How far they have come

The only thing, not even the right thing, the only thing to do is to put my hands together for the Boks. They have, in my mind ofcourse, come such a long way. They know exactly who they are, whether you like to watch them play or not, that's your issue, they know what they are about and execute it to pin point accuracy more often than not. 

The game on saturday was case in point, they bossed the breakdown pretty darn well, very smart and oftentimes with some street smarts, but they have been doing it so well and so fast that it is hard for officials to notice it real time, have a look at this example https://twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1556234195650895873?s=24&t=zrg2iZgaU785o9d8cQXBoA now please don't mistake me raising this as sour grapes or anything of the sort, it is pretty darn clever play. I recall many a spectator being upset with a certain Richie McCaw because he sailed pretty close to the wind. But this is highlighting my point. Man Rassie, is something special, it's like he lives to find creative solutions. He has built a team with so much depth. I have just seen the team that has been put out now, a guy like Jessie Kriel is 3rd choice wing at the moment, that is some proper depth. Then they bring in Duane at no 8 like the All Blacks haven't been bullied enough. 

I know the Boks have their DNA in how they play but man i wish they would mix it up a little. You saw what Sir Am did with that crazy pass on saturday? Damian Willemse, that kid can play, so glad he is getting regular opportunities. Another thing that really pleases me is that other than me raising the point to make a point, not too many are speaking about the racial make up of the team, 15 of the 23 are a lighter shade of brown and no one is questioning the other 8 or the captain's ability or if or why he gets subbed. Mind you the ABs sub their captain Cane before the end of the game and i haven't seen much noise being made about that.

People are blowing up about the ABs and rightfully so, they have set the marker for the longest time. They are now in a tough spot where it seems as if they are redefining how they play and the world believes they are lost and i guess right now they are lost. But am i concerned, not so much. As i said in the Irish series, they were chowed from the get go, the Irish showed some intensity and they werent able to cope with it, but the yellow and the red didnt help their cause in the second test and in the third it was a bridge too far.

I saw some gains in the last test. Honestly never thought they would win it for most parts of the game, many all black tests when they are behind you always have that feeling that they have this, but not this game. Funny i told the guys i was with that they shouldnt have done the Kapa, not this game, they should have conserved their emotions by doing the Kamate and then go about their work. Haka takes a lot of energy I beleive :). Gives a lot too....when you are confident, right now, not so much, but what do i know? The Boks didnt bring anything unexpected. They did their set piece well, used their big men to drive them up the park. kicked where they had to and rained bombs on the All Blacks. Their (All Blacks) attack was blunt, been watching what they are doing with the behind the back pass, where the carrier pivots and faces 180 degrees behind them to pass to the next attacker, way behind the gain line, not sure what that is about but perhaps that is part of the new system they are trying to build, but with a rush defence they made no gains. where they did make gains is that the set pices were a lot better, scrums weren't as bad, a few penalised slips but also got one or 2 back too. Lineouts were also better, stole a lineout or 2 too. The turnovers and general play errors are the ones that need the most work and random discipline errors. Ref says stay and then you go, free get out of your 22 pass...brainless.

looking forward to the next game, do i think they will win, every chance to, but it starts between their ears, because i still believe they have the players, they just struggling with their style of play, but it will click, just hopefully sooner rather than later....

I missed the Aus v Arg game, because i am not in SA anymore and live game viewings are a bit of a mission, but should be better from this weekend.

Congrats on your win World Champs, hoping the world can start putting some respect to the Bok name because they deserve it. They have earned it. But i still hope WE chow you :)

#rugbychampionship #Springboks #allblacks #rugby

 

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

Rugby championships 2013 halfway

Hey guys, 

Trust you are all more than well!

So i decided initially not to write about the rugby championships this year because I have taken a stance to boycott viewing of all Bok games. It's a decision I took for reasons shared with you guys many a time. I didn't think it was correct to write because I would be missing half the games every weekend and it would give even less credibility to my blog :) I also wasn't going to write about this last test between the ABs and the Boks until the emotions settled somewhat.

