Preview: All Blacks vs Springboks
13 Sep 2012
RYAN VREDE analyses the key match-ups and picks the winner in Saturday’s Test.
Oh dear. The All Blacks. Dunedin. Massive pressure on the Springboks and their coach. I’ve seen this movie before. It ended in fairytale style in 2008 with Ricky Januarie’s late chip and collect to seal the win. Sadly there’ll be no replication of that memorable and rare result come Saturday.
Springbok victories in this fixture have predominantly been built on forward dominance and this Bok pack simply doesn’t possess the physicality, industry or experience in the measures they need to trouble their hosts in general play or at the set pieces.
The former will be particularly decisive. The Blacks boast some of the game’s best strike runners among their heavies, Kieran Read the finest of them. Their ability to offload in the tackle amplifies their threat and has ensured the Blacks’ attacks have a fluidity that is hard to counter. Nullifying their impact would require a cohesive, brutal and accurate effort, the likes of which Argentina achieved in Wellington last week. The Pumas stopped the Blacks at the gainline and harassed them at the breakdown for the bulk of the contest, ensuring a scrappy recycle to their potent back division. The Springboks’ second half effort in Perth in this regard doesn’t stir confidence and with new second and back row combinations, their synergy is sure to be affected.
I called for the inclusion of Francois Louw, but stressed that his value would only become apparent if the Springboks were consistently bossing the tackle fight. I don’t think they will, although Louw’s breakdown work will limit the damage this deficiency has the potential to promote.
Their struggles will extend to the scrums, where the Blacks have generally held the upper hand. The Springboks’ defensive lineout work used to be a cause of concern to the Blacks but they won’t be losing sleep at the prospect of having to negotiate the challenge of Juandre Kruger and co.
How will their attack fare? I fear not much better. Their heavies have failed to inspire as platform-laying forces and the absence of Eben Etzebeth – the one player who made a consistent impact at the gainline – further undermines their cause. Their kickers will seldom have the luxury of time and space to launch their bombs, and the Blacks’ high quality broken field runners have the capacity to hurt them for poorly placed punts.
I think the Springboks’ desperation and the emotion the rivalry evokes will translate into an improved performance. However, that improvement needs to be significant to close the gap in quality between the sides and put them in a position to win. It won’t be.
Prediction: All Blacks by 12
All Blacks – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Tamati Ellison.
Springboks – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Johan Goosen, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Pat Lambie.
1,091 Comments
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14 Sep 2012, 12:32 pm
we dont covet what you do pops, its disgusting.
14 Sep 2012, 12:33 pm
@poppa69-898: covert = covet
14 Sep 2012, 12:33 pm
@poppa69-893: yes.
how about a “farkoff irb we dont want that poncy rule?”
you expect me to believe the irb simply came up with that all on its own?
really buddy, live in the real world, one of your poncy administrators petitioned against the nasty brutish other rugby teams “disrespecting” your cultural heritage blah blah blah and hey presto, dont insult the male dancers on their home turf in a wc year.
its pathetic is what it is.
and i have never heard of a kiwi move to try and get rid of the move so it must be something you either feel entitled to or enjoy.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
14 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
@sharks_lover-900:
no, actually this one’s quite interesting and rather different.
14 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-901: winning rugby ?
I know, you guys lose far too much for that, just ask the Aussies, or Scotland, or Ireland even..
14 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
@poppa69-898: Frankly, I do not farken care even if Bokke strip themselves nude and grasp you know what while watching the haka. I do not give two hoots.
14 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
@poppa69-902:
freudian slip much?
thats two this week
14 Sep 2012, 12:35 pm
WHAT??
The “Brave” little sheepshagging Hobbits running away… CANT BE!
Looks like the Bokbefok supporters got the better of that little homemade hand grenade war…
Now lets see if the underdog Boks can do the same tomorrow and knock the Pom-like arrogant ABs straight off their Hairy Man, up the ladder to the sun shine out of their a.rses pedestal tomorrow…
Beyootiful.
14 Sep 2012, 12:35 pm
@rangerman-903: yep, they introduced it after a confrontation during a haka between the Welsh and ABs if memories correct… think it was hika reid but cant be certain..
but hey, as I said, I understand that that sounds too far fetched to have any truth to it, must have been the kiwis..
