All Blacks brace for all-round assault
2 Oct 2012
Israel Dagg says that the All Blacks will expect the unexpected when they travel to Soccer City for Saturday’s showdown with the Springboks.
The Boks produced their most balanced performance of 2012 in last Saturday’s hammering of the Wallabies. The forwards were at their fearsome best, while the backs used that platform to devastating effect. The kicking game was also on point, ensuring the hosts won the territorial battle.
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer said after that victory that the players are starting to understand and execute the game plan. They are starting to play the game in the right areas, and then create and finish try-scoring opportunities once in opposition territory. It is not, as Meyer confirmed again on Monday, as if the game plan has changed.
Be that as it may, the All Blacks have taken note of the Boks’ five-try display at Loftus Versfeld. Dagg described the showing as ‘exciting’ and said it was clear that the Boks are now playing with more attacking intent. Dagg said that this will make the Boks doubly dangerous this Saturday, as the hosts will also use the kick-chase tactic at some stage.
‘We just have to expect the unexpected,’ the All Blacks fullback said.’They were great in that game against the Wallabies with ball in hand, but I’m sure they’ll try and Test us with a few high balls. In that respect, we will be prepared. We pride ourselves on our high-ball skills.’
When assistant coach Ian Foster was asked if he thought the Bok game plan had changed, his reply suggested that one player has certainly made a difference to how they attack.
‘They have a different guy at 10,’ said Foster. ‘They were looking to play with more width against Australia. I think it’s going to be a traditional South Africa vs New Zealand Test, but they will throw a few different things at us on attack. But we won’t change much with regards to our own plans.’
Flyhalf Johan Goosen is expected to start his second Test this Saturday, and the All Blacks will certainly look to target the 20-year-old. Foster played down the suggestion that the visitors would gun for one opposition player specifically, although he admitted that the South African flyhalf channel can expect a great deal of traffic.
‘He’s got a good all-round game, but he is still finding his feet in international rugby. We’ve got our own game plan and we will highlight one or two areas where we want to attack. Obviously a No 10 at this level is expected to make a lot of tackles. So hopefully if we attack well we can expose him in a one-on-one situation.’
Much of the All Blacks’ attacking success, and the Boks’ for that matter, will depend on the performance of the forwards.
Some of the All Blacks are still feeling the effects of a brutal encounter with Argentina, with Luke Romano and Conrad Smith sporting some ugly facial cuts. But that physical encounter has not diminished the appetite for a physical fight nor the will to win in South Africa, as senior statesman Keven Mealamu confirmed.
‘The Boks are playing with a lot of energy, and we saw that when we played them in Dunedin,’ Mealamu said. ‘We will be prepared for that [physicality].
‘Beating the Boks in South Africa is not an easy thing to do. Not many teams can do it. It’s always the Test you look forward to as a player, so we will definitely be up for it this Saturday.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Johannesburg
148 Comments
2 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm
moer hulle Bokke
2 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
The All Black forwards are hurting from the Dunedin match as they were bullied by the Bok forwards. They will come out firing against the men in green and this will be the crucial aspect.
If the Boks can handle the fired up All Black forwards, we should win. If they don’t, they will lose.
Expect the Bok goal kicking to be improved on Saturday.
2 Oct 2012, 14:00 pm
I am still very upset about this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnSt8AQJemk
Another example of 2 things:
1) Kiwi poaching
2) South African stupidity to try and turn him into a lock. He got no game time because he was an average lock and now has moved to NZ… I wager he gets put back on the wing in New Zealand.
2 Oct 2012, 14:38 pm
@Kaizan-3: Thanks for the link. Wow.
Cool back-story.
2 Oct 2012, 14:40 pm
Kaizan the Sharks were going to use him as a loose foreward/lock… Were very upset when he left for Bulls as they had plans for him… Bulls let him go… Now he is in NZ… Good luck to him…
2 Oct 2012, 14:40 pm
@Kaizan-3:
He got screwed around in SA,not poaching at all
Its better he went to NZ where he is appreciated and will get to embrace his athleticism rather than domkrag bang emulating Flip vd Merwe/Dean Greyling every week.He is playing lock and flank.Hybrid like a Jarod Hoeatta but WAY BETTER ATHLETE.
In SA he was playing bloody varsity cup on the BENCH for Tuks
In NZ he is starting for Southland,coached by legendary Tana Umaga
He will be in the Chiefs Superugby squad in 2013.Theyve been talking about him all ANZC long.
Hanging around the likes of SBW,Tim Nanai Nanai Williams(cousins).The big fella is living his dream
And good on him
I wish he becomes an Al Black.
And at 23 he very well is possible
He still has to develop his game but is getting GAMETIME to showcase his gifts in NZ.Like Greg Rawlinson he can be an ALL black in due time
2 Oct 2012, 14:43 pm
@THE MAULER-5:
Sharks had no real plans for Dan
Selected the Marais brothers ahead of him,Breinhardt Stander ahead of him at flank etc
Lubabalo Mthembu wil be the next to leave Sharks.He is far more talented than Stander,Kleynhans.
2 Oct 2012, 14:48 pm
Mshini I heard they were very upset he left… And I agree on Terra! Hope he gets to prove himself as he is very talented…
2 Oct 2012, 14:49 pm
Jantjjes signs for the Stormers
2 Oct 2012, 14:51 pm
@THE MAULER-5: Yeah he was at the Sharks first and for some reason, we made the same mistake on him we made with Spies. No surprise the Bulls wanted him then…. Just disappointed as I think he could have been an excellent wing. Who knows – he could have been playing for the Boks one day too. Typical South African mismanagement.
@mshiniwami-6: Mshini – I completely agree… I think the move is perfect for Adongo, given how stupidly we were handling him here. Just disappointing that we keep losing players and this one looks like he could have been a fantastic wing with the right managment. (He runs the 100m well under 11 seconds).
Apparently, Umaga spotted him in South Africa and saw something in him that the South African rugby fraternity clearly didn’t…. I don’t mind when the kiwis take their cheque book to Fiji, but becomes highly frustrating when they do the same thing in South Africa.
2 Oct 2012, 14:54 pm
@ kaizen – he’s Kenyan, so I hardly think u can complain about kiwi’s poaching!
@ mshiniwami- he is playing for counties. Tana played a bit for counties last year and is coaching there this year.
He’s an impressive athlete that’s for real. Rugby is demanding in NZ tho – a very high skill level is demanded, and I wouldn’t assume he will get a s12 contract this year
Check out Julian savea’s brother ardie, who is playing openside for Wellington. He is a forward, but probably faster than his bro – he has scored the try of the npc so far.
