Robbie rates Boks
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans believes the Boks are the only team that can stop the All Blacks winning the World Cup.
Deans, writing in the French Rugby Hebdo paper, praised John Smit and Jake White and said the Boks and All Blacks were the only two realistic contenders.
“There are about eight or 10 contenders who are trying to convince themselves they can win the World Cup. But there are only two who know they really can win it: New Zealand and South Africa.”
Deans sees White’s Springboks as the squad most likely to crash the All Blacks World Cup party.
“I am sure they (New Zealand) have the potential to play at a higher degree of intensity no matter who their adversaries are, except perhaps for South Africa,” wrote Deans. “There are three reasons the Boks can win this World Cup. The first is historic. And it is not only because the core of the squad is from the Under-21 side, coached by a certain Jake White, that became [Under-21] world champions in 2002 by dominating the final against a New Zealand team that included five players who are here in France, including Daniel Carter.”
Carter actually did not play and the Boks beat NZ in a semi-final 19-18. Nevertheless, Deans continued.
“These Boks have since notched up some considerable success, like the Tri Nations victory in 2004 or that of the South African sides in this year’s Super 14.
“White has at his disposal a mature squad that prides itself on considerable confidence, which is based as much on their performances as the depth of their bench, which has been markedly superior to whatever his predecessors had.”
Deans also believes the Springboks will head into the quarter-finals realising that for a number of them, this could represent a fairytale end to their careers. “Victory could be the culmination of some of their careers, for players like John Smit or Victor Matfield … not to mention [coach] White,” Deans wrote.
He added that while the Springboks have maintained their physical prowess, White has introduced a broader mindset to the squad.
“South African teams always fall back on their physical prowess and a mentality that is unfailing, but White has added certain mental flexibility,” he said.
Deans also pointed to the pride South African players have in wearing the Springboks jersey and the leadership of Smit as being pivotal, as well as Smit’s calmness under pressure.
“Smit is not only a respected captain. He is also a man who can keep his emotions buried deep inside when faced with the pressure moments,” he said.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Durban,
Best you keep instances of the Boks getting a fair ride quiet. You’ll blow a hole in the “Boks are victims” argument
September 26th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
He he.. Good point.. im not saying we are angels. All i ask for is consistancy.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
AFTER 5 MONTHS ! THE LEGEND THAT IS ME RETURNS ! I WENT DEEP INTO THE KALAHRI DESERT ON HOLIDAY FOR A PERIOD OF MEDITATION AND THOUGHT TO PREPARE MYSELF MENTALLY AND SPIRITUALLY FOR THE ALL BLACKS WINNING THE WORLD CUP !
September 26th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
What am I supposedly apologising for Stodders?
September 26th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
boks are victims, but thats fine and accepted, no ones asking for special treatment, just concistency.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Actually all i want is those dam convicts to get cited… All of them!!!
September 26th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Yuo guys sound like you’re at a political rally. Victim this victiom that.
Let it go!
September 26th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
cab,
Boks are victims…hehehe. It’s never their own fault for just being stupid then
Vinnie,
I saw your oops post. I thought you were saying sorry for something. I wasn’t asking you for an apology if that is how you took it.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Was trying to post an image stodders and it didnt come out as intended.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Durban,
Everyone wants consistency.
The Boks have been cited twice in this world cup.
Burger was dumb and got a ban. The initial one was harsh, and it was reduced on appeal. If there was a conspiracy, the appeal panel could have increased it!
The second incident was for a biting allegation. The IRB had to look into it. They had to cite Steyn to bring about the case. They found him not guilty on the charge and completely exonerated him.
One guilty, one innocent verdict. The wheels of justice keep a turning
September 26th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Everyone has made their camp now. Let’s just let it go and get on with looking ahead.
Burger is nicely refreshed and ready to play from QFs to Final, Steyn is clear to play too. All is rosey in Bok land.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
#249
Burger was cited in the Samoan game. How could the English cite him?
September 26th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
256.
Now thats not nice, nor is it in the spirit of fostering a friendly realtionship between our two nations
September 26th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Conspirators etal… Load of BS guys
Burger was carded for dangerous play. Taking a player out in the air. Deserved his card.
Habana was carded for a professional foul. Not rolling away from tackled player ( he was within 10 metres of the tryline… therefore carded. Dont know what game you are watching but both got what was deserved.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
264 – Don’t pretend you don’t know what the real issue is here.
Which is, of course: Why weren’t players like Mitchel, Moore, Thomas & Hayman ALSO cited?
September 26th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Rugbyrulz. Thats fine if you look at it like that. The problem comes in when Tonga were also blatently commiting professional fouls by colapsing our rolling maul and nothing happened to them. Consistant???????
We dont ask for much.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Durban docs,
I like your name it reminds of the Durban TN match.
The boks got klapped in that last ten minutes did they not?
At one stage i was asking “why are the boks standing still while the AB`s are running past them?”
Afterwards the boks told JW “we got tired”.
HiHiHiHi!!!
Bye for now.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Ask yourselves this…. What if the Stellenboshe (excuse my spelling) rules come in post WCup.
Mauls will be a thing of the past!
September 26th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
vindicated, read ur posts through out … hypocrite
September 26th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
katman,
I mentioned above that Hayman’s non-citing was consistent with the punishment dished out to Skinstad for his punch on McCaw in the Durban test this year. If anything, the Boks got better treatment on that occasion as Skinstad didn’t get a card either.
Mitchell’s tackle wasn’t that bad IMO. I do agree with you though that Moore and Thomas should have been cited.
So out of the 4, you are right on 2 IMO.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
267 – Last time we played your lot we beat you 105-13. What makes you think you can afford to be smug here?
September 26th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
katman,
Durban Docks also pointed out earlier that Juan Smith had thrown a couple of punches in the Samoa game. He wasn’t censured during or after the game. The citing commissioner was consistent again when it came to punching.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Mitchells spear was almost a carbon copy of the tackle that got the yank centre 5 games.
And we’re talking World Cup citings, because this is where all this **** started. If Burger got cited, so should Hayman.
I count 4 from 4
IMHO
September 26th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Katman
If you were a citing official there would be a 13 man game. Oh yeah thats called Rugby League.
Mitchells tackle involved no driving… the americans did. Here endeth the lesson.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
katman,
we’ll agree to disagree. Again.
September 26th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Famous Saffa tennis coach Gerrie Berner told us 12 year old Borg wannabees:
If you face a guy with a massive serve, TELL him how huge his serve is, tried it many a time, in most cases….. problem solved…
September 27th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Stodders: Lima has played like this ever since I played against him as a 17 yr old playing for St Pats in Wellington, I was at Wellington College.
Ball in hand, fast and a great swerve
In the tackle, a bit of a thug – unfortunately like many polynesian players – and I should know, I would have played rugby with or against over 2000 of them.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:40 am
28. Yeah the Criminals second fifteen only lost by 40 odd to NZ’s third team. Great depth for a diving team.
32. The referees are beginning to favour dominant scrums and I expect the Criminals to do as well as their second team. The TN win was a blimp after the AB’s were forced to play so soon after a very tough match against the RSA.
157 Is that a typo? 52 – 12 you meant?
218 Perhaps that Lima is near the top of the RWC try scoring list. Probably scored more than England. Check it out at the IRB site.
234. The Boks game winning try came from a ruck where a Tongan was spear tackled. Was that a travesty?