14 Sep 2012, 12:36 pm
@poppa69-905:
who’s talking about winning?
i’m talking about the filth you dish up on your way to a position you say we covet.
its disgusting.
seriously
it is disgusting
14 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
@gunther-735: ‘o Neill would thenb have
been non compos mentis.
14 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
I do so love a good brawl
14 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
@Nils-896: Cheers
14 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
@Heavens Game-908: Sheesh, man you seriosuly need the pole and strings.
14 Sep 2012, 12:39 pm
Buck Sheford himself… but yep, it was the kiwis
The haka is a call to war, and the performers of it must be ready to handle the consequences of their challenge.
On Sunday night it the French lined up in the shape of a v for victory – and the crowds loved it.
But today the IRB has fined the French team $20,000 for its response to the haka.
French supporters are puzzled, and All Black greats say the IRB is out of line.
“Very rarely you challenge the haka, and it’s great the French did that. We respect that, they’re great players. You face the haka and do that, we know you’re up for it,” Buck Shelford said.
Should France be fined for their response to the haka?
IRB rules state a team must not advance past the 10 metre line while the haka is being performed.
So while the All Blacks are chanting ka tu te ihi ihi ka tu te wanawana – our dominance, our supremacy will triumph – the opposition is expected to wait quietly and respectfully on that side of the line and no closer
Those who’ve led the challenge in years gone by say the IRB are unqualified to speak on haka matters
“Norm was challenged in a couple of times by Cockerill. They were nose to nose. I was challenged in ‘89 and it was fantastic. They all got slaps on the hand for disrespecting the haka, and that’s the IRB not us. We thought it was great challenge,” Shelford said.
Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/IRB-unqualified-to-speak-on-haka-matters-say-All-Black-greats/tabid/817/articleID/230685/Default.aspx#ixzz26RHphecR
14 Sep 2012, 12:39 pm
Ag nee man
Is it over?
14 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
@rangerman-903:
yip
and when the welsh asked them to do a little dance before the national anthems were sung so as to get it out the way early the kiwis threw a moerse strop and said they wont do it for them or anybody cos it was really being down for thier own benefit (larf) and that they would do it on thier own in the toilets.
which thet did hahaha precius kiwis
14 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
so please, continue with your ignorance, it sure is great to see..
14 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
@poppa69-915:
“quietly and respectfully”
Humbug
14 Sep 2012, 12:41 pm
@NZINCHINA-732: That is the exact same
sentence Mbeki used when debating “Aids is not a Syndrome in “Parliamen
.
Up there in the genocide stakes,but not quite Pol Pot.
14 Sep 2012, 12:41 pm
“ka tu te ihi ihi ka tu te wanawana – our dominance, our supremacy will triumph ”
Sounds like our old National Party.
14 Sep 2012, 12:42 pm
@poppa69-915:
THAT is your evidence..?..
hahahahaha
hahahaha
hahahahahaha
14 Sep 2012, 12:44 pm
more like our filth and dirt will triumph
14 Sep 2012, 12:44 pm
@poppa69-909: Hika Reid!!!? Come now, Reid is as farken “manly” as Gareth “Alfie” Thomas, Nigel Owens and the average Stormer supporter…
Come now… this whole legislated unchallengeable “challenge” has got farkall to do with Hika farken Reid…
Naah, its got to do with you farken “brave” Kiwis maybe losing your composure and showing all too recognisable fear if the Boks or France should adavance too threateningly and actually MEET that “challenge” in full frontal.
A farken “Challenge”? My farken hairy, ladder climbing left foot. A farken kiwi toyi-toyi thats what this is… A dance of entitlement. Nothing more…
14 Sep 2012, 12:46 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-922: yeah, strange that an unbeaten AB captain welcomes people advancing and challenging the haka..
thought hed be all precious about it, if I was to believe you..
anyways, Im arguing a moot point with you Bakkies, you have neither the capacity or the tolerance for it..
enjoy the game tomorrow, but I know you wont…
shame really..
14 Sep 2012, 12:46 pm
Don’t touch me on my haka.
14 Sep 2012, 12:47 pm
@Heavens Game-924: you obviously didnt read post 915 did you..
sweet..
14 Sep 2012, 12:47 pm
@Monty15-744: Nice story.