2 Oct 2012, 14:56 pm
@Kaizan-10: Spot on. South African rugby is obsessed with turning wings into forwards. It should be the other way round.
Adongo started on the wing and some bright spark thought we should pull a Spies on him.
Just like Spies, he could be a world class backline player or and average forward. South African rugby usually opts for door number 2.
I doubt they will make the same mistake in New Zealand.
2 Oct 2012, 14:57 pm
@corporal punishment-11: Doesn’t matter what his country of birth was. He came to South Africa due to invitational league trials and impressed there…. In stark contrast to this case of affairs, he was directly poached by Tana Umaga.
So yes, we can complain about poaching.
I am the authority.
2 Oct 2012, 15:02 pm
@corporal punishment-11: Mate – dont get me wrong, I have respect for many aspects of Kiwi rugby, but I’m afraid you do have a bit of a reputation as poachers.
Let’s not forget the attempt of the Crusaders to set up a poach-camp in Pretoria.
Adongo might be Kenyan, but he came to South Africa and earned his place for the Sharks whilst he was here…. This is different from someone going to Kenya and poaching him, which is essentially what Tana Umaga did in South Africa.
That being said, I think he will be treated better in New Zealand and will end up playing better rugby than he would if he spent his life being mismanaged in South Africa, so I suppose it’s a good move for him.
2 Oct 2012, 15:54 pm
@corporal punishment-11:
Fair enough but NZ isnt exactly stacked in the lock department and especilly that hybrid 4 5 6 type
And if likes of Ross Filipo,Greg Rawlinson can be AB’s,Adongo can make a go at it with like tutelage. With his physical gifts,he can almost play anywhere.
Will check out Savea the flank,especially if u say he faster than Julian…..who had a ripper vs Argies
2 Oct 2012, 16:22 pm
@the authority-2:
“If the Boks can handle the fired up All Black forwards, we should win” Really? You say before that how the BOK forwards bullied the AB’s in Dunedin. Look how that turned out for you guys. If you can’t win with forward dominance how do you expect to do it with parity? Oh that’s right an improved goal kicking display, well it is at altitude which could turn those dreamer shots in Dunedin into a reality.
2 Oct 2012, 16:32 pm
@Kaizan-14: You guys make me laugh. You poached him first so it’s ok. Let’s play a game, let’s list all the foreign born players in the match 22 on the weekend just been. NZ had zero, what about SA?
Don’t worry, I don’t think he’ll make the ABs but maybe a handy lad for the 7s
2 Oct 2012, 16:35 pm
@mshiniwami-6: Hi, I am not a huge fan of the hybrid 4, 5, 6. I do like Hoeata though, and we need not look any further then Spies to prove that better athletes are not necessarily better rugby players. So, in terms of Adongo, he has not been setting the ITM cup on fire.
2 Oct 2012, 16:44 pm
Good luck ABs, going to need it now that Ive got my wish of a balanced loose trio and decent 10. Going to be a cracker and Ill be in the stands screaming!!!!
GO BOKKKKEE
2 Oct 2012, 16:45 pm
@go104realz-16: The Boks lost the match in Dunedin because of goal kicking and not finishing opportunities… The fact remains though that those opportunities were created due to a superior forward showing by the Boks.
We will have an improved goal kicking display on Saturday this time round and are looking beter at finishing our opportunities now, so therefore, if we can mimic our superior forward showing against the All Blacks, we are in with a shout…. However, if the All Blacks outmuscle us in the forwards, they will definitely win as they have a superior backline at the moment.
I am The Authority.
2 Oct 2012, 16:47 pm
@the authority-20: You forget the Carter effect
2 Oct 2012, 16:48 pm
@gonzo-17: You seem incapable of grasping the difference between a player earning himself a starting position after coming to a country AND a coach going to another country with a cheque book and luring a player away.
Kiwis are poachers. Always have been, always will.
Thank you for your interest in this post. I am glad I could be of assistance in educating you.
You are now dismissed.
2 Oct 2012, 16:48 pm
@gonzo-21: You forget that I am The Authority.
2 Oct 2012, 16:53 pm
@gonzo-17: We didn’t poach him mate – he came to South Africa himself and rose through the ranks in the Sharks academy.
Sorry mate – Kiwi rugby is excellent in many aspects, but anyone will tell you, you guys poach.
Fijians, Samoans, Tongans, American Samoans, South Africans.
You’ve had them all play for you.
Poach-camps in Pretoria, poach camps in Fiji, Samoa etc…
There is simply no getting around it I’m afraid. We all have black marks to our name for something…. Poaching is yours.
2 Oct 2012, 16:55 pm
@go104realz-18:
Well mate fair enough but countless teams and coaches value the hybrid especially of the bench as it allows you to play around with options.Danie Rossouw fulfilled the role with aplomb his decade long career. Henry valued the hybrid just was a pity Hoeatta was a hothead who couldnt cut the mustard.Fillipo also did same role before Hoeatta.Reuben Thorne also did it in latter part of career.Troy Flavell,Jono Gibbes as well,so the AB have a long history of hybrids.
2 Oct 2012, 16:56 pm
@the authority-22: Great, you think it’s ok if someone comes to a new country and earns selection in the national team. So you’ll back me up every time we hear people making statements like this
“Kiwis are poachers. Always have been, always will.”
2 Oct 2012, 17:04 pm
@gonzo-26: You have been dismissed. That means you’re free to go.
2 Oct 2012, 17:21 pm
@corporal punishment-11: @mshiniwami-15: saw savea part deux, the guy is as slippery as an eel, his take off is incredible, good upper body strength as he mixes it with the big boys and punches above his weight at rucks 1.90. 89kg. he takes gaps with ease and at pace, clearly his sevens background helps a lot… one for the future for sure
2 Oct 2012, 17:30 pm
goosen & jdv will have their work cut-out for them, the all blacks made JMH their biyatch and broke his tackles willy nilly
2 Oct 2012, 17:32 pm
@mshiniwami-25: dude i watched this one counties match where adongo was cleaning rucks all on his own, just smashing cats! yoh
2 Oct 2012, 17:58 pm
At least seem to have their respect again. 10 years ago we had lost it. They often bring out the best in us. That’s something to be proud of – we can and will get better; so will they – the top rugby rivalry on the planet seems to be in good condition and thank heavens for that.
2 Oct 2012, 18:25 pm
“When assistant coach Ian Foster was asked if he thought the Bok game plan had changed, his reply suggested that one player has certainly made a difference to how they attack.”
