‘Want it? Come and get it’
10 Apr 2012
Morné Steyn will not give up his Springbok jersey without a fight.
Where once South Africa had struggled to produce world-class flyhalves with the regularity they did loose forwards, we are now blessed with youthful talent in the most pivotal position.
Steyn, at 27, is the old hand looking to stave off the advances of Generation 10. It is a challenge, he says, that has reinvigorated him and one he refuses to see himself losing.
‘They won’t just walk into the side. I won’t just give my jersey to them,’ he says in the new issue of SA Rugby magazine. ‘They have to come and get it if they want it. I won’t give it away easily.’
Steyn also responds to criticism about the way he plays the game and his defence, and explains why he’s still motivated to perform at both Super Rugby and Test levels.
Also in the new issue:
– Keegan Daniel explains his people-driven approach to captaincy
Eben Etzebeth – page 54
– Juandré Kruger and the Bulls are reaping the benefits of his decision to stick with the union over the past two seasons
– Eben Etzebeth has become an overnight sensation for the Stormers, but he almost fell through the cracks
– Derick Minnie was told he would never make it at the Lions. He didn’t listen
– Chiefs flyhalf Aaron Cruden may have a happy-go-lucky attitude but he takes his rugby deadly seriously
– Sarel Pretorius is playing his natural attacking game for the Waratahs
– In his regular column, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie explains why it’s difficult for coaches around the world to retain the players they identify and nurture
Fourie du Preez – page 132
– Opposition teams have worked hard to diminish his influence, but Cecil Afrika remains a match-winner for the Springbok Sevens team
– Cape Town is getting ready to host the IRB Junior World Championship
– The Wildeklawer Super Schools has grown into one of the biggest events on the South African schools rugby calendar
– Former Lions loose forward Ernst Joubert made a life-changing move to Saracens three years ago
– A season in Japan has rejuvenated Fourie du Preez … will he play for the Boks again?
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186 Comments
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10 Apr 2012, 12:16 pm
@stew(stew)-46: Richie can hardly rip a fa rt.
10 Apr 2012, 12:21 pm
There is a growing feeling that they were fabricated?
Growing where?
Old Tony is a craven little ****.
10 Apr 2012, 12:26 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-52: Exactly. We farked them up good and solid and scoreboard flatters them.
Why would we fabricate these alligations right after we nailed them big time. Bunch of nagging housewives. As for their kingpin Carter. He proved how big a doos he really is with his attempted obstruction and they had the nerve to throw hands in the air when they got penalised
Hulle moerre man!!
10 Apr 2012, 12:38 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-53: What is the link to that article? Id like to read those kiwi comments…
10 Apr 2012, 12:39 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-52: Sounding very guilty there mr G
10 Apr 2012, 12:40 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-53:
Indeed.
and as for that poesbeker Guildford.
I predict a PK in his near future.
the bulls were tactically naive in the last 10 minutes and it nearly cost them.
should have kicked that penalty into touch and set up the maul.
Instead we went for posts and gave them a sniff.
10 Apr 2012, 12:40 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-53: Did you watch the same game or did the brandies get to you by half time .
The crusaders lost this game
10 Apr 2012, 12:41 pm
some interesting and funny stuff from paul cully on the smh site…
Five things we learned in Super Rugby
1. The Stormers are Test-like in their quality. This is no guarantee that they’ll win the competition come August – on current evidence they’ll lose half their side to Springboks duty in June – but you can only applaud what they are now. And they’ve done it by throwing numbers into the tackle, not the breakdown. It’s a tweak on what Ireland did to Australia at the World Cup, but instead of holding up the ball-carriers, the Stormers’ gang-tacklers are driving them back.