14 Sep 2012, 12:48 pm
@poppa69-927: as i said, memory was wrong.. as the story shows, it was Cockerill and Hewitt… I made a mistake, who cares, the point was made..
14 Sep 2012, 12:48 pm
Read looks like that guy who played the lead in “The Hangover”
14 Sep 2012, 12:50 pm
@poppa69-925:
no i wont enjoy it unless by some miracle the boks overcome your teams ‘tactics’ and the refs ‘bias’, but this is unlikely.
i trust you will enjoy the game though, and hope you do.
maybe one day we can both come away saying ‘i reallyenjoyed that game’… that is a shame really.. and a little sad…
14 Sep 2012, 12:53 pm
@poppa69-929: and we are supposed to believe those kiwis?
this from the same union that made brycie a ref of the year only to see him sacked by the irb as soon as paddy was uprooted?
ja right.
14 Sep 2012, 12:53 pm
@poppa69-927: What, changing your mind now… Using Buck as the oracle…
Buck not too “manly” too after losing his one ballas either… No wonder he’s a bit high pitched nowadays…
Naah, you farken arrogant okes need to come down a few pegs from that sunshine heavenly ladder you’ve climbed Pom like to rugby nirvana…
Maybe tomorrow will be a good place to start doing that… Even if the Bokke cant advance and do a farken isandhlawana on your little unchallengeable disco jig.
14 Sep 2012, 12:53 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-931: I will enjoy it even if we lose… its an AB/Bok clash, doesnt get better imo..
14 Sep 2012, 12:53 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-761: Why no
surprise that he was in the fertiliser businesas?Tough old *****.
14 Sep 2012, 12:55 pm
@Heavens Game-933: yawn.. I havent changed my mind at all… just pointing out that most kiwis enjoy when a team challenges the haka, but keep interpreting it and twisting it how you want..
and I get accused of all sorts of rubbish, take a long hard look at yourselves for a change..
I understand youre all only here for the windup and that rugby is but a distant second..
sad
good night, have bored of this constant rubbish..
kia kaha black
14 Sep 2012, 12:56 pm
@Dawn-930:
you’re joking right?
he must have one of the wierdest and most sick peverted type evil looking faces to ever grace the game.
picture a nazi ss officer in a clandastine lab underground.
14 Sep 2012, 12:57 pm
@Heavens Game-933: hill of the little hand.
a legendary chapter in sa history.
something that poops the myopic maori will never understand.
14 Sep 2012, 12:58 pm
@Dawn-921: Sounds like your average Sharks fan actually.
14 Sep 2012, 12:58 pm
@poppa69-936: What, also running away?
Ag no man…
A “Brave” kiwi… sheezus this is like green bottles on the wall…
Yup, GGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKE
Moer them tomorrow.
14 Sep 2012, 12:59 pm
@poppa69-936: we too are bored with your constant rubbish.
go reflect on the filth you have posted on here and then make a concious decision to stay away from the kool aid.
14 Sep 2012, 12:59 pm
@poppa69-934:
nah pops, thats gone out of our clashes over the last 10 or 15 years or so.
which is a pity, because i trully believe you could be the best without the low backhanded stuff.
14 Sep 2012, 13:00 pm
@rangerman-938: lol… and that just about wraps up this little pre game Bok vs Sheepshagger tete-a-tete…
14 Sep 2012, 13:01 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-939:
Moet jy nou iets anders begin!!!!!!!!!!!
14 Sep 2012, 13:02 pm
@rangerman-941: good, because Ill keep saying it… seems you guys dont like it either huh rapist?
14 Sep 2012, 13:03 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-937:
At least he (Read) does not have a name like Heinrich.
We may look SS, but you fokkers are bred SS.
14 Sep 2012, 13:03 pm
@poppa69-945: ?
14 Sep 2012, 13:04 pm
theres that filth bubbling up out of the open sewer that is poopsies mouth.
the only fortunate thing is that i am not close enough for him to dribble on me.
14 Sep 2012, 13:05 pm
@ryecatcher-935:
he’s a doos of a sour old man and was a doos of a person in business corporate so i just figure him for someone i would not have liked in a personal family/friend type relation.
14 Sep 2012, 13:06 pm
@cane-946:
ah, a true rugby man arrives.
poops, you can phukoff now diddums go sleep it off.
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