is without equal?
27 Nov 2011, 02:45 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-116: as for my apparent “post” regarding Adi??? please highlight that post for me, because I dont recall making one…
27 Nov 2011, 02:51 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-117: Arrogance? Personal attacks? The sure sign of someone that cannot play the ball, because you are outgunned. Lets take a look at some of Peter’s selections the last four years.
Failed Selections
Adi (13/12/11), Rose (10/15), Newman, Bobo, Conradie, Januarie, Olivier (12/14), Bobo, Kankan (8/6), Morne (15), Pienaar (10), Potgieter (6), Heinke (1), Smit (1/3), Kirchner (13), Danie (6), Spies (7), Odwa, Nokwe, de Jongh (12), Maku, Jonhson, Reubenheimer, Adams, Bekker, Watson, Frans (10/13), Jean (14), Carstens, Jantjes, Britz, Grant, Mujati, Butch (12), Lambie (10), Viljoen, Greyling, Kruger, Mvovo, Chavangha
You stand on hollow ground. It’s been very clear that de Villiers has been very poor in selecting players. He shuffles around what Jake put together, but very little has actually worked! Here are his only successful additions:
Morne (Forced), Brussow (Forced), Beast, Lambie (15, Forced), Alberts.
So, poor selections do not support your view at all. In fact it further bolsters my argument that even with such incompetence we still have a very formidable pack!
27 Nov 2011, 02:53 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-118: Juan, Brussouw, Schalk, Alberts, Minie, Danie (8), Strauss, Vermeulen, Spies to name but a few.
27 Nov 2011, 03:00 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-121: Spies? bwahahaha now I know youre delusional..
out of that lot youve named, only two maybe 3 are truly world class… Daniesaurus was average, same too vermuleun and Schalk and Alberts are crash ball dummies..
really, your argument looks extremely weak after naming those 6 as proving better depth that is unmatched
27 Nov 2011, 03:08 am
McCaw, Kaino, Read, Braid, Todd, Thompson, Messam, Vito…
all lossies that more than match SA’s “depth”..
but continue, it sure is entertaining..
one wonders why PDV had to go through so many players? surely with the depth in SA rugby any one of those should have stood up and done the job? I wonder what the problem was?
27 Nov 2011, 03:09 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-122: Schalk is a very great linking player with great offloading presence. Alberts is a more head-on player, but does it better than most, has impressive positioning and awareness. Spies is a very good cover defender and secure ball carrier. Even though he has two genuine weaknesses, he is such a threat that he regularly has 2 to 3 defenders assigned to him alone. Danie has been outstanding at 8 and 4 for years, not at all average. In fact, he has been better than Bakkies the last two years! You forget Schalk’s defensive ability too. How many players can make 2+ consecutive tackles one after the other and kill moves dead? I can’t think of any. He has lost some physicality, but his ball carrying is still something to behold. And Brussow plays the laws better than both Pocock and McCaw. The best fetcher in test rugby by far. All of the players I mentioned are world class, and all of them would bolster ANY other country were they to play for them.
27 Nov 2011, 03:12 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-123: Of those players I would definitely have Vito. The most underrated of NZs forwards by far. McCaw is an extraordinarily sloppy player, his ability to be big chums with the ref is the only thing he ever brought to the team. Kaino is a quality player, but we have better and Thompson is well overrated. Read simply has perfected the art of cheating and is a vital cog in the cheating dynamic with the franks brothers and McCaw. Nothing much else from him. Messam is okay. So out of those, only two would be worthy Boks. I really would like to see Vito in a Bok loose trio, it could be monstrous. The rest offer nothing we don’t already have, or better.
27 Nov 2011, 03:13 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-124: we’ll have to agree to disagree… gotta run… cheers.
27 Nov 2011, 03:14 am
Hey Alucard
I have lived in both SA and NZ and followed the game closely in both countries. must say I disagree with you. Saffas have tended to think they have strong loose forwards but really in the last decade NZ have RULED SA in the loose forward dept. SA have tended to produce one dimensional loose forwards – usually tall, strong and good ball carriers but quite ineffective especially when things get tough and they are going backwards.
