Well what a weekend...an unemployed man's heaven. 7 s14 games not to mention a cracker of a six nations weekend oh wait and then there was the sevens....bliss i tell ya bliss!!
S14 as usual started off with much promise as my beloved Blues took to the field against another team i quite enjoy watching the Canes. The first half, man what a first half. Conditions were perfect, the teams were balanced. Good mix between Internationals and not. The blues started with a hiss and a roar. Stevie Brett and Albie Mathewson looked the part 9 and 10, Benson and Iceman at 12 and 13. Joe and Rene at wing and Rudi at full back. Potent backline if ever there was one. Forwards...All Black front row, wikkid locks and more than competent loose trio. First half Stevie could do no wrong, kick, catch pass, lines superb, he ran the show like a future All Black should. Second half....u hear that? yup that was the wheels falling off. The game was but a bore i tell ya, not just because my Blues were giving me the blues, but cos nothing was working man it was just kaaaaak!! anyway I think they have the pedigree they just need to get the mental aspect of their game. The Canes to their credit bounce back pretty well, but they are a quality side, if i look at their backline the only non all black is their flyhalf who was pretty good in the Air NZ cup. The game should have been more of a spectacle but it was indeed a penalty fest man, with both teams being pinned at the breakdown in particular.
The second game i missed alot of the second game cos i knew i would be spending a lot of time on my couch with my remote control so i needed to head off to the gym to exercise my right thumb. But the bits i did see, is that the Brumbies are going to be a force to be reckoned with once again. Even without Gits at 10 they looked menacing. They have a solid pack and their backs are too tight man. A fit Mortlock is a dangerous Mortlock. he earned me the most points in the fantasy league. Shame the Force. Their season is unfortunately off to a messy start through injury. Which is a bummer because i thought they would continue with last year's good showing, inspite of their loss off Gits.
Game 3, Cheetahs v Bulls, game of the weekend by miles. Man what a showing by these 2 teams. That game was (excuse the cliche) uncompromising in intensity and pace. Man its a wonder why the Cheetahs never make it over the finish line and are always on the wrong side on the win/lose toss up. Morne Steyn is definately trying to vary his game and good on the man. He distributed, kicked but not too often, was spot on with his conversions, tackled. Shoo has he been taking Chris Browns lyrics I can transform you to heart? Wynand Olivier, yes it was I who said he was ooh but random but even though its just one game he has shown that last year was no fluke, long may he continue i say. The Bulls pack is really second to none from what i saw. Both huge and mobile. I think this could well be Stegmann's year. I personally favoured the Cheetahs. I quite enjoy the brand of rugby they play in this country, they love to run the ball and have the forwards to make them more than competitive. The biggest question I have is why a guy like Jacques Louis Potgieter would leave the Cheetahs where he was in the starring role to go to the Bulls where he is a bench warmer, it boggles my mind. Dont get me wrong i do think that Naas Olivier is an able replacement if his first thing is anything to go by :). I am not sure why Daniller wasnt playing at fullback but my guy for the Cheetahs is Lionel Mapoe, big respect for him, think he will be one of the finds of SA rugby...injury permitting. The thing i like about the Cheetahs the most is the fact that they are largely a no name brand with plenty heart.
Lets skip the other 2 games shall we, Crusaders were the Crusaders, Highlanders much like the Cheetahs played with a lot of heart and their lock Beckhuis looks the part as does their backline. I am still not too convinced about Jimmy Cowan as the AB no 1, his fuse blows too quickly and over random things. The Reds were unlucky to lose, i guess inexperience as a unit. They looked much better than they have in previous years and it will be interesting to see how they get on. The Tahs as usual looked like the Tahs... there or thereabouts
Lions v Stormers, yo i drove like a man posessed to my house to jump onto the couch to watch this game...the return of Carlos the King and the re-invention of the Stormers. What a disappointment as a contest that game was?! Wow!! Carlos didnt get the game going much because the lions had no ball and then when they finally got the ball Carlos got a thump to the head and that was his game over. The Stormers were good but i am not all that convinced about their staying power just yet. They have the players no doubt. Loving Joe at the back, Juan at centre, forwards, new imports Jaques and Bryan...and word on the street si Jean is coming back, sorry for Juan but shees Jean and Jacques....shoooweee. The Lions in the second half looked like a S14 team they created plenty but jsut couldnt finish it off man. Earl Rose was a pearler at no 10 i thought he did everything right. Its sad to see this team continuously rebuilding because they do unearth many talents who then find their way to the Bulls, Sharks or Stormers (kinda like the Cheetahs) its a pity because they should be better than this.
Last game, a game i was looking so forward to, then along came the rain. The Sharks' game plan was just negativity and it could be seen from the get go. I dont think that anyone could complain about the 2 yellow cards dished out. Bismarck, what a fool, he just seems to be going back to his ill disciplined ways, such a bonehead plonker!! What i dont like about the S14 is the fact that a ref from the country could potentially ref a game of his country men. People will automatically say that he is biased even if he wasnt. Most of his calls were spot on in my view, I think he missed quite a lot to be honest because he was trying to be lenient. The Sharks were their own worst enemy they hardly tried to play. The Chiefs on the other hand in typical 'silly' new zealand run the ball no matter what style did just that, tried to play the game with ball in hand and create tries from the get go which was pleasing to see. The missiles onto the field now thats not cool man. but enough has been said about that. I think the Chiefs will be one of the NZ teams to watch
Its early days yet, but i am going to take a stab at the top 4 for this years competition
Bulls
Saders
Chiefs
Brumbies
This weekends games are pretty interesting hit outs and i will take a stab at what i think the results will be:
H'ders v Blues - Blues (heart choice)
Reds v C'ders - (Saders, but wont be easy)
Sharks v C'tahs (Cheetahs...history says :))
Lions v Chiefs - (Chiefs)
H'canes v Force - (Canes)
Bulls v Brumbies - (Bulls, but not easily and only because it is the Brumbies first game on tour)
Stormers v 'Tahs - Tough one this...Tahs, gamble of note
Before i go how hot are France looking and how tough was that Wales win against Scotland for Scotland...eish!!
Have a great weekend
Y
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Southern hemisphere end of year rugby tour up north
Greetings sports fans
The year end tours are almost over and my life is about to head into a lull but fortunately for people like me the S14 starts early next year so maybe a 2 month break maximum which is perfect cos it will give me some time to go and work on my tan!
before I go on for any comments please please please do go to http://sumrugga.blogspot.com
So what a dismal performance thus far by the Southern Hemisphere teams no?
Let start with Oz, by far the best scrummagers of the tri nations teams at the moment. Who would have thought ey given where they have been in the last few years regarding that department. They started off with much aplomb against England. They looked dangerous and even though it wasnt a routing, they made England look rather ordinary, oh wait they do a good job of that all by themselves. Anyway, Oz looks like they are starting to get there, they really are. They have a very competitive tight 5. The loosies are all more than capable. I think they need to settle on their first choice no 7 and then they will be a very formidable pack of forwards. In the backs in Genia i think they have found a very complete replacement for Gregan. His service is generally accurate, he is strong through the tackle, he can box kick with effortless efficiency and best of all he is decisive, a huge and critical difference between him and Burgess. Quade Cooper and Gits at 10 and 12 is about as good as Gits and Barnes. Typical Robbie Deans, playing a 10/12 combo that can be interchanged at any time. Both are ball players and can create time and space for the players around them. Their biggest worry at the moment is no 13, finding a deputy to the stalwart Mortlock. Adam Ashley Cooper can definately do it, hell if you put him at no 3 he might do as good a job as John Smit :) but i think he should go to 15 and stay at 15. That bra to Australia is like what Gerrard is to Liverpool, he is a match winner, well i think he is. I like Ioane at 13 or even o'connor or cross. The wings are both very competent too.
When you go through that team like that and see how they are progressing and the coach that they have, I think its only a matter of time before the results start to show. It is a very young side and they have to learn to win or grind out a win. A lesson that would have been invaluable 2 weekends ago where they managed to steal a draw from the jaws of victory against Ireland, but then again it was BOD so what could you do, i remember telling the people i was watching with that Brian will score...Lucky guess i guess ;)
Last weekend against Scotland was also another example. So many scoring opportunities squandered. Good Scottish defence yes, but they shot themselves in the foot. Thats why if I was Robbie Deans i wouldnt be too concerned, because its not like they are not creating the opportunities, they are, they are just not capitalising and finishing them off. BUT when they do??? Woe betide...
Some of you people might think i am on Tik but they are one of my picks for the 2011 RWC
SA, so the midweek team lost 2 games. the first game they were ill prepared and come guys you guys know all too well that its a tough task to put together a mixed masala of people in a week or less and expect them to get a result. The guys really gave a good account of themselves i think and some players in the midweek team have really put up their hands. In the second game for instance, if Heinie Adams had stayed on the field the guys would have won. Its funny, I was on Rugby365 and reading some comments left by those damn supporters that make it difficult for me to support the Boks and they were on about how the midweek team was a political selection. 9 players Adams, De Jongh, Maku, Chiliboy, Rose, Raubenheimer, Nokwe, Ndungane, Johnson. Out of those other than Chilliboy (based on Currie Cup form) all deserved their spots on the tour. I was dissapointed with Johnson though because in my mind he was in the top 2 no 8's in the competition. The rest of them handled themselves admirably, none more so than the player everyone loves to hate, Earl Rose, he shut up his critics too nicely, well i think, because he was hot i thought. I was pretty dissapointed with Ruan so far he just isnt living up to his billing in my mind.
