Tuesday, October 4, 2011
RWC2011...play time's over
What an interesting few days ey?!!
Pretty interesting pool rounds, but I guess the usual suspects made it through the pool stages, with the only 2 teams that can be really dissapointed not to make it being Samoa and Scotland. Both teams played as well as they could but i guess a tough draw in a tough pool resulted in their eventual demise or rather non-qualification. Scotland played with the ghost of William Wallace in both their last 2 games, but still managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it was pretty tough for them, particularly the last game, because I guess I am biased and i could think of few things better than to see England and their smug bums knocked out before the knock out stages.
Pool A finished as we had all predicted but the 3 minnow teams really did impress me. They may all have been well put away by the men in black, but I looked for more than that. The Japanese weren't exactly the biggest people but they played with much heart and structure and they threw everything they could have in all their games. particularly enjoyed their showing against France, sad shame about their draw against Canada, but alas i guess no one really deserved to lose that game. Canada played as well as could be expected with their bearded individuals shining their light. What let them down though was their conditioning in the last 20 or so minutes against the big guns. Tonga, by far my team of the pool stages. Their last pool match was just for me a proper David and Goliath story where David once again prevailed, but not because Goliath didnt play well, but because David played beyond themselves with lots of belief. My favourite world cup moment was the closing scrums on the Tongan line and the front row were excited about scrumming even though they were under the pump a little :). Their game against France my favourite game as well just because of the way they played.
Pool B, no suprises here, some called it a group of death, which i guess it was in some way it was the closely contested of the 4, but in the end it was really a 3 horse race, with Scotland i guess not having enough in the tank to keep the other 2 teams out, so unfortunate it was for them, but alas such is life i guess.
Pool C, what a ripper. Ireland v Aus maximum respect to the Irish on that performance, they had a game plan and they deployed it so effectively and I will not be supprised to see the Boks try and adopt parts thereof this weekend. Italy, USA and Russia gave a good account of themselves and you can see the improvement in those sides. What the latter 2 need is more game time without a doubt and they will be better for it.
Pool D, was another group i had much interest in. I was terribly dissapointed in Fiji. I expected much from them they had a fair amount of their team that did battle in 2007 present at this tournament and also had the support base as well but what they just didnt seem to have was the structure, plan or the heart to be as competitive as they were in 2007. Namibia unfortunately were no match for anyone. They did try hard and they had moments of brilliance and some individuals who really stood out like their flyhalf and captain to name a few, but once again, the lack of game time was to be their downfall. A team that I felt sorry for was Samoa. Man that team has much game. They were a tad rough against the Boks, without a doubt, but I think there was a plan there, either the Boks to get under their skin or them under the Boks skin. I know a lot of Bok supporters are on Nigel Owens' case for how he reffed the game, but I think he got it wrong both ways. I will cite a few examples...the Boks second penalty, Scrum, Nigel Owens is right there, Jannie is binding on his opposite scrumagers arm, immediate penalty, but what happens, penalty against the Samoans because the Boks pack was mucho dominant. There were 2 occasions where the Samoans were on attack and then Daniesaurous knocks the ball on to stop the flow and later Jacques does the same thing, only a knock on was given. Then there is a stage where the Samoans are hot on attack and JP off his feet dives in and taps the Samoans arm and boom knock on no penalty try....anyway bygones, but what i am trying to indicate is Nigel Owens helped alot. I am well impressed with the Samoans, and i will go as far as saying that Kahn and Williams (sans the palm plant on Brussows face) will make the form 15 from the pool stages. they will be a formidable force and I am pleased that many new zealanders with Samoan herritage are going back to play for Samoa, because World Rugby needs more competition.
Heading into the knock out stages, the only 2 teams with momentum and are looking like world beaters, in my humble opinion are Wales and Ireland, pity they have to face each other, because a semi between the 2 of them would have been absolute class.
Right now for the serious stuff.
I for some reason see either of those teams in the finals. England have been unconvincing as always but ey they have managed to win and we all know that nothing picks up a team more than winning when you actually shouldnt. BUttttttt, France are due their big game, and I could well be wrong, but i think this game against England could be it, the players have been riled up.
Ireland v Wales...yeah man, hot hot game this. very evenly matched teams, tough one to call but I am convinced the winner of this will go all the way. I enjoy both teams, great characters they seem, great ballers they are. its insanely tough to call but for some reason I am tending towards Wales.
SA v Aus, I am torn here, ASSUMING we make it past Argentina, i am not sure who i would rather face. SA brings a game we know well and not much will change, well not much has changed in the last 2/3 years, i doubt they would tinker now. Oz on the other hand would be more unpredictable and they have beaten us 2 out of the last 3 games. But its not about us this game, its about OZ and SA, both teams have injury worries, both teams have the no 1 and 2 fetchers (note not open side flankers, fetchers) in the world at the moment. SA historically has better/more brutish forwards that seem to dominate the collisions, but this has been undone of late. Oz without a shadow of a doubt has the most exciting backs in the game at the moment. We all know that games are won or lost up front. If PdV starts with Bissie and Alberts, Oz is in trouble, if its John or Spies, they can rest easy..er :)
its going to be an epic battle, hard to call, but once again, for some reason I am swaying towards the Boks, but i guess if i have an idea of their squads i can make a more informed decision.
