Monday, September 12, 2011
Opening of RWC2011
Could anyone have asked for a more entertaining and exciting start to RWC2011?!!
I am not much a fan of opening and closing ceremonies and the like, I find them a tad OTT and a tad wasteful, but as far as opening ceremonies goes, this RWC in my mind has only been second to SWC2010 in SA. I liked the inclusion of indigenous Maori culture to the games.
Then there was the Sipi Tau, so passionately and aggressively delivered followed by the most intense Kamate I have seen in a long while. then the games began. What i really enjoyed about the opening weekend is not that the top tier nations are crap, but that the second tier nations have narrowed the gap significantly and we can thank the development of Japanese rugby clubs, French, English and Irish clubs with deep pockets, because what it does is exposes a whole lot more people to professional rugby, not to mention New Zealand's ITM cup which caters for many Tongan, Fijian and Samoan players.
The first game was alright as a hit out. The All Blacks werent all too convincing but that being said, I was impressed with the Tongan second half showing, they really played a structured game and took it to the ABs. Before the game the talk of the town was why is GH doing this that and the next. People leave GH alone, man has a problem, too many hot backs to choose from and any of them can do the job. People are saying SBW is a one trick pony yes everyone knows that but how many have stopped him, Cheetahs perhaps thats it. Personally I like Conrad Smith and Ma'a, but there was nothing wrong with SBW and Ma'a, they had to counter the hard hitting Tongans. Agains the French SB will play off the Bench, I doubt Richie will play against Japan. Richie is old and slow, do me a favour, go and watch the man play, he may not be stealing as much ball as he used to, but a better loosie at the moment I know not. Let anyone be running who is there to support, let there be a need to carry the ball up who will be there to offer a hand if Jerome isnt there, let a tackle need to be made...i can go on...
Then the back 3 Iceman, Richard and Izzy, please complain to me...Yes the second half was a dud, but the Tongans brought it, The ABS had killed the game in the first, so why risk injury?
Japan v France, I was too excited to watch Japanland, France is my second team cos I just love their reckless abandon with ball in hand, but i was rooting for Japan. All hail John Kirwan, the team isnt as big as the French, but they had them rattled plenty!
Oh how I was wishing, hoping praying that Argentina would have enough in the tank to take out England, but unfortunately as is always the case England know how to win these tight games with their stupid thugs!! Had Contepomi and Tieste stayed on I think the english would have sweat a few more beads, but alas it wasnt to be. I quite enjoyed Haskels play from the flank as well as Ben Youngs impact from the bench, it was the difference between the teams, well and some wayward goal kicking, but alas that English AB wanna be jersey has got to go!!
Namibia fought valiantly against Fiji, but those big west African looking brothers were just too fast and strong for them, but it was great to see that they didnt just roll over and die. Italy v Australia, Guys and gals, Australia are hot, yes the first half score was 6-6, but man from what I saw this is the team. Forwards were scrumming well hitting the rucks, Radike and Rocky look angry and industrious, the backs one cant say enough about them. My concern for them though is that Genia is to them what DC is to the ABs, he goes I dont think Burgess is the same kind of player. Ireland wont have enough for the Ausies I dont believe judging by the weekends game, the USA will be beaten by Aus, but it will be a workout. I was really impressed by their game against the Irish, maybe the rain added to it being competitive but alas...
I think I have figured it out. I dont particularly like the average Bok supporter, consider me jaded by the comments I read on Rugby365 et al, but I really want PdV to do well so he can say in your eye to all these random wannabe supporters. Yesterday's game, I couldnt help but feel sorry fro the Welsh, in the opening stanza I was like aye-ye Springboks aye ye, that was a beautiful lead up to the try, the best start of any of the top 3 countries thus far, but that was the kerosine the Welsh needed to light up the fire in the dragons belly and man did they put it out there. they dominated every facet of play...EVERY except where it counts most...the scoreboard, sport can be such a cruel thing sometimes but alas they tried, but you know this gives the likes of Fiji and Samoa who are taken lightly at your own peril some belief. I dont like to dwell on other teams problems, i prefer to focus on my own team, but what was clearly evident was the fire provided by the timely substitutions of Alberts, Bissie and Francois. Not once in that whole game did i hear Spies' name being uttered. And Try Hard Habanna needs to take a chill pill for a few. The saddest thing now for the Boks is the conundrum they now find themselves in. Vic, injured, Jean injured, so who captains if John benches for Bissie? Schalk perhaps?
Anyway this weeks games of interest will be the Bokke v Fiji and Wales v Samoa
Happy viewing
Y
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tri Nations over...Bring on the RWC2011
What a year for Australian Rugby...is their resurgence tribute to Reds rugby being on the ascendancy or is it a function of Robbie Deans influence in the Wallaby setup???
This Tri-Nations was a bit of a mixed bag, the only team that really gave it the full respect that it deserved was Australia. In all 4 games it fielded its best possible teams and the results were clear for all to see last saturday. The momentum is definitely there with them and the confidence is overflowing, Robbie Deans will not let them get complacent. Anyone who ever doubted the coaching credentials of this man must just look at the last 3 years or so with Australia, he has taken a group of talented backs and big forwards and given them a purpose. A few years ago a friend of mine Refiloe Ramogase and myself were speaking about it, just when Robbie took over and we were both convinced that this Aussie team was not just the dark horse of the tournament, but they were darn right favourites for the cup and their win this weekend cemented it. first win over the ABs in the tri-nations in 10 years, thats a massive drought to break. 2nd win in 3 outings. Id forget the previous 12 or so unbeaten outings that the ABs held because thats soo long gone, we want to be discussing the more recent past and the stats are 2 from 3.
I am not trying to deflect from the ABs, but the Australians are a hot side. Let me break it down for you. their pack as a scrumming force can be competitive and step up their game if needed, ask the Boks 3 weeks ago, and the ABs in the first couple of scrums. In Horwill, Vickerman and Sharpe, have 3 ogres who have plenty mongrel in the the former more than the latter. In the back we have the sulkingly angry Rocky, Pocock the thief and Anyone else out of (Higginbotham, Samo, Palu) and then there is Poloto-Nau to return still....sheet.
In the backs there is the genius of Genia, how smart was his play? all their tries they ran into the Refs channel and the ABs were very disorganised in close and he exploited it hard, we wont even mention that his pass to Digby was forward because after that first half we deserved to lose that game ;) then there is the talented yet sometimes uneccessarily silly Quade Cooper, this unknown yet talented Pat McCabe, then O'Conor, Ionae, Beale, MItchell, Ashley-Cooper, all multi-tallented and skilled and capable of playing any position in that backline. That my good people their versatility, and ability to adapt and their skill thats what sets them apart from any team out there at the moment.
The Boks, many have written off, but i am not one such person, on the one hand i would want them to win it so that i dont have to hear that hero worship of Jake White ever and also so that all the PdV haters can sit on it, but that desire is not enoug to make me endure another 4 years of hearing that choker word and also the label the world champions bandied around a talented bunch of people who together compose a rather average team devoid of any creativity. Its not a new thing, in recent times its been the Springbok way, well outside of Nick Mallets reign. Lets go back to the team. PdV selected a very capable team. We all know John isnt the best hooker in the country by a country mile, but Bismarks dissent when substituted wasnt a good advert for the team at all. That being said, you can understand the man's disappointment. I know the SA world see FdP as the messiah, but he is not quite up to it and his play in my mind is still quite archaic! Id sooner select Francois Hougaard over him, he has an excitement and mongrel about him, akin to that of Ricky Januarie, coupled with the finesse of a seasoned rugby player. I am a tad concerned with Jean De Villiers' new found love of the crashball, he used to be one of the finest inside centres in the business but, now he seems to resemble De Wet Barry!!
To be honest nothing new and exciting was shown to me during this tri-nations, it was a bit of more of the same, coupled with a little scrambled defence. BUTTTTT dont mock it, thats the kind of things that win you rugby world cups not so? One has to feel for a guy like Mvovo, but unfortunately the man could only pick 30 players and i guess its Odwa's experience that carried him through. The Boks have the game plan, as boring as it might be that will win the RWC. TIts funny how the Bok supporter is. PdV came and said we will try something new, we will get running rugby back to SA, lost a few games and the SA rugby public is down his throat about losing, its what was going to happen, you will lose if you try something new that the team isnt accustomed to. Point worth noting, the Boks only won 1 Tri-Nations game in 2007 as well, that was against Oz in Newlands.