Last weekend I was out of town but was determined to stay up till the wee hours of the morning to stream this game live, because I had been hearing ramblings from all corners that the Boks had changed and they were this, that and the next. Ofcourse I couldn't miss an All Black game so I had to suspend my boycott and view this game. I was too excited to see what this new Bok era brought with it. Coupled with that the AB's, in my mind aren't that great a side this year, there is something unsettled about them, so this was going to be a real watershed game and the whole week i was soooo excited to see what would be. 

Now before i get on to my blog, if you get my tweets or are linked to me on FB, you know that I was the first to call that first Bismarck yellow card the dumbest thing on earth. Pity DC got hurt but it was just a great, savage hit and i think the ref played the man instead of the incident, taking Bismarck's indisciplined past into consideration as well as the 'golden boy' he put the hit on. That is such nonsense, but i guess the ref is human first before a ref. He was way out of his depth in this game and it's a great pity. even that yellow card against Kieran, was a joke, oh wait lets not talk about that because it wasn't against the Boks ;) 

Also note that the second yellow card for Bismarck was an assistant ref and TMO call.

People call the ABs breakdown work illegal please do me a favour and watch the game again and watch if the Boks don't do the same thing? Come in from offsides/the side, lie all over the ball etc etc. they are all the same, some are just better than others...

Ma'a Nonu, I can never ever ever defend that dude. He is such a devastating player but his Butch-like brain implosion baffles me no end. Soo unnecessary. He really saddens me!!

What actually makes me shake my head is the fact that people are going on about how scaly the All Black team is because of the ref. If i am teacher's pet in class is it my fault?? Nun sense!

Anyway so officiating aside. I have now watched the game for the 3rd time. Up until the 14minute when the game was paused for the DC injury/Bismarck tackle, the Boks were competitive, aggressive, kicked a lot, had a good lineout, had a penalty (for Beast scrumming upwards), wait that's exactly the same game they have ALWAYS played. Where was this different facet of play that was so wildly and widely spoken of. I didn't even see a smidgen of it. Up until the 16th minute, they Boks had minimal possession and that which they had they kicked away aimlessly, the All Blacks were 70:30 ahead on the territory stats too. On the scoreboard they were ahead 7:3 too. Whether this would have been the final result we will never know but I didn't see anything different in the Bok game. The Boks in my mind were poor, yes sure losing 2 bruising forwards for 40 odd minutes in a game will take its toll but what I must add is that all 4 of the AB's tries came from in close, the first came when there were 15v15. So there was no overlap situations, we had Ruan Pienaar, Jannie, Morne missing tackles in close. Dropped balls, balls being run out 5m out from try lines etc.

I don't want to slate the Boks, but I have watched the game 3 times. The ref had one bad call in the game. A big bad call I might add. The rest were silly calls that affected both teams and not favouring any team. He took away from a great spectacle but to think the result would have been different had it not been for the ref would be searching because the Boks brought absolutely nothing new and we know what happens when you do the same thing over and over..you get the same result.

Oh and Bob Skinstad as a commentator, save us please!!

Regarding the Argies and the Ausies

I would actually love the Argies to win a test and to be really honest, I want the AB's to lose a test in the next year or so, but there is no team I want them to lose to except the Argies. It would be good for rugby and both team's development for the future. The Argies started off poorly they picked it up and even though i missed last weeks game, it looks like they had it for the taking and once again let it slip. It's a matter of belief. This weekend is going to be a great opportunity for the Pumas, they are getting there, its a good opportunity for them to get over the line this weekend against the ABs. 

Oz is going through a rough patch at the moment and i mentioned it before they dont offer too much at the moment, they have good individuals but, in my mind the only players that have the same die hard attitude of the likes of Mortlock, Eales, Horan, Little, Campo, Nathan Grey, Totai, George Smith, Kearns, Roff of days gone by in this current team are Adam Ashley Cooper, Hooper, Pocock, Genia and Horwill, the rest just dont seem to have the heart. It will take some time but they will be back. Interesting game against the Boks in CT next weekend, but i see their forwards getting bullied because their current crop just cant match the bully beef the Boks bring to the party.