IMO the main reason NZ has OWNED SA in the lst decade (have you seen the win-loss ledger – it’s getting embarrassing)is that NZ have produced way superior balanced loose forwards. Brussouw, Ruben Kruger and Schalk Burger apart, there simply has not been an SA loose forward to match McCaw, Kronfield, Michael Jones, Jerry Collins, Jerome Kainow, Zinzan Brooke, Kieran Read.
A world all-time team team might easily have an entire NZ loose forward trio (Zinzan Brooke, McCaw, Michael Jones).
SA keep thinking they have superior loose forwards and they keep getting beaten. Watch a tri nations game closely – NZ (and Australian) loose forwards very effective. SA loose forwards big and tough going forwards but usually beaten in this dept.
Now locks are another story and SA have ruled in the locks dept.
27 Nov 2011, 03:20 am
Alucard I can’t agree that Spies is world class. Come on son. He’s a typical big and fast looking SA bruiser who has disappointed in tight games when the going gets tough. Several of the others you have named are average and simply haven’t counted in big games.
Look at a tri-nations game carefully and watch how easily NZ and Australian loose forwards outsmart SA loose forwards. It’s not rocket science.
27 Nov 2011, 03:27 am
@Delki(Delki)-127: Not so. Jake had the Boks plough over the loose ball which heavily stifled over the loose ball and negated the fetcher. You mention win loss ratios but neglect to mention the complexion of those encounters. How often has SA been allowed to select it’s best starting XV? How often has South Africa had good coaches? Not often in the past 20 years! Looking at the entirety of the last four years and I notice something quite interesting from New Zealand. They use the Franks brothers, McCaw and Read to interfer with the breakdown. They bridge the ball, on retreat enter the ruck from the opponents side and disrupt the counter ruck by pulling players out of the ruck, McCaw lies on the ruck or fiddles with players offside. McCaw has a special status which allows him to do anything he wants. They also pull defenders out of line. In last years first two games, this alone contributed to most of their tries! Smith pulling both Kirchner and Morne out of their channels to leave a gap for Nonu to run through on the recycle is hardly playing to the laws! As for Australia? Their only advantage under Peter’s term was our sloppy defence which they literally walked through… not once Neinaber came into the picture and under Jake we had the better of Australia in the wins department and only ever struggled in Aus since 1998. So you fail to mention many things. New Zealand have a well structured progression path for coaches to thrive, we don’t. That has been the only real difference between the two. NZ have only had ONE bad coach in the last 20 years, South Africa have only had TWO good ones. Depth has never been an issue.
27 Nov 2011, 03:31 am
@Delki(Delki)-128: NZ and AUS have never outsmarted a South African loose trio. Having the ref on your side does not count as being smarter. And it is something that we cannot negate. Schalk, Brussow, Juan are three of the best, Spies is a recognised threat that, as I already stated, has many defenders assigned to him alone. But what do these coaches really know, hey? Spies’ only weakness is his head on tackling. But his cover defence is rock solid and his grunt is not at all bad. You can’t run around scoring 60m tries in every test you know! Either way you cut it, we have the superior depth at loose forward. More so than lock, but we also dominate there too. End of story, finished n klaar, finito. Good day.
27 Nov 2011, 03:35 am
Alucard you prove my point. Those things you mention are part of the modern game and MUST be done to be effective. SA and Aussie laugh (and win another game) as SAs fail to realise this. SA have no idea in this area (except for Brussouw who is FANTASTIC).
SAs have a delusional idea about the effectiveness of their loose forwards. There was an item on a British rugby website which asked readers from all over the world to rate their best loose forwards of all time. 5 or 6 Kiwis as well as a couple of Frenchies and Brits were voted into the top ten and not one SAFFA.
But SA will go on producing strong fast looking ball carriers like Spies and company and keep getting beaten.
27 Nov 2011, 03:39 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-130:
Are you on the sauce? Spies world class he he you must be.
27 Nov 2011, 03:41 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-130:
You currently don’t dominate anything in world rugby, not one trophy stop talking rubbish.
27 Nov 2011, 03:48 am
@Delki(Delki)-131: ***** Teeth, you are a closed minded stupidcnt, aren’t you…
Forget about Andre Venter, Juan Smith, Rassie Erasmus, Teichmann, Pienaar did you…?