My beloved All Blacks, I shoudl be panicking after that loss, and lets not kid anyone, I wanted us to win against the Aussies, especially after QC started getting silly with Richie for nooo reason!! But ey the boys were totally off their game in the first half, a little complacency had set in and Ausies brought a physicality that the Blacks didnt expect nor did they really know how to cope with. Dissapointing for me was the fact that they were unable to react after 5 minutes during the game when ish was tough, but i guess after loosing Kieran in the first 12 minutes and Adam injuring his arm didnt help matters much. But they started to settle a little more in the end of the game and then in the second half we saw the value of coaching. the boys came out more determined and focused...only to give away a soft try which the Aussies managed to defend. The game was a loss and so too the game before against the Boks but the manner in which we lost was heartening. Against the Boks last week it was an excited side that could have done with a few old heads ala the past weekend 27phases before scoring one try. in both games up until the dying minutes, a revival was not out of the question, yes the games were both lost, the revival never came to pass, because the defences shut the boys out and credit to them BUTTTTT....
Butt is the games have come now when the 3 wise men can still work on them. Will we give away silly penalties against SA next time we meet them more than likely not...will we be bullied upfront by Australia agan or defend soo poorly around the fringes, not too likely...if we do then we definitely deserve to lose, simple as that.
As a rugby viewer i dont really like the RWC as a tournament, because it gives dull/uninspiring teams like England and SA (no disrespect) bragging rights for 4 years, yes truth of the matter is they have to go out there and win it and the Blacks have not been able to do that so I take off my hat to them. Anyway I should be concerned after these 2 losses, but I am not at all, yes the other teams have gained some confidence and good on them, the ABs have had a proper reality check. The land of the long white cloud isnt at tranquil, the ground is trembling a wee bit and its not a Christchurch quake. There is a little uncertainty thrown in. Belief is there, pressure is there aplenty, confidence is there, complacency...that devil...she is gone, its not like being a hot guy thrown amongst a group of 30 horny women... guys know they have to work for it!!! its a beautiful thing. Hope Kieran and Adam are fully healed though, would be such a blow for them!!
The thing about this world cup though, is that there are a few teams that can win it, NZ because they are home and they are good enough , OZ, because they are just s#%t hot at the moment, France for the same reason, England and SA because they play the kind of rugby that wins these things.
But cometh the 9th September all I know is Kia Kaha Kapa O Pango
Happy viewing
This Tri-Nations was a bit of a mixed bag, the only team that really gave it the full respect that it deserved was Australia. In all 4 games it fielded its best possible teams and the results were clear for all to see last saturday. The momentum is definitely there with them and the confidence is overflowing, Robbie Deans will not let them get complacent. Anyone who ever doubted the coaching credentials of this man must just look at the last 3 years or so with Australia, he has taken a group of talented backs and big forwards and given them a purpose. A few years ago a friend of mine Refiloe Ramogase and myself were speaking about it, just when Robbie took over and we were both convinced that this Aussie team was not just the dark horse of the tournament, but they were darn right favourites for the cup and their win this weekend cemented it. first win over the ABs in the tri-nations in 10 years, thats a massive drought to break. 2nd win in 3 outings. Id forget the previous 12 or so unbeaten outings that the ABs held because thats soo long gone, we want to be discussing the more recent past and the stats are 2 from 3.
I am not trying to deflect from the ABs, but the Australians are a hot side. Let me break it down for you. their pack as a scrumming force can be competitive and step up their game if needed, ask the Boks 3 weeks ago, and the ABs in the first couple of scrums. In Horwill, Vickerman and Sharpe, have 3 ogres who have plenty mongrel in the the former more than the latter. In the back we have the sulkingly angry Rocky, Pocock the thief and Anyone else out of (Higginbotham, Samo, Palu) and then there is Poloto-Nau to return still....sheet.
In the backs there is the genius of Genia, how smart was his play? all their tries they ran into the Refs channel and the ABs were very disorganised in close and he exploited it hard, we wont even mention that his pass to Digby was forward because after that first half we deserved to lose that game ;) then there is the talented yet sometimes uneccessarily silly Quade Cooper, this unknown yet talented Pat McCabe, then O'Conor, Ionae, Beale, MItchell, Ashley-Cooper, all multi-tallented and skilled and capable of playing any position in that backline. That my good people their versatility, and ability to adapt and their skill thats what sets them apart from any team out there at the moment.
The Boks, many have written off, but i am not one such person, on the one hand i would want them to win it so that i dont have to hear that hero worship of Jake White ever and also so that all the PdV haters can sit on it, but that desire is not enoug to make me endure another 4 years of hearing that choker word and also the label the world champions bandied around a talented bunch of people who together compose a rather average team devoid of any creativity. Its not a new thing, in recent times its been the Springbok way, well outside of Nick Mallets reign. Lets go back to the team. PdV selected a very capable team. We all know John isnt the best hooker in the country by a country mile, but Bismarks dissent when substituted wasnt a good advert for the team at all. That being said, you can understand the man's disappointment. I know the SA world see FdP as the messiah, but he is not quite up to it and his play in my mind is still quite archaic! Id sooner select Francois Hougaard over him, he has an excitement and mongrel about him, akin to that of Ricky Januarie, coupled with the finesse of a seasoned rugby player. I am a tad concerned with Jean De Villiers' new found love of the crashball, he used to be one of the finest inside centres in the business but, now he seems to resemble De Wet Barry!!
To be honest nothing new and exciting was shown to me during this tri-nations, it was a bit of more of the same, coupled with a little scrambled defence. BUTTTTT dont mock it, thats the kind of things that win you rugby world cups not so? One has to feel for a guy like Mvovo, but unfortunately the man could only pick 30 players and i guess its Odwa's experience that carried him through. The Boks have the game plan, as boring as it might be that will win the RWC. TIts funny how the Bok supporter is. PdV came and said we will try something new, we will get running rugby back to SA, lost a few games and the SA rugby public is down his throat about losing, its what was going to happen, you will lose if you try something new that the team isnt accustomed to. Point worth noting, the Boks only won 1 Tri-Nations game in 2007 as well, that was against Oz in Newlands.
My beloved All Blacks, I shoudl be panicking after that loss, and lets not kid anyone, I wanted us to win against the Aussies, especially after QC started getting silly with Richie for nooo reason!! But ey the boys were totally off their game in the first half, a little complacency had set in and Ausies brought a physicality that the Blacks didnt expect nor did they really know how to cope with. Dissapointing for me was the fact that they were unable to react after 5 minutes during the game when ish was tough, but i guess after loosing Kieran in the first 12 minutes and Adam injuring his arm didnt help matters much. But they started to settle a little more in the end of the game and then in the second half we saw the value of coaching. the boys came out more determined and focused...only to give away a soft try which the Aussies managed to defend. The game was a loss and so too the game before against the Boks but the manner in which we lost was heartening. Against the Boks last week it was an excited side that could have done with a few old heads ala the past weekend 27phases before scoring one try. in both games up until the dying minutes, a revival was not out of the question, yes the games were both lost, the revival never came to pass, because the defences shut the boys out and credit to them BUTTTTT....
Butt is the games have come now when the 3 wise men can still work on them. Will we give away silly penalties against SA next time we meet them more than likely not...will we be bullied upfront by Australia agan or defend soo poorly around the fringes, not too likely...if we do then we definitely deserve to lose, simple as that.
As a rugby viewer i dont really like the RWC as a tournament, because it gives dull/uninspiring teams like England and SA (no disrespect) bragging rights for 4 years, yes truth of the matter is they have to go out there and win it and the Blacks have not been able to do that so I take off my hat to them. Anyway I should be concerned after these 2 losses, but I am not at all, yes the other teams have gained some confidence and good on them, the ABs have had a proper reality check. The land of the long white cloud isnt at tranquil, the ground is trembling a wee bit and its not a Christchurch quake. There is a little uncertainty thrown in. Belief is there, pressure is there aplenty, confidence is there, complacency...that devil...she is gone, its not like being a hot guy thrown amongst a group of 30 horny women... guys know they have to work for it!!! its a beautiful thing. Hope Kieran and Adam are fully healed though, would be such a blow for them!!
The thing about this world cup though, is that there are a few teams that can win it, NZ because they are home and they are good enough , OZ, because they are just s#%t hot at the moment, France for the same reason, England and SA because they play the kind of rugby that wins these things.
But cometh the 9th September all I know is Kia Kaha Kapa O Pango
Happy viewing
Thursday, August 18, 2011
SA v NZ part deux
How excited am I about this weekends rugby game? But just like I have a day and a but to wait, so too must you wait till i get to why i am excited.
Interesting Tri-Nations it has been a few mini battles being fought, Boks v Ausies(potential final); NZ v OZ (potential final too) and this weekend SA v NZ potential Semi. The first 2 were a proper gauge because they were 2 near full strength teams. Granted last weekends game was marred by the rustiness of the Boks because it was their first hit out as a team.