After the first week of this tournament, it became clear that this would be a 2 horse race, which is unfortunate because you want a competition where 4 teams can win, if not away at least at home. So anyway should the results go as many think ie. Boks win at home and perhaps the ABs take the points at La Plata then Elis Park would be interesting but in all honesty no matter how much anyone tries to talk it up it will never live to the hype before the Eden Park test...

Happy viewing all

Best

Yaw

It's not alright!!!

Well howdee ho to you all.

First rugby blog of the year, how saved were you? :) But I can't keep quiet any more. 

I am DISGUSTED!!!

So Yesterday was known as sports and culture day in SA. A great initiative it was. But in a way and in my opinion ofcourse, it highlighted how far we still have to go and how race will still be our reference point in this country. Shaiza as much as I want to move from that point in my life, when i read the Springbok team sheet of: 15-Willie le Roux, 14-Bjorn Basson, 13-JJ Engelbrecht, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Ruan Pienaar, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Willem Alberts, 6-Francois Louw, 5-Juandre Kruger, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-Adriaan Strauss, 1-Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16-Bismarck du Plessis, 17-Gurthro Steenkamp, 18-Coenie Oosthuizen, 19-Flip van der Merwe, 20-Siya Kolisi, 21-Fourie du Preez, 22-Pat Lambie, 23-Jan Serfontein

This is a team put together in 2013 and it is hard not to notice that out of a team of 23 players other than Pat Lambie, Siya and Beast, this team is Afrikaans (no issues with people of Afrikaans descent at all) or have a tie to the Bulls. I know it may seem like I am nit-picking but that is the reality of what i see. I have never in my life been so irritated, ever. You all know me, I loooove my rugby, but yesterday I couldn't bring myself to watch the game and that was a first. I watched the first 20min or so and found myself looking for flaws and hoping against all hope that the Pumas would destroy this team. That's not right!! So I opted for Athletics and Man United instead and I don't like Man U much.

I want a team selected on merit but not biased merit. So which players of colour do I believe deserve to be in the Bok team but are not one might ask? lets see Chilliboy, he has had his best season by far for the Bulls, it shows what consistent game time can do for a player, but no instead we bring in a player who has just had ACL surgery. No doubting the class of the man, but he was injured. Siya Kolisi, man of the match in one of his tests, possibly SA's premier flanker in the last 2 years, but not good enough, we will rather bring in Willem Alberts who hasnt done anything this year!! Yes on the other hand Richie hasn't played for 6 months and gets to start the first test, this may not sound like a good enough reason but the man is without peer at the moment...and i think his performance for 73min yesterday proved that. And he wasnt injured, just taking a time out to freshen up...Then there is my bug bear, JJ engelbrecht and Jan Serfontein, can someone please tell me what they have done of note? I doubt anyone can, yes they are 95kg and  98kg respectively, Leigh Halfpenny is 85kg did you see how he played for the Lions? So why oh why do they get a look in ahead of Juan de Jongh? He isn't old, he hasn't let the Boks down any? Did you guys watch the Stormers v Bulls 30-13/ I cant remember Serfontein running over/through De Jongh even once. I am not saying Juan is phenomenal, but man he is no worse than either JJ or Jan no worse and given the amount of opportunities the latter have been given I think with his footwork, he could be better than both, because with his 88kg's he will have to find ways to deceive instead of ATTEMPT to run through...

Please tell me none of those gents don't deserve to be there on merit. Then there are outsiders like Trevor 'bad boy' Nyakane and Raymond Rhule, are you telling me that if they are given the same opportunities that Jan and JJ have been given they wont shine and be even better players?