Like I said yesterday…
Be warned.
On Saturday, Ma’a Nonu will commit an act of thuggery sometime in the first half to take out Johan Goosen.
It may be violent enough to take him out of the game and if not, it will still serve it’s purpose of making the young guy fear playing the All Blacks.
Am I cynical? No.
History has proven that this is the New Zealand Modus Operandi. They took out Brian O’Driscoll is similar fashion and did the same to the John Smit.
Will they get away with it? Heck yes. Always have always will.
2 Oct 2012, 18:36 pm
@YoMama-32: The boks need to make the ABs back pedal and have no forward momentum. Physically they can’t match the Boks in the forwards as long as the Boks can last the 80 min. (935kg vs 870kg odd is over 8 kg per man)
2 Oct 2012, 19:01 pm
@blik-33:
For me this game is about execution. The Boks have done this well here and that well there. I am willing to bet that if they managed to put every facet together we have more than enough to put this lot away.
Don’t get me wrong, these All Blacks are bloody good. For the past year, they have been peerless in the game. Part of their aura needs to be put into perspective. The rest of us have sucked.
South Africa and France were cheated in the last world cup, while Australia are feeling the effects of John O’Neill’s moneygrabbing, which has crippled their game.
The 96 All Blacks would use their current lot as bogroll.
Carter and McCaw (as much as I hate the latter) have won about 30% of the AB games over the past 5 years. Without them, the All Blacks would have looked as ordinary as the rest of us.
I think Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden, Brody Retallic, Israel Dagg and Cory Jane are the next generation of game winners for them. The problem is that do not possess any answers to game controllers like Bekker, Elstad, Bismarck, Kitsoff, Vermeulen and Louw.
What the next few years comes down to are two things:
The Bok 10/12 channel
The All Black 6/7 combo.
2 Oct 2012, 19:13 pm
@YoMama-34: Agree 100% with you. The standard of rugby is not very high at the moment (not helped by all the injuries). I just think it will be a shame if we don’t win on Saturday, because this crop of All Blacks don’t measure up to the many pervious genrations (96 is a perfect example). If they win on Saturday, they will prob break the 17 wins in a row record.
2 Oct 2012, 20:51 pm
Would like the kings making daniel an offer . That is if he’s not on contract.
2 Oct 2012, 21:27 pm
@Kaizan-24:
OK so tell us who did we poach in the AB team?
Tell me how many players in the Samoan team that were born in NZ?
Tell me how many Fijians, Tongans, and Samoans play in the NZ cup?
Do you honestly think we have poached all Islander players?
Point is you are way out of touch with Professional rugby.
Very quick to blame the Kiwis but really the main problem is your structure and clueless coaches. Blame South Africa for the loss not the Kiwis.
2 Oct 2012, 21:43 pm
@YoMama-32:
lol
You think we take out key players??
Did you actually see the AB game plan?
Goosen is still a new player that has potential but still has not been tested.
Why waste a red card on Nonu ( strange you would point him out as the Thug ) when Goosen is still new and not even tested?
You do realise your own team targets crucial player for the opposition. Its been noted over the years, McCaw and Carter have had so many late tackles,head shots and cleaned out of a ruck by a swinging arm or shoulder against the Boks.
2 Oct 2012, 22:02 pm
@mshiniwami-25:
Mishi, it seems the Ab coaches/selectors have moved away from the hybrid lock/loosie, I’m trying to rack my brain for a hybrid that would be considered an Ab Great, none come to mind, herein lies the answer, specialist locks are the only way to go at test level.
2 Oct 2012, 22:09 pm
@Hurricane-38: porkchop used to harass carter to good effect…aaahh the porkchop
2 Oct 2012, 22:12 pm
@Hurricane-37: Here are a few players who the New Zealand rugby administration poached from other countries:
Kaino, Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Mils Muliaina, Sosene Anesi, Sione Lauaki, Ben Franks, John Schwalger and Rodney So’oialo…. And many, many more.
Bear in mind that some of these players were identified at age-group level. This seems to be a regular thing in New Zealand, as it is consistent with the attempts of the Crusader Rugby Union to set up a poach-camp in Pretoria, South Africa to directly poach age-group level South African rugby players.
Please see this link for more details on the aforementioned poach-camp (please read the actual letter): http://www.ruggaworld.com/2010/05/25/crusaders-poaching-sa-school-players-the-letter/
The entire rugby world knows it and I’m afraid there is simply no getting out of it. New Zealand Rugby has a culture of poaching.
As far as I’m concerned, this is an open and shut case.
2 Oct 2012, 22:13 pm
@Transformation-30:
I think you maybe getting a little carried away with the form of Adongo, he has been doing some good work, hitting rucks, some good carries,the core duties of a lock and his game time has steadily increased with greater fitness levels. If he continues to improve he is a chance for a super contract, an outside chance. He is coming along ok in the ITM Cup, without setting the world alight.
2 Oct 2012, 22:18 pm
@Kaizan-41:
Well I know off the top of my head that Mils and his family left Samoa when he was two years old and Kaino was around the same age when he left American Samoa, so you really need to rethink your poaching angle.
2 Oct 2012, 22:24 pm
@Te Rangatira-43: They spotted him when he was 2.
2 Oct 2012, 22:30 pm
@Kaizan-44:
lol…..where I grew up mate amongst the Island and Maori boys, there were a heap who had the potential to go on to higher honours in Union and League, just the way it is.
2 Oct 2012, 22:32 pm
@Te Rangatira-39:
Very interesting point – Brits (Uttely) , French (Benazzi, Spanghero). Boks (Stofberg, Kritzinger, Andrews) and Wallabies have done it with tremendous success (Benazzi 4 out of 6 wins against the All Blacks) … but none that I can think of for AB’s.
2 Oct 2012, 22:43 pm
@YoMama-32: You are a right dipstick my man…NZ to take Goosen out by an act of violent thuggery…oh yeah of course, SA dont do the same (Greyling) but SA rugby is littered with thuggery over the years…but you must be blind to that…the AB’s will win this game on superior playing, nous and attacking rugby…nothing else…oh unless of course the Boks commit an act of thuggery…anyone for a bet>>>go the mightly ABs
2 Oct 2012, 22:47 pm
@Kaizan-41: hey mate we dont POACH…Beast, Montgomery, et al…you lot are as bad as the Poms…in reply to those who you listed, how can you term it POACHING when the families of those players migrated to NZ, grew up here, learned their rugby here as boys and then decided they wanted to play for the GREATEST TEAM on the planet….the ABs so go suck your thumb diddums….pathetic…
2 Oct 2012, 22:50 pm
@J.B. Cowper-46:
I was unaware that Andrews is considered a hybrid and Uttley for that matter. That Benazzi was a huge man, very mobile too, we in Nz consider him a great player cause he did the damge.