The first 2 games of the tri-nations was a waste of time really, because the Boks brought a team that really brought nothing. Their mindset was one of complacency and their attitude defeatist! They had lost those games way before they took the field, all the talk was about seeing what happens etc. even John after the games didnt look too phased. I think that the Bok s may have missed a trick in the last 4 years, but i guess its been spoken about. some new players should have come through at the end of last year. The away leg of the tri-nations should have included some of the old horses that were off the pace super rugby time, because they need the game time, but alas hindsight is 20/20
The Tri-nations only really began in week 3. it was no 1 v no 2, in Auckland's Eden Park which is the headquarters of RWC2011,potential RWC2011 finals if both teams make it through their obstacles leading to the finale. The game started and the Blacks played some stupid rugby, it was like men against boys, the first half i missed live but i watched it later and I was like wow!! They had a pretty decent game, couldnt really find any fault in their game. it was pleasing to see, because some of the Wallabies were talking smack earlier. Love the Wallabies, that back line of theirs has me finished man, its all class give them a sniff and they will burn you. Its up front where they need some assistance, but I think they can get it right, when Polota Nou comes back, Cliffie Palu at the back, Rocky, Pocock and Higginbottham (he is scaaaary). Its really just the grunt up front thats an issue for them, but with Vicks, Sharpe and Horwill in the locks they should be stronger. that team is hot people and i called them in the finals at least. They are a unit, they are motivated and they have the exuberance of youth on their side.
They were beaten when they met the Blacks but it will be a tougher task in Oz next weekend! I fear this Australian team as well as the French and English
Last weekends game. Proper dissapointment. Expected more from the Boks, yes it was their first game (Oz were beaten by Samoa, NZ looked toilet against Fiji) but i was most dissapointed with the game plan. and some of the elementary mistakes made. The Boks forwards were bullied by the Australians. I had to rub my eyes a few times to see if i was awake and not imagining things! Kick chase thing. It was a really toilet game on the whole. riddled with mistakes from both sides. I am not going to dwell too much on this game, because i think the Boks will be better for it. I just hope they change or alter their game plan slightly, kick and chase...NO MORE!!!!! Frans Steyn NO MORE!!! Danie Russouw...NO MORE, John Smit...STICK A FORK IN HIM...HE'S DONE!!!!
I know a lot of people are discounting the Boks, but I have this nagging feeling that they could do well this RWC, please no cos I wouldnt be able to have another 4 years of hearing abuot us choking or hearing about the world champs this and that even though they lose about 50% of their tests inbetween RWC
This weekends game. Much better Bok team. as usual i will start with the backs. FDP is a good player but off the pace man and this swaying of the arms thing he does ala Joost is soooo irritating, clear the ball damnit! I know he is the Boks no 1 but id give Francois Steyn more of a chance. Bismarck on for John, about damn time, this guy is a hot head, but man he is a machine, Lambie at 15, hope Mopheads hamstrings is ruptured and out of rugby for 12 weeks. he adds zero in my view 60m penalties and drop goals, how often do those come along id sooner have a player who can create 7pointers anytime. Bryan is another id park. Fair enough Mvovo and Basson didnt shoot the lights out playing outside Kick Steyn and No pass Meisiekind, but Mvovos work rate was insane he deserved to start and get more of a chance. I like the look of the loose trio, Brussouw, Alberts, Spies, hectic! 2 brutes and a thief. I am still not convinced about Spies. He had an Ok game, not great nowhere near as good as he could be, but everyone wants to go and blow him now, is this what Bok supporters have become? accepting mediocrity as the norm? nah man!!The Boks will be much better than last week, a first team Bok team should beat a make shift NZ team in SA, but no one is confident of this...
Hence why i laugh at anyone who wants to draw comparisons of NZ leaving 9 players at home to PdV rehabbing 21 players. Graham Henry has got it right i think. he needs to give his fringe players a chance, the old guard have been tried and tested and have shown their wares. The guys on the outside looking in have been given an opportunity to step to the plate. They arent talking we'll try and see. hell no!! they want to win. They want to show New Zealanders that there is life without Richie and DC. What has been created is competition for the jersey, the opposite is true for the Boks guys believe they own the jersey. Slade is a good player and what better opposition to test yourself against than the old foe in their back yard? Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Izzy Dagg, Richard Kahui dont know their fate yet, neither do Thomo and Messam or Hoeata. The ABs dont have much to lose, but they dont want to lose. Much to gain, they can see what depth they truly have. if the players can front up, players playing for their jerseys.
This test has the makings of a humdinger, hopefully both players will execute correctly, the boys will be serious so i think it will be the Kamate Haka. I'd love to call the Blacks for this one but its a close call. hope its a good game and Ali, Kevvy, Thomo, Colin Izzy, Hosea all come through with flying colours and give the coaches sleepless nights with their selection posers.
Happy viewing...
Interesting Tri-Nations it has been a few mini battles being fought, Boks v Ausies(potential final); NZ v OZ (potential final too) and this weekend SA v NZ potential Semi. The first 2 were a proper gauge because they were 2 near full strength teams. Granted last weekends game was marred by the rustiness of the Boks because it was their first hit out as a team.
The first 2 games of the tri-nations was a waste of time really, because the Boks brought a team that really brought nothing. Their mindset was one of complacency and their attitude defeatist! They had lost those games way before they took the field, all the talk was about seeing what happens etc. even John after the games didnt look too phased. I think that the Bok s may have missed a trick in the last 4 years, but i guess its been spoken about. some new players should have come through at the end of last year. The away leg of the tri-nations should have included some of the old horses that were off the pace super rugby time, because they need the game time, but alas hindsight is 20/20
The Tri-nations only really began in week 3. it was no 1 v no 2, in Auckland's Eden Park which is the headquarters of RWC2011,potential RWC2011 finals if both teams make it through their obstacles leading to the finale. The game started and the Blacks played some stupid rugby, it was like men against boys, the first half i missed live but i watched it later and I was like wow!! They had a pretty decent game, couldnt really find any fault in their game. it was pleasing to see, because some of the Wallabies were talking smack earlier. Love the Wallabies, that back line of theirs has me finished man, its all class give them a sniff and they will burn you. Its up front where they need some assistance, but I think they can get it right, when Polota Nou comes back, Cliffie Palu at the back, Rocky, Pocock and Higginbottham (he is scaaaary). Its really just the grunt up front thats an issue for them, but with Vicks, Sharpe and Horwill in the locks they should be stronger. that team is hot people and i called them in the finals at least. They are a unit, they are motivated and they have the exuberance of youth on their side.
They were beaten when they met the Blacks but it will be a tougher task in Oz next weekend! I fear this Australian team as well as the French and English
Last weekends game. Proper dissapointment. Expected more from the Boks, yes it was their first game (Oz were beaten by Samoa, NZ looked toilet against Fiji) but i was most dissapointed with the game plan. and some of the elementary mistakes made. The Boks forwards were bullied by the Australians. I had to rub my eyes a few times to see if i was awake and not imagining things! Kick chase thing. It was a really toilet game on the whole. riddled with mistakes from both sides. I am not going to dwell too much on this game, because i think the Boks will be better for it. I just hope they change or alter their game plan slightly, kick and chase...NO MORE!!!!! Frans Steyn NO MORE!!! Danie Russouw...NO MORE, John Smit...STICK A FORK IN HIM...HE'S DONE!!!!
I know a lot of people are discounting the Boks, but I have this nagging feeling that they could do well this RWC, please no cos I wouldnt be able to have another 4 years of hearing abuot us choking or hearing about the world champs this and that even though they lose about 50% of their tests inbetween RWC
This weekends game. Much better Bok team. as usual i will start with the backs. FDP is a good player but off the pace man and this swaying of the arms thing he does ala Joost is soooo irritating, clear the ball damnit! I know he is the Boks no 1 but id give Francois Steyn more of a chance. Bismarck on for John, about damn time, this guy is a hot head, but man he is a machine, Lambie at 15, hope Mopheads hamstrings is ruptured and out of rugby for 12 weeks. he adds zero in my view 60m penalties and drop goals, how often do those come along id sooner have a player who can create 7pointers anytime. Bryan is another id park. Fair enough Mvovo and Basson didnt shoot the lights out playing outside Kick Steyn and No pass Meisiekind, but Mvovos work rate was insane he deserved to start and get more of a chance. I like the look of the loose trio, Brussouw, Alberts, Spies, hectic! 2 brutes and a thief. I am still not convinced about Spies. He had an Ok game, not great nowhere near as good as he could be, but everyone wants to go and blow him now, is this what Bok supporters have become? accepting mediocrity as the norm? nah man!!The Boks will be much better than last week, a first team Bok team should beat a make shift NZ team in SA, but no one is confident of this...