You see, what I see happening in SA rugby is just not right. Or am I a delusional buffoon? Perhaps, I may well be, but could someone then please correct my thinking. To think that in 2013 a test team can be compiled as this saturday's Bok team was and we are all expected to go yaaay let us gooooo, in my mind is totally unacceptable! I hate the word quotas, but i think it definitely has to be brought back into club and provincial rugby, because clearly its the only way!! It's only human nature to stick to what you are familiar and comfortable with and as such without being forced to look outside your 'comfort zone' as a coach, you won't. A team like the Southern Kings for example, the biggest disappointment for me this year. A promise of a representation of the Eastern Cape, but what it was, was a representation of more of the same. Players like Mpho Mbiyozo, Tiger Mangweni, a captain of the EP Kings, left out in the dust. Daniel Odongo, good enough to play for Counties in NZ and even drafted for the NFL but cant get a start in the Southern Kings!! and that's OK? Did anyone see how Mpho played when he did actually get a chance? The Kings finished near the bottom anyway so where would the shame have been in playing more players of colour as wes envisaged? Players like Terror Mtembu for the Sharks, how impressive was he for them on their overseas leg of their tour? But he can't even get a start in the Currie Cup!! And that's OK?!!

Some might say but what do you care, because you support the All Blacks anyway, yep and that's why I care so much.

It's not OK!!

Have a good week all

SA Rugby when will we move from the dark ages?!

Ahh the inaugural Rugby Championships all but dne and dusted. If it were any other game people would be dubbing it as a dead rubber weekend. But its far from it, on the other side of the globe we have Robbie Deans having to fight to show is detractors that he is the man for the Aussie job against the Argies who have accounted for themselves well in this tournament but they smell the blood of a maimed wallaby and they want this bad for their own confidence...then on this side of the globe we have the ABs who have the Rugby Championship in the bag along with every trophy on offer this year so far and 15 straight test wins chasing a record of 18 (held by Lithuania mind you) and looking to build on the momentum of the last test vs The AfriBokke (more on that later) who strung together a very good performance v the Wallabies last weekend and would love nothing more than to put one over their old foe, who happen to also currently hold the title of world champs.

I am most pleased that Argentina has been included, i would love to see a competition that involved the South Sea Islanders as well as the USA and Japan too because the more participants we have the bigger the global spectacle. Its not like in football where a country like Ghana could make the semi finals...could have but we forget about that. But that being said, it wasnt an exciting tournament at all. The Wallabies through no fault of Robbie Deans or the players were a weak unit and they did pretty well given the circumstances. They were on their 4th captain, who had to delay his retirement to assist the team, but they were always going to struggle and with mr consistent Adam Ashley-Cooper going down early in the game v the boks along with Digby, Samo, Totafu...it was written! The Boks played well but they should have been more clinical and put them away. The Blacks meant business from the Haka it too was written, they had a bit of a slow start but then from there, everything was done at pace, fewer errors. I think the Argies were also tired they didnt have their usual fizz, this weekend they will be stronger. 

But enough of that, i have bigger issues much bigger!!

Ok so we had PdV last year, he did pretty well in relation to the results gained by SA coaches of old (discounting Nick Mallet) but he could do no right in the eyes of the SA rugby public. He brought in Flouw if i am not mistaken, people ask what the herrrl. He tried to change Jakes defend and kick rugby people as what the herlll!!! Yes he 'inherited' a team but as did Heynecke now, he has lost John Smit(added nothing to PdV's tenure bar leadership) Victor Matfield, Bakkies (hardly played because of injury and suspension), Fourie dP(hardly played too), Jacques Fourie and Schalk (currently injured). Cant think of anyone else worth noting but no HM didnt inherit a team, noooo. You see where I am going with this...i dont think you do.

South African rugby bosses have once again missed a trick i believe. I like HM as a coach for the Bulls, the man is without doubt a good coach we all saw what he achieved with the Bulls, took him some time to achieve it. He is now in charge of the Boks and I HATE his style of rugby but in spite of that I have urged my mates who speak ill of him to give him a chance...well in the past, but there is a trend that i recently noticed which doesn't sit right with me at all. As you all know as a result of a vast amount of reasons I have never been a strong supporter of Springbok rugby, to a point where i actually supported ANY team against them. In 1995, even though i didnt support them I was so happy they won the RWC in SA, and when PdV took over i found myself supporting them more except against a few nations. But i recently noticed that my dislike is returning and I started analysing it. 