2 Oct 2012, 22:51 pm
@Kaizan-41: hahahaaha, oh my god. Well, if that makes you feel better, go suck your thumb in the corner for a little longer.
Your desperation knows no bounds
2 Oct 2012, 22:52 pm
@Te Rangatira-42: carried away?
form?
i only mentioned that he “cleaned rucks on his own & smashed people”
where did i allude to adongo’s “form”?
2 Oct 2012, 23:01 pm
@Kaizan-41:
You are dreaming. Most those players moved to NZ during the Juniors.
Family moved for other reasons, NZRU did not offer there 8 year old a contract.
You really need to do better than that.
2 Oct 2012, 23:10 pm
@Kaizan-41:
Another thing i find funny is all those players played for NZ internediate and college schools.
Now proved they were here before the age of 14 years old. I could dig deeper to find when they arrived to NZ but i think you have made your little mind up.
2 Oct 2012, 23:17 pm
@YoMama-32: History has proven the Boks with French being second as the biggest thugs of the game, NOT the All Blacks.
I’d say we are at number 3.
2 Oct 2012, 23:22 pm
The beauty of the poaching nonsense always gets rolled out (primarily by some Bok and UK supporters) when they know there is a gulf in class between their respective teams and the AB’s. This little chestnut conveniently disguises their annoyance the AB’s cause them, as they cowardly divert our supremacy and their own failings.
2 Oct 2012, 23:23 pm
@Hurricane-37:
Strange how you answered what players NZ had poached which i picked huge flaws in your points but didnt say how many NZ born players are in the Samoan teams or how many learnt the rugby in NZ playing for College rugby and NPC.
Your poaching theory shows you have no clue in how NZ is made up.
2 Oct 2012, 23:38 pm
@KiaKahaNZ-54:
No, I truly hope I’m wrong. I have too much respect for New Zealand rugby to accept that this historical behaviour (Meealamu & Umaga on O’Driscoll and Thorn on Smit) is appropriate.
There have also been two South African acts of stupidity in the past few years that I also find unacceptable. When Bakkies headbutted Cowan a few years ago for pulling him back and when Greyling headhunted Richie for once again lying all over our ball, they simply did not find acceptable ways of dealing with cheating (which has also snuck into the Kiwi game) because they were too dumb.
I would love nothing more than to see a full strength All Black team play within the laws against a South African team who can control their emotions. To be the best, you have to beat the best. It would be awesome to see an All Black / Springbok game played out in honour.
2 Oct 2012, 23:43 pm
@YoMama-57:
Cheating?
Isnt a penalty awarded against a team means they were cheating?
You can say SA never cheat if they have never been penalised.
Are you sure SA never been penalised?
2 Oct 2012, 23:43 pm
@Hurricane-56:
That post was aimed at Kaizan, not myself.
2 Oct 2012, 23:46 pm
yip and Boks brace themselves for all round cheating display or mccaw proportions.
3 Oct 2012, 00:02 am
@cab-60:
Yep and we will wear eye guards and head gear for dirty play the boks are known for.
3 Oct 2012, 00:18 am
Haha – reading some of these kiwi posts trying to deny poaching is hilarious… The ENTIRE rugby world knows new zealand poaches. Its just your thing. There is simply no debate here Im afraid. It might be hard for you to accept it, but the rest of the world knows its real…
I notice that no one cares to comment on the poach-camp set up by the Crusaders Rugby Union in Pretoria.
Hell, youre even in a South African rugby website right now. Probably trying to poach ideas or something.
3 Oct 2012, 00:26 am
People, I will settle this dispute.
The verdict is…
New Zealanders are indeed poachers.
I am the authority.
3 Oct 2012, 00:32 am
@51…Yep,Trans,I got abit carried away there ,my apologies,I’ll put it this way & I think you will agree,Adongo has been a good buy for Counties and for kaizan ,he’s been well poached
3 Oct 2012, 00:33 am
@the authority-63: stop whining.
3 Oct 2012, 00:35 am
@Kaizan-62: Who cares. It’s up to the South African rugby fraternity and organization to keep players. Players have the right to live where they want to, and earn a living where they can.
The Boks need to win on the field, with the players selected.
The game of rugby is also paramount.
3 Oct 2012, 00:43 am
@SodaJoe-66: Soda, you asked who cares?… Well Im not surprised you are condoning this sort of thing, but to answer your question: We care mate. SARU took the matter to the IRB who ordered the Crusaders administration to immediately end any and all efforts at invitational training camps in South Africa.
3 Oct 2012, 00:45 am
How does a New Zealander like their eggs?
3 Oct 2012, 00:52 am
Soda, first you boys were swearing blind that you never poach… Oooh no, not us, we’re little angels we are… And now as soon as the proof is put in front of you, you change your tone to “who cares”.
Typical poaching kiwis.
3 Oct 2012, 00:58 am
New Zealanders = poachers
It’s just common knowledge.
3 Oct 2012, 01:01 am
@Kaizan-69: I am a South African. A die hard Bok supporter.
Whining about poaching. whining about joining the Northern Hemisphere rugby union.
Blah blah blah.
I expect my Boks to win. I especially expect them beat the All blacks and stand proud. They don’t whine.
I think the team we have right now is very good. And going to get better. And no I don’t believe in “rebuilding” that’s for Craven Week, Currie Cup, Super 15. The Boks are there to win. No whining. By men.
Big. Proud. Talented. Athletic. Men.
Who don’t fkn whine.
3 Oct 2012, 01:14 am
Soda… As the authority on the matter, you are hereby advised to stop talking about “Big. Athletic. Men”.
Kiwis poach. Its a simple fact.
3 Oct 2012, 01:50 am
The Italians poached Michael Schumacher to win championships for Ferrari, and the Japanese poached Valentino Rossi to win championships for Yamaha. And there we were thinking that it was just harmless professionalism… What were we all thinking in 1980 when those sneaky Japanese at Kawasaki poached a fully-cooked Kork Ballington?
3 Oct 2012, 01:56 am
@Kaizan-62:
Again, you have tried to prove poaching but have fallen short.
I am not saying it does not happen, i know of a couple ABs over the last 20 years, note a couple. You think every Samoan, Tongan, Fijian that plays in NZ are poached. The ones that are laughing are the ones that know otherwise.