I do believe there is plenty depth in this country and ability. This years currie cup semi finals and finals were by far the best quality i have witnessed in a long time if not ever. I was fixed, and even the finals...wow, well impressed i was. Loved the Cheetahs pipping the Sharks, hope Province have learnt to leave the Fijian Sireli off the field!! I was soo looking for a Cheetahs v Province final and Luke leaving SA with the Currie Cup but alas that wasnt the script.
Anyway back to the senior team. Selections is a problem boss. Front row, i said it before i'll say it again John Smit is no prop. Beast isnt as good a scrumager as everyone thinks. BJ and CJ definately, Wiam and Heinke, if they play in their correct positions. The test against France, I had a feeling that France were going to show up big time. After what they did to the All Blacks in NZ i knew that this isnt a French side to be taken lightly. They came out posessed. They bullied the Boks from the get go and they made Morne Steyn look like the average flhyhalf i think he really is. The French were excited about the kick and chase and they neutralised that Bok game too easily, it made the Golden Retriever Habana look like a crazy man just running up and down the field to no effect. The sad thing for me is a team which throughout the year seemed so well drilled just looked so unprepared. They didnt have a plan b when plan a was found wanting. Credit to the french though they read the Boks too well. they kept their pases short mostly which once again neutralised the intercept abilities of Bryan. They also always seemed to get go forward ball both in the backs and the forwards. Every one wants to blame Adi Jacobs for some defensive lapses, i clearly recall Fourie and Schalk being swatted onto their bottoms like annoying flies on a peaceful summers afternoon. That being said, I think the game against the Irish this weekend will be tough but I think the Boks will come through it ok.
If i had to be honest about the Bok team, I am not too sure. I think the front line players do need some rest. I for some reason just cant see Victor and John Smit making it to the 2011 world cup. John has released a book recently which is quite odd to me, cos players normally do this when they retire or are about to, but be that as it may. he is also not the best no 3 in SA nor the best no 2, but by head and shoulders the best leader of men SA has available so a place has to be found for him or an able replacement. The obvious choice was Jean de Villiers who has since left for the UK, but then again 2 foreign based props were used during this year end campaign so a precedent has been set.
Sort out the front row, get some good back up locks, get Ruan back at 10 and Morne at 15 if you need a kicker, and then SA is as fit as a fiddle.
NZ, cant really say much here my boys are looking pretty average, scoring 1 try a game i mean really. I have no problem with the pack at all but after that ish starts going wrong. we dont have a 9 who is decisive enough, I like Leonard, but he hasnt shown the form of a year or so ago. Ellis is random at best and Cowan is semi-Marshall-Like but about 2 notches lower. then the next problem is no 12. Ma'a to me is like De Wet Barry, ok maybe not that horrible, but the bra isnt walter little or aaron mauger or pita alatini. he is a great player but i dont know about at 12. i really wish he would be at 13 and conrad at 12 or better still get Kahui fit again and play him with Conrad in the centres. those 2 positions are so vital man 9 and 12. I like Delaney at 10 he just seems more composed than Donald does.
you know what i am liking about this build up as opposed to everyone since 95 is that the blacks have been kaaaak for the last 2 years. but what has changed is that they are learning to grind out a win. the game against england being case in point. As i keep on saying, for me the world cup isnt the be all and end all of my rugby viewing, but i cant lie to you i really do want them to do well in 2011 so i dont have to hear people asking me how many world cups have the All Blacks won for at least another 24 years...
on a general note though, as a spectator I am really concerned about the state of rugby as a spectacle. The last 10 min of the AB - Italy match...just scrums and resets i mean what the fork?? really!! Now everyone is kicking the ball and running after it, there is a game called soccer already isnt it?
Anway this mail is getting too long so let me sign off here
comments very welcome on the blog site
Adios and happy viewing, looking forward to the French - AB game
Y
The year end tours are almost over and my life is about to head into a lull but fortunately for people like me the S14 starts early next year so maybe a 2 month break maximum which is perfect cos it will give me some time to go and work on my tan!
before I go on for any comments please please please do go to http://sumrugga.blogspot.com
So what a dismal performance thus far by the Southern Hemisphere teams no?
Let start with Oz, by far the best scrummagers of the tri nations teams at the moment. Who would have thought ey given where they have been in the last few years regarding that department. They started off with much aplomb against England. They looked dangerous and even though it wasnt a routing, they made England look rather ordinary, oh wait they do a good job of that all by themselves. Anyway, Oz looks like they are starting to get there, they really are. They have a very competitive tight 5. The loosies are all more than capable. I think they need to settle on their first choice no 7 and then they will be a very formidable pack of forwards. In the backs in Genia i think they have found a very complete replacement for Gregan. His service is generally accurate, he is strong through the tackle, he can box kick with effortless efficiency and best of all he is decisive, a huge and critical difference between him and Burgess. Quade Cooper and Gits at 10 and 12 is about as good as Gits and Barnes. Typical Robbie Deans, playing a 10/12 combo that can be interchanged at any time. Both are ball players and can create time and space for the players around them. Their biggest worry at the moment is no 13, finding a deputy to the stalwart Mortlock. Adam Ashley Cooper can definately do it, hell if you put him at no 3 he might do as good a job as John Smit :) but i think he should go to 15 and stay at 15. That bra to Australia is like what Gerrard is to Liverpool, he is a match winner, well i think he is. I like Ioane at 13 or even o'connor or cross. The wings are both very competent too.
When you go through that team like that and see how they are progressing and the coach that they have, I think its only a matter of time before the results start to show. It is a very young side and they have to learn to win or grind out a win. A lesson that would have been invaluable 2 weekends ago where they managed to steal a draw from the jaws of victory against Ireland, but then again it was BOD so what could you do, i remember telling the people i was watching with that Brian will score...Lucky guess i guess ;)
Last weekend against Scotland was also another example. So many scoring opportunities squandered. Good Scottish defence yes, but they shot themselves in the foot. Thats why if I was Robbie Deans i wouldnt be too concerned, because its not like they are not creating the opportunities, they are, they are just not capitalising and finishing them off. BUT when they do??? Woe betide...
Some of you people might think i am on Tik but they are one of my picks for the 2011 RWC
SA, so the midweek team lost 2 games. the first game they were ill prepared and come guys you guys know all too well that its a tough task to put together a mixed masala of people in a week or less and expect them to get a result. The guys really gave a good account of themselves i think and some players in the midweek team have really put up their hands. In the second game for instance, if Heinie Adams had stayed on the field the guys would have won. Its funny, I was on Rugby365 and reading some comments left by those damn supporters that make it difficult for me to support the Boks and they were on about how the midweek team was a political selection. 9 players Adams, De Jongh, Maku, Chiliboy, Rose, Raubenheimer, Nokwe, Ndungane, Johnson. Out of those other than Chilliboy (based on Currie Cup form) all deserved their spots on the tour. I was dissapointed with Johnson though because in my mind he was in the top 2 no 8's in the competition. The rest of them handled themselves admirably, none more so than the player everyone loves to hate, Earl Rose, he shut up his critics too nicely, well i think, because he was hot i thought. I was pretty dissapointed with Ruan so far he just isnt living up to his billing in my mind.
I do believe there is plenty depth in this country and ability. This years currie cup semi finals and finals were by far the best quality i have witnessed in a long time if not ever. I was fixed, and even the finals...wow, well impressed i was. Loved the Cheetahs pipping the Sharks, hope Province have learnt to leave the Fijian Sireli off the field!! I was soo looking for a Cheetahs v Province final and Luke leaving SA with the Currie Cup but alas that wasnt the script.
Anyway back to the senior team. Selections is a problem boss. Front row, i said it before i'll say it again John Smit is no prop. Beast isnt as good a scrumager as everyone thinks. BJ and CJ definately, Wiam and Heinke, if they play in their correct positions. The test against France, I had a feeling that France were going to show up big time. After what they did to the All Blacks in NZ i knew that this isnt a French side to be taken lightly. They came out posessed. They bullied the Boks from the get go and they made Morne Steyn look like the average flhyhalf i think he really is. The French were excited about the kick and chase and they neutralised that Bok game too easily, it made the Golden Retriever Habana look like a crazy man just running up and down the field to no effect. The sad thing for me is a team which throughout the year seemed so well drilled just looked so unprepared. They didnt have a plan b when plan a was found wanting. Credit to the french though they read the Boks too well. they kept their pases short mostly which once again neutralised the intercept abilities of Bryan. They also always seemed to get go forward ball both in the backs and the forwards. Every one wants to blame Adi Jacobs for some defensive lapses, i clearly recall Fourie and Schalk being swatted onto their bottoms like annoying flies on a peaceful summers afternoon. That being said, I think the game against the Irish this weekend will be tough but I think the Boks will come through it ok.