Look at this team selected for this weekends game v Aus

15. Zane Kirchner

14. Bryan Habana

13. Jaco Taute

12. Jean de Villiers (captain)

11. Franscois Hougaard

10. Johan Goosen

9. Ruan Pienaar

8. Duane Vermeulen

7. Willem Alberts

6. Francois Louw

5. Andries Bekker

4. Eben Etzebeth

3. Jannie du Plessis

2. Adriaan Strauss

1. Tendai Mtawarira

What do you notice about it? Yep bar Habs (former Bull) and The Beast, this team is Afrikaans and staggeringly white. Players like Lambie should be there, a player like Keegan Daniel, by far SA's best loose forward in this years super rugby dropped for no reason!! Lwazi Mvovo, dropped to make space for Hougie who couldnt cut it at no 9. I like Goosen, I think he is definitely the future, but after a few games he is included in the big league when there is a guy called Elton Jantjes who has been 'having it' for the Lions over the last 2 seasons. You bring in 2 players like JJ Engelbrecht and Jaco Taute ahead of Juan de Jongh and Lionel Mapoe, who has outshone every other centre in this years currie cup, well bar the duo of Eberhson and Rhule when they played together for the Cheetahs. Then there is Chilliboy, always no 2, now he is no 3 or 4, you telling me Liebenberg or Strauss is better than him? Give me your basis! but Chilli has gone as far as he will in SA rugby, from Springbok captain potential to chump. Then the cherry on top for me was you telling me that Kolisi isnt good enough and his time will come, but Potgieter is good enough!! Screw this pooh man!! I've had it! its time someone said something! People cry foul over quotas but without them the status quo will remain. 

If we really wanted to transform and grow, now is a good a time as any because HM already has the excuse that he is building a team so why not bring in a proper talent like Rhule, this boy is hot! Mapoe, superb, Chilliboy, De Jongh, Gio Aplon. There is this guy called Daniel Odongo who has played for SA in age group rugby. Bra has got such mad skills that Tana Umaga has signed him for Counties in NZ, and our guys did they even see him?

The thing that tipped me over the edge was this weekend, when SA were plenty points ahead of Oz and there was no hope of them losing, you have Elton and Juan warming up on the sidelines for 3 hrs whilst Pat Cilliers waltzed on in no time, come on man...come on!!

Maybe HM isnt consciously congnisant of what he is doing with this team! Yes you ten to familiarise yourself with people who you are comfortable with, but this team belongs to the nation and to be honest this goes beyond rugby for me. For many in South Africa rugby is a bastion of the old regime and like it or not with PdV a few more people like myself were slowly starting to warm to the team, even though the most vocal of disapproval belonged to quarters of the old guard. What is happening now will not bode well for SA rugby amongst all, it will suit a large pocket of the old guard who i guess hold the country's purse strings. But i find it horribly sad, disgusting even. Something has to be said...done!

I know i am whining and I know I'm bringing race and politics etc into sport, but i guess as they say bad things happen when people stand by and do nothing!

I want to support but I cant, I AM VERY DESPONDENT, DISSAPOINTED and darn right BLEAK

Come on SA Rugby (supporters and administrators alike) lets move from the dark ages please!! Imagine how good players like Lawerence Sephaka, Gcobani Bobo, Hanyani would have been had they been given as much leeway and support and opportunities like those afforded to players like Smit, Spies, Morne, Jannie Du Penalty to name but a few!!

Come on man!!

SA Rugby, when will we emerge from the dark ages?

Ahh the inaugural Rugby Championships all but dne and dusted. If it were any other game people would be dubbing it as a dead rubber weekend. But its far from it, on the other side of the globe we have Robbie Deans having to fight to show is detractors that he is the man for the Aussie job against the Argies who have accounted for themselves well in this tournament but they smell the blood of a maimed wallaby and they want this bad for their own confidence...then on this side of the globe we have the ABs who have the Rugby Championship in the bag along with every trophy on offer this year so far and 15 straight test wins chasing a record of 18 (held by Lithuania mind you) and looking to build on the momentum of the last test vs The AfriBokke (more on that later) who strung together a very good performance v the Wallabies last weekend and would love nothing more than to put one over their old foe, who happen to also currently hold the title of world champs.

