Comments on: Boks bolstered by northern collective

By: aliboy

aliboy — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 03:30:33 +0000

Other than perhaps numbers 1 – 5, if they are improving their game by playing in a NH comp they must have been doing something pretty wrong when playing at home. Can’t see how playing amongst players from the ‘also ran’ rugby nations is going to teach you more than playing the guys that make up the top 3 nations. Almost everyone of the few AB’s who have gone overseas and then tried to return have noticeably gone backwards. I can’t see why it should be any different for Bok players unless it is more of a mental shift in getting away from the crazy environment rather than a real skills shift.

By: Slumtown

Slumtown — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:36:36 +0000

@Slumtown-9: (in reference to Saturdays match against Ireland that is - where it wasnt particularly cold nor was it raining)

By: Slumtown

Slumtown — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:34:57 +0000

@bokfan1-3: yeah exactly - bunch of pussies. They should go practice in Sutherland for a few months each year.

By: Slumtown

Slumtown — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:33:37 +0000

they’ve learned a lot from playing overseas, particularly in these conditions,’ De Villiers said.

What effing CONDITIONS?? A frigging slightly wetter pitch at a slightly colder temperature? OMFG how amazing. Gimme a friggin break. Under these conditions. F0kken grow some. And I have news for you Jean – you came back k@kker than you left. Drip.

By: Finfan

Finfan — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 21:55:33 +0000

Brent Russell have been called up into the Bok team.

By: nortierd

nortierd — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:24:34 +0000

I can’t take anything coming out of the Bok camp without dismissing it as pure PC PR.
They try so hard to tick every cliche box with every press conference.
I’m not saying I blame them, but I wish we could get some honest opinions without fear by the players or coach of backlash.
You can’t blame the scribes for scraping the bottom of the barrel when having to meet a deadline, as nothing new is being said week in and week out.
Every player loves and respects the coach, assistants and opposition and game plan etc.

By: ufo

ufo — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:11:31 +0000

Northern lights boost Boks, 14 Nov 2012 – Ryan Vrede
Boks bolstered by northern collective, 16 Nov 2012 – Ryan Vrede

struggling for ideas and material ryan…?

By: mabu

mabu — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:33:38 +0000

@bokfan1-3: On what you have just said, one wouldswear we a running rugby nation.

By: bokfan1

bokfan1 — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:16:55 +0000

@Nick Armstrong-1: All the way from top level of SARU down. I can understand the importance of the Bok coach's message being that players should stay in South Africa, to try and keep our talent here. But then it is still important for the coach to still be pragmatic about it. Heyneke seems to have that realism on this subject (however deluded some of his other selections are). PDiv was overboard on the issue, but that was also a by-product of his patriotism to South Africa - not a bad thing. Im sure as SARU sees that players only go for 2 or 3 years and come back to SA even better, the attitude will change

By: bokfan1

bokfan1 — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:14:19 +0000

@mabu-2: NZ has European-like weather, especially the winters. Cold, wet, muddy.
Kiwis have no problem when they arrive in London, while the Saffas and Aussies are shivering and crying

By: mabu

mabu — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:08:18 +0000

Why is this not true in New Zealand???????????????????

By: Nick Armstrong

Nick Armstrong — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:19:10 +0000

And the brains trust are only realising this now…??? Some of us have been extolling the virtues of using our European-based players in the June and November Test windows for years and years and years..

Pure logical sense – and crucially – it gives our local-based players a 3-week break in June – and the opportunity to have a full 10 week break at the end of the season.. Something Prof Tim Noakes has been calling for – since 1996…

Alas – will they ever actually fully utilise this option… Me doubts it given the average IQ of the current Bok management…