The once feared black jersey is no more

 Or is it?

I thought I'd sneak this in before the test match that always gets me excited, because no matter what the form of the teams are prior to this match, they more often than not grow a third leg when they come up against each other.

Even if you are not a rugby fan, you have heard the beating the poor men from New Zealand are taking at the hands of the media, fans and public at large the whole world over. It is unfamiliar territory for the team in black, but the team has been here before. In 1998 they lost 5 tests on the trot if I am not mistaken, I am not sure if that is the same year that the Boks kept peppering them with high balls, the poor ABs couldn't even catch a cold, but what happened then is they internalised that stuff, worked on themselves and raised the bar and once again the world has caught up and superseded them in some aspects, great for the game.

The test against Ireland were amazing. The Irish are such a good side and seemingly very good people too, from the times of Keith Wood signing Ireland's Call I have been a fan. They deserve to be exactly where they are at the moment. What a spirited, measured performance against the All Blacks, and it has been coming for a while, I recall that one test where Ryan Crotty managed to finish off a move after time was up that allowed them to win, then the game in the states where they did win and at the end of last year too.

But are the All Blacks so far gone? Man I am a die hard fan. These gents wake up every morning put win the hard yards to deliver an entertaining spectacle for us to sit back and take in. They put their bodies through a lot of punishment, sure they get paid for it, but man we get thoroughly entertained. Does any rugby player or coach go through all that to play like toilet or to lose, I think not, cos that would be a pretty painfully stoooopid way to spend ones time me thinks :)

Remember the movie Any Given Sunday, that famous speech about being a game of inches... this series absolutely depicts that. The first test was pretty odd, so we park that, second test, a few key moments: 

1. The Irish came out hard like in all the other 2 tests. The ABs have recently had a pretty staunch defence but for some reason they weren't able to adjust to the Irish manipulation of space, it can be worked on I think
2. The red card, rules say it was a red card then it was a red card, but let's note, both players went off for HIA, no one wants to tackle a player with their head, clear rugby incident, but fair enough the current rules say red card. then there is a mix up with Ardie incorrectly not being allowed back on was pretty big
3. also pretty big was the call not to award a penalty try when Of a played the man early
4. Leicester being airborne and connecting with the head of the winger when landing yellow card....
5. All that and losing by 23-12 with 14 men for more than 40minutes....

Test 3

1. Irish came out hot again, but once again failure to adjust
2. Head on head clash that results in a broken cheekbone but the Irish prop continues no issue, gets a yellow card
3. NZ start mounting a comeback, largely individual play, but still looks good, Irish come hot on attack there is a ruck on the AB line, Irish dont protect the ball, the ball could easily have been argued to be out, Ardie goes to pick it up, ref didnt think the ball was out, penalty Ireland, they score a few phases after, the comeback is quelled

Were Ireland the better team, no doubt. NZ looked a tad unsure of themselves, it's like they are trying new systems that aren't just gelling, but mind you they did revert to tried and tested individual brilliance when they were under pressure, but maybe it's my optimistic nature that makes me believe they are trying to find a new DNA after being beaten by England, SA, Argentina, Ireland and France, but it just isn't working yet. Even though they have great players, replacing players like McCaw, Mealamu, SBW, Nonu, Smith, Kaino, Carter was never going to be easy, but I remember thinking the same thing when Zinny, Fitzy, Jones, Jonah, Mehrts and Carlos left the scene.

I am so loving this new Springbok team selection mindset. A lot of people focus on their forwards, but man their backs are special, never really been a DDA fan, but he is such an effective 12, he has the presence that many international team 12s dont have at the moment, he is quite an imposing force. In Lukhanyo, the Boss have THE BEST 13 in the game at the moment, hands down, give the man freedom to play because he is smart and skillful damn id love to have him playing for the All Blacks. 2 question marks for me are Faf and Willie the crab, but ey I guess that's the through pass some people get Hey Elton?! :) (I still think you rock by the way bro, you just keep keeping on). The Bok bench is a proper weapon too the 6-2 split is risky but I guess if necessary Kwagga can go into the backs given his 7's prowess.

Not much needs to be written about the Boss because they won the series. Was I impressed with how they went about it, not particularly did I ever think they would lose any of the tests no. the second test was close, shows the depth the team is building because Wales brought out their best team against 14 or so changes and only managed to win. The Boks are building something special. Their style may not appeal to my spectating wants, but who the fudge am I? they are winning and good for them.

 

Looking forward to this game

Happy Saturday folks