I am most pleased that Argentina has been included, i would love to see a competition that involved the South Sea Islanders as well as the USA and Japan too because the more participants we have the bigger the global spectacle. Its not like in football where a country like Ghana could make the semi finals...could have but we forget about that. But that being said, it wasnt an exciting tournament at all. The Wallabies through no fault of Robbie Deans or the players were a weak unit and they did pretty well given the circumstances. They were on their 4th captain, who had to delay his retirement to assist the team, but they were always going to struggle and with mr consistent Adam Ashley-Cooper going down early in the game v the boks along with Digby, Samo, Totafu...it was written! The Boks played well but they should have been more clinical and put them away. The Blacks meant business from the Haka it too was written, they had a bit of a slow start but then from there, everything was done at pace, fewer errors. I think the Argies were also tired they didnt have their usual fizz, this weekend they will be stronger. 

But enough of that, i have bigger issues much bigger!!

Ok so we had PdV last year, he did pretty well in relation to the results gained by SA coaches of old (discounting Nick Mallet) but he could do no right in the eyes of the SA rugby public. He brought in Flouw if i am not mistaken, people ask what the herrrl. He tried to change Jakes defend and kick rugby people as what the herlll!!! Yes he 'inherited' a team but as did Heynecke now, he has lost John Smit(added nothing to PdV's tenure bar leadership) Victor Matfield, Bakkies (hardly played because of injury and suspension), Fourie dP(hardly played too), Jacques Fourie and Schalk (currently injured). Cant think of anyone else worth noting but no HM didnt inherit a team, noooo. You see where I am going with this...i dont think you do.

South African rugby bosses have once again missed a trick i believe. I like HM as a coach for the Bulls, the man is without doubt a good coach we all saw what he achieved with the Bulls, took him some time to achieve it. He is now in charge of the Boks and I HATE his style of rugby but in spite of that I have urged my mates who speak ill of him to give him a chance...well in the past, but there is a trend that i recently noticed which doesn't sit right with me at all. As you all know as a result of a vast amount of reasons I have never been a strong supporter of Springbok rugby, to a point where i actually supported ANY team against them. In 1995, even though i didnt support them I was so happy they won the RWC in SA, and when PdV took over i found myself supporting them more except against a few nations. But i recently noticed that my dislike is returning and I started analysing it. 

Look at this team selected for this weekends game v Aus

15. Zane Kirchner

14. Bryan Habana

13. Jaco Taute

12. Jean de Villiers (captain)

11. Franscois Hougaard

10. Johan Goosen

9. Ruan Pienaar

8. Duane Vermeulen

7. Willem Alberts

6. Francois Louw

5. Andries Bekker

4. Eben Etzebeth

3. Jannie du Plessis

2. Adriaan Strauss

1. Tendai Mtawarira

What do you notice about it? Yep bar Habs (former Bull) and The Beast, this team is Afrikaans and staggeringly white. Players like Lambie should be there, a player like Keegan Daniel, by far SA's best loose forward in this years super rugby dropped for no reason!! Lwazi Mvovo, dropped to make space for Hougie who couldnt cut it at no 9. I like Goosen, I think he is definitely the future, but after a few games he is included in the big league when there is a guy called Elton Jantjes who has been 'having it' for the Lions over the last 2 seasons. You bring in 2 players like JJ Engelbrecht and Jaco Taute ahead of Juan de Jongh and Lionel Mapoe, who has outshone every other centre in this years currie cup, well bar the duo of Eberhson and Rhule when they played together for the Cheetahs. Then there is Chilliboy, always no 2, now he is no 3 or 4, you telling me Liebenberg or Strauss is better than him? Give me your basis! but Chilli has gone as far as he will in SA rugby, from Springbok captain potential to chump. Then the cherry on top for me was you telling me that Kolisi isnt good enough and his time will come, but Potgieter is good enough!! Screw this pooh man!! I've had it! its time someone said something! People cry foul over quotas but without them the status quo will remain. 