Hence why i laugh at anyone who wants to draw comparisons of NZ leaving 9 players at home to PdV rehabbing 21 players. Graham Henry has got it right i think. he needs to give his fringe players a chance, the old guard have been tried and tested and have shown their wares. The guys on the outside looking in have been given an opportunity to step to the plate. They arent talking we'll try and see. hell no!! they want to win. They want to show New Zealanders that there is life without Richie and DC. What has been created is competition for the jersey, the opposite is true for the Boks guys believe they own the jersey. Slade is a good player and what better opposition to test yourself against than the old foe in their back yard? Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Izzy Dagg, Richard Kahui dont know their fate yet, neither do Thomo and Messam or Hoeata. The ABs dont have much to lose, but they dont want to lose. Much to gain, they can see what depth they truly have. if the players can front up, players playing for their jerseys.
This test has the makings of a humdinger, hopefully both players will execute correctly, the boys will be serious so i think it will be the Kamate Haka. I'd love to call the Blacks for this one but its a close call. hope its a good game and Ali, Kevvy, Thomo, Colin Izzy, Hosea all come through with flying colours and give the coaches sleepless nights with their selection posers.
Happy viewing...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
S15 and Tri-Nations
Long time people,
What a cracker year if you are a rugby supporter isnt it? Feel for the players though because unless you were int he Australian conference, the Super 15 was forkin tough.
Super 15
Best team won in the end without a doubt. My Blues, dissapointed once again, but I wasnt too bleak because I have had a few years of preparation! The saddest thing about that team is the fact that they talent and ability aplenty, just execution kills them. Their Semi final against the Reds was littered with silly mistakes, it may have looked like a hiding on the scoreboard but it was one or 2 silly options taken or opportunities missed that killed it as a contest. The Reds on the other hand were composed and took their chances. The other semi-final was another huge dissapointment. I really hoped and wished for more of a contest from the Stormers, but instead of producing a storming performance, it was hardly a drizzle!
My team and I am sure many people's team of the tournament was the Crusaders, if you watch rugby and know the benefits a home match on players psyche, you will appreciate how monumental their efforts were to get as far as they did. A win would have been deserved and a proper fairy tale, but the travel, requirements of coming to SA and back again would have been just one hurdle too far. but hats off to the red and blacks.
A lot of South African players really stood out for me, most of them from the Cheetahs, Ebershon (spelling) twins, Sarel, Riaan, Ashley. Lions showed patches of getting back to the top of the food chain. They have a good side. Chilliboy was the business, Bjorn Basson the leading try scorer. Keegan, Mvovo and Lambie also put their hands up. What the S15 also showed was that some people are just tired, tired in the sense that they are past it. Victor, bakkies, Pierre, John, Bryan, all pap. Duane, too predictable.
In summary I am quite over this S15 format, whats wrong with everyone playing everyone? This prolonged, ITM cup and Currie Cup is not quite working for me. The Australian conference was a bore, dont think i watched many of them. 4 points for a bye, i mean really? Wrong year to implement the extended comp, but alas it is what it is.
Tri-Nations
21 players INJURED, how stupid are we? But alas, you know the team that PdV took along with him wasnt the dumbest move ever, guys definitely need a rest, you saw the flatness the ABs displayed against the Fijians, they may have won, but it was all but convincing. The Bok team to Australasia was a team that performed in the S15, but guys and girls lets not be silly, Deon Stegman and Wynand Olivier, i mean really!!?? Are those fools Bok material? I think not! The game last saturday, showed some definite ineptness, and i have defended PdV endlessly, but yep, he and his merry bunch are clueless, properly! Kick and chase game plan, i mean thats sooo 2009, lets move on!
That being said, i think they will be more competitive against the Blacks on saturday. They would have learnt from their mistakes. Have a whole lot more urgency at the break downs and shore up their defensive system.
Ausies, all i can say is Quade Cooper! He is the new Carlos Spencer and then some! Genia as well is just on fire. They lost to Samoa and let me take a few minutes to dwel on why that should not be a suprise, or rather it should be the norm. I wish that Fiji and Samoa would be able to keep some of their top players. They have a great team at the moment, i guess because the bulk of their team has overseas experience (France, UK and NZ) but if you look at this list, some of the biggest and best All black players have Samoan ancestry (courtesy of Wikipedia), namely:
All Blacks (past & present)
John Afoa - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1062)
Sosene Anesi - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1054)
Ben Atiga - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1037)
Graeme Bachop - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 885)
Stephen Bachop former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 925)
William Birtwhistle - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 652)
Andrew Blowers - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 956)
Olo Brown - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 910)
Frank Bunce - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 915)
Eroni Clarke - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 919)
Jerry Collins - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1002)
Christian Cullen - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 952)
Ross Filipo - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1070)
Alama Ieremia former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 942)
Michael Jones - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 882)
Jerome Kaino - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1050)
Josh Kronfeld - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 943)
Pat Lam former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 928)
Casey Laulala - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1048)
Keith Lowen - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1020)
Lelia Masaga - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1092)
Chris Masoe - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1059)
Aaron Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1013)
Nathan Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1008)
Keven Mealamu - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1026)
Brad Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1024)
Dylan Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 982)
Mils Muliaina - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1033)
Ma'a Nonu - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1031)
John Schuster - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 889)
John Schwalgar - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1071)
Kevin Senio - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1058)
Dave Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 415)
Frank Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 387)
Rodney So'oialo - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1028)
Benson Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1102)
Jeremy Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 963)
Joe Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 874)
Neemia Tialata - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1060)
Filo Tiatia - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 993)
Isaia Toeava - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1064)
Ofisa Tonu'u former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 957)
Mose Tuiali'i - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1042)
Va'aiga Tuigamala - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 900)
Richard Turner - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 917)
Tana Umaga - rugby player & former captain for the All Blacks (All Black number 961)
Victor Vito - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1103)
Bryan Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 689)
Sonny Bill Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks & former Kiwis rugby league player, boxer (All Black number 1108)
Rudi Wulf - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1077)
Some big names here ey?! Samoan rugby is on the rise, they have some really big names who opted for their roots as opposed to AB jerseys, Kahn, Paul Williams, Mapusua to name but a few, so if theu get their story together it could be a touch WC for SA and Wales. The win has made the group pretty interesting.
Anyway I am not noremally htis bullish about the Tri-nations, but I think this one is a 2 horse race, NZ/Oz, even when the 21 injured players are recovered when Oz and NZ get here, they may well struggle to get traction because they wouldnt have had much match fitness. If we (NZ) beat Oz in the first game the title is ours again. This weekends game, if last weeks is anything to go by will be won by the Blacks. I dont think it will be easy, because the Blacks arent on fire either so they will have to raise their game. The Boks were dismal and will have to get a game. Motivation to prove naysayers wrong will be there and they will need no more motivation than to pip the ABs at home in the year where they host the World Cup
I really hope that its a contest on Saturday if the Boks win it will make life very intersting, it will do the ABs some good too, because then they will have that air of invincibility pierced and more work would have to be put in or for the tounament and beyond
Later...
What a cracker year if you are a rugby supporter isnt it? Feel for the players though because unless you were int he Australian conference, the Super 15 was forkin tough.
Super 15
Best team won in the end without a doubt. My Blues, dissapointed once again, but I wasnt too bleak because I have had a few years of preparation! The saddest thing about that team is the fact that they talent and ability aplenty, just execution kills them. Their Semi final against the Reds was littered with silly mistakes, it may have looked like a hiding on the scoreboard but it was one or 2 silly options taken or opportunities missed that killed it as a contest. The Reds on the other hand were composed and took their chances. The other semi-final was another huge dissapointment. I really hoped and wished for more of a contest from the Stormers, but instead of producing a storming performance, it was hardly a drizzle!
My team and I am sure many people's team of the tournament was the Crusaders, if you watch rugby and know the benefits a home match on players psyche, you will appreciate how monumental their efforts were to get as far as they did. A win would have been deserved and a proper fairy tale, but the travel, requirements of coming to SA and back again would have been just one hurdle too far. but hats off to the red and blacks.
A lot of South African players really stood out for me, most of them from the Cheetahs, Ebershon (spelling) twins, Sarel, Riaan, Ashley. Lions showed patches of getting back to the top of the food chain. They have a good side. Chilliboy was the business, Bjorn Basson the leading try scorer. Keegan, Mvovo and Lambie also put their hands up. What the S15 also showed was that some people are just tired, tired in the sense that they are past it. Victor, bakkies, Pierre, John, Bryan, all pap. Duane, too predictable.
In summary I am quite over this S15 format, whats wrong with everyone playing everyone? This prolonged, ITM cup and Currie Cup is not quite working for me. The Australian conference was a bore, dont think i watched many of them. 4 points for a bye, i mean really? Wrong year to implement the extended comp, but alas it is what it is.