If i had to be honest about the Bok team, I am not too sure. I think the front line players do need some rest. I for some reason just cant see Victor and John Smit making it to the 2011 world cup. John has released a book recently which is quite odd to me, cos players normally do this when they retire or are about to, but be that as it may. he is also not the best no 3 in SA nor the best no 2, but by head and shoulders the best leader of men SA has available so a place has to be found for him or an able replacement. The obvious choice was Jean de Villiers who has since left for the UK, but then again 2 foreign based props were used during this year end campaign so a precedent has been set.
Sort out the front row, get some good back up locks, get Ruan back at 10 and Morne at 15 if you need a kicker, and then SA is as fit as a fiddle.
NZ, cant really say much here my boys are looking pretty average, scoring 1 try a game i mean really. I have no problem with the pack at all but after that ish starts going wrong. we dont have a 9 who is decisive enough, I like Leonard, but he hasnt shown the form of a year or so ago. Ellis is random at best and Cowan is semi-Marshall-Like but about 2 notches lower. then the next problem is no 12. Ma'a to me is like De Wet Barry, ok maybe not that horrible, but the bra isnt walter little or aaron mauger or pita alatini. he is a great player but i dont know about at 12. i really wish he would be at 13 and conrad at 12 or better still get Kahui fit again and play him with Conrad in the centres. those 2 positions are so vital man 9 and 12. I like Delaney at 10 he just seems more composed than Donald does.
you know what i am liking about this build up as opposed to everyone since 95 is that the blacks have been kaaaak for the last 2 years. but what has changed is that they are learning to grind out a win. the game against england being case in point. As i keep on saying, for me the world cup isnt the be all and end all of my rugby viewing, but i cant lie to you i really do want them to do well in 2011 so i dont have to hear people asking me how many world cups have the All Blacks won for at least another 24 years...
on a general note though, as a spectator I am really concerned about the state of rugby as a spectacle. The last 10 min of the AB - Italy match...just scrums and resets i mean what the fork?? really!! Now everyone is kicking the ball and running after it, there is a game called soccer already isnt it?
Anway this mail is getting too long so let me sign off here
comments very welcome on the blog site
Adios and happy viewing, looking forward to the French - AB game
Y
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
What a weekend that was.
I start off by saying the best team in the competition won the Tri-Nations, finish and klaar. The ref even tried to help us at the beginning of that match. I mean since time in memorial jumpers have been supported by lifters and zero penalties and now this bloody northern hemisphere ref wants to blow his whistle, the man was on crack!
It was one of the most nail biting finishes to a game I have ever seen. The difference between the 2 teams was that gollywogs 60m penalties, I mean have u ever? And what a time to get them right?!!
The outcome of the game was how it should have been, but inspite of all I said about the team needing to lose so we can make the big changes, I started hoping and believing that it was possible in the last 20 minutes, they showed the world and myself the true grit of the Abs of yester-year, something that has been lacking in the last 2 seasons.
I tried hard to figure out who the man of the match from a Boks perspective would be and i couldn’t think of any one person. Such is the nature of the way they played. Victor stole line outs, Bismarck was hard and uncompromising Heinrich took 2 loosies to get him off the ball, Fourie did his part, Morne kicked the ball...and passed, i was shocked. Jean intercepted and defended with Jacque Bryan ran hard, tackled hard played hard, odwa ran chasing his dreadlocks and kicked some very useful clearances and Gollywog ran by himself and kicked 60m penalties. John lead from the front as usual. And Pierre was kaka at 8 . But that to me is the mark of a settled team. I really had no hope most of the game till the Abs started to turn it on, but even then it wasnt the confidence of old that I had because there was a steely resolve to this Bok team and the ‘tatteredness’ of this current AB side...not to take away anything from this Bok side.
U know i look at this current Bok team and I quite like the outfit, they have in John Smit a very respectable person and player its littered with talent aplenty, yes Bakkies and Bismarck are hotheads sometimes and Gollywog too, but then again I dislike Tialata and am not Nonus biggest fan either. Love the coaching staff inspite of themselves. Then i thought about it, what is it that makes me dislike the Boks so, and the penny dropped....them damn fans!! A springbok supporter is the most annoying species on this planet, maybe an English/Australian supporter may be worse but i don’t live there so i am not exposed to their ranting and moaning...if its not the refs cheating, its the coach who inherited a team and thats why they are playing so well. But I am making peace with it, one day i will be able to support the Boks for a full game but congrats to you guys your team deserved their win. Back to the coach inheriting a team, Rudolf Streauli had a pretty decent team and look what he did with them...just food for thought. An article sent to me by Saul giving some credit to Pdivvy... http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_1909155700.php
The main villain of the last 2 test matches though was Supersport, how dare they substitute the quirkiness and quick wittedness of the Oz and to a lesser extent the NZ commentators with one eyed Bob and Matt? I honestly listened to the commentary in Afrikaans, it was too painful, and to be honest the Afrikaans commentary was not half bad. Very relaxed and balanced.
Now onto my problem that is this sliver fern that is looking wilted and gloomy. The prospects for this team excites me in spite of its current state of affairs. I watch Reunion and I have also been catching quite a bit of the ANZ cup and man the rugby is class, even games between Tasman and Counties...I however, really am concerned about the fact that the success of this team rests with DC and Richie. I was really keen on the idea of canning this season and next to build a back up. Yes I am taking this world cup seriously because i don’t think i can take another 4 years of hearing we have 2 world cups and u have just one....when we weren’t allowed to play. The more i think about it too the more i think, even though i didn’t think the 3 wise men (Hansen, Henry and Smith) deserved the axe, the thought of what Robbie Deans could do with what New Zealand has to offer in terms of talent is quite exciting. I can see it in Australian rugby at the moment. Yes they haven’t had the results to date but the way they are playing I am most concerned about them come 2011. But anyway maybe we will get him post 2011. Back to the team. I think Hore is tired, what has De Melmanche done wrong to be treated like Hanyani? Read at 8 is poifect, bring on Newland or Meews or that big Otago prop. Give Stephen Brett or even Daniel Bowden a shot at no 10 for a consistent period, let him work on his defence. Bring on Gear and Masaga, The Ice man Toeava in the centres...anyway enough of that
Looking forward to Saturdays game. Even though its a nothing game its not really a nothing game, id hope that the Abs ring the changes and see what the new bloods can bring, cos some of the old guard are duds at the moment.
Well done again to the Bok team, and the supporters and more importantly for me i guess the coaching staff ;)
Comments http://sumrugga.blogspot.com/
Respect
Y
I start off by saying the best team in the competition won the Tri-Nations, finish and klaar. The ref even tried to help us at the beginning of that match. I mean since time in memorial jumpers have been supported by lifters and zero penalties and now this bloody northern hemisphere ref wants to blow his whistle, the man was on crack!
It was one of the most nail biting finishes to a game I have ever seen. The difference between the 2 teams was that gollywogs 60m penalties, I mean have u ever? And what a time to get them right?!!
The outcome of the game was how it should have been, but inspite of all I said about the team needing to lose so we can make the big changes, I started hoping and believing that it was possible in the last 20 minutes, they showed the world and myself the true grit of the Abs of yester-year, something that has been lacking in the last 2 seasons.
I tried hard to figure out who the man of the match from a Boks perspective would be and i couldn’t think of any one person. Such is the nature of the way they played. Victor stole line outs, Bismarck was hard and uncompromising Heinrich took 2 loosies to get him off the ball, Fourie did his part, Morne kicked the ball...and passed, i was shocked. Jean intercepted and defended with Jacque Bryan ran hard, tackled hard played hard, odwa ran chasing his dreadlocks and kicked some very useful clearances and Gollywog ran by himself and kicked 60m penalties. John lead from the front as usual. And Pierre was kaka at 8 . But that to me is the mark of a settled team. I really had no hope most of the game till the Abs started to turn it on, but even then it wasnt the confidence of old that I had because there was a steely resolve to this Bok team and the ‘tatteredness’ of this current AB side...not to take away anything from this Bok side.
U know i look at this current Bok team and I quite like the outfit, they have in John Smit a very respectable person and player its littered with talent aplenty, yes Bakkies and Bismarck are hotheads sometimes and Gollywog too, but then again I dislike Tialata and am not Nonus biggest fan either. Love the coaching staff inspite of themselves. Then i thought about it, what is it that makes me dislike the Boks so, and the penny dropped....them damn fans!! A springbok supporter is the most annoying species on this planet, maybe an English/Australian supporter may be worse but i don’t live there so i am not exposed to their ranting and moaning...if its not the refs cheating, its the coach who inherited a team and thats why they are playing so well. But I am making peace with it, one day i will be able to support the Boks for a full game but congrats to you guys your team deserved their win. Back to the coach inheriting a team, Rudolf Streauli had a pretty decent team and look what he did with them...just food for thought. An article sent to me by Saul giving some credit to Pdivvy... http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_1909155700.php
The main villain of the last 2 test matches though was Supersport, how dare they substitute the quirkiness and quick wittedness of the Oz and to a lesser extent the NZ commentators with one eyed Bob and Matt? I honestly listened to the commentary in Afrikaans, it was too painful, and to be honest the Afrikaans commentary was not half bad. Very relaxed and balanced.
