The final insult
29 Aug 2008
The Springboks are expecting gracious favour from Lady Luck, God and the Highveld hoodoo but none of these intangibles will be enough to prevent another historic Australian win.
Slim chances of re-entering the Tri-Nations race evaporated with the capitulation at Kings Park, and there’s been subsequent talk about how this Ellis Park fixture is an opportunity to regain some pride. But what if the Boks fall to Australia on the Highveld for the first time since 1963? That would be the final insult. It would complete the plummet from champs to chumps in less than 10 months.
Keo.co.za looks at several reasons why Robbie Deans’s tourists will head back Down Under on a high.
BATTERY TAKES IT’S TOLL
Another week, another casualty. It’s a phrase that be will used to describe the Boks’ 2008 Tri-Nations campaign in years to come (as well as a few less-than-kind adjectives). The disaster in Durban cost South Africa another first-choice winger in JP Pietersen, a loss that comes just a week after Bryan Habana bowed out with a hamstring tear. CJ van der Linde has been banned for four weeks and will also be missed in a tight clash. For a side that’s already struggling, it’s almost unfair to expect the reserves to gel with the incumbents, let alone provide gamewinning touches.
The Aussies’ appeal of Rocky Elsom’s ban proved successful allowing the blindsider to hold onto his starting position. The Wallabies midfield looks no less formidable with Timana Tahu replacing the injured Berrick Barnes. The tourists may have lost lock Dan Vickerman but it is the hosts who are the more depleted and deflated outfit.
KICKING CHAOS
While it’s tempting to get stuck into those less-than-kind adjectives and phrases, it’s best to look at Peter de Villiers’s own errant slurs when it comes to tactical kicking. De Villiers assumed the Aussies had an inferior tactical kicking game ahead of that Kings Park Test, but Matt Giteau went on to break the Boks with his well-weighted chips behind the defence. Aside from Tahu, every member of the visiting backline has a healthy boot and the back three is strengthened in this area by the return of Adam Ashley-Cooper.
De Villiers has ignored last week’s result and picked two wingers not known for their kicking prowess, ditto the centres. Conrad Jantjes has the goods, but has failed to deliver in this vein in 2008, and the same goes for Butch James and Fourie du Preez. Why wasn’t Percy Montgomery selected for a match that is bound to see plenty of tactical kicking? A back three of Montgomery, Jantjes and Jongi Nokwe provides more balance in this regard.
BREAKDOWN WAUGH
Rumour has it he’s been locked in a dark cellar for seven days and fed on nothing but small scraps of meat, but Deans has finally decided to unleash the rabid force that is Phil Waugh. George Smith earns a break ahead of the Wallabies’ more important fixture in Brisbane, and so Waugh gets an opportunity to show the new coach what he can do with a start.
The problem with the South African back row is their failure to fire as a unit, and the persistence with Pierre Spies and the axing of Joe van Niekerk could prove costly. Elsom’s beat the law and you’d expect him to produce another big performance at the tackle point, and watch out for another prominent breakdown beast in Tatafu Polota-Nau.
SET-PIECE SCRAP
The scrumming was a positive for the Boks last week, but the problems at lineout time cannot be ignored. There was talk about the Aussie jumpers encroaching on the Boks’ side, but you’d expect experienced players like Victor Matfield and Juan Smith to rise above this sort of pressure. Hugh McMeniman and Elsom will look to spoil South African ball and James Horwill is one of the most underrated players in the Aussie side. They’ll miss Vickerman, but another bumbling Bok showing in this area will make their jobs a whole lot easier.
Prediction: It’ll be a sad end to a disappointing tournament for the world champions. Although they’ve been hit by numerous injuries, they will lament their own mistakes and perhaps finally admit that the current approach is flawed. Australia by 5.
Springboks – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Andries Bekker, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Percy Montgomery.
Australia - 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Peter Hynes, 13. Stirling Mortlock (c), 12. Timana Tahu, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Sam Cordingley, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Hugh McMeniman, 4. James Horwill, 3. Matt Dunning, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Subs: 16. Stephen Moore, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. George Smith, 20. Brett Sheehan, 21. Ryan Cross, 22. Drew Mitchell.
By Jon Cardinelli
1,238 Comments
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29 Aug 2008, 12:06 pm
#642 Dawn: That was funny Dawn. Good one.
29 Aug 2008, 12:06 pm
#645 poppa69:
He’s a twat. If I was on that show I’d throw him in the swimming pool
29 Aug 2008, 12:06 pm
#644 Dawn:
Are you the lone member of the “Graeme Smith Fan Club”?
29 Aug 2008, 12:07 pm
#640 piet visagie: Man, ek hoop maar die Bulle is ‘n ligpunt in my week !
29 Aug 2008, 12:07 pm
626 Puma
Im not a big fan of playing okes bcozof leadership. Not to say that JS should not be there but we must look at the bigger picture. If Peter wants to play expansive then he must play Bismark or Brits and start to develop a captain not Victor maybe Juan or even Bakkies…
29 Aug 2008, 12:07 pm
#653 Richie_7: i am a fully paid up member also richie.
biff is a good guy.
29 Aug 2008, 12:08 pm
#642 Dawn:
Surely you could’ve just changed channels – cheaper than buying a new TV???