Tri-Nations
21 players INJURED, how stupid are we? But alas, you know the team that PdV took along with him wasnt the dumbest move ever, guys definitely need a rest, you saw the flatness the ABs displayed against the Fijians, they may have won, but it was all but convincing. The Bok team to Australasia was a team that performed in the S15, but guys and girls lets not be silly, Deon Stegman and Wynand Olivier, i mean really!!?? Are those fools Bok material? I think not! The game last saturday, showed some definite ineptness, and i have defended PdV endlessly, but yep, he and his merry bunch are clueless, properly! Kick and chase game plan, i mean thats sooo 2009, lets move on!
That being said, i think they will be more competitive against the Blacks on saturday. They would have learnt from their mistakes. Have a whole lot more urgency at the break downs and shore up their defensive system.
Ausies, all i can say is Quade Cooper! He is the new Carlos Spencer and then some! Genia as well is just on fire. They lost to Samoa and let me take a few minutes to dwel on why that should not be a suprise, or rather it should be the norm. I wish that Fiji and Samoa would be able to keep some of their top players. They have a great team at the moment, i guess because the bulk of their team has overseas experience (France, UK and NZ) but if you look at this list, some of the biggest and best All black players have Samoan ancestry (courtesy of Wikipedia), namely:
All Blacks (past & present)
John Afoa - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1062)
Sosene Anesi - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1054)
Ben Atiga - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1037)
Graeme Bachop - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 885)
Stephen Bachop former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 925)
William Birtwhistle - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 652)
Andrew Blowers - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 956)
Olo Brown - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 910)
Frank Bunce - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 915)
Eroni Clarke - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 919)
Jerry Collins - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1002)
Christian Cullen - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 952)
Ross Filipo - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1070)
Alama Ieremia former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 942)
Michael Jones - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 882)
Jerome Kaino - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1050)
Josh Kronfeld - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 943)
Pat Lam former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 928)
Casey Laulala - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1048)
Keith Lowen - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1020)
Lelia Masaga - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1092)
Chris Masoe - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1059)
Aaron Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1013)
Nathan Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1008)
Keven Mealamu - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1026)
Brad Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1024)
Dylan Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 982)
Mils Muliaina - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1033)
Ma'a Nonu - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1031)
John Schuster - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 889)
John Schwalgar - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1071)
Kevin Senio - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1058)
Dave Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 415)
Frank Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 387)
Rodney So'oialo - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1028)
Benson Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1102)
Jeremy Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 963)
Joe Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 874)
Neemia Tialata - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1060)
Filo Tiatia - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 993)
Isaia Toeava - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1064)
Ofisa Tonu'u former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 957)
Mose Tuiali'i - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1042)
Va'aiga Tuigamala - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 900)
Richard Turner - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 917)
Tana Umaga - rugby player & former captain for the All Blacks (All Black number 961)
Victor Vito - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1103)
Bryan Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 689)
Sonny Bill Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks & former Kiwis rugby league player, boxer (All Black number 1108)
Rudi Wulf - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1077)
Some big names here ey?! Samoan rugby is on the rise, they have some really big names who opted for their roots as opposed to AB jerseys, Kahn, Paul Williams, Mapusua to name but a few, so if theu get their story together it could be a touch WC for SA and Wales. The win has made the group pretty interesting.
Anyway I am not noremally htis bullish about the Tri-nations, but I think this one is a 2 horse race, NZ/Oz, even when the 21 injured players are recovered when Oz and NZ get here, they may well struggle to get traction because they wouldnt have had much match fitness. If we (NZ) beat Oz in the first game the title is ours again. This weekends game, if last weeks is anything to go by will be won by the Blacks. I dont think it will be easy, because the Blacks arent on fire either so they will have to raise their game. The Boks were dismal and will have to get a game. Motivation to prove naysayers wrong will be there and they will need no more motivation than to pip the ABs at home in the year where they host the World Cup
I really hope that its a contest on Saturday if the Boks win it will make life very intersting, it will do the ABs some good too, because then they will have that air of invincibility pierced and more work would have to be put in or for the tounament and beyond
Later...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Super rugby almost done
Top of the morning to you all. If you are a South African rugby supporter you must be beaming from ear to ear this morning and why not. I like the Blitzbokke, and yesterdays performance, all i can say is wow!! I do think that Sithole was tackled over the dead ball area, but shhh lets not tell anyone, that fightback was definitely worthy of the win :)
The Bulls, doing what the Bulls do best and just bulldozing teams with their bully beef forwards. The beauty for me about their revival is all of a sudden no one is saying anything about Chillyboy. I said it from the begining, that boy has game, just like Hanyani had game, but you need game time to be constantly and consistently at your best!! catching splinters on the bench wont do it. The Bulls up and under game though is still such a bore...such a bore. I am absolutely loving the Cheetahs rugby they are my second SA team, first the Lions, who once again will show us what they can do...next year, but mind you this year they have done better than they have done in the last few seasons though, they have won in both Oz and NZ and its been a while since they have been able to claim such successes. The Stormers had it easy in the beginning but now they are taking a little strain due to injuries. SA teams are on a good wicket at the moment and have the potential to have 3 teams in the top 6 with the Bulls late charge. Sharks have a tricky outing this weekend against the Cheetahs, Cheetahs look insanely fit. I am most excited about the SA conference. The Bulls are doing their thing, the Stormers are playing as they should, as too the Sharks, I do hope that thug Deysel gets put away for a loong time wt f?!!! but the cheetahs, with their sidestepping props, Riaan Viljoen and Sarel Pretorius, Ashley Johnson and the Ebersohn twins...such a pleasure to watch
In Australia, the Reds are by far the best thing they have going for them. Waratahs are close but they have had a few key injuries and their depth was properly tested and they have been found wanting thus far. The resurgence of the Reds is due to the implementation of structure and the development of a somewhat competent pack and blitz backs. The pack was properly owned in the scrums on sunday but they had their man of the match Stu so it didnt matter much
NZ conference is going to get messy from here on in. There are going to be some tough scraps Blues v Chiefs is going to be a toughie, Saders v Blues etc. The Landers poked themselves by not winning last weekend and so too the Saders, looked pretty tired in the second half against the Reds and they scuffed a good few opportunities.
I dont like harping on about refs, but this weekend I saw again why my call for neutral refs holds water. Some of the calls were in my favour...Sharks v Tahs, but I want a fair contest and not for the ref to decide the outcome of a game. Stu missed a lot of things both sides in the Reds v Saders game, but a lot of the 50:50 calls went for the Reds. Its human nature. Before you are a professional, you are human of a specific country. no matter how hard you try and be impartial you will go with your instincts. The culmination of his poor refing was evident in the last penalty which awarded the penalty to the Reds for hands in the ruck?! Someone please show me where the ruck was? there was no one over the ball ball was lying there. How can it not be picked up? Anyway bygones.
I actually properly dislike this conference system with home and away local matches!
Anyway thats me out for now
Have a great week
Y
The Bulls, doing what the Bulls do best and just bulldozing teams with their bully beef forwards. The beauty for me about their revival is all of a sudden no one is saying anything about Chillyboy. I said it from the begining, that boy has game, just like Hanyani had game, but you need game time to be constantly and consistently at your best!! catching splinters on the bench wont do it. The Bulls up and under game though is still such a bore...such a bore. I am absolutely loving the Cheetahs rugby they are my second SA team, first the Lions, who once again will show us what they can do...next year, but mind you this year they have done better than they have done in the last few seasons though, they have won in both Oz and NZ and its been a while since they have been able to claim such successes. The Stormers had it easy in the beginning but now they are taking a little strain due to injuries. SA teams are on a good wicket at the moment and have the potential to have 3 teams in the top 6 with the Bulls late charge. Sharks have a tricky outing this weekend against the Cheetahs, Cheetahs look insanely fit. I am most excited about the SA conference. The Bulls are doing their thing, the Stormers are playing as they should, as too the Sharks, I do hope that thug Deysel gets put away for a loong time wt f?!!! but the cheetahs, with their sidestepping props, Riaan Viljoen and Sarel Pretorius, Ashley Johnson and the Ebersohn twins...such a pleasure to watch
In Australia, the Reds are by far the best thing they have going for them. Waratahs are close but they have had a few key injuries and their depth was properly tested and they have been found wanting thus far. The resurgence of the Reds is due to the implementation of structure and the development of a somewhat competent pack and blitz backs. The pack was properly owned in the scrums on sunday but they had their man of the match Stu so it didnt matter much
NZ conference is going to get messy from here on in. There are going to be some tough scraps Blues v Chiefs is going to be a toughie, Saders v Blues etc. The Landers poked themselves by not winning last weekend and so too the Saders, looked pretty tired in the second half against the Reds and they scuffed a good few opportunities.