Now onto my problem that is this sliver fern that is looking wilted and gloomy. The prospects for this team excites me in spite of its current state of affairs. I watch Reunion and I have also been catching quite a bit of the ANZ cup and man the rugby is class, even games between Tasman and Counties...I however, really am concerned about the fact that the success of this team rests with DC and Richie. I was really keen on the idea of canning this season and next to build a back up. Yes I am taking this world cup seriously because i don’t think i can take another 4 years of hearing we have 2 world cups and u have just one....when we weren’t allowed to play. The more i think about it too the more i think, even though i didn’t think the 3 wise men (Hansen, Henry and Smith) deserved the axe, the thought of what Robbie Deans could do with what New Zealand has to offer in terms of talent is quite exciting. I can see it in Australian rugby at the moment. Yes they haven’t had the results to date but the way they are playing I am most concerned about them come 2011. But anyway maybe we will get him post 2011. Back to the team. I think Hore is tired, what has De Melmanche done wrong to be treated like Hanyani? Read at 8 is poifect, bring on Newland or Meews or that big Otago prop. Give Stephen Brett or even Daniel Bowden a shot at no 10 for a consistent period, let him work on his defence. Bring on Gear and Masaga, The Ice man Toeava in the centres...anyway enough of that
Looking forward to Saturdays game. Even though its a nothing game its not really a nothing game, id hope that the Abs ring the changes and see what the new bloods can bring, cos some of the old guard are duds at the moment.
Well done again to the Bok team, and the supporters and more importantly for me i guess the coaching staff ;)
Comments http://sumrugga.blogspot.com/
Respect
Y
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Dear fellow rugby fans, let me start off by eating humble pie and declaring out right that the Springboks are currently the best team in the world! And coached by a damn great coach too I might add, inherited team or no inherited team...just an example to illustrate this...Big Phil Scolari went to Chelsea inherited a great team but something didn’t click and they didn’t perform. It takes a great/good coach/man to inspire his chargers to perform. Guss Hiddink came, same team, different results...
You know i missed this weekends game because I knew the Boks would win and i expected more of the same, but i should have known better though. Media reports slamming them as a boring side, a weakened and inexperienced Wallaby team with new combinations at crucial positions...they were bound to exploit this. Evidence being 2 out of the 4 tries came from set piece ball both attacking the flyhalf/inside centre channels as well as the inside and outside centre channels...both well constructed tries, the last one had a hint of obstruction (if you were a south African commentator and Australia had pulled that move ;)) but both very classy.
De Villiers and Fourie, if they played together more often would be undoubtedly the best centre combination in the world. I like Adi Jacobs and I was rooting for him to keep his position because over the last 2 seasons he has done nothing wrong and his combination with Jean was pretty sublime too!! But alas injury took its toll and what Jacques brings size, mobility, skill and defence, Adi has the other 3 but not size.
The backline selected baffled me a lot though. Why Morne at no 10 when you could play Ruan there and Morne at a position he has played before, no 15??
I feel for Oz, but to be honest I’d prefer to be in their position than where we are currently (we being the Abs) we are sooo at sea at the moment. Our whole game hinges on 2 players, Richie and DC, but mind you, i’d think SA’s game hinges on John Smit and Bakkies, when those 2 are not available you can see a marked difference in the team. Oz on the other hand have had about 2 yrs to rebuild and are getting it right. Even though Stirlo is integral to the team, they were quite competitive with a new centre combo a talented yet young fullback. Their scrum was solid and even got the better of the Boks from what i read.
The game before was impressive in that both teams tried to move the ball and for me that was a spectacle. Out of all the Tri-Nations games o the year i really enjoyed that one and not because of the result. For me the saddest part of it all was that it implied that a 70% Dan Carter is better than a 100% Steve Donald, and really i thought his game was coming together a lot more, how is that going to affect his confidence? I am still of the opinion that Conrad Smith should be at 12 and Ma’a at 13 if they are to insist with him. I enjoyed Read at no 8. All i say is more damn game time for de Melmanche!!
Anyway i think this weekend its all done, it would be interesting if not though because then there would be fire and brimstone in NZ the weekend after
Well done to the Boks, they did what they had to do, i guess it is a sign of a great side.
Happy viewing
Y
You know i missed this weekends game because I knew the Boks would win and i expected more of the same, but i should have known better though. Media reports slamming them as a boring side, a weakened and inexperienced Wallaby team with new combinations at crucial positions...they were bound to exploit this. Evidence being 2 out of the 4 tries came from set piece ball both attacking the flyhalf/inside centre channels as well as the inside and outside centre channels...both well constructed tries, the last one had a hint of obstruction (if you were a south African commentator and Australia had pulled that move ;)) but both very classy.
De Villiers and Fourie, if they played together more often would be undoubtedly the best centre combination in the world. I like Adi Jacobs and I was rooting for him to keep his position because over the last 2 seasons he has done nothing wrong and his combination with Jean was pretty sublime too!! But alas injury took its toll and what Jacques brings size, mobility, skill and defence, Adi has the other 3 but not size.
The backline selected baffled me a lot though. Why Morne at no 10 when you could play Ruan there and Morne at a position he has played before, no 15??
I feel for Oz, but to be honest I’d prefer to be in their position than where we are currently (we being the Abs) we are sooo at sea at the moment. Our whole game hinges on 2 players, Richie and DC, but mind you, i’d think SA’s game hinges on John Smit and Bakkies, when those 2 are not available you can see a marked difference in the team. Oz on the other hand have had about 2 yrs to rebuild and are getting it right. Even though Stirlo is integral to the team, they were quite competitive with a new centre combo a talented yet young fullback. Their scrum was solid and even got the better of the Boks from what i read.
The game before was impressive in that both teams tried to move the ball and for me that was a spectacle. Out of all the Tri-Nations games o the year i really enjoyed that one and not because of the result. For me the saddest part of it all was that it implied that a 70% Dan Carter is better than a 100% Steve Donald, and really i thought his game was coming together a lot more, how is that going to affect his confidence? I am still of the opinion that Conrad Smith should be at 12 and Ma’a at 13 if they are to insist with him. I enjoyed Read at no 8. All i say is more damn game time for de Melmanche!!
Anyway i think this weekend its all done, it would be interesting if not though because then there would be fire and brimstone in NZ the weekend after
Well done to the Boks, they did what they had to do, i guess it is a sign of a great side.
Happy viewing
Y
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Yup yup yup
Bok supporters must be smiling from ear to ear at the moment, and good on you man, your team deserves where they are on the log. They have done what they have needed to do and done it effectively.
I haven’t been quiet because my team is most kak, quite frankly I am kinda pleased they are looking as dismal as they have been because we have had problems for a long time and it needs a period like this for them to be rectified, we had no reason to win the tri nations last year none at all
Oz on the other hand, shit they are like the Arsenal of rugby, they should be doing much better than they are on the field, but i guess they are doing as well as they should given the results.
But more on all of this later. Lets have a quick recap shall we
Abs had noooo right to win the first test against Oz, absolutely no right. Oz made all the play, unfortunately for them they didn’t capitalise on their opportunities, which is unfortunate because I like Robbie Deans and that team. The way they play. The way in a space of a month they have managed to turn things around regarding what people used to consider their weakness...their scrum, fair enough their lineouts suffered as a result...but not against the Abs in this test though, if i am not mistaken they stole plenty of ball from us, which i guess isn’t all that difficult with the way our lineouts have been going the last few years. The game really hinged on that pass that didn’t go to hand from Barnes, i think, he hit Smith on his head with the ball, cos at that stage the Blacks were on the ropes and it was just that sucker punch that would have done them in, but it never came and they pulled themselves towards themselves, in a very ugly way, but still did it nonetheless.
Then off to Bloem the Blacks flew. In my mind i knew the test they targeted was the Durbs one, it made sense, sea level, a week to acclimatise etc. This showed by the way they played (not that much changed in Durbs, well maybe for the worse). The had no way of dealing with the Boks pretty predictable game plan which was the saddest part. It wasnt like there were any curveballs been thrown at the Blacks, it was straight forward, skop, chase penalty, some dodgy but we will get to those northern hemisphere refs later...The boks were pretty woeful themselves because in as horrendously as the Blacks played some pretty off target kicking by my main man Ruan and some silly football kept us there or there abouts, but i must be honest I didn’t have that quiet confidence i used to have with the Abs play a test.