I was having a conversation with a mate a week or so ago and i said that the loss of DC will be far greater than the loss of Richie. I had this feeling that DC would get injured. And boom groin no more. Feel so sorry for the man 2003, 2007...fail this was his time but alas its sport and if i was thinking this way I am well sure the 3 wise men must have had a similar thinking and should have made contingent plans. Rugby is a 22 man team sport and I believe the team is strong enough if not stronger to overcome...Earthquakes, Jock Hobbs, DC...Richies last RWC, RWC at home, can you think of anything more to galvanise a team? maybe I am an optimist, but I am pretty excited, a lot of people dont have faith in Colin, but the man has done it for the Saders time and time again in DCs absence, I believe he can step up, even though the pressure is not the same, he just has to be Colin Slade (not try to be DC) because he has mad game!! A backline that will see them through is Piri, Slade, Kahui, Nonu, Smith, Dagg, Mills....plenty experience all around him. I am sure the selectors may try start him with Ellis because they know each other, but Piri is my guy even as back up 10, he has the heart and the confidence. I am not totally dismissing Argentina. I think they will bring a serious forward game, but its out wide the Blacks might have their number. Its a pity they have lost so many of their frontline players like fernandez lobe, because they are a quality side and I am well pleased to see them in the tri-nations making it the 4 nations, I would have liked to see a 5 nations with a pacific nations side, but in good time.
My call for this weekend and watch me get it all wrong because i opened my mouth....Wales, France, SA, NZ
Saturday cant come soon enough for me man.
Happy viewing
Y
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
RWC week 2
How interesting is this world cup so far? The game that has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons has to be the Irish v Oz game. The Irish played such a top game and their forwards totally outmanouvered and outmuscled the Australians no end. They neutralised the threat of Genia and you can see that Quade is believing his hype, running things from his 22 when he had plenty of time to kick it clear.
The main talking point about this RWC is the fact that the minow teams who can ill afford a few major injuries are the ones that have the toughest draw regarding turnaround times between games. Properly unfair, and therein lies part of the difference between the Soccer and Rugby world cups, even an average team in soccer has the ability to beat a top tier nation, based not only their player resources, but a little luck and relatively even schedule loads...
The IRB should note that from the viewing evidence that i have noticed, most of the spectators have been getting the most satisfaction from seeing the minow teams perform and give the top tier nations a good run for their money. the loudest cheers come when they score tries or do something outstanding. All they need is a little exposure and regular rugby in good structures and boom they will be a formidable opponent...look at Samoa and Argentina, they have the players with ability but top flight rugby has given them more structure and refinement.
Bok supporters, is PdV still a useless coach or was that win only attributable to the players...as usual? Yes it was only Fiji and a pretty unknown Fiji side, who SA should ordinarily murder, but because of the previous weeks performance, which i believe was more a result of Wales playing beyond themselves than it was SA's bad play (the boks were pretty kak, but thats because they werent allowed to play). The Boks showed what they can do with ball in hand, which is what i have always said, FdP is off his game properly and i think he and the rest of SA are resting on his past glory, but in Hougaard you have a hungry player who is tactically as sound as FdP, play him, there may be that game where introducing him 20 min at the death wont be able to save SA. But I think the Boks are in good shame, should be an interesting game against Samoa. As impressive as this Samoan team is, the Boks will have too much for them. The Samoans play an unrefined game. Like against Wales, you have a penalty infront of the post and need to score twice to win, take the 3, and start again, because that will put more pressure on the Welsh because they know one mistake and they gone, now all they knew was that worst case scenario was a draw...mcimn
I see England making the finals again with that random rugby of theirs, especially with Ireland beating Oz, they only have a 6 nations tournament to contend with to advance to the finals. SA have a good chance too, but I am thinking if they 'throw' their game against Samoa, they will also have an easier ride to the finals, because then they go to Englands half of the draw as opposed to the tri-nations side of the draw.
Game of this week is NZ v France, looking forward to this game, I am not too concerned about the result here, because even if we lose we win, why, because we will then end up in the 6 nations half of the draw and take a "South African" (easy) route to the finals, (sorry had throw that in there :)) France have made an interesting choice at no 10 playing Morgan Para, are they not taking this game seriously? I think this is when the ABs RWC starts, the centres will be Nonu and Smith, wings Kahui and hmm tough one, perhaps Jane for his experience or Dagg for his x factor, oh this abundance of talent is the ABs achilles heel i tell you.
Best tournament i have watched so far, because there hasnt been a dull game...that i have watched at least
Chat again next week, i'll have a bit more to say then :)
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
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