You and The Authority are clueless.
Its really a cop out and another excuse along the lines of many from a few Bok supporters for a loss to make them feel better..
This is professional rugby, do you understand the concept?
As soon as you two clowns catch up the better.
Thing is with all the players from NZ,Tonga,Samoa,Fiji….you guys still have more players to choose from.
3 Oct 2012, 02:08 am
@the authority-72:
you’re not even a good stand up comic.
Whats your point anyway?
3 Oct 2012, 02:23 am
@Kaizan-69: last world cup nz had 4 non nz born players. with 40 kiwi born players playing for other countries, with 18 of those players playing for samoa. so its a two way street. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/8750876/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-45-New-Zealanders-in-action-here-….-for-teams-other-than-the-All-Blacks.html
Don’t no about those poaching camps in the islands. all of the players who come from the islands are either born there and come at a young age with their families or get scholarships from nz schools (Im one of those) the nzrfu have nothing to do with it. there are also 600,000+ islander living in nz so you’d expect a few of them to play for nz.
3 Oct 2012, 02:27 am
@melkiwi-76:
Kaizan has no argument. He lost even before you posted that, just a nail in the coffin that post was.
3 Oct 2012, 02:27 am
As for daniel good on him, no one in sa offered him a contract so what was the poor guy to do. SA’s lose is NZ gain.
3 Oct 2012, 02:41 am
@the authority-63: you are a dipstick who sucks his thumb…you havent a clue about NZ rugby – you show you immature ignorance and your deservedly numbskull intelligence…keep deluding yourself my man…its about all SA have in the rugby world now….
3 Oct 2012, 02:42 am
@the authority-72: and you wank
3 Oct 2012, 02:49 am
I think what needs to be said here is how infantile and immature SA posts are – you are so insecure that you have to flail at anything that is not SA, you know just grab youselves and give yourself a thrill. If you learn from Aus and NZ you will have a team that SA can be proud of, instead you portray yourselves as the end and be all of rugby on the planet. Well hello…wake up…you are not and you will never be. You may get close but second is as bad as last…and who will be 1st….? the AB’s of course…history shows they are the best Team and winningest team (to use an Americanism) on the planet. Nothing SA do for the next 50 years will close that gap, you guys are too full of yourselves and your coaching and rugby set up there shows your approach to the game will never ever ever change. It’s in your DNA – how can you change that. In the meantime Saffers with any brains migrate to Aus and NZ, we have lots of them here and eventually there will be some SA names called out in the AB’s line up, of couse they will have been born here, not poached, but true blue NZers and my guess is that in 50years time, Jappies will still be complaining about poaching…hopefully by then SA will have gone North to Europe…best place for you losers….AB’s easy on Saturday…yeeeeeeeha
3 Oct 2012, 02:51 am
@Hurricane-74: and still, you refuse to comment on the poach camp set up by the crusaders rugby union in Pretoria…. Mate, its pretty obvious your country poaches rugby players. Its also hardly surprising that kiwis do their best to deny it. I wouldnt expect you to just accept it.
Its not an excuse for anything. The All blacks have beaten the boks recently because they have been better. Simple as that…. But, the fact remains, New Zealand has a reputation as poachers…. Hell, I heard irish blokes talking about your poaching culture the other day… Its only you and your countrymen who dont accept it.
If a South African rugby body set up a poach camp of any kind in New Zealand, I would say it is wrong and we shouldnt be there…. You on the other hand, turn a blind eye, or just flat out deny it.
Poachity poach poach poach.
3 Oct 2012, 02:57 am
Kiwis poach.
Its not a big deal. Its just their quirk.
It is incredibly funny to watch them squirm when you bring this simple fact up.
3 Oct 2012, 03:01 am
As The Authority on the matter, I declare that New Zealand rugby is guilty of poach-culture.
The Authority has spoken.
3 Oct 2012, 03:02 am
@Kaizan-82: why would the crusaders bother setting up a camp when they have hundreds of great young players coming through every year. Can you tell us when this was happening? maybe an article of some sort just to back it up. Cause Christchurch have the strongest school boys teams in the country and have a great development in place so it just makes no sense at all.
3 Oct 2012, 03:05 am
@the authority-84: a total of 81 non nz players have played for nz since the begining. http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/atoz.asp?group=S
considering 40 kiwi players playe for other countries just at the last world cup alone show thats nz gives a lot more than they recieve.
3 Oct 2012, 03:06 am
@melkiwi-85: see post 41. There’s a link to the story there.
This is old news mate. Maybe you should go fill yourself in before come posting on here.
3 Oct 2012, 03:09 am
Tana Umaga was a great rugby player, and now he is becoming a really good rugby poach.
3 Oct 2012, 03:11 am
Whats the difference between a rhino poacher and a Kiwi rugby coach?
…
The kiwi rugby coach poaches rugby players from other countries, not rhinos.
3 Oct 2012, 03:12 am
@Kaizan-82:
I have no clue what you are talking about here.
What camp? Show me the location and address.
Strange how there is not one South African in the Saders team or is there?.
So what is really happening.
So i will ask you, what is a poached player to you?
How about the few Kiwis that have played in the English and Scottish teams, are they poached? How about the Kiwi born players all over the world playing for international teams. Do coaches like Plumtree and Mitchell and Deans count as poached?
Were the Irish complaining after the 60-0 killing? Would make sense.
Alot of questions i know but seems you honestly have no clues as to what a poached player is.
You think we poach them at 2 years old…. lol
3 Oct 2012, 03:16 am
@melkiwi-86: what, head?
3 Oct 2012, 03:25 am
@Kaizan-87: seriously thats your proof?
anyone could have written that letter. newspapers have a tendency to make stuff up just to sell and get people reading. obviously you fallen for it.
Ask yourself does nz really need to turn to sa for player? simple answer NO. So its obvious that you’ve fallen for it.
3 Oct 2012, 03:27 am
@trupisero-91: thanks for that the adults are talking now, go back to sleep.
3 Oct 2012, 03:38 am
@Kaizan-87:
This is the reply to the pathetic rubbish you guys are fed from the SARU.
Again they have it wrong:
Chief executive Hamish Riach has hotly denied allegations the Crusaders are attempting to poach South Africa’s rising rugby stars.
A report in a South African newspaper yesterday alleged the Crusaders planned to grab the country’s rising talent and that the South African Rugby Union (SARU) had fired off a letter to the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to demand it intervene.
But last night Riach denied there was anything sinister about the Crusaders’ involvement in a private sporting academy in Centurion, near Pretoria.