I dont like harping on about refs, but this weekend I saw again why my call for neutral refs holds water. Some of the calls were in my favour...Sharks v Tahs, but I want a fair contest and not for the ref to decide the outcome of a game. Stu missed a lot of things both sides in the Reds v Saders game, but a lot of the 50:50 calls went for the Reds. Its human nature. Before you are a professional, you are human of a specific country. no matter how hard you try and be impartial you will go with your instincts. The culmination of his poor refing was evident in the last penalty which awarded the penalty to the Reds for hands in the ruck?! Someone please show me where the ruck was? there was no one over the ball ball was lying there. How can it not be picked up? Anyway bygones.
I actually properly dislike this conference system with home and away local matches!
Anyway thats me out for now
Have a great week
Y
Monday, April 18, 2011
Super rugby week 10
When I first heard about the whole conference system for Super rugby, the jury was out. I thought to myself, lets give it a try and see how it goes. Now i know, i dont like this extended Air New Zealand Cup/Currie Cup/Aussie derby thing. In as much as logistically and financially it makes sense but I am now more convinced more than before that the Super Rugby needs to be whittled down to 12 teams again. Which will be a bit tough because there are some quality players sprinkled in the struggling teams. I think OZ can only realistically field a maximum of 3 competitive teams. SA struggles with 2 of its teams as well. Cheetahs have however been competitive, great spectacle of a game on saturday, bummed for them that they lost, but chuffed for the Canes that they won.
South Africa
I think the coach and the powers that be's insistance on giving national contracts to selected 'key' Springbok players wasnt the smartest idea. Players such as Victor, Pierre, Bryan and John have been average at best, actually thats very flattering, they have been pi ss poor. Victor's deficiency as a captain is clear for all to see especially when his team is behind on the score board. These players are/were great players, and there is no denying their effort, but lets be honest they are toilet at the moment and there are players playing a whole lot better than they are, Andies, Alberts(even if he isnt playing at 8), Bjorn and Bismark are in some of the best form I have seen them in. What message does it send to players that are on form and delivering?
The Bulls are as usual playing to their strengths but currently their strength is pretty weak. The bully boy up and under tactics that they have employed so well over the past few years once again has been ineffective because its easy to defend against and also for it to be effective, it has to be executed precisely and the opposition hasnt allowed them to play their game. But then again we all know that the Bulls dont travel well historically, so they can still turn their season around. We all know how hard they are to play at Loftus, but they have to develop a game plan thats more than bash bash up and under!
The Stormers learnt against the Reds that in as much as you can win games through defending, but one also needs to score tries to ensure you win games. And the Stormers can.The best centre combination in the country if not the world, enthusiastic and exciting backs in De Jongh, Aplon Duvenhage, forwards with flair and grit who lay a perfect platform for the backs to shine...there is no reason for them not to be scoring tries.
The Sharks are currently, in my view of course, SA's most balanced side. Alberts and Bissie are styling at the moment. The backs arent rockstars but they are very good at what they do and they work as a unit. the whole team works for each other and thats the best kind of team to be a part of. They have the right attitude on defence and attack.
The Lions, shame my Lions!! Depth was always going to be an issue for them, one or 2 critical injuries and its game over. I like what Mitch is doing with them though but the lack of depth and experience as well as the playing style being foreign to some of the players is hamstringing them. I do however believe that they should stick to their plan and keep at it because they can only get better and benefit from it in the next year or 2.
Cheetahs, another team i enjoy watching. Just because of their heart and their never say die attitude. Sarel Pretorius, any other country and he would be penned in for national honours. They are a great provincial side though, but i dont think they will ever challenge for the Super rugby title. But they do entertain.
Australia
Reds are definiitely the pace setters in this conference. Not just any team comes here beats the Stormers, fly back to Oz and beat the former champions. I dont want to hear any stories about travel and jetlag. Because the Reds didnt show any sign of that. I guess they are team that is just enjoying their rugby without any national expectation of success and they are playing some good football. What they have done is shored up their tight 5, they have a very large yet skillful loose forward trio. Genia and Quade are styling, they have their grove back. Good centres fast and skillfull back 3. And the big plus for them is they have built a squad that is deep. Unlike previous years, one or 2 injuries and its game over.
Warratahs
They have had some injuries which has slowed them down. They have also realised that Al Baxter is a liability come scrum time. Barnes' absence has been felt. Even though Beale has stood in well, his explosiveness from the back has been missing. The Warratahs have a good side. In my mind Australia's most balanced side with true grit which comes from the hard-nosed never say die, combative personified through their leader Waugh.
Brumbies
A perfect example of what too much player power does to a team. at the beginning of the season i thought they would be up there, but they look to have lost their way. They, dont seem to be the Brumbies team of old. And now that Adam Ash is leaving they are benching him, i mean wow, you bench one of the star performers for the Wallabies the season before? Think this season is dead for them.
Force
They have a few gems, but this season will be more of the same, bottom half of the table finish
Rebels
Also, a new side, some good experienced players, not a team to be taken lightly but their season will end in the basement half of the log as well
New Zealand
Highlanders
Perfect example of bringing together a group of able and willing people, letting them buy into a concept and then going out there and delivering on the park. Look at that side, not one single superstar. All guys that are there or thereabouts, but their results and their enthusiasm when they are playing is providing some pretty decent results. They are making themselves superstars. Adam Thomson, definitely breaking down the door to AB selection. BIg Jamie Mc is leading the team well. Jason Rutledge is shining more than his bald head. Loose trio on song. Jimmy is playing well so too his deputy...they dont have a settled flyhalf and bummed for Colin breaking his jaw again but whoever they put in 10 isnt deficient at all. They just have a solid side, a proper example of the whole being better than the sum of the parts. Everyone is waiting for their bubble to burst, but i am not too sure it will come. looking forward to their game against the Saders this weekend.
Saders
Speaking of which. They lost their first game, lost their home stadium, drew their next game, yet look at them. Table topping, playing some silly football. Class act. and all this without Captain my Captain Richie and the general DC. it must be allowing some of the die hard AB fans at least some sleep at night to know it is possible to win without DC and Richie. I mean the Saders v Bulls last week was largely the ABs v Boks and we know the result...They have superstars, but they have a system that the players adhere to. Matt Todd, Read...forwards bombastic, then the backs superstar galore Ellis, DC, SBW Robbie, Maitland, Zac, Dagg, i mean you would have to be a random team not to be winning :)
Blues
yaay my Blues are finally showing some sort of consistency which isnt consistently being inconsistent :) Its a little early to start speaking i know because things could easily regress (yes i of little faith) but i am enjoying the way they are playing. They have always had the players, but just their insistence on running everything from everywhere was killing me, because a knock on here, turnover there and game gone! but they seem to be reading the game a whole lot at the moment. I like Benson Stanley, but Matthewson, Brett, Luke and Jarred are on song, at the moment, playing some good football. Jarred Payne in my view is one of the most underrated rugby players in NZ and its a pity he is heading off to Ireland. the Iceman is firing hard. Running meters, tacklles made, kicking, tackle busts etc. He is justifying the faith the 3 wise men have placed in him.
Canes and Chiefs
I will lumpm them together because they both just bore me at the moment. So much potential, talent etc and what do they deliver? There are a few rising starts though, Vito is playing some good rugby but I am liking the look of Jack Lam of the Canes. Hosea, still has it, Andre Taylor is one for the future. Ma' a seems to be going into his shell a little which is sad because i wanted him to be on top of his game to give SBW a run for his money, btu i guess the early disciplinary issues are weighing him down some. The Chiefs, nah man, thats all i can say, there are no positives i can find for their performance, other than next year (if it comes ;)) is another year, because i dont know and its not like they dont have the players!
Upcoming games of interest
I have this feeling that the Blues might under-estimate the Rebels and they could upset them at home this weekend but i am trying not to think about that though. The 3 games of interest for me this weekend are:
1. Highlanders v Saders - This is a true test of where the Highlanders really are. I am sure the odds are stacked highly in the Saders favour, but I think it will be tougher than most people think, well i hope it is. I like where the Landers are heading with their style of play and as a team, but a big loss could break them a little, because in as much as they say they are grounded, its pretty hard not to believe the hype. It will be an evenly matched contest upfront, i would even go as far as suggesting that the landers may win the arm wrestle up front, but out back now thats where the chasm will be. 10-15 all Saders if i had to pick a fantasy team from the 2 teams. My call would be shoo i honestly dont know, head says Saders, but gut is saying nah man there is something about this Landers team, but thats the kind of game i enjoy watching.
2. Reds v Tahs - Reds want to make the statement of we are here, Tahs want to let the Reds know who is the real boss! Very interesting tie it could be, hopefully not a boring 3-3 affair. These games tend to be a bit of an arm wrestle, but i doubt it will be this year with the players on display, Genia, Cooper, Higginbottam, Ioane, Harris, Davies, Beale, Mitchell, Turner, Burgess...Hoping the exciting Reds prevail, but if Phil Waugh is back look out Reds.