And you use an “item on a British rugby website” asking “readers from all over the world to rate best loose forwards of all time” to justify your fcking myopic logic… HUH!!?
You say you follow the game…? More like doe eyed worship of loose forwards doing the haka being the limit of your rugby watching…
27 Nov 2011, 03:50 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-133: Ag fck off back to your Yangtze houseboat farken Kiwi pikey…
27 Nov 2011, 03:52 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-134:
relax buddy you have your chance at redemption next year, you’ll get your shot at the world champions soon enough, if you play well you might even move up to third in the rankings
27 Nov 2011, 03:55 am
Before you call me a s tupid c unt I have to go, have a great day HG.
27 Nov 2011, 03:57 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-136: As we know, the World Cup 2011 was as rigged as test match Cricket… So much for the “best world cup ever”… Its already forgotten… Ted, Hansen and the Kiwis playing for the BaaBaas making right royal ti.ts of themselves… So much for World Champs hey, they were a farken disgrace today against an Aussie B team…
27 Nov 2011, 03:59 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-137: Make sure you carry enough diesel on that Yangtze passion boat… Wouldn’t want a Kiwi stupidfck floating up the river without a paddle would we…
27 Nov 2011, 04:01 am
Let me help you Saffas here…..one of the reasons your loose forwards do not perform is because of their extremely poor body position. SA loose forwards tend to be upright ball carriers whereas NZ and Aussie loose forwards are much better on the ground and are able to drive in low. I have been amazed over the years how SA rugby keeps producing loose forwards who remain upright nearly all the time. SA have done this since 1992 and are usually OWNED by Australsian sides and they STILL do it in 2011. Spies, Juan Smith and co are prime examples.
Very poor body position for the modern game. Come on guys this is basic stuff……
27 Nov 2011, 04:05 am
@Delki(Delki)-140: Did you watch Kaino today… His body position was prone, ar.sehole in air, waiting for Pocock to do the obligatory manshaming, which he surely did do… “Great” technique… Farken useless… and the less said about Thompson the better… A paedophile Yeti would be most kind.
27 Nov 2011, 04:15 am
Yup, thats done for the precious chicken weazels…Outtahere
27 Nov 2011, 04:28 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-111: Gordon Brown (Broon of Troon), Willie-John McBride, Colin Meads, Benoit Dauga, even Frik du Preez….
27 Nov 2011, 04:41 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-141: could have been the weight of the world champions medal around his neck..
still love seeing the absolute hurt in your posts re the world cup..
its bew-di-ful
27 Nov 2011, 04:47 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-138: Ted and Hansen were “playing” for the baabaas were they?
lmfao…
I can just see your eye twitching as you typed that….classic..
27 Nov 2011, 06:05 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-87:
Show me an aussie supporter gloating and chest pumping?
27 Nov 2011, 06:53 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-145: Don’t know why I do this… Reading lessons for the idiots.
What part of “Ted, Hansen and the Kiwis playing for the BaaBaas making right royal ti.ts of themselves”
Maybe an extra comma like so:”Ted, Hansen, and the Kiwis playing for the BaaBaas making right royal ti.ts of themselves”…
Not that it will help considering your well known literacy deficiency…
Obviously the bucket bong you and Toeava seem to be partial to (especially considering his play today – fark, he was so ridiculous at 15, the commentator thought he was Mealamu more than once) affects the both of you more than you think it does…
Heck all those AB’s have been sucking bongs since October by the looks of things…
27 Nov 2011, 06:56 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-147: In my haste I forgot to add “dont you understand” after: What part of “Ted, Hansen and the Kiwis playing for the BaaBaas making right royal ti.ts of themselves”
Nevertheless it probably wouldn’t make a difference, really…
If you read more than couple of vowels and a consonant here or there I will be fortunate.
27 Nov 2011, 07:06 am
Wow
What thrashing.
Shame for ole Matfield though.
27 Nov 2011, 07:09 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-121:
oh boy, Spies lol
Alucard you were really onto something there,although all those players you named, zinzan and Jones would take care of all those players by themselves.
But sorry man, the spies thing is just wrong
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