2. Sanzar’s ‘non neutral’ officials system took another blow: One of the benefits of being outside the reach of Sanzar’s judicial arm (at least we hope we are) is that we can articulate things that players and coaches might conceivably be thinking but are afraid to say. Put simply, the system of appointing ‘home’ officials in Super Rugby is perceived by some to have lost credibility. The Sharks and Crusaders were well within their rights to feel very aggrieved at some of the decisions they received on their travels. Significantly, not one official in any of the four Heineken Cup quarter-finals at the weekend came from the same country as the home team. If it’s good enough for Europe . . .
3. The Reds kick more than the Bulls – and not just a little bit either. The Reds kicked 46 times against the Brumbies, the Bulls on 21 occasions against the Crusaders. But let’s be generous and point to their injury crisis at No.10, which is killing Will Genia’s game, and congratulate them on attracting 31,000 to the game on Friday. It’s a mighty feat considering the spectacle.
4. Gareth Delve and Mark Gerrard’s departures would leave a huge hole. Both might be lost to the Rebels next year, to Europe and Japan if reports are correct. Both have been immense contributors to the Rebels’ first two seasons. We’d like to see where Gerrard – one of the few Australian backs to have a kicking game – sits on the ARU’s most valued list and nudge him up a few places.
5. It was a very bad round for Australian tight-heads. Rodney Blake was horribly exposed by Tony Woodcock at scrum time, Laurie Weeks picked up an injury, James Slipper was pressured by Ben Alexander, Salesi Ma’afu found Sona Taumalolo a hot handful and Dan Palmer started a stoush with Ben Daley of such suspect pugilistic merit that both might be getting a call from Sonny Bill Williams’ management.
10 Apr 2012, 12:54 pm
@stew(stew)-55: Bulls refuse to apologise for eye-gouging claims
Sapa | 10 April, 2012 09:330 Comments
The Bulls will not apologise to Todd Blackadder, as the Crusaders coach had demanded, following claims of eye-gouging during their weekend match.
South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby’s (Sanzar) judicial system found no evidence to back up claims by the Bulls that Crusaders players had eye-gouged them.
Bulls forwards Chiliboy Ralepelle and Flip van der Merwe had complained to referee Jaco Peyper during their 32-30 victory over the Crusaders at Loftus on Saturday. Peyper issued a white card and put the two alleged incidents on a report for a citing commissioner to review.
“The Bulls are not interested in getting into a public spat with the Crusaders as we have always had the greatest respect for them and a very cordial relationship,” Bulls high-performance manager, Ian Schwartz, said in a statement on Monday.
Blackadder had told a post-match media briefing that he expected an apology from the Bulls — a statement he repeated to the New Zealand media — should the allegations be proved false.
According to the Bulls, Sanzar found no evidence in the video material, after a full review by citing commissioner Freek Burger. Consequently no further action would be taken.
“The citing commissioner has reviewed it and after that review there was nothing in the video footage that would point to the allegation being substantiated,” Sanzar chief executive Greg Peters said.
The Pretoria-based side, however, said they would stand their ground on claims made by the players.
“The rules are clear and we applied them 100 percent correctly,” said Schwartz.
“We had the right to raise the matter with the referee and we accept the fact that there was no video evidence.”
Schwartz said the Bulls’ players’ integrity was above reproach.
“I just want to say that our players’ integrity is just as important to us as the Crusaders’ players integrity is to them. I feel the players will not make unfounded accusations unless something has happened.”
The Bulls made it clear they would not apologise to the Crusaders.
“For them to suggest we must now apologise just because there is no video evidence available would mean that we have lied,” Schwartz said.
“It is ridiculous to suggest that every time there is a citing and there is not enough evidence, the other team should apologise.
“It is a pity they have raised the matter through the media, as our doors of communication with them have always been open for a direct approach.
“We would have followed the official and appropriate channels.”
10 Apr 2012, 12:55 pm
Morne will be the starting 10 vs England. He is a Bull and Heyneke knows him so you can’t blame him for going with a player he knows and quite rightly trusts. He’s a safe pair of hands for now but will be pushed very hard by the youngsters when they are given opportunities.