Then off to Durbs, i wasnt too hopefull but i though they would put in a good performance, and a good performance it was...at suicide. The Boks executed their game plan to perfection. The kicks were accurate the runners tireless. The defence well marshalled. I cant fault the execution of the tactic, but man if i wasnt at the stadium i would have changed channels to watch the PSL soccer or the travel channel like i did 2 weeks ago against Oz. Yes yes, most of you will say but ey its winning rugby blah blah, but in all honesty if this is what all teams adopt as a way of playing the game then i guess my days of watching this sport i so love are numbered.
The next game was SA v OZ, i was pretty convinced that they would do something but they had a brain implosion of mammoth proportions and it was so disappointing to see. They started off the game so well, but then they lost their way. Gits should have in the least have been cited for his reckless action. Richard Brown i think was unlucky because he was the tackler and George smith..tsho thso, he deserved what he got, from the get go he was getting frustrated with the ref, and rightly so cos that dude was all over the show., blowing for random things and missing real things. Anyway same old story, kick chase, saw the highlights on Blitz the next day.
I know i sound off but man to me watching that rugby is akin to me watching bowls but with people bashing each other. Its really not because my team is losing because at the beginning of the year and last I am sure you will recall me saying for a change I want the blacks to lose, they must go through a dark patch, so they can re-invent themselves.
In summary let me look at the teams as they stand. A friend of mine made a comment to me a few weeks ago and he said man for man there are maybe 2 All Blacks i would pick over the Boks at the moment. And those were Richie and Mills, and thats fair game to him, i on the other hand would really only have Victor and Jean in my team. Not for any other reason as I don’t see it as an exceptional team. They execute the skop and hardloop very well, and as a unit they are pretty settled, but I am not too convinced about them being the greatest team that Joel alluded to in his one interview. Their are some players who are looking pretty darn hot, such as Bismarck, but i cant stand that fool, Beast, Victor, Bakkies does his job and he gets around for a big guy, and my mainest of main men in rugby at the moment Brussouw, I cant say much about anyone else because thats where the ball game really ends, kwa kwaaaaaaa. I don’t think there are any players out there that deserve a chance in this team that aren’t there other than golly wog, i think he should be out heading to france on a one way ticket. Watch him play please. He never ever ever looks to pass, he and Juan Smith. He adds no value to the team not even drop goals.
I look at the Oz team and the only weakness i guess is at 9, but its not much of a weakness as it is non-exceptional. Berrick Barnes is superb, So too Stirlo,but mind you he is out for the rest of the tri nations, Adam Ashley Cooper insanely gifted, so too Drew Mitchel. In the forwards, loving their front row, very underrated but competent performers and their locks are a bit of the bulky mould but they handle themselves pretty well regarding tight and open play and the loose trio was good with Palu, but i think is even better with Elsom who returns this week. I like them because of the way they manipulate defences. I don’t have much wrong to say against this team other than them lacking it mentally, but when it all clicks they will be hot, they will be contesting hard for the Webb Ellis trophy in 2011.
Oh my Blacks. We haven’t been right since the 2007 world cup quarters. We lost an army of players and its really the time of management to show what they are really made of, time to build some depth and a group of quality players which they were trying to do. For this test I would have stuck with Stephen Donald or tried Weepu or another flyhalf there is this new u21 flyhalf, shoowee the bra has skills, slightly built but talent aplenty. Drop Rodney cos he is tired man. I’d find a place for Messam, start with De Melmanche or give him some more game time a whole lot more. Lock pairing is ok liking Ross, liking Kaino, but i’d give Richie less work, develop another Richie, get Latimer some more game time. In the backs i’d persist with Leonard and Donald, he may not yet be a test flyhalf, but he was showing the signs, i think he is good enough, get that Nonu out of my team out out out i tell u. Bring in Luke at 12 or if not, put Conrad at 12 and Nonu at 13, lets try that and see. Joe needs to go right, Leilia Masaga, now there is a wing....as u can see we got problems and now is the time to experiment, lets win this damn world cup so the world can leave us be for another 20 odd years, but sadly though i see another failed campaign...yeah i said it!! The beauty about this one though is there will be no favourites tag over our heads this time around...
Anyway thats me. Actually looking forward to this game this weekend because both teams are willing and able to throw the ball around which is pleasant. Not too happy about bringing back DC so soon though, because thats really more patchwork than it is a lasting solution, should he get hurt again, whats the solution?
Anyway let me have your thoughts
Bok supporters must be smiling from ear to ear at the moment, and good on you man, your team deserves where they are on the log. They have done what they have needed to do and done it effectively.
I haven’t been quiet because my team is most kak, quite frankly I am kinda pleased they are looking as dismal as they have been because we have had problems for a long time and it needs a period like this for them to be rectified, we had no reason to win the tri nations last year none at all
Oz on the other hand, shit they are like the Arsenal of rugby, they should be doing much better than they are on the field, but i guess they are doing as well as they should given the results.
But more on all of this later. Lets have a quick recap shall we
Abs had noooo right to win the first test against Oz, absolutely no right. Oz made all the play, unfortunately for them they didn’t capitalise on their opportunities, which is unfortunate because I like Robbie Deans and that team. The way they play. The way in a space of a month they have managed to turn things around regarding what people used to consider their weakness...their scrum, fair enough their lineouts suffered as a result...but not against the Abs in this test though, if i am not mistaken they stole plenty of ball from us, which i guess isn’t all that difficult with the way our lineouts have been going the last few years. The game really hinged on that pass that didn’t go to hand from Barnes, i think, he hit Smith on his head with the ball, cos at that stage the Blacks were on the ropes and it was just that sucker punch that would have done them in, but it never came and they pulled themselves towards themselves, in a very ugly way, but still did it nonetheless.
Then off to Bloem the Blacks flew. In my mind i knew the test they targeted was the Durbs one, it made sense, sea level, a week to acclimatise etc. This showed by the way they played (not that much changed in Durbs, well maybe for the worse). The had no way of dealing with the Boks pretty predictable game plan which was the saddest part. It wasnt like there were any curveballs been thrown at the Blacks, it was straight forward, skop, chase penalty, some dodgy but we will get to those northern hemisphere refs later...The boks were pretty woeful themselves because in as horrendously as the Blacks played some pretty off target kicking by my main man Ruan and some silly football kept us there or there abouts, but i must be honest I didn’t have that quiet confidence i used to have with the Abs play a test.
Then off to Durbs, i wasnt too hopefull but i though they would put in a good performance, and a good performance it was...at suicide. The Boks executed their game plan to perfection. The kicks were accurate the runners tireless. The defence well marshalled. I cant fault the execution of the tactic, but man if i wasnt at the stadium i would have changed channels to watch the PSL soccer or the travel channel like i did 2 weeks ago against Oz. Yes yes, most of you will say but ey its winning rugby blah blah, but in all honesty if this is what all teams adopt as a way of playing the game then i guess my days of watching this sport i so love are numbered.
The next game was SA v OZ, i was pretty convinced that they would do something but they had a brain implosion of mammoth proportions and it was so disappointing to see. They started off the game so well, but then they lost their way. Gits should have in the least have been cited for his reckless action. Richard Brown i think was unlucky because he was the tackler and George smith..tsho thso, he deserved what he got, from the get go he was getting frustrated with the ref, and rightly so cos that dude was all over the show., blowing for random things and missing real things. Anyway same old story, kick chase, saw the highlights on Blitz the next day.
I know i sound off but man to me watching that rugby is akin to me watching bowls but with people bashing each other. Its really not because my team is losing because at the beginning of the year and last I am sure you will recall me saying for a change I want the blacks to lose, they must go through a dark patch, so they can re-invent themselves.
In summary let me look at the teams as they stand. A friend of mine made a comment to me a few weeks ago and he said man for man there are maybe 2 All Blacks i would pick over the Boks at the moment. And those were Richie and Mills, and thats fair game to him, i on the other hand would really only have Victor and Jean in my team. Not for any other reason as I don’t see it as an exceptional team. They execute the skop and hardloop very well, and as a unit they are pretty settled, but I am not too convinced about them being the greatest team that Joel alluded to in his one interview. Their are some players who are looking pretty darn hot, such as Bismarck, but i cant stand that fool, Beast, Victor, Bakkies does his job and he gets around for a big guy, and my mainest of main men in rugby at the moment Brussouw, I cant say much about anyone else because thats where the ball game really ends, kwa kwaaaaaaa. I don’t think there are any players out there that deserve a chance in this team that aren’t there other than golly wog, i think he should be out heading to france on a one way ticket. Watch him play please. He never ever ever looks to pass, he and Juan Smith. He adds no value to the team not even drop goals.
I look at the Oz team and the only weakness i guess is at 9, but its not much of a weakness as it is non-exceptional. Berrick Barnes is superb, So too Stirlo,but mind you he is out for the rest of the tri nations, Adam Ashley Cooper insanely gifted, so too Drew Mitchel. In the forwards, loving their front row, very underrated but competent performers and their locks are a bit of the bulky mould but they handle themselves pretty well regarding tight and open play and the loose trio was good with Palu, but i think is even better with Elsom who returns this week. I like them because of the way they manipulate defences. I don’t have much wrong to say against this team other than them lacking it mentally, but when it all clicks they will be hot, they will be contesting hard for the Webb Ellis trophy in 2011.