“This is wrong, they have completely got the wrong end of the stick. To say we are intending to pinch their players is completely untrue.”
Instead, Riach stated, the Crusaders were entered into a commercial licensing agreement with the academy which also involves sports such as golf, swimming and football.
Riach acknowledged that when the Crusaders toured the republic in the future some members of the team would visit the setup. The franchise would benefit financially from the licensing agreement.
Yesterday’s report stated the academy had been sending a letter to schools, detailing information about a “nationwide talent identification programme at an all-expenses paid training camp” for 60 under-16 players in July.
The report added that the letter from the SARU to the NZRU stated: “What we find frankly horrifying is the systematic and widespread targeting of young players in SA.
“We would therefore appreciate if you could intervene on our behalf with the Crusaders by passing on our concerns and asking them to cancel this expedition.”
Riach said he was unaware of that correspondence and has heard nothing from the NZRU or the SARU.
“The vast majority of players that attend the academy will be from South Africa.
“It’s not about us pinching any of their players to play for the Crusaders at all,” he said.
3 Oct 2012, 03:46 am
Hilarious a saffa moaning nz poached their kenyan player! And to think some still claim zim born englishman mujati as one of their own…
3 Oct 2012, 05:29 am
@JohnPierre-81:
You seem to have alot to say for a bigheaded a rsehole? In fact you are the very reason NZ has taken the cup for being the most arrogant rugby nation around.
dingbat!
3 Oct 2012, 05:38 am
@whatever-96: you guys claimed that title a long time ago, how you say, china :0
3 Oct 2012, 06:39 am
I bet they don’t expect the Spanish Inquisition.
3 Oct 2012, 06:50 am
Kaizan: you’re embraboeoring yourself & saffas in the process.
heyneke “poached” recruited adongo from the Sharks in his famous drive to get the Bulls to play a high-tempo ball in hand game, when meyer left for the Bok job in january Ludeke & the other domkop left at Loftus didn’t know what to do with adongo & frustrated him plus tana saw him in KENYA & not in SA.
10 Jul 2012
The Bulls have confirmed the release of recently recruited flank Daniel Adongo.
The 23-year-old was lured from
the Sharks earlier this year after an extended chase, but has spent just six months at the franchise, in which time he has failed to break into the Super Rugby group.
He will join New Zealand side
Counties Manakau with immediate effect. All Blacks legend Tana Umaga spotted Adongo playing for the Elgin Warriors against the touring English Counties team in Nairobi in June, and offered him a
two-year deal with Counties.
After discussions with the Bulls,
Adongo established that he was
well down in the loose forward
pecking order and requested to be released from his contract.
Adongo is highly rated by
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer.
3 Oct 2012, 06:52 am
how can taba POACH a guy with a contract? the Bulls RELEASED him…grow up!
3 Oct 2012, 07:00 am
@bryce_in_oz-95: please…mujati came to SA off his own volution, after high school in zimbabwe he got on a bus & went Lions trials in Johannesburg nobody recruited him from zimbabwe…he made the Lions juniors & Rassie Erasmus “poached” him for the Stormers under the Lions’ noses as his student visa had apparentky expired meaning his junior contract was the void…
Mujati wanted to be a Bok.
The SA media with their tendencies harassed Mujati on the eve of his Bok debut peppering him about stolen farms and all sort of kak!
3 Oct 2012, 07:01 am
@Te Rangatira-49:
And how could we have forgot Benoit Dauga, rated by Danie Craven as one of the Top 5 players of the game, in history? Not surprising the French thought of it first.
Roger Utterly was, after Dauga and Spanghero, the one who was first tested by more more orthodox teams in this ‘lateral thinking’ in the 1974 Lions tour of SA – it was roughly the same side that won in NZ in 1971, minus Barry John, who was well substituted by Phil Bennett. Utterly was not used in this role in the Kiwi tour – but the Lions were spolit for choice: they HAD to play McBride and Gordon Brown and Utterly, a lock until then, was too good to leave out – I am pretty sure he was the first hyrid convert to flank and it was devastating.
Thereafter he played 8th Man for England; brilliant player, but he was the first.
Simalarly, in WC 1995 we had three good locks and had to play them all; the best coach we’ve ever had (Kitch Christie) had the inspiration to move Andrews to No. 8 in the finals, where he performed suitably – it would probably be a stretch to say he was a hybrid.
I’ve thought a lot about your comment and have to conclude the reason NZ didn’t convert their locks to loose forward was, a) the calibre of AB loose forwards is abundant and sensational (Tremain, Nathan, Lahore, Kirkpatrick, Mouire, Mexted, Shaw, Jones, Brooke, McCaw, et al) and very often demanding of a speed that locks can’t have because of their bulk, and b) no great, great locks in NZ history that I can think of to justify the switch – Colin Meades aside, of course (experiment could work with him undoubtedly, but you’d want him mixing it up in the tight exclusively).
Final thought – if I had to pick an all-time Bok XV we have the same problem of three locks that have to play: Matfield, Bakkies and Frik du Preez. Given Frik’s amazing speed, and that he was only 6’2″ in height, I would groom him into a number 8 (Ellis and Greyling as fetcher and carrier to compliment). Frik in this position I believe would be colossal.
3 Oct 2012, 07:26 am
@Kaizan-87:
Quite right, it is old news, and just like you, it appears your media are just as dull when it comes to investigating stories before blasting into print.
This was put to bed as a non event and deservedly so.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/3726625/Crusaders-deny-South-Africa-poaching-claims
3 Oct 2012, 07:45 am
@J.B. Cowper-102:
Yes J.B, the 71 Lions are still remembered as one of if not the best touring side to come to our shores, my Dad still goes on about Barry John and JPR.
Nz unlike Sa are always looking for big,tall athletic locks…..the tall timber is difficult to come across in these parts, so there has been quite a few players over the years that have been converted to lock from the loosies, one who comes to mind who was successful was Robin Brooke.As for the other way around, lock to loosie, can’t think of any probably due to the reasons you mentioned and because a good lock is such a valuable commodity here in Nz
3 Oct 2012, 07:46 am
This issue of poaching is really getting tired.
Yes, there are a few private schools in NZ that offer scholarships to gifted young boys and girls, including Pacific Island children, but that is a program run by the schools to bolster their own sporting codes success stories. Similar programs are run by US Universities to bolster their image to the hefty fee paying audience they are looking to impress.
But all that has nothing to do with the NZRU.
What is more, if students who have entered NZ on a scholarship decide to stay on in the country, the IRB residency commitment of 36 months does not commence until they have finished their schooling.
