Bok scrum expect AB onslaught
Springbok captain John Smit has highlighted the importance of outscrumming the All Blacks in the first Tri Nations Test in New Zealand.
It’s been a disappointing facet for the Boks, as they struggled in the first Test against Wales and then against a third-rate Italy front row. The man who lent them stability, BJ Botha, is not on tour while there is a possibility youngsters Brian Mujati and Beast Mtawarira could come up against Tony Woodcock and Greg Somerville.
Smit told Die Burger that this set-piece will present the most significant challenge of the 5 July fixture.
“The All Blacks have dominated their opponents in the scrums in every match they’ve played this season,” he said. “The All Blacks got the upper hand, despite England’s strong scrum. That’s a feather in their caps.”
The English didn’t provide much resistance for New Zealand, who scored comfortable victories in both of the two Tests. These were merely warm-ups for the upcoming clash against the World Champions.
“There are some Test matches that you know will be hard,” Smit said. “The All Blacks in New Zealand is one of those in which the physical aspect is non-negotiable.
“If you don’t stand up in that respect, you’re going to be on the back foot from the outset. We must not let ourselves down from a physical viewpoint.”
Smit said the absence of All Blacks captain of Richie McCaw won’t debilitate the hosts.
“The All Blacks would, of course, have liked Richie to be part of their team but there is no such thing as a weak All Blacks team. And they’re playing at home, which is a huge factor.”
The Bok captain also denounced the new laws. Saturday will be the first time he plays under the ELVs having spent the European season with French club Clermont.
“They never tried to reinvent the wheel before, so why do it now. There was nothing wrong with the old laws, and you couldn’t find an empty seat in stadiums in France.”
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
katman – Well i didn’t see much of the S14 as i don’t have sky, but all i have been reading for the last few months is how much of an impact Adi made from the bench. So i am making my assumptions on everyone’s comments. Of course i have seen him play years back, but he has never blown me away. And if his greatest impact was from the bench, does that quantify him starting a test against the ABs? Remember how the ABs found Russel out!!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
#230 crazy ******:
yes true..Smit is probably pissed about BJ omission ..is brian better then BJ??
fcking not.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
#248 grunt:
I’m just waiting for Peter, then I’ll probably do it at the presser or he will.
Oh shucks, I’m giving my ID away here
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Sheriff – i wonder who else is using alter egos here, the tackler perhaps?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
#250 crazy ******:
Crazy, you will find that there is a helluva overlap between Sheriff® opinion and fact.
Read every single word I wrote there. He can come off the bench (when the game is already in the bag tho)
Dont go the quota route, you dont know who you’re dealiing with here.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hi all……cant wait for Saturday!!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
#249 Thameside Bok fan: Would this be the same Bok team that got beat 49-0 a couple of seasons back, or conceded 4 tries against France in CT, or lost to NZ in Durban thanks to two late tries before last years WC? Under Jake White, we were know for our defensive system, rather than tackles made by individual players.
Like I said earlier, at some point every player misses a tackle (Steyn in the WC final). You can get 7 Frank Bunces in your backline…if they all run around like headless chickens, then you’re going to get hammered.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Crazy, easy tiger, whoa there on the quota talk. Habana was a sensation from day one. Even Jantjies was great all those years back when Viljoen played him against the Ozzies.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
#255 Sheriff:
Thats tough I dont rate Adi as a true Test player but he doesn’t fit in the Quota box becuas he is obviously up to a standard of play that he could play International Rugby for another country. Its just whether we can look at him and not be able to name three or four guys that could arguably do a better job for the Boks. THATS the crux of the matter.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
#254 grunt:
Not sure. But since you’re raising it – is your real name Grant?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
#252 greatest13gerber: G13G, I haven’t spoken to John Smit, so I have no idea how he feels. Either you know him well, and have spoken to him recently, ot you’ve based you opinion on…well not much really (apologies if you have actually spoken to him).