If we really wanted to transform and grow, now is a good a time as any because HM already has the excuse that he is building a team so why not bring in a proper talent like Rhule, this boy is hot! Mapoe, superb, Chilliboy, De Jongh, Gio Aplon. There is this guy called Daniel Odongo who has played for SA in age group rugby. Bra has got such mad skills that Tana Umaga has signed him for Counties in NZ, and our guys did they even see him?

The thing that tipped me over the edge was this weekend, when SA were plenty points ahead of Oz and there was no hope of them losing, you have Elton and Juan warming up on the sidelines for 3 hrs whilst Pat Cilliers waltzed on in no time, come on man...come on!!

Maybe HM isnt consciously congnisant of what he is doing with this team! Yes you ten to familiarise yourself with people who you are comfortable with, but this team belongs to the nation and to be honest this goes beyond rugby for me. For many in South Africa rugby is a bastion of the old regime and like it or not with PdV a few more people like myself were slowly starting to warm to the team, even though the most vocal of disapproval belonged to quarters of the old guard. What is happening now will not bode well for SA rugby amongst all, it will suit a large pocket of the old guard who i guess hold the country's purse strings. But i find it horribly sad, disgusting even. Something has to be said...done!

I know i am whining and I know I'm bringing race and politics etc into sport, but i guess as they say bad things happen when people stand by and do nothing!

I want to support but I cant, I AM VERY DESPONDENT, DISSAPOINTED and darn right BLEAK

Come on SA Rugby (supporters and administrators alike) lets move from the dark ages please!! Imagine how good players like Lawerence Sephaka, Gcobani Bobo, Hanyani would have been had they been given as much leeway and support and opportunities like those afforded to players like Smit, Spies, Morne, Jannie Du Penalty to name but a few!!

Come on man!!

SA Rugby, when will we emerge from the dark ages?

Ahh the inaugural Rugby Championships all but dne and dusted. If it were any other game people would be dubbing it as a dead rubber weekend. But its far from it, on the other side of the globe we have Robbie Deans having to fight to show is detractors that he is the man for the Aussie job against the Argies who have accounted for themselves well in this tournament but they smell the blood of a maimed wallaby and they want this bad for their own confidence...then on this side of the globe we have the ABs who have the Rugby Championship in the bag along with every trophy on offer this year so far and 15 straight test wins chasing a record of 18 (held by Lithuania mind you) and looking to build on the momentum of the last test vs The AfriBokke (more on that later) who strung together a very good performance v the Wallabies last weekend and would love nothing more than to put one over their old foe, who happen to also currently hold the title of world champs.

I am most pleased that Argentina has been included, i would love to see a competition that involved the South Sea Islanders as well as the USA and Japan too because the more participants we have the bigger the global spectacle. Its not like in football where a country like Ghana could make the semi finals...could have but we forget about that. But that being said, it wasnt an exciting tournament at all. The Wallabies through no fault of Robbie Deans or the players were a weak unit and they did pretty well given the circumstances. They were on their 4th captain, who had to delay his retirement to assist the team, but they were always going to struggle and with mr consistent Adam Ashley-Cooper going down early in the game v the boks along with Digby, Samo, Totafu...it was written! The Boks played well but they should have been more clinical and put them away. The Blacks meant business from the Haka it too was written, they had a bit of a slow start but then from there, everything was done at pace, fewer errors. I think the Argies were also tired they didnt have their usual fizz, this weekend they will be stronger. 

But enough of that, i have bigger issues much bigger!!

Ok so we had PdV last year, he did pretty well in relation to the results gained by SA coaches of old (discounting Nick Mallet) but he could do no right in the eyes of the SA rugby public. He brought in Flouw if i am not mistaken, people ask what the herrrl. He tried to change Jakes defend and kick rugby people as what the herlll!!! Yes he 'inherited' a team but as did Heynecke now, he has lost John Smit(added nothing to PdV's tenure bar leadership) Victor Matfield, Bakkies (hardly played because of injury and suspension), Fourie dP(hardly played too), Jacques Fourie and Schalk (currently injured). Cant think of anyone else worth noting but no HM didnt inherit a team, noooo. You see where I am going with this...i dont think you do.