Oh my Blacks. We haven’t been right since the 2007 world cup quarters. We lost an army of players and its really the time of management to show what they are really made of, time to build some depth and a group of quality players which they were trying to do. For this test I would have stuck with Stephen Donald or tried Weepu or another flyhalf there is this new u21 flyhalf, shoowee the bra has skills, slightly built but talent aplenty. Drop Rodney cos he is tired man. I’d find a place for Messam, start with De Melmanche or give him some more game time a whole lot more. Lock pairing is ok liking Ross, liking Kaino, but i’d give Richie less work, develop another Richie, get Latimer some more game time. In the backs i’d persist with Leonard and Donald, he may not yet be a test flyhalf, but he was showing the signs, i think he is good enough, get that Nonu out of my team out out out i tell u. Bring in Luke at 12 or if not, put Conrad at 12 and Nonu at 13, lets try that and see. Joe needs to go right, Leilia Masaga, now there is a wing....as u can see we got problems and now is the time to experiment, lets win this damn world cup so the world can leave us be for another 20 odd years, but sadly though i see another failed campaign...yeah i said it!! The beauty about this one though is there will be no favourites tag over our heads this time around...
Anyway thats me. Actually looking forward to this game this weekend because both teams are willing and able to throw the ball around which is pleasant. Not too happy about bringing back DC so soon though, because thats really more patchwork than it is a lasting solution, should he get hurt again, whats the solution?
Anyway let me have your thoughts
Thursday, July 9, 2009
End of the arb internationals :)
www.sumrugga.blogspot.com
You were an armband that reads “Justice” in protest of one of your brethren who was ‘unjustly’ sanctioned for a mere 2 weeks and you play one of the dirtiest off the ball games I have seen you play in recent history, isn’t it ironic? And you want to tell me that the Boks are unjustly labelled as a dirty team.
Dont get me wrong, on this account I think Bakkies may have been dealt a bit of a raw deal, what he did was reckless yes, its really tantamount to a shoulder charge, but many others do the same thing, but that doesn’t make it right no? Unfortunately someone got hurt because of his dumbass action. And then there was Schalk. I think he is a bit of a clown, but i have never thought he was a dirty player just a little bit of a hot head at times and that results in him getting sin binned. But his actions of a few weeks ago well i have no words!! Just read this article... http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/TriNations/355/953f4bdb5a804921975acbdcab86782e//Arrogant_Boks_set_for_TN3_fall I definitely think Sheridan deserved a citing for his attack on the groin area of bakkies i think it was.
Imagine that a series win and what are we talking about? PdV’s comments. You know what I will say this out loud, even I can’t defend him anymore. There are somethings that just cant be defended. To say on live TV that you saw Schalks actions and don’t think it deserved a yellow card and that it was part of the game is just plain stoopid
Anyway someone asked me the other day if i think PdV is a good coach or he is riding on the back of a good team? Is Rassie a good coach, may would say yes, but Province is failing time after time, and thats a quality outfit of world class players. Is Frans Ludeke a good coach? Because he pretty much inherited Heyneke’s team, why don’t i hear shaite like that?? All it is is the Bulls won the S14, let the Boks win and the conversation is PdV is a clown he doesn’t know what he is doing!! Fact, under his rule the Boks have won 11 from 16 starts. Close on 70%, as a nation so obsessed with winning, I would be happy with that. I mean the Boks play 10 man rugby and win or boring kop and stap and guys are happy with it because ey a win is a win, but let there be a win and little coach of colour (yeah i said it) who is starting to stick his foot in it, well lets forget about the win cos he has nothing to do with it. This all makes me want to vomit. Give him a break for crying out loud...Lions tour 2-1, All Blacks in Dunedin, 42-6 victory against England at Twickenham, 53-8 victory against Australia at Ellis park. If Dick Muir was the coach of this team what do you think the stories in the paper would read? Somewhere along the lines of the amazing Muir does it again with the Boks...
Anyway lets speak about rugby. First test, they played a good game. I don’t think they were as good as everyone thinks they were. In my mind there was a lot of illegal scrumming. I think i mentioned it in my last blog. If you notice the Beast engages under the chest of his opposition and scrums him upwards. It was a team effort from the pack, yes but not entirely legal in my view. Second and third test, I think the Lions had the ascendency in the scrums, you cant tell me that in a week things can change so dramatically in terms of power. To say that the third test was a B-team has some merit but not in its entirety. Front row change...Chiliboy very capable, had a few starts and off the bench appearances for the Bulls. Muller, bloody good player and lock. Brussow, well u tell me if he is good enough. Kankowsky, last years front runner for the no 8 jersey. Steyn, SA’s best no 10 in the S14, Olivier, best centre in SA for the S14, Fourie, everyone loves Fourie at 13, Jongi and Odwa, tried but they didn’t get much ball to work with, and Zayne was the best no 15 in the country, so thats no real B-team to be fair.
I really wasnt impressed with everyones darling Spies at all. He is an athlete of a man, but man when he is under pressure at the back of the scrum he becomes invisible the whole game. Out of the forwards I was most impressed with Brussouw, but I have always liked his style of play, the way he attacks the ball and i hope the Boks never get a coach with the mindset of Jake White again, i.e. someone fixated with bulk and size. I am not the biggest Fourie du Preez fan, but i quite liked the timing of 2 passes in one of the tests that lead to tries. But on the whole, call it prejudice, even though i have no reason to be prejudicial against him, he didn’t have an amazing test series in my view. Ruan failed to impress, but also didn’t ‘unimpress’ either, I would like to see them persevering with him Jean and Adi were once again solid, but their defence was often tested by Roberts and O’driscol, but many a centre pairing would have been. Bryan played well, but JP was pretty solid but wasnt like wow...Steyn???!!! thats all i will say
Well at least the little leagues are done, next weekend is time for the big time. Did I hear you say Tri-Nations??!! Ya man, next weekend 18th July, Abs get their bums handed to them by the somewhat impressive Oz. Granted their wins against Italy weren’t spectacular, but their unit seems to be there or thereabouts. They have a pack that can scrum, something that Robbie has built in the last year and a bit, good interchangeable loosies, stable scrummy, legendary Gits, rising star Barnes and Mr dependable Morts and an able loose trio. They are definitely looking the part i’d say.
I may have been stretching the truth a wee bit when i indicated that the Abs would have their bums handed to them. This is the big time, they will step up. But in all honesty i don’t want them to. There is definitely something amis. Front row is capable, I would give DeMelmanche more game time though, I don’t like Tialata much tho, too hot headed. The lock pairing is decent, i like the skills of Ross, he isn’t menacing like Ali with the personality to stand up to bully boy Bakkies but man does he have skills. Loosies will have the familiar look of Kaino, McCaw and So’ialo, even though i quite like Messam. Cowan hasn’t impressed me much at 9, i would def start with Leonard. At 10 even though Donald had a good S14, i would prefer Luke at 10, Ma’a and Conrad doing their thing, Siti and Cory on the wings and Mils at the back
Just like last year, I think the Boks are the front runners for this year’s tournament. They have come out of a pretty tough series with a win. They are confident. Not to disrupted by injuries in key positions. The combinations have been tested, maybe found wanting in areas but still managed to pull off a series win and that counts for plenty. The only thing that will count against them if they start thinking they are bigger than they really are and signs of this were shown by the over robustness of players such as Juan Smith, Brussouw, Steyn and Bismarck in their last test. If they get that label of bully boys of rugby back, a label they have been trying hard to get rid of, i am afraid it will cost them dearly.
Just read this article... http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/TriNations/355/953f4bdb5a804921975acbdcab86782e//Arrogant_Boks_set_for_TN3_fall
Chat again next week
You were an armband that reads “Justice” in protest of one of your brethren who was ‘unjustly’ sanctioned for a mere 2 weeks and you play one of the dirtiest off the ball games I have seen you play in recent history, isn’t it ironic? And you want to tell me that the Boks are unjustly labelled as a dirty team.
Dont get me wrong, on this account I think Bakkies may have been dealt a bit of a raw deal, what he did was reckless yes, its really tantamount to a shoulder charge, but many others do the same thing, but that doesn’t make it right no? Unfortunately someone got hurt because of his dumbass action. And then there was Schalk. I think he is a bit of a clown, but i have never thought he was a dirty player just a little bit of a hot head at times and that results in him getting sin binned. But his actions of a few weeks ago well i have no words!! Just read this article... http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/TriNations/355/953f4bdb5a804921975acbdcab86782e//Arrogant_Boks_set_for_TN3_fall I definitely think Sheridan deserved a citing for his attack on the groin area of bakkies i think it was.