3. Force v Bulls - not in so much as the spectacle it could be, but the mental resolve of the Bulls, because they are up against it now and they have to win. The Force on the other hand want to continue their winning ways...at home nogals. it will be a niggly affair. Bulls have lost to the Force before. I see more of the same from the Bulls, forwards to set up a platform for the backs to kick up and unders :)
Ok tired of writing
Take care
Y
South Africa
I think the coach and the powers that be's insistance on giving national contracts to selected 'key' Springbok players wasnt the smartest idea. Players such as Victor, Pierre, Bryan and John have been average at best, actually thats very flattering, they have been pi ss poor. Victor's deficiency as a captain is clear for all to see especially when his team is behind on the score board. These players are/were great players, and there is no denying their effort, but lets be honest they are toilet at the moment and there are players playing a whole lot better than they are, Andies, Alberts(even if he isnt playing at 8), Bjorn and Bismark are in some of the best form I have seen them in. What message does it send to players that are on form and delivering?
The Bulls are as usual playing to their strengths but currently their strength is pretty weak. The bully boy up and under tactics that they have employed so well over the past few years once again has been ineffective because its easy to defend against and also for it to be effective, it has to be executed precisely and the opposition hasnt allowed them to play their game. But then again we all know that the Bulls dont travel well historically, so they can still turn their season around. We all know how hard they are to play at Loftus, but they have to develop a game plan thats more than bash bash up and under!
The Stormers learnt against the Reds that in as much as you can win games through defending, but one also needs to score tries to ensure you win games. And the Stormers can.The best centre combination in the country if not the world, enthusiastic and exciting backs in De Jongh, Aplon Duvenhage, forwards with flair and grit who lay a perfect platform for the backs to shine...there is no reason for them not to be scoring tries.
The Sharks are currently, in my view of course, SA's most balanced side. Alberts and Bissie are styling at the moment. The backs arent rockstars but they are very good at what they do and they work as a unit. the whole team works for each other and thats the best kind of team to be a part of. They have the right attitude on defence and attack.
The Lions, shame my Lions!! Depth was always going to be an issue for them, one or 2 critical injuries and its game over. I like what Mitch is doing with them though but the lack of depth and experience as well as the playing style being foreign to some of the players is hamstringing them. I do however believe that they should stick to their plan and keep at it because they can only get better and benefit from it in the next year or 2.
Cheetahs, another team i enjoy watching. Just because of their heart and their never say die attitude. Sarel Pretorius, any other country and he would be penned in for national honours. They are a great provincial side though, but i dont think they will ever challenge for the Super rugby title. But they do entertain.
Australia
Reds are definiitely the pace setters in this conference. Not just any team comes here beats the Stormers, fly back to Oz and beat the former champions. I dont want to hear any stories about travel and jetlag. Because the Reds didnt show any sign of that. I guess they are team that is just enjoying their rugby without any national expectation of success and they are playing some good football. What they have done is shored up their tight 5, they have a very large yet skillful loose forward trio. Genia and Quade are styling, they have their grove back. Good centres fast and skillfull back 3. And the big plus for them is they have built a squad that is deep. Unlike previous years, one or 2 injuries and its game over.
Warratahs
They have had some injuries which has slowed them down. They have also realised that Al Baxter is a liability come scrum time. Barnes' absence has been felt. Even though Beale has stood in well, his explosiveness from the back has been missing. The Warratahs have a good side. In my mind Australia's most balanced side with true grit which comes from the hard-nosed never say die, combative personified through their leader Waugh.
Brumbies
A perfect example of what too much player power does to a team. at the beginning of the season i thought they would be up there, but they look to have lost their way. They, dont seem to be the Brumbies team of old. And now that Adam Ash is leaving they are benching him, i mean wow, you bench one of the star performers for the Wallabies the season before? Think this season is dead for them.
Force
They have a few gems, but this season will be more of the same, bottom half of the table finish
Rebels
Also, a new side, some good experienced players, not a team to be taken lightly but their season will end in the basement half of the log as well
New Zealand
Highlanders
Perfect example of bringing together a group of able and willing people, letting them buy into a concept and then going out there and delivering on the park. Look at that side, not one single superstar. All guys that are there or thereabouts, but their results and their enthusiasm when they are playing is providing some pretty decent results. They are making themselves superstars. Adam Thomson, definitely breaking down the door to AB selection. BIg Jamie Mc is leading the team well. Jason Rutledge is shining more than his bald head. Loose trio on song. Jimmy is playing well so too his deputy...they dont have a settled flyhalf and bummed for Colin breaking his jaw again but whoever they put in 10 isnt deficient at all. They just have a solid side, a proper example of the whole being better than the sum of the parts. Everyone is waiting for their bubble to burst, but i am not too sure it will come. looking forward to their game against the Saders this weekend.
Saders
Speaking of which. They lost their first game, lost their home stadium, drew their next game, yet look at them. Table topping, playing some silly football. Class act. and all this without Captain my Captain Richie and the general DC. it must be allowing some of the die hard AB fans at least some sleep at night to know it is possible to win without DC and Richie. I mean the Saders v Bulls last week was largely the ABs v Boks and we know the result...They have superstars, but they have a system that the players adhere to. Matt Todd, Read...forwards bombastic, then the backs superstar galore Ellis, DC, SBW Robbie, Maitland, Zac, Dagg, i mean you would have to be a random team not to be winning :)
Blues
yaay my Blues are finally showing some sort of consistency which isnt consistently being inconsistent :) Its a little early to start speaking i know because things could easily regress (yes i of little faith) but i am enjoying the way they are playing. They have always had the players, but just their insistence on running everything from everywhere was killing me, because a knock on here, turnover there and game gone! but they seem to be reading the game a whole lot at the moment. I like Benson Stanley, but Matthewson, Brett, Luke and Jarred are on song, at the moment, playing some good football. Jarred Payne in my view is one of the most underrated rugby players in NZ and its a pity he is heading off to Ireland. the Iceman is firing hard. Running meters, tacklles made, kicking, tackle busts etc. He is justifying the faith the 3 wise men have placed in him.
Canes and Chiefs
I will lumpm them together because they both just bore me at the moment. So much potential, talent etc and what do they deliver? There are a few rising starts though, Vito is playing some good rugby but I am liking the look of Jack Lam of the Canes. Hosea, still has it, Andre Taylor is one for the future. Ma' a seems to be going into his shell a little which is sad because i wanted him to be on top of his game to give SBW a run for his money, btu i guess the early disciplinary issues are weighing him down some. The Chiefs, nah man, thats all i can say, there are no positives i can find for their performance, other than next year (if it comes ;)) is another year, because i dont know and its not like they dont have the players!
Upcoming games of interest
I have this feeling that the Blues might under-estimate the Rebels and they could upset them at home this weekend but i am trying not to think about that though. The 3 games of interest for me this weekend are:
1. Highlanders v Saders - This is a true test of where the Highlanders really are. I am sure the odds are stacked highly in the Saders favour, but I think it will be tougher than most people think, well i hope it is. I like where the Landers are heading with their style of play and as a team, but a big loss could break them a little, because in as much as they say they are grounded, its pretty hard not to believe the hype. It will be an evenly matched contest upfront, i would even go as far as suggesting that the landers may win the arm wrestle up front, but out back now thats where the chasm will be. 10-15 all Saders if i had to pick a fantasy team from the 2 teams. My call would be shoo i honestly dont know, head says Saders, but gut is saying nah man there is something about this Landers team, but thats the kind of game i enjoy watching.
2. Reds v Tahs - Reds want to make the statement of we are here, Tahs want to let the Reds know who is the real boss! Very interesting tie it could be, hopefully not a boring 3-3 affair. These games tend to be a bit of an arm wrestle, but i doubt it will be this year with the players on display, Genia, Cooper, Higginbottam, Ioane, Harris, Davies, Beale, Mitchell, Turner, Burgess...Hoping the exciting Reds prevail, but if Phil Waugh is back look out Reds.
3. Force v Bulls - not in so much as the spectacle it could be, but the mental resolve of the Bulls, because they are up against it now and they have to win. The Force on the other hand want to continue their winning ways...at home nogals. it will be a niggly affair. Bulls have lost to the Force before. I see more of the same from the Bulls, forwards to set up a platform for the backs to kick up and unders :)
Ok tired of writing
Take care
Y
Friday, April 1, 2011
Super rugby - week 7
What a weekend of rugby last weekend was ey....had the Hurricanes blowing themselves off the field, had the Stormers scoring tries and then the Crusaders having one of the most clinically freakish halves of rugby I have ever viewed!