South African rugby bosses have once again missed a trick i believe. I like HM as a coach for the Bulls, the man is without doubt a good coach we all saw what he achieved with the Bulls, took him some time to achieve it. He is now in charge of the Boks and I HATE his style of rugby but in spite of that I have urged my mates who speak ill of him to give him a chance...well in the past, but there is a trend that i recently noticed which doesn't sit right with me at all. As you all know as a result of a vast amount of reasons I have never been a strong supporter of Springbok rugby, to a point where i actually supported ANY team against them. In 1995, even though i didnt support them I was so happy they won the RWC in SA, and when PdV took over i found myself supporting them more except against a few nations. But i recently noticed that my dislike is returning and I started analysing it. 

Look at this team selected for this weekends game v Aus

15. Zane Kirchner

14. Bryan Habana

13. Jaco Taute

12. Jean de Villiers (captain)

11. Franscois Hougaard

10. Johan Goosen

9. Ruan Pienaar

8. Duane Vermeulen

7. Willem Alberts

6. Francois Louw

5. Andries Bekker

4. Eben Etzebeth

3. Jannie du Plessis

2. Adriaan Strauss

1. Tendai Mtawarira

What do you notice about it? Yep bar Habs (former Bull) and The Beast, this team is Afrikaans and staggeringly white. Players like Lambie should be there, a player like Keegan Daniel, by far SA's best loose forward in this years super rugby dropped for no reason!! Lwazi Mvovo, dropped to make space for Hougie who couldnt cut it at no 9. I like Goosen, I think he is definitely the future, but after a few games he is included in the big league when there is a guy called Elton Jantjes who has been 'having it' for the Lions over the last 2 seasons. You bring in 2 players like JJ Engelbrecht and Jaco Taute ahead of Juan de Jongh and Lionel Mapoe, who has outshone every other centre in this years currie cup, well bar the duo of Eberhson and Rhule when they played together for the Cheetahs. Then there is Chilliboy, always no 2, now he is no 3 or 4, you telling me Liebenberg or Strauss is better than him? Give me your basis! but Chilli has gone as far as he will in SA rugby, from Springbok captain potential to chump. Then the cherry on top for me was you telling me that Kolisi isnt good enough and his time will come, but Potgieter is good enough!! Screw this pooh man!! I've had it! its time someone said something! People cry foul over quotas but without them the status quo will remain. 

If we really wanted to transform and grow, now is a good a time as any because HM already has the excuse that he is building a team so why not bring in a proper talent like Rhule, this boy is hot! Mapoe, superb, Chilliboy, De Jongh, Gio Aplon. There is this guy called Daniel Odongo who has played for SA in age group rugby. Bra has got such mad skills that Tana Umaga has signed him for Counties in NZ, and our guys did they even see him?

The thing that tipped me over the edge was this weekend, when SA were plenty points ahead of Oz and there was no hope of them losing, you have Elton and Juan warming up on the sidelines for 3 hrs whilst Pat Cilliers waltzed on in no time, come on man...come on!!

Maybe HM isnt consciously congnisant of what he is doing with this team! Yes you ten to familiarise yourself with people who you are comfortable with, but this team belongs to the nation and to be honest this goes beyond rugby for me. For many in South Africa rugby is a bastion of the old regime and like it or not with PdV a few more people like myself were slowly starting to warm to the team, even though the most vocal of disapproval belonged to quarters of the old guard. What is happening now will not bode well for SA rugby amongst all, it will suit a large pocket of the old guard who i guess hold the country's purse strings. But i find it horribly sad, disgusting even. Something has to be said...done!

I know i am whining and I know I'm bringing race and politics etc into sport, but i guess as they say bad things happen when people stand by and do nothing!

I want to support but I cant, I AM VERY DESPONDENT, DISSAPOINTED and darn right BLEAK

Come on SA Rugby (supporters and administrators alike) lets move from the dark ages please!! Imagine how good players like Lawerence Sephaka, Gcobani Bobo, Hanyani would have been had they been given as much leeway and support and opportunities like those afforded to players like Smit, Spies, Morne, Jannie Du Penalty to name but a few!!

Come on man!!