Some interesting Super 15 stats – Goosen is top points scorer, has kicked the most metres, has the most offloads this season and isn’t doing too badly in running metres: http://www.rugbystats.com.au/rugby/super15/player-stats.html -that makes for some interesting reading. For example Willem Alberts has missed the most tackles and Willie Le Roux has the most try assists (5) and 2nd most line breaks(5) to go with his 3 tries.
Morne is not able to offer a lot on attack unless his forwards are dominating. Goosen has already learnt to trouble defences when his forwards are not having it their way(as is often the case with the Cheetahs). As good as the Springbok pack is they will not always be able to dominate opposition 8s especially the other traditionally strong packs like NZ, England and France. The Boks need a player who can still create opportunities when the heavies aren’t on top and for that Goosen is already ahead of Morne – and will only get better. Goosen also has the kicking game to implement a Bulls/Springboks 2007 game plan if that’s the way Meyer wants to go. But at the same time he will be better equipped to create try scoring opportunities.
If the Boks do become a more expansive team (within reason). In Goosen, the 10 is there and a centre combination of Frans Steyn and Robert Ebersohn would release any back 3 that the Boks put on the pitch. Heyneke, please do not play “no pass” de Villiers and only pick Juan de Jong when he realises that there are other players on the pitch besides him(he has the skills but I think he’s caught hold-onto-the-ball-itis from Jean).
Before people have a go at my criticism of cape based players I am a Stormers supporter. But I like rugby to be more than just a crash, bish, bosh arm wrestle.
10 Apr 2012, 12:59 pm
@stew(stew)-55:
lolapalooza stewpot.
Tony has always been a snivelling bucket of piss.
he’s the kind of guy that would f.uck a person in the a.ss and not even have the godd.amn common courtesy to give him a reach-around.
with apologies to Sgt Hartman.
If a player says he’s been gouged why should you doubt him?
Or is a Crusaders player’s (or coach) word worth more than that of a Bulls player.
GTFOH.
10 Apr 2012, 13:10 pm
@The_Don(The_Don)-60: I agree with most of your sentiments, although I’m still very hesitant of Robert Ebersohn… I’d give him a go though just to see if he makes the step up. He’s been very good so far this season with Goosen there.
10 Apr 2012, 13:11 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-34:
that eztebeth is the next frik du preez
10 Apr 2012, 13:18 pm
@seabiscuit(seabiscuit)-63: Very much so… will be a giant in rugby over the next decade
10 Apr 2012, 13:22 pm
@lepel(lepel)-62:
There’s only one we’ll find out.
I’d like to see de Jong given a go outside F Steyn as well. I think he’s being restricted by the Stormers game plan and has the skills pace and strength(for a relatively small guy) to be a good international 13
10 Apr 2012, 13:25 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-48: on what website did you read the tony johnson article?
10 Apr 2012, 13:40 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-54: Saw the articles in the papers this morning and on the previous page.
@stew(stew)-57: I take it you’re saying the Saders were the better team on the park and they lost the game rather than the Bulls losing it?
Bud the Saders were nailing the breakdown point for about 30 min in the game and then their wheels came off. Other than that they were piss poor.
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-56: True, we have done this type of rubbish in the past as well. On Gillie. He is a little shitstirrer. Gaan nog hard gedonner word.
Wonder if someone had the urge to walk into Hatfield square di ck swinging in the wind……..
10 Apr 2012, 13:41 pm
The HG Refugee All Stars Team of the Week. (Brokebacks by Invitation only)
1. Greyling
2 Chilli
3 WP Nel
4 Etsebeth
5 Kruger
6 Brussouw
7 Potgieter
8 Van Der Walt
9 Hougaard
10 Steyn
11 Habana
12 Strauss
13 Ebersohn
14 Aplon
15 Pietersen
10 Apr 2012, 13:43 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-67: ….bulls winning it…..
10 Apr 2012, 13:44 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-68:
No Coenie….?
10 Apr 2012, 13:49 pm
@lepel(lepel)-64: His nose is already gigantic!!!