Imagine that a series win and what are we talking about? PdV’s comments. You know what I will say this out loud, even I can’t defend him anymore. There are somethings that just cant be defended. To say on live TV that you saw Schalks actions and don’t think it deserved a yellow card and that it was part of the game is just plain stoopid
Anyway someone asked me the other day if i think PdV is a good coach or he is riding on the back of a good team? Is Rassie a good coach, may would say yes, but Province is failing time after time, and thats a quality outfit of world class players. Is Frans Ludeke a good coach? Because he pretty much inherited Heyneke’s team, why don’t i hear shaite like that?? All it is is the Bulls won the S14, let the Boks win and the conversation is PdV is a clown he doesn’t know what he is doing!! Fact, under his rule the Boks have won 11 from 16 starts. Close on 70%, as a nation so obsessed with winning, I would be happy with that. I mean the Boks play 10 man rugby and win or boring kop and stap and guys are happy with it because ey a win is a win, but let there be a win and little coach of colour (yeah i said it) who is starting to stick his foot in it, well lets forget about the win cos he has nothing to do with it. This all makes me want to vomit. Give him a break for crying out loud...Lions tour 2-1, All Blacks in Dunedin, 42-6 victory against England at Twickenham, 53-8 victory against Australia at Ellis park. If Dick Muir was the coach of this team what do you think the stories in the paper would read? Somewhere along the lines of the amazing Muir does it again with the Boks...
Anyway lets speak about rugby. First test, they played a good game. I don’t think they were as good as everyone thinks they were. In my mind there was a lot of illegal scrumming. I think i mentioned it in my last blog. If you notice the Beast engages under the chest of his opposition and scrums him upwards. It was a team effort from the pack, yes but not entirely legal in my view. Second and third test, I think the Lions had the ascendency in the scrums, you cant tell me that in a week things can change so dramatically in terms of power. To say that the third test was a B-team has some merit but not in its entirety. Front row change...Chiliboy very capable, had a few starts and off the bench appearances for the Bulls. Muller, bloody good player and lock. Brussow, well u tell me if he is good enough. Kankowsky, last years front runner for the no 8 jersey. Steyn, SA’s best no 10 in the S14, Olivier, best centre in SA for the S14, Fourie, everyone loves Fourie at 13, Jongi and Odwa, tried but they didn’t get much ball to work with, and Zayne was the best no 15 in the country, so thats no real B-team to be fair.
I really wasnt impressed with everyones darling Spies at all. He is an athlete of a man, but man when he is under pressure at the back of the scrum he becomes invisible the whole game. Out of the forwards I was most impressed with Brussouw, but I have always liked his style of play, the way he attacks the ball and i hope the Boks never get a coach with the mindset of Jake White again, i.e. someone fixated with bulk and size. I am not the biggest Fourie du Preez fan, but i quite liked the timing of 2 passes in one of the tests that lead to tries. But on the whole, call it prejudice, even though i have no reason to be prejudicial against him, he didn’t have an amazing test series in my view. Ruan failed to impress, but also didn’t ‘unimpress’ either, I would like to see them persevering with him Jean and Adi were once again solid, but their defence was often tested by Roberts and O’driscol, but many a centre pairing would have been. Bryan played well, but JP was pretty solid but wasnt like wow...Steyn???!!! thats all i will say
Well at least the little leagues are done, next weekend is time for the big time. Did I hear you say Tri-Nations??!! Ya man, next weekend 18th July, Abs get their bums handed to them by the somewhat impressive Oz. Granted their wins against Italy weren’t spectacular, but their unit seems to be there or thereabouts. They have a pack that can scrum, something that Robbie has built in the last year and a bit, good interchangeable loosies, stable scrummy, legendary Gits, rising star Barnes and Mr dependable Morts and an able loose trio. They are definitely looking the part i’d say.
I may have been stretching the truth a wee bit when i indicated that the Abs would have their bums handed to them. This is the big time, they will step up. But in all honesty i don’t want them to. There is definitely something amis. Front row is capable, I would give DeMelmanche more game time though, I don’t like Tialata much tho, too hot headed. The lock pairing is decent, i like the skills of Ross, he isn’t menacing like Ali with the personality to stand up to bully boy Bakkies but man does he have skills. Loosies will have the familiar look of Kaino, McCaw and So’ialo, even though i quite like Messam. Cowan hasn’t impressed me much at 9, i would def start with Leonard. At 10 even though Donald had a good S14, i would prefer Luke at 10, Ma’a and Conrad doing their thing, Siti and Cory on the wings and Mils at the back
Just like last year, I think the Boks are the front runners for this year’s tournament. They have come out of a pretty tough series with a win. They are confident. Not to disrupted by injuries in key positions. The combinations have been tested, maybe found wanting in areas but still managed to pull off a series win and that counts for plenty. The only thing that will count against them if they start thinking they are bigger than they really are and signs of this were shown by the over robustness of players such as Juan Smith, Brussouw, Steyn and Bismarck in their last test. If they get that label of bully boys of rugby back, a label they have been trying hard to get rid of, i am afraid it will cost them dearly.
Just read this article... http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/TriNations/355/953f4bdb5a804921975acbdcab86782e//Arrogant_Boks_set_for_TN3_fall
Chat again next week
Friday, June 26, 2009
So begins the international season...
Greetings rugby followers...
Yip the international season is well underway and so far pretty interesting regarding the form books i say! Oz are looking the most expansive, the Boks back to their physically bullying selves and my Blacks are looking but ka ak yo!!
Lets start with the Ausies, they are a team that is building some depth and with a coach like Robbie Deans you can see the change in their forward play too. Their scrums don’t seem to be struggling that much fair enough they have only played Italy but Italy generally have a strong pack...at least. What i like about the Ausies is the balance they seem to have now and the depth they are building. I mean who plays a 19 year old as a starting international fullback? Australia, thats who. I don’t think they are the finished product just yet, but thats what you want though right? All the signs are demonstrating a team progressing on the right path. Their front row is more than competent, my pick being the brumbies prop who plays like an extra loose forward, the one who scores all the time, I get confused between Ben Alexander/Benn Robinson, but u know which one. The bra has skills, and is quite pacey for a presumed porker. There are the 2 locks they have, nothing flash but both big and hard working. The loose trio is hectic. George Smith at i think 28/29 years old closing in on 100 test caps looks like he has another 100 left in him. He is at his menacing and linking best, I would put him as the best out and out open side flanker in the business at the moment, followed by Luke and Brussow. Anyone they have at 6 and 8 (Brown, Mumm, Pockock, Waugh, Palu) looks hardly out of place. Burgess looks to be growing into his no 9 role. Gits, well what can be said about the best no 10 in the business at the moment? Yes alot but i have 2 other teams to get through so you can use your imagination as well as these superlatives, wow, amazing, mercurial, magical...in the centres there are Barnes and Mortlock, the Master (Morts) and the over achieving student. Then they have loose trios to burn, Ashley cooper, Turner, Mitchell, Ioane, Tiquiri, Heynes juslike nah they are building something special here.
Then there were the Boks. To be honest i was one of those who thought they were a bit underdone and would feel the heat a wee bit in the first test. Not that i think the Lions are anything to be fearful of. This Lions team is much better than the one that was taken to the cleaners in NZ a few years ago, but in terms of striking fear into opponents, I am not too convinced and I have always said that. They have quality individual players but as a collective man i don’t know. Their formidable pack got a formidable pasting for roughly 40 minutes last week. Everyone is giving the high fives to Beast but i am not too convinced about his scrumming just yet, he had a lot of help from Bismark and Bakkies. Dont get me wrong he did what he had to do, held his own, back straight and i think the plan to attack Vicery paid dividends! So what turned the game? Second half replacements or the Lions lifting their intensity? I would go with the Lions, but South African supporters will go with the substitutions. Now you tell me what was lost by bringing on Guthro and Deon for Beast and John, fair enough they had the ascendancy in a few scrums, but the Welsh made changes which seemed to neutralise that before the Beast went off, or am i mistaken. Brussow was having a stormer and i don’t think he should have been taken off so early, but ey it was his debut, he worked tirelessly and he was replaced by the Bulls and Bok supersub Danie Russouw, just the way south African supporters like it...more meat in the pack, afterall Brussow, like Luke, is too small to play flank!! Anyway, i am pleased for Div that they won because all the heat he is taking even from a win, imagine if they had lost. The team is looking pretty solid at the moment particularly upfront. The loose forward come scrummy Fourie is also looking on top of his game. The rest of the backline is a wee bit rusty but nothing a little game time wont sort out.
The Abs looked pretty ordinary in the first test, but the French brought a quality side and played a damn impressive game so lets move on from that. The second test, even more ordinary Abs but luckily the French were slightly more ordinary. I am not convinced about Cowan at 9 this year thus far and Donald at 10. He just looks like he is not relaxed at all. Donald at the Chiefs is not the same Donald with an AB 10 jersey. Enter Lukie...I hope. I am not too concerned to be honest. We might take the wooden spoon in this years Tri Nations, but its ok we are hopefully building some depth cos its lacking. The first test what was the sum of the loose trios test caps about 12?
