Comments on: Fuss over the play-offs

By: Dumb Supporter

Dumb Supporter — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:46:30 +0000

If you had to pick the best 2nd fifteen to play for SA, who would you add to the current bunch?

I think the following players would strengthen the team that played against Tonga:

10. Grant – Granted (n.p.i.) AP could not play any worse than he did, Pieter might add some line attacking abilities to our flyhalf channel. I expect to see a lot more of him in a post-Butch era.

12. Barrit – Might be able to add some bite to our backs.

4/5. Albert is not a bad lock, but you have to consider the potential of players like Bekker, Pieterse and Corniel van Zyl who have all played very well this year.

6. Luke, Grobelaar – We have many good loosies in the country, so it is hard to say someone is the best outright. Even so, these two might have done well against Tonga.

13. Outside center is a concern. WO has not really played that well while Murray was really disappointed in the few tests he played. Any suggestions?

15. I think Ruan played really well at 15 and suspect that that might become his permanent position at the Sharks once Percy leaves. With Cocket and Matty they have plenty of quality at 9.

All comments are welcome but I would prefer calm, logical rugby related ones.

By: Hurricane

Hurricane — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:24:01 +0000

#59
Or in white with a pretty red flower on there jersey

By: Big Hit

Big Hit — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:43:07 +0000

no ones afraid of the men in grey

By: AiDoc

AiDoc — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 03:58:32 +0000

45 After the shocker that Sivi had against Scotland, I do not think he will play. Rocco will be the man. I would have preferred the guy they left at home, who I rate as the best in the world; Gear.
33-35 Add in their four injured locks and Gear, and it would be a difficult side to overcome.

Pumas have conceded no try as yet. Captain Sook and the Choirboys have to get four. No way! Bye Bye and so they don’t need to be afraid of the MIB anymore, except for priests.

By: Manlybok

Manlybok — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:19:43 +0000

Yep Kes,I think that the pumas will be tough and definitely cause a few injuries.

By: McDirk_Sydney

McDirk_Sydney — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:39:52 +0000

#55

Think you mean the semi KB. far as i can see we play wales regardless.

The pumas will be tough, but we will be fortunate to have played 2 sides prior (US and Wales) who are not physical sides.

Would rather we played the argies though, than france.

By: kesbok

kesbok — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:03:56 +0000

whilst I would like nothing more than to see the Boks in the final they still have a long way to go.

The Ireland/Arg game needs to go their way or else we have a very tricky quarter final to get through. Anyone that say the Pumas are easy is crazy. They are physical and are full of confidence. Injuries will also play a massive role as we lack depth in almost every single position on the field.

One game at a time or we may exit sooner than we think

By: CoachPete

CoachPete — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:54:26 +0000

Badeesh. I dont believe anyone said the ABs C team would beat the Boks A team. However,the AB’s C team could give the boks B team a go.

I beleive the AB’s C team could beat most sides including Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, yea and maybe even the poms right now. ( Thats made the poms mad I bet) Remember this mid year, when Junior ABs, (basically AB’s C team) beat the islanders.

By: CoachPete

CoachPete — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:46:59 +0000

#31 Yea I agree good team for ABs C. I would maybe have Braid at #7.

By: SjamBok

SjamBok — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:20:55 +0000

I will say it again: We will have to fight for our lives against Argentina. I would not count on making it to the finals at all if we get complacent about the Pumas.

By: long drop

long drop — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:13:12 +0000

Keo we know for years that it is more difficult to win the Tri. however, dont say this WC is a farce. the rugby dire? I seen lots more boring games than this years WC. teams are all better coached and even the semi-professionals looks much better than previous WCups. did you perhaps read ‘no need to panic’ to come up with your analyses? click on my username to see what I’m refering to.

By: ENFORCER

ENFORCER — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:50:20 +0000

#5 I agree with you. One would have thought that we have better depth than what we’ve seen lately. In a World Cup you need plenty of back-up. Holding onto the tackle bags have probably made them lazy. They’ll need to wake-up pretty soon!

By: zoeloe shark

zoeloe shark — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:08:44 +0000

Ataturk, are you the infamous Quentin Poulsen? If so, why are you pretending to be a saffa?

By: charo

charo — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:47:54 +0000

to all those doubters about the impact of the bok bench – you are basing it on the durban game against the ab’s.
look at the current rwc set up – bismark, ruan and bob skinstad, all with fresh legs, will up the tempo in the last 20mins.
not bad i say.

By: stodders

stodders — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:53:14 +0000

badeesh,

I would agree with you on that belief.

By: badeesh

badeesh — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:43:16 +0000

yeah i realised that after the posts so apologies for the conclusion jumping …

i hold firm in the belief that if our b-team played the nz b-team … and both had ample preperation, there would be 10 points in it, max.

By: stodders

stodders — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:39:31 +0000

greenbok,

I think Henry has chosen. If everyone is fit, I believe he will go for:

1. Woodcock
2. Oliver
3. Hayman
4. Robinson
5. Williams
6. Collins
7. McCaw
8. So’oialo
9. Kelleher
10. Carter
11. Sivivatu
12. McAllister
13. Muliaina
14. Howlett
15. MacDonald

16. Sommerville
17. Mealamu
18. Jack
19. Masoe
20. Leonard
21. Mauger or Evans (if McA covers 10, Mauger will be picked. If not, Evans will be selected).
22. Toeava

4/3 bench split.

Sommerville can prop both sides which frees up a bench spot for a back.

Robinson at 4 allows Williams to play the looser game he is so good at. Robinson is the Botha of the ABs.

Muliaina is one of the ABs best and most consistent performers. Henry will want him on the pitch. He showed his class when the ABs beat Italy in the first game. Neither Smith or Toeava have done enough IMO to change the coaches minds.

MacDonald has been one of the form fullbacks in the world cup. Henry will play Muliaina at 13 and MacDonald at 15.

What do you think?

By: stodders

stodders — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:29:33 +0000

Badeesh,

I never said an ABs C team would win the world cup, but on the evidence of most of the nations playing, they would defintely be competitive. It’s not their fault they are in the middle of a golden generation, is it?

By: greatest13gerber

greatest13gerber — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:28:28 +0000

#40 cheetahs? you need to watch some of the NPC because some of the players in that C team would walk into any other test side in World.

Stephen Brett = better then Butch,AP,Ruan

Lachlan Munroe = McAlistair clone.

David Smith = NZ Habana

By: stodders

stodders — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:26:23 +0000

Keo,

So you’re on the spin again

The Bok team that played was full of youngsters then was it. Which ones?

Would that be the now first choice Steyn? Or were you referring to Ruan Pienaar, even though he was first choice scrum half in the Tri Nations this year?

You can’t even call them inexperienced either.

What is true in your article is that the majority of the starting 15 for the Tonga game won’t start again in this world cup, barring injury. And that little fact is what must be worrying you and the Springbok supporters. Your first XV is as good as anyone elses. After that, the drop off is quite big and v noticeable.

A question i do have is – Do you think any of the first XV will get complacent about their place in the team now that they know the “dirt trackers” don’t have what it takes to challenge them for a starting spot?