10 Apr 2012, 13:52 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-70: Greyling dummying the Saders FB to score his try did the trick.
10 Apr 2012, 14:04 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-68: Speaking of refugees, I see your president is on his last legs.
Soon my son.
Soon you will be able to return to your homeland.
10 Apr 2012, 14:12 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-73: when-we
10 Apr 2012, 14:12 pm
Is this Heavens Game chap Syrian?
10 Apr 2012, 14:18 pm
@Special Agent Raj Manipedi(Raj Manipedi)-75: That’s actually very clever. Even for you.
10 Apr 2012, 14:18 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-74: Yeah, a new dawn and all that…..
10 Apr 2012, 14:22 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-77:
what’s wrong with the ‘old’ dawn…?
10 Apr 2012, 14:22 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-77:
oh yeah… that’s right… she deserted…
a new dawn is definitely called for…
10 Apr 2012, 14:23 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-76:
Thanking you my boy.
I am the best private **** in the whole of Delhi.
So it is good to be clever.
10 Apr 2012, 14:27 pm
@ufo(ufo)-78: @ufo(ufo)-79: She’s dead to me now (doing my best Jewish-Italian Drama Queen impersonation)
10 Apr 2012, 14:27 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-73: Zuma on his last legs?
Yeah, yet another “clever” knobber underestimating “uneducated” Jovial Jake.
Yet they come…
and they go…
Zuma any day over Plastic Zille…
Refugee All Star President.
10 Apr 2012, 14:31 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-82: Well then you deserve what you get up there in Gauteng.
10 Apr 2012, 14:34 pm
Boks are looking goooood
1. Greyling/Beast/Mujati
2 Bmark/Chilli/Strauss/ john smit haha
3 Coenie/Kitshoff
4 Etsebeth/Mostert/Rossouw
5 Kruger/Bekker/Elstadt
6 Brussouw/Flo/Kolisi
7 Coetzee/Burger/Smith/Deysel
8 Alberts/Johnson/Vermeulen/Spies
9 Hougaard/FDP/Pretorius/McLeod
10 Steyn/Goosen/Jantjies
11 Basson (best chaser around)/Mvovo/Van Rensburg
12 Steyn/JDV
13 JFourie/Dejongh/Sadie
14 JPP/Hasbeenana/Hougaard
15 Aplon/Lambie/Viljoen
For once I reckon we could pick at least 2 bok sides with equal strength..
My run on side
1 Beast
2 Chilli (Bis super sub)
3 Coenie
4 Etsebeth
5 Kruger
6 Brussouw
7 Burger (c)
8 Alberts vice versa (Johnson/Spies super sub)
9 FDP (vc or c)
10 Steyn/Goosen
11 Basson
12 Steyn
13 DeJong (JFourie super sub)
14 Hougaard
15 Aplon
10 Apr 2012, 14:34 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-82: Just don’t try and sneak your kids in at one of our schools.
10 Apr 2012, 14:36 pm
Scrap Smith and Smit
10 Apr 2012, 14:40 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-81:
hahaha…
10 Apr 2012, 14:41 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-84:
1. Greyling/Beast/Mujati
2 Bmark/Chilli/Strauss/ john smit haha
3 Coenie/Kitshoff”
you are clearly clueless as to which players play which prop positions
10 Apr 2012, 14:46 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-85: the Brokebacks can just play for their own Republic of Hout Bay while the rest of the Refugees will be the Boks…
PS. There are better schools in KZN midlands. i.e. Where laaities don’t get taught to be brokebacks as in the Houtie Mountain Republic…
10 Apr 2012, 14:51 pm
BTW, I hereby christen the Stormers with an appropriate name suitable for a fledgling International Side…
The Hout Bay Brokebacks…
Or just the Bent Houties for short…
10 Apr 2012, 14:54 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-84: Actually not a bad side your run on…
10 Apr 2012, 14:56 pm
i don’t get this infatuation with dejong.
i just don’t. he has some speed about him but that is about it. a hougaard sort of player but nowhere in the same league. no passing game, no X, no kick, nothing for me really.
ebersonn offers so much more if jaque doen’t come back….