Anyway moving right along to this anima called the South African rugby supporter. The animal along with idiotic players like Bakkies and Bismark that make me dislike the Bok team so much. Never have i seen an animal that suffers from so much one-itis ever. Let me highlight some inconsistencies...Ricky Januarie, yes a bit of a porker but he looked the same during last years tri nations when he won you the game at Carrisbrook, Ricky Januarie, what a boytjie...the saviour...blah blah blah. Next, but how can he be picked, he didn’t play much super 14 this year, but wait neither did Ruan Pienaar, or Jacque Fourie, and there are other players who played consistently well during this years super 14 that weren’t picked, but lets not worry about those players lets just pick on Earl Rose and Ricky. Earl Rose, shame poor guy, if you watch rugby like i think i do, and see a lot of the Lions tries, they were ignited by who? Yes Earl Rose. A couple of stuff ups were of his making yes, but you cant tell me he was any worse than a few others whose names i will save for later as I have some more comparsisons i want to draw(or biatching). Earl Rose didn’t ask to be picked, he has never said he is the best in his position, yes but why pick him some might ask, well what were people saying when Bob Skinstad, who by his own admission was nowhere near worthy of being picked ahead of AJ Venter or Teich by a long mile?mmm let me see not too much. A few rumblings here and there but nothing to the extent that we have on the comments on Rugby365 and Sport 24 about Rose and some other players, who all coincidentally appear to be players of colour. I mean lets take Frans Steyn for one, randomness personified, but u stay right where you are even though a player like Kirchner was by a country mile the best fullback in the country and then some. But how can you pick Ricky when Kockott and Vermaak were better than he was. Then the most annoying one for me. Drop Adi Jacobs and put in Jacque Fourie, but wait aren’t we the same people that are saying that you cant just pick players who haven’t played much S14 this year, but its fine to substitute Jacque for a player who has not put a foot wrong thus far this year? Hmmmm...sheesh what else...oh yes Brussouw, yip it was impossible to pick Luke because he is too small, foolish!! He is bigger than Brussouw is. He is not good enough, well i did some research and as far as loosies in SA go, those 2 were in the top 3 or so in SA. Yes so Luke stood for what he believed in, he believed that the Bok emblem, just like that old flag, represents the old school. And well done to him for saying what he believed. Its funny though that a player like Toks is guilty of racially abusing a young lady but no don’t worry Toksie, you are one of the boytjies...
Anyway onto this weekends games. Boks will win at Loftus, the Lions best shot was in Durbs. That being said I’d like to see the series go down to the wire, i.e. the 3rd test being the decider. France v Oz, should be a ripper, but Oz to take it and NZ to have a good hit out against Italy, just hope for no more injuries and something starts clicking other than my knees
Outta here people have a good rugby viewing weekend
Yip the international season is well underway and so far pretty interesting regarding the form books i say! Oz are looking the most expansive, the Boks back to their physically bullying selves and my Blacks are looking but ka ak yo!!
Lets start with the Ausies, they are a team that is building some depth and with a coach like Robbie Deans you can see the change in their forward play too. Their scrums don’t seem to be struggling that much fair enough they have only played Italy but Italy generally have a strong pack...at least. What i like about the Ausies is the balance they seem to have now and the depth they are building. I mean who plays a 19 year old as a starting international fullback? Australia, thats who. I don’t think they are the finished product just yet, but thats what you want though right? All the signs are demonstrating a team progressing on the right path. Their front row is more than competent, my pick being the brumbies prop who plays like an extra loose forward, the one who scores all the time, I get confused between Ben Alexander/Benn Robinson, but u know which one. The bra has skills, and is quite pacey for a presumed porker. There are the 2 locks they have, nothing flash but both big and hard working. The loose trio is hectic. George Smith at i think 28/29 years old closing in on 100 test caps looks like he has another 100 left in him. He is at his menacing and linking best, I would put him as the best out and out open side flanker in the business at the moment, followed by Luke and Brussow. Anyone they have at 6 and 8 (Brown, Mumm, Pockock, Waugh, Palu) looks hardly out of place. Burgess looks to be growing into his no 9 role. Gits, well what can be said about the best no 10 in the business at the moment? Yes alot but i have 2 other teams to get through so you can use your imagination as well as these superlatives, wow, amazing, mercurial, magical...in the centres there are Barnes and Mortlock, the Master (Morts) and the over achieving student. Then they have loose trios to burn, Ashley cooper, Turner, Mitchell, Ioane, Tiquiri, Heynes juslike nah they are building something special here.
Then there were the Boks. To be honest i was one of those who thought they were a bit underdone and would feel the heat a wee bit in the first test. Not that i think the Lions are anything to be fearful of. This Lions team is much better than the one that was taken to the cleaners in NZ a few years ago, but in terms of striking fear into opponents, I am not too convinced and I have always said that. They have quality individual players but as a collective man i don’t know. Their formidable pack got a formidable pasting for roughly 40 minutes last week. Everyone is giving the high fives to Beast but i am not too convinced about his scrumming just yet, he had a lot of help from Bismark and Bakkies. Dont get me wrong he did what he had to do, held his own, back straight and i think the plan to attack Vicery paid dividends! So what turned the game? Second half replacements or the Lions lifting their intensity? I would go with the Lions, but South African supporters will go with the substitutions. Now you tell me what was lost by bringing on Guthro and Deon for Beast and John, fair enough they had the ascendancy in a few scrums, but the Welsh made changes which seemed to neutralise that before the Beast went off, or am i mistaken. Brussow was having a stormer and i don’t think he should have been taken off so early, but ey it was his debut, he worked tirelessly and he was replaced by the Bulls and Bok supersub Danie Russouw, just the way south African supporters like it...more meat in the pack, afterall Brussow, like Luke, is too small to play flank!! Anyway, i am pleased for Div that they won because all the heat he is taking even from a win, imagine if they had lost. The team is looking pretty solid at the moment particularly upfront. The loose forward come scrummy Fourie is also looking on top of his game. The rest of the backline is a wee bit rusty but nothing a little game time wont sort out.
The Abs looked pretty ordinary in the first test, but the French brought a quality side and played a damn impressive game so lets move on from that. The second test, even more ordinary Abs but luckily the French were slightly more ordinary. I am not convinced about Cowan at 9 this year thus far and Donald at 10. He just looks like he is not relaxed at all. Donald at the Chiefs is not the same Donald with an AB 10 jersey. Enter Lukie...I hope. I am not too concerned to be honest. We might take the wooden spoon in this years Tri Nations, but its ok we are hopefully building some depth cos its lacking. The first test what was the sum of the loose trios test caps about 12?
Anyway moving right along to this anima called the South African rugby supporter. The animal along with idiotic players like Bakkies and Bismark that make me dislike the Bok team so much. Never have i seen an animal that suffers from so much one-itis ever. Let me highlight some inconsistencies...Ricky Januarie, yes a bit of a porker but he looked the same during last years tri nations when he won you the game at Carrisbrook, Ricky Januarie, what a boytjie...the saviour...blah blah blah. Next, but how can he be picked, he didn’t play much super 14 this year, but wait neither did Ruan Pienaar, or Jacque Fourie, and there are other players who played consistently well during this years super 14 that weren’t picked, but lets not worry about those players lets just pick on Earl Rose and Ricky. Earl Rose, shame poor guy, if you watch rugby like i think i do, and see a lot of the Lions tries, they were ignited by who? Yes Earl Rose. A couple of stuff ups were of his making yes, but you cant tell me he was any worse than a few others whose names i will save for later as I have some more comparsisons i want to draw(or biatching). Earl Rose didn’t ask to be picked, he has never said he is the best in his position, yes but why pick him some might ask, well what were people saying when Bob Skinstad, who by his own admission was nowhere near worthy of being picked ahead of AJ Venter or Teich by a long mile?mmm let me see not too much. A few rumblings here and there but nothing to the extent that we have on the comments on Rugby365 and Sport 24 about Rose and some other players, who all coincidentally appear to be players of colour. I mean lets take Frans Steyn for one, randomness personified, but u stay right where you are even though a player like Kirchner was by a country mile the best fullback in the country and then some. But how can you pick Ricky when Kockott and Vermaak were better than he was. Then the most annoying one for me. Drop Adi Jacobs and put in Jacque Fourie, but wait aren’t we the same people that are saying that you cant just pick players who haven’t played much S14 this year, but its fine to substitute Jacque for a player who has not put a foot wrong thus far this year? Hmmmm...sheesh what else...oh yes Brussouw, yip it was impossible to pick Luke because he is too small, foolish!! He is bigger than Brussouw is. He is not good enough, well i did some research and as far as loosies in SA go, those 2 were in the top 3 or so in SA. Yes so Luke stood for what he believed in, he believed that the Bok emblem, just like that old flag, represents the old school. And well done to him for saying what he believed. Its funny though that a player like Toks is guilty of racially abusing a young lady but no don’t worry Toksie, you are one of the boytjies...
Anyway onto this weekends games. Boks will win at Loftus, the Lions best shot was in Durbs. That being said I’d like to see the series go down to the wire, i.e. the 3rd test being the decider. France v Oz, should be a ripper, but Oz to take it and NZ to have a good hit out against Italy, just hope for no more injuries and something starts clicking other than my knees
Outta here people have a good rugby viewing weekend
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