Personally I would have gone with BJ as well, he’s got more experience. What I’m saying is that, I don’t think it’s as critical as everyone is making out. If we get beat, I don’t think it’s going to be because of the scrum.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
******,
BJ Botha non selection just doesn’t make sense at all. Its political and thats a fact.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
#258 grunt: #255 Sheriff: #259 Thameside Bok fan: I’m not raising the quota issue. I’m using that example to illustrate how opinions change, and that’s all we’re giving here…our opinions.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
No. But since i got graves disease last year and had have to take pills every day that give me major gas. Hence the name. Plus it is also the main ingredient that has made many a great Bok team
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
#255 Sheriff: LOL Sheriff, I dont’ think there’s a helluva lot of overlap between your opinion and reality
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
#259 Thameside Bok fan:
Several players get a favourable “bounce of the ball” in their careers. Wynand Olivier is one of them. Waylon another. Wayne Julies another and so on.
Now it’s Adi’s turn. He does have better distribution skills then the ones mentioned here. If I was coach he would be my Bob Skinstad when he was young; the one to turn on the magic with 15 min to go.
You’ll get a great combo with Waylon’s size/strength and Adi’s distrib skills and feel for the game. Think about it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
#265 crazy ******:
But then again, you’re a crazy ******. You said so yourself.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
#262 greatest13gerber: Greatest, I just don’t think its political though. There are enough non-white players in the squad whereby one black prop isn’t going to make that big a difference. Also, if its all about politics, why not leave out a coloured guy like Pietersen or Jacobs for an “ethnic black” guy like Chavanga or Bobo.
I just don’t think BJ is rated that highly, period.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pm
#267 Sheriff: With some of the names around, its a surprise people get as worked up as they do, LoL.
By the way, my post was meant as a joke, don’t think you got it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
#257 crazy ******:
It is not about missing tackles. It is about the tackles made/tackles missed ratio. We don’t have a better defensive center than Steyn.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
BJ Botha is the best we have.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
#269 crazy ******:
So was mine. Dont think you got it either.
Now what.
JUST FLIPPEN JOKING MATE, COOL BANANAS
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
#271 greatest13gerber:
If it has to be a Botha, I will put my last bit of money on PW.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
#272 Sheriff: LoL.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
#270 klingon_x: Out of interest, what are the tackles made/ tackles made ratio for Jacobs as opposed to guys like Steyn, Fourie, etc?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
#118 Richie_7: “Emphasis is being placed on the scrum at this stage” because that is where our problem at this stage is. I beleve we have enough ceativity with Butch and Jean, and it they can get the ball on the front foot from the scrum, the’ll be even more potent.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
#273 Sheriff: Don’t forget about Pik!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
#262 greatest13gerber: Before you get all rightwing on us again, read my post: #22 katman: about BJ’s non-selection. It’s no blêk konspirrasie. PDV just doesn’t want to struggle with overseas based players.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
#275 crazy ******:
Would be very interesting to see can anyone pull up stats like that?!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
we are going to tear the AB’s a new one.
yeeeeeeeeeeha!!!!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
#278 katman:
so its political? ah well whats new..if BJ was black he would be there
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
#281 greatest13gerber: And if you were black you’d be a security guard.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
greatestprickonthissite
Does everything have to be a colour issue with you???
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
#280 rangerman:
You have been in the bush for too long Ranger
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
#284 NZINCHINA: lol, i am busy with my “hype” campaign mate.
no mr nice ranger the next two weeks. its showtimne and i am getting too excited to work!
cant wait for the HAKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
#285 rangerman:
Nice one mate, have just bought the media zone package so get to watch it live
up here in the desert, going to be huge 50/50 call I would have thought.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
#283 wpw:
No. I hate WP
focus on the issue..BJ is our best scrummager and he has being dropped for political reasons. FACT
Thank you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
#286 NZINCHINA: ja, probably 50/50.
nice one with the tv coverage mate. cant miss this one for all the tea in………uh, you know what i mean.
i just hope the taps are turned off for the game. i am looking forward to some hard grind mixed with some running rugby!