Good morning all,
Let me start off with a gripe quickly. I just watched Boots and All and the way the guys are going on about that SBW attempted tackle...i shake my head! They compared that incident to Bakkies cleaning out of Duvenhage the week before. Guys please!!! cant even compare those 2 incidents. Had he been cited I would have not batted an eye lid because yes he lead with a shoulder but replays show that his left arm was around Kanko's body, but his right arm was not. The incident was made worse by the fact that DC had him low. BUT its in no way comparable to the tackle on Dewald, its a good thing that guy is fit because he was in a headlock and dropped onto the ground with Bakkies 110kg odd frame right on top of him, that my friends is career ending stuff!! But its funny how no one is saying anything about Kegan Daniels in minute 71odd drops the ball and then leads in with his elbow into Kahn Fotuali's throat? but alas, lets not split hairs here.
I wont go into all the individual games from the week before. I will just talk about the Saders game quickly. I havent been the biggest fan of this SBW hype, he is a good player and he has plenty potential. He his big, strong, fast and direct and that miracle offload sets him apart from his peers, but as i have said before his long game...eish ek weet nie!! but what he has going for him is DC on his inside and Freuan on his outside. On Sunday DC had one of his best games in any jersey. DC looks like he just plays within himself a lot but on sunday he was keen to do everything, kick, run, distribute, he helped SBW's game plenty. The Sharks came in for much stick that game especially John Smit, but people, Jannie was popped alot. the Saders 8 were better than the Sharks 8 thats that. It wasnt John's fault to be honest i think Jannie is a liability as a scrumager too. A lot of people were on Kanko and Keegans case as well, but in my mind they were the Sharks most creative players, they soldiered on valiantly the whole game and i think its largely because of their attitude the sharks were able to make a game of it. it was a very entertaining game because the ground was firm, the teams had the right attitude and the ref was anonymous (he let a lot go both ways, but it made for a good spectacle.
This weekends games
Landers v Brumbies
Looking forward to Colin's first game back. Landers have come back from a weekend off, hopefully refreshed but with the same intensity from the first few weeks. Brumbies are misfiring and need a big game. This is a good test of where both teams are...Brumbies if they are title contenders or Highlanders if they really have turned the corner or if the first few weeks were a flash in the pan. Calling the Highlanders, because they are at home and i think as a unit they are a better prospect
Tahs v Chiefs
Chiefs are due a big game. They arent playing at home. They are generally better away from home as well. Tahs have got a new flyhalf in Beale. Not the best defender as the first line of defence. So watch the loosies attack his channel. Tahs have Waugh back and he will be annoying. Both teams need this game to get their season on track. I think the Chiefs need it more desperately but will they play as such. My heart thinks the Chiefs will pitch up but my head eish she says its going to be the more of the same erratic stuff from the CHiefs
Blues v Cheetahs
Blues unless they loose their mind again like they can
Canes v Bulls
Bulls need this game, Canes even more. Canes are at home, Bulls dont travel too well. Canes should sneak in
Force v Rebels
who cares?? But i will say Force
Lions v Reds
Oh my dear Lions why have you forsaken me?? So much promise but more of the same it seems. I know they dont have the players but what i like about Mitch is unlike PdV, he is convinced the players will be able to play this expansive game he wants them to play. Doppies taking over as captain shouldnt disturb them too much, they seem to be a unit that works for and supports each other. The Reds are looking hot at the moment, but its the Highveld. they have just travelled far. They have a good coach that will keep them focused. they have a good forward pack and an explosive backline as was evidenced last weekend. heart Lions, but everything else in the universe says Reds, in Superbru, went with heart, hoping but i know the Reds will take it.
Sharks v Stormers
game of the weekend! Duane v Kanko, pity Lambie isnt playling cos i was looking forward to him v Grant. In my mind Peter Grant is currently SA's best flyhalf by a long way. he just seems so composed. He has the best kicking record of all the flyhalves (why do you need Morne) he can tackle (why do you need Morne) gets his backs moving, passes....etc!! I think the Sharks forwards wont be as poor as they were last week. but the Stormers have a great unit. so it will be a good scrap up front. Backs the Stormers are a muuuuch better unit than the Sharks, from 9-10 and 12-15 :) man for man you would pick the Stormers players over the Sharks. Stormers have the best defence of all the teams. They can def score tries, they have everything going for them. The Sharks have travelled far, come home, flown to London, come back. They are tired. but they lost 2 games and they are home they will get up for this, they will win
Happy viewing
Y
Good morning all,
Let me start off with a gripe quickly. I just watched Boots and All and the way the guys are going on about that SBW attempted tackle...i shake my head! They compared that incident to Bakkies cleaning out of Duvenhage the week before. Guys please!!! cant even compare those 2 incidents. Had he been cited I would have not batted an eye lid because yes he lead with a shoulder but replays show that his left arm was around Kanko's body, but his right arm was not. The incident was made worse by the fact that DC had him low. BUT its in no way comparable to the tackle on Dewald, its a good thing that guy is fit because he was in a headlock and dropped onto the ground with Bakkies 110kg odd frame right on top of him, that my friends is career ending stuff!! But its funny how no one is saying anything about Kegan Daniels in minute 71odd drops the ball and then leads in with his elbow into Kahn Fotuali's throat? but alas, lets not split hairs here.
I wont go into all the individual games from the week before. I will just talk about the Saders game quickly. I havent been the biggest fan of this SBW hype, he is a good player and he has plenty potential. He his big, strong, fast and direct and that miracle offload sets him apart from his peers, but as i have said before his long game...eish ek weet nie!! but what he has going for him is DC on his inside and Freuan on his outside. On Sunday DC had one of his best games in any jersey. DC looks like he just plays within himself a lot but on sunday he was keen to do everything, kick, run, distribute, he helped SBW's game plenty. The Sharks came in for much stick that game especially John Smit, but people, Jannie was popped alot. the Saders 8 were better than the Sharks 8 thats that. It wasnt John's fault to be honest i think Jannie is a liability as a scrumager too. A lot of people were on Kanko and Keegans case as well, but in my mind they were the Sharks most creative players, they soldiered on valiantly the whole game and i think its largely because of their attitude the sharks were able to make a game of it. it was a very entertaining game because the ground was firm, the teams had the right attitude and the ref was anonymous (he let a lot go both ways, but it made for a good spectacle.
This weekends games
Landers v Brumbies
Looking forward to Colin's first game back. Landers have come back from a weekend off, hopefully refreshed but with the same intensity from the first few weeks. Brumbies are misfiring and need a big game. This is a good test of where both teams are...Brumbies if they are title contenders or Highlanders if they really have turned the corner or if the first few weeks were a flash in the pan. Calling the Highlanders, because they are at home and i think as a unit they are a better prospect
Tahs v Chiefs
Chiefs are due a big game. They arent playing at home. They are generally better away from home as well. Tahs have got a new flyhalf in Beale. Not the best defender as the first line of defence. So watch the loosies attack his channel. Tahs have Waugh back and he will be annoying. Both teams need this game to get their season on track. I think the Chiefs need it more desperately but will they play as such. My heart thinks the Chiefs will pitch up but my head eish she says its going to be the more of the same erratic stuff from the CHiefs
Blues v Cheetahs
Blues unless they loose their mind again like they can
Canes v Bulls
Bulls need this game, Canes even more. Canes are at home, Bulls dont travel too well. Canes should sneak in
Force v Rebels
who cares?? But i will say Force
Lions v Reds
Oh my dear Lions why have you forsaken me?? So much promise but more of the same it seems. I know they dont have the players but what i like about Mitch is unlike PdV, he is convinced the players will be able to play this expansive game he wants them to play. Doppies taking over as captain shouldnt disturb them too much, they seem to be a unit that works for and supports each other. The Reds are looking hot at the moment, but its the Highveld. they have just travelled far. They have a good coach that will keep them focused. they have a good forward pack and an explosive backline as was evidenced last weekend. heart Lions, but everything else in the universe says Reds, in Superbru, went with heart, hoping but i know the Reds will take it.
Sharks v Stormers
game of the weekend! Duane v Kanko, pity Lambie isnt playling cos i was looking forward to him v Grant. In my mind Peter Grant is currently SA's best flyhalf by a long way. he just seems so composed. He has the best kicking record of all the flyhalves (why do you need Morne) he can tackle (why do you need Morne) gets his backs moving, passes....etc!! I think the Sharks forwards wont be as poor as they were last week. but the Stormers have a great unit. so it will be a good scrap up front. Backs the Stormers are a muuuuch better unit than the Sharks, from 9-10 and 12-15 :) man for man you would pick the Stormers players over the Sharks. Stormers have the best defence of all the teams. They can def score tries, they have everything going for them. The Sharks have travelled far, come home, flown to London, come back. They are tired. but they lost 2 games and they are home they will get up for this, they will win
Happy viewing
Y
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