10 Apr 2012, 14:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-88: Relax, I cut and pasted in a hurry…
10 Apr 2012, 15:04 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-93: if you say so
10 Apr 2012, 15:16 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-52: He’s not very hopeful of getting it, but Todd Blackadder still wants an apology from the Bulls after their eye-gouging claims were tossed out.
With the allegations dismissed because the citing commissioner found the Crusaders had no case to answer after Sunday morning’s 30-32 loss in Pretoria, an angry Blackadder believes the South African team should show some integrity and admit they got it wrong.
However, he is not waiting for his phone to ring.
“There possibly won’t be one because that would mean [they admit] there is no substance to it,” Blackadder said. “To apologise you would then have to acknowledge that nothing happened – which it didn’t.
“It’s not so much about them apologising to me – it’s about the team. This is a bloody serious accusation.”
Forwards Chiliboy Ralepelle and Flip van der Merwe both complained to referee Jaco Peyper that they had been deliberately poked in the eyes in the minutes before and after the halftime bell. White cards were issued after both allegations.
The Crusaders immediately protested their innocence, stating the accusations threatened to besmirch their team’s reputation.
Now they believe the Bulls should admit there was no substance to their complaints.
“This is nothing to do with the loss. Let’s be really clear about that,” Blackadder added. “I would be feeling strongly about this win, lose or draw. It is all everyone is talking about now.
“Both allegations have been proven to be untrue. What do we do now, just carry on?”
At the post-match press conference Bulls skipper Pierre Spies refused to fire up despite his team-mates supposedly being subjected to gouging – one of the lowest acts in the game.
The reactions of Ralepelle and van der Merwe have also created some suspicion. Usually when players have had fingers poked in their eyes they are in a great deal of discomfort. Neither required medical attention nor reacted angrily.
Meanwhile, Blackadder is set to make few changes – if any – for Saturday night’s match against the unbeaten Stormers at AMI Stadium.
10 Apr 2012, 15:21 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-95:
todd is fast becoming a foot-in-mouth schmuck of note…
they haven’t proven to be untrue… they just didn’t find evidence to prove it…
big difference…
have you guys seen the new show… CSI: Christchurch…?
when they can’t prove whodunnit they declare no murder has taken place…
and the dead body must apologise for being a victim…
10 Apr 2012, 15:23 pm
This guy is a bigger dumbass than HG.
The allegation have not been proven to be false.
They just were not supported by video evidence, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
And based on the fact that 2 separate Bulls players insist that it did happen, there is more than just a hint of suspicion here.
10 Apr 2012, 15:26 pm
Please man.
Flips eye looked like a tart’s **** on a saturday night.
The allegations have not been proven to be untrue.
There has been insufficient evidence.
Blackadder can fist himself.
10 Apr 2012, 15:31 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-95:
So what is he planning on doing next? Really hope the Stormers arent to tired to stuff them up. If he was a SA coach, he would have been accused of whining! Chilli complained right after he stood up from a ruck. And just because they avoided getting injured doesnt mean it didnt happen. Obviously youre not going to allow a guys fingers in your eyes for more than a second!
10 Apr 2012, 15:40 pm
tottie block-odder should be cited for bringing sanzar into disrepute…
the whole whitecard system was introduced so that the ref could ask the commissioner to review certain aspects of the game where foul play MIGHT have occurred…
insisting that the players must apologise in the video evidence doesn’t uphold the allegations defeats the whole object of the exercise…
making sanzar look very stupid…
if todd had any integrity himself… he would be satisfied that nothing was proven and move on and let the rugby public make up their own minds…
methinks tottie doth protesteth too much…
why…?
sour grapes..? or trying to deflect from his own player’s foul play….? or both…?
or he’s just a schmuck…?
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