3 Oct 2012, 07:56 am
Anyway back to the article, SA look great with Goosen leading the charge. It seems his first instinct is to run the ball which is great, meaning this will be another awesome game.
Still dont think SA has what it takes to beat the blacks this weekend. Looking at last weeks game OZ where off there feet apart from sharpe most of the team looked disinterested. The blackness will be a different story and are out to get the world record.
3 Oct 2012, 08:04 am
@melkiwi-106:
I don’t dismiss the “rising to the occasion” motivating factor this game will mean to the Bok’s for one second.
This game will be huge!
As for the record, I predicted a week or so back that the winning streak will only be halted by SA.
I am hoping that effort will be next years highlight, or the year after…
3 Oct 2012, 08:08 am
@melkiwi-106:
Yep, the introduction of Goosen to the Bok brings a whole new dimension to their team and to this weeks game in general. Going to be a cracker.
I agree the Abs will be hunting the record, even though they would not admit it and if our forwards can omit the silly errors from the breakdown that occurred in Dunedin along with the influence that Dan will bring to the game, then my friend its party time…..Soweto stylez.
As for the Aussies, they were farked and could not get their defence in order after the Bok forwards put multiple phases together. Oh and I thought Bryan Habana was awesome in that game and the Abs need to watch him closely.
3 Oct 2012, 08:19 am
The best current odds available for each of the teams for Saturday’s match between the Boks and the All Blacks are as follows:
Boks – 5/2
All Blacks – 51/100
At these odds the implication is that the market thinks it is 5 times more likely that the All Blacks will win than the the Springboks.
In the Argentina v Australia match the odds are:
Argentina – 11/10
Australia – 10/11
In other words pretty even.
Given that:
- the championship has already been won by the All Blacks
- The Boks confidence must have sky-rocketed after last Saturday
- match is on the highveld
- the travel factor is against the All Blacks
- and there is a genuine belief that we are looking at a potentially outstanding future Bok team, albeit in the making,
I think these are very generous odds on the Boks and well worth a punt. There is no ways that the All Blacks would win 4 out of every 5 matches against the Boks in SA, which is what the odds are implying.
Regarding the match in Argentina probably worth a punt on Argentina as well, although the odds seem more reflective of reality in my opinion.
3 Oct 2012, 08:27 am
@Mtbmike-109:
Those odds are pretty much what is offered on the NZ TAB.
to win
SA $2.60
NZ $1.45
Aus $1.87
Arg $1.87
3 Oct 2012, 08:30 am
the old poaching angle, desperate saffas trying to explain why their team has only beaten us 14 times in 20 years… laughable
Our talent scouts are so good, we go into the Fales in the islands and offer three goats, two very nice trinkets, some axe heads and some of our fresh fruit and steal away the 6 month old babies of the locals…
because thats how good our scouts are, they know these babies are going to be world beaters..
their families never emigrated to NZ during the 70s and 80s for work reasons, nah, we have imported over 200,000 islanders to our shores because we have managed to turn 40 or 50 of them into All blacks.. they couldnt be third or even fourth generation New zealand born players of island origins, thats not how the world works when youre hidden behind the safety of your gated community is it?
Sodajoe, respect, one of the few Saffas not looking for reasons other then the obvious your team just hasnt been good enough..
3 Oct 2012, 08:31 am
and to add to my comment above if one converts the current results of the poll on the Keo site the odds look like:
Boks – 13/10
All Blacks – 10/13
I think governed by sentiment rather than reality!
3 Oct 2012, 08:36 am
@Brads-110: The NZ Tab odds are more realistic, although still good odds on SA I think.
3 Oct 2012, 08:36 am
@the authority-63:
“New Zealanders are indeed poachers.
I am the authority”.
Your opinion is noted, but is erroneous.
3 Oct 2012, 08:49 am
@Mtbmike-113:
I will bow to your expert knowledge.
I am totally confused by the odds offered by British bookies.
3 Oct 2012, 08:54 am
This whole record business is so juvenile, did any of you know that the current record holder for the most IRB sanctioned test wins is Lituania? Yes farking Lithuania! The current state of international rugby makes these kinds of records redundent and lowers their value, I mean the highest try scorer in international rugby is a Japanese winger!
The AB’s might or might not get the record, all I know is that after the boks of ’98 almost broke that record, that was the start of the worst period in SA rugby history.
3 Oct 2012, 09:04 am
@goodstuff-116: would it be different if the boks held that record? would it be different if a bok was the leading tryscorer? of course it would, its why so many mention that before Isolation SA led the head to head..
dont be jealous of the fact since 1992 your rugby has been absolute ordinary, but you have maintained a 60% win average over the course of your rugby history..
should they not record the records at the olympics?
who didnt know Lthuanian holds the most test wins consecutively, do you really think it carries any credence when they play 2nd or 3rd tier? if it was SA shooting for 18 straight victories, you would be all for it..
3 Oct 2012, 09:07 am
@Mtbmike-109:
Very interesting and a game of titantic proportions in the making – the LONG travel of the AB’s, softening by the Argies and the match played in Soweto (the new Ellis Park? – which traditionally they don’t like at all) will counteract the immense McCaw-Carter experience to a significant degree: but I feel that Frans Steyn has the MENTAL TEMPERAMENT/CONFIDENCE for his teammates to feed off will be crucially missed; close game – anyone’s call, probably slight All Black advantage: but only slight.
3 Oct 2012, 09:07 am
how else are we to measure teams, players, individuals if we do not maintain records?
would you say that 98 Bok team was one of the best bok teams ever? if so, how else would come to this conclusion if you do not record their efforts?
3 Oct 2012, 09:24 am
@goodstuff-116:
Give it a break.
The AB’s have almost broken the record several times – in the last decade.
Breaking a winning streak does not herald a period of weakness.
3 Oct 2012, 09:26 am
@goodstuff-116:
hahaha
wow, green is your colour.
3 Oct 2012, 09:28 am
@goodstuff-116: True.
I’d be gutted in the All Blacks break Lithuania’s record.
In fact, I will enter a state of depression.
3 Oct 2012, 09:31 am
@willievz-122:
Quite right.
It must have crushed the average Bokke supporter when Lithuania muscled passed their treasure.
3 Oct 2012, 09:32 am
@poppa69-117: The only record that really matters is the W/L ratio. Regardless of any game being a WC Final or a series dead rubber. That should be the yeardstick…how many times have I beat you against how many times you have beaten me…simple. The only question is over what timespan to measure.