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
ok, i am out.
cheers all.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
#287
Is it a fact because YOU said so???
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
#282 katman: Oh, silly me. I forgot you said you were one.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
#279 Thameside Bok fan: That’s why I asked…it’s a great point, if the actual stats back it up.
I’m sure that professional coaches in the S14 would have those kind of stats, and if Jacobs’ were so poor in comparison, I doubt **** would have been picking him ahead of guys like Steyn and Murray for the Sharks.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
#275 crazy ******
Last years’ stats are available for S14 at http://www.sarugby.com/news/Stats_Centre/
Jacob’s stats look good but it is quite misleading since he is used as a bench impact player because of his known poor defense. He comes on fresh and in the last 20 minutes of the game when the opponents have tired. In the game he started against the Tahs this season his channel was exploited.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
#292 crazy ******:
No I think he’d still get picked if his stats were not the best but could be described as “adequate”. Unfortunately thats the reality facing professional rugby in South Africa. I would wager a lot of money that Adi’s defensive stats are worse than some of the players he’s keeping out of the Bok side.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
#294 Thameside Bok fan:
His defense is know to be poor but he brings good attacking options to the backline. Only problem is – on Saturday it is going to be wet and he is going to face Nonu and Smith – not for the last 20 minutes when they have tired but for the entire match.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
#293 klingon_x: #294 Thameside Bok fan: I don’t know guys, that’s a pretty shaky point.
Klingon_x, I agree with your initial statement, that tackles made: missed ratio is more important, but the stats don’t back it up, so now you’re trying to massage it with the fact that he played mainly off the bench.
Thameside, if as you’re implying its simply a matter of him being “adequate” enough (i.e. black enough), then why haven’t they picked somene like Murray or Bobo instead? Let more state upfront, that personally I would have prefered Bobo, based on S14 form, but most of time when people talk about “the reality facing professional rugby in South Africa”, they’re not actually basing their points in reality. Couldn’t it be that PdV just rates Jacobs? (Whether he’s right or wrong will be proven shortly). When Jake insisted on picking Jaco or Olivier, even though everyone thought they were rubbish, was that also a selection based on “the reality facing professional rugby in South Africa”? I just dont’ get the double standard?!
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
#296 crazy ******:
No Olivier was just rubbish anyway!!
I think Kling makes a valid point however with the comment about Adi being used as a super sub in the final twenty. Its much easier to defend towards the end of a game when the other players are tired and you’re fresh than starting at parity at kickoff. Truth be told id prefer Bradley Barritt there and if not then Bobo (With reservations about his pace) The point I am trying to make is that Adi’s selection is perplexing, for whatever reason, as he is clearly not the best STARTING option that PDV has at his disposal. If England had persisted with Charlie at 10 people would scratch their heads as he’s clearly not the best that England have. Ditto Jacobs and the Boks.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
#296 crazy ******:
So why do you think **** decided, several seasons now, to play him mainly of the bench ? Do you think all the sport writers and pundits are part of some racist conspiracy when they attribute it to his weak defensive game ?
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
#298 klingon_x: I’m not say anything about race, and I’m not basing my opinion on sports writers or pundits…there’s a reason why they’re writers and pundits and not coaches by the way. So why do you think **** decide to start him in most games this year?
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
#297 Thameside Bok fan: Jaco too, LoL!
The thing Kling doesn’t point out is that Steyn wasn’t a regular starter last year either…he backed up Butch and Monty most of the season, and he didn’t play one minute of last years S14 in midfield. Coming on at fullback is a little easier defensively, than coming on at centre, even if it is at the end of the game.
Like I said, Jacobs isn’t my first choice either, but I don’t think it’s because of anything else other than the fact that he is a talented player, and his defensive “frailties” (in comparison with who people want to replace him) is a little overhyped.