3 Oct 2012, 09:33 am
@goodstuff it’s true Lithuania do hold the record but just because they are not a tier 1 nation it doesn’t mean it not impress. You have to remember the record was made playing teams at their level.
I would bet you anything if SA where in same position you wouldn’t dare call it juvenile but rather proof of SA dominance in international rugby
3 Oct 2012, 09:33 am
@Brads-123: The average Bokke supporter does not know where Lithuania is on a world map!!
3 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
@melkiwi-125: I dont agree with that. Yes they are playing against teams their own standard but a smallish improvement may allow them to dominate their competition to a skewed level. The AB’s/Boks holding a record of this nature is simply more impressive than a T2 nation.
3 Oct 2012, 09:41 am
@Skeppie-127:
To get the current record, as a team playing in the Rugby Championship, you pretty much have to win all your home and away games in the RC for two consecutive seasons in non-WC years, or all your games at a WC and all your games home and away in at least one RC before or after that WC.
A very, very difficult task.
3 Oct 2012, 09:42 am
@Skeppie-124:
The only time span to measure that is worth considering is over a specific frame of reference.
Pre isolation is a time slot on its own.
Post isolation is a separate one again.
Professional era – that is where we are at today
3 Oct 2012, 09:44 am
@willievz-128: Exactly
3 Oct 2012, 09:46 am
@Brads-129: I reckon you would need to look at it in a similar way to the cricket ranking which is around 4 year cycles I think. In a year that we clean sweep the AB’s we can righly lay claim to being the current best side but if they beat us similarly the preceding two years and the year after then it shows their dominance over us over a period of time and I suppose that’s a fair reflection.
3 Oct 2012, 09:46 am
@Skeppie-127: I would have agree with that considering the record based on the fact that the 17 wins was over a four year period. But consider Lithuania is a third tier nation where everyone will no doubt be non professional and with the lack of resources they’ve managed to achieve something most countries would be proud of
3 Oct 2012, 09:50 am
@Skeppie-130:
And it is nice to see this AB outfit values winning every test, and not just trophies.
Unlike the RWC Champions over the last 3 tournaments.
3 Oct 2012, 09:53 am
@Brads-133: Personally I am proud of the Boks WC record, it shows we have the ability to win some really important games but that said I would far rather have the AB’s W/L ratio than any number of WC’s.
3 Oct 2012, 10:10 am
@Skeppie-134:
Quite right, SA have won two titles, the first of which was particularly meritorious.
Those RWC’s were major gongs worth crowing over.
However, the IRB’s WC can not be compared to FIFA’s WC and the status that has for the winner in the pecking order of their code.
I don’t know where to rate the winning of the RWC, because the format is so much like a lottery.
3 Oct 2012, 10:54 am
@poppa69-117: Last I checked in 1998 we reached the win record that was held by NZ. Also since 1992 we have won two world cups, a lions tour and three tri-nations. So I would not call it ordinary at all.
We get it poptart, NZ rugby is all there is, we other nations trying to emulate your gods of sport are but ants to your greatness. What can we do but grovel at your feet. (please add extreme sarcasm).
Don’t get me wrong, a top tier country holding the record deserves the acolades, but I just think it is pathetic that the current holder of the record has never qualified for a WC. But your rant was entertaining!
3 Oct 2012, 10:57 am
@Skeppie-134: Nah, we have the proteas who win regular games a lot of the times but fail to win any true international tournaments, I’d rather keep the world cup memories.
Winning all the time gets you arrogant idiots like Poptart.
3 Oct 2012, 11:01 am
@Brads-123: You forget that the treasure you talk about was shared with NZ.
3 Oct 2012, 11:05 am
@Hurricane-121: Not really, the AB’s deserve any achievements they well…achieve.
It will be funny one day when the eventual dry spell appears for NZ rugby and the quality of players thins out for a couple of seasons. But I can only hope.
3 Oct 2012, 11:53 am
I see Goosen is limping and unable to practice place kicking.
Morne, Morne,
wherefore art thou Morne.
3 Oct 2012, 12:54 pm
BEST TIGHTFORWARD PACK IN THE WORLD – EASILY: TOULON TEAM
ANDREW SHERIDAN, SEBASTEIN BRUNO, CARL HAYMAN = FRONT RANK
SIMON SHAW, BAKKIES BOTHA = LOCKS
LOOSE TRIO – LOBBE, JOE VAN NIEKERK, GEORGE SMITH
JOHNNY WILKINSON AT FLY-HALF
COACH = BENARD LAPORTE
DOES IT GET BETTER THAN THIS? POSITION IN FRENCH LEAGUE = NUMBER ONE (THE STRATEGY IS OBVIOUS – BASH THEM DOWN, JOHNNY CONVERTS – IN TRUTH IS THERE A TEST TEAM PLAYING AT PRESENT WHO CAN MATCH THIS PACK? NONE THAT I KNOW OF).
3 Oct 2012, 13:00 pm
@Transformation-101:
Er… yet muppets suggest that Kiwi Islanders and Aussie Islanders that have been in the country since their early teens have been poached???
Give me a break… next we are going to hear the Beast didn’t actually get a place at the Sharks Academy ‘after’ school and that Raymond Rhule isn’t really Ghanian…
Pull the other one pal… personally I could not give a toss it’s a world game… and the Japies should do even more to harness their bigger built African neighbours…
3 Oct 2012, 13:04 pm
@J.B. Cowper-141:
Money Rules J.B.
That pack must have cost the owner US$20 million to assemble. (given the term of each individual contract…………………………….maybe even more).
3 Oct 2012, 13:08 pm
@J.B. Cowper-141:
Half of those guys are over the hill and would get run ragged by a top 4 test team… their set-pieces might be fine… but they’d get destroyed in the SH…
Awesome names though… in their prime they’d have been scary…
3 Oct 2012, 14:03 pm
@cane-143:
Worth every penny
3 Oct 2012, 14:06 pm
@bryce_in_oz-144:
You’re probably right – though Hayman, Bakkies and Joe are still delivering top-quality rugby – and we know so too is Lobbe … but you’re right, their set-pieces are an art form and that French club rugby is actually bloody good and bloody fast
3 Oct 2012, 15:05 pm
@J.B. Cowper-146:
And ferocious…
3 Oct 2012, 22:58 pm
and I laugh at your rant good stuff
fact is, if nz weren’t a couple of games off the record, I doubt you’d even mention it.
it’s like the calls for SA to go up north.
they come up when saffa supporters just can’t cope with the ABs success anymore.
how sad for you. .
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