29 Aug 2008, 12:08 pm
#647 Trigger:
Fess up boys. Who else has tennis elbow.
29 Aug 2008, 12:08 pm
#642 Dawn:
Mark is crazy, Melbourne borne, pypkop, soos ons in die Kaap se.
Check those tattoos…
29 Aug 2008, 12:08 pm
#642 Dawn:
If you want to see a mediocre movie at its best then you must watch transmorphers (yes it a transformers rip off)
29 Aug 2008, 12:08 pm
#623 Pietman: i think starting with FdP is a good idea…if he plays to half his potential he should be the link to the backline we have been missing, his tactical superiority is what we need and hopefully he dictates the early part of the game, resulting in some points early on…if not, it’s back to playing catch up, which = 50/50 passes, isolation and turnover, hanging heads and zero confidence…lets see how it goes
has anyone ever had such a bad run of predictions, JC, is it 6 from 6 so far?
29 Aug 2008, 12:08 pm
#647 Trigger: Will miss him today though. Know he has not played well in the ODI’s but if he was not injured think we would have seen him playing a lot better. Just want him injury free for the Aussie tour end of year.
29 Aug 2008, 12:09 pm
#655 AWESOMESTORMER:
The commentators overseas think JdV should be captain. Was Vic promised the captaincy somewhere along the line?
29 Aug 2008, 12:09 pm
#647 Trigger:
Is diiiiiiiiit hoekom my arm so pyn !
Dankie dokter.
29 Aug 2008, 12:10 pm
#648 Puma:
I think he went too far though and restricted his own options. I still remember him accusing Joubert and de Wet of letting him down. The point being that he considered he was let down, not the tea. That type of personal blackmail is an unhealthy way of managing.
29 Aug 2008, 12:10 pm
Interesting thoughts on the lineout Like the point about opposition coming through the line, and the fact they no lnoger have to worry about punishment from Botha if they do so. I’ll watch for this tomorrow.
In fairness to the Boks, missing Smit and Botha is pretty significant. Two players which would be in anyone’s world XV… that has to be having a big impact.
29 Aug 2008, 12:11 pm
#643 XhosaKid:
I see what you mean – it’s really sad
29 Aug 2008, 12:11 pm
#655 AWESOMESTORMER: Bismarck is good. Then again his throwing this year has not been the best and sometimes he does not pass the ball. Remember we could have scored 2 tries if had passed. I still rate him though. But no way can we go and play without our Captain. Just look what happened to NZ without R.McCaw. John will be here for the Lions tour. Then we will see. Not sure who will be Captain. I do like Juan though.
29 Aug 2008, 12:11 pm
#653 Richie_7:
Biff is cuddly.
29 Aug 2008, 12:11 pm
and GBS, keep your spirits up, focus on the memories you have and find solace in the ones close to you
29 Aug 2008, 12:11 pm
#666 Buck: think you over rate those 2 players … wouldnt be in my world 15 thats for sure ….
29 Aug 2008, 12:12 pm
The Pumas should replace the Stinkboks in the Try Nations!!
http://piersnorth.blogspot.com/2007/02/karlis-salna-infant-of-year.html
Simon ‘Bulldog’ Dickson
29 Aug 2008, 12:13 pm
#669 Dawn:
squishy*
29 Aug 2008, 12:13 pm
#657 SyKoPlaya:
It’s like watching someone being dissected alive.
You can’t look away.
29 Aug 2008, 12:14 pm
#554 Puma: If it means PdeV must play wing for someone else to coach I’m all for it.
29 Aug 2008, 12:14 pm
#671 poppa69:
They provide the glue that keeps the Bok pack together, though. Without them they’re rudderless and always have been.
29 Aug 2008, 12:14 pm
#670 BuckT: Am doing it… thanks !
29 Aug 2008, 12:14 pm
#666 Buck: #670 BuckT:
You boys in tandem, or is this coincidence ?
29 Aug 2008, 12:14 pm
648 Puma
Exactly! Thats why the mess it will take time for this okes to get used to Peter one thing is for sure though this okes love Peter I saw them after the Newlands test
29 Aug 2008, 12:15 pm
#672 Richie_7:
Cuddly
29 Aug 2008, 12:15 pm
#665 David: Yes but just a month back read that Joubert said that Jake White was the best coach he has ever, ever played under. As he has everything down to detail. I never remember him accusing De Wet and Jourbert of letting the team down. He may have just have not read about that time. But Joubert just still rate him a lot as he has just spoken about him like I said a month back in a article I read. That Jake White was the best coach ever. Never missed much. Always had everthing down to detail.
29 Aug 2008, 12:16 pm
#679 Dawn:
blubbery
29 Aug 2008, 12:16 pm
#675 David: no argument there … but surely nows the time to blood new players , you know , how just about every team nowadays says its alright, we’re building for the WC, who cares in between, what matters is the 6 weeks every 4 years….
29 Aug 2008, 12:16 pm
#658 Dawn: I have 2 tennis balls !!
Hehehe
29 Aug 2008, 12:17 pm
#680 Puma:
Jake made the comment after the Brisbane fiasco.
29 Aug 2008, 12:18 pm
663 I think thats why he returned.. remember he said he would stay if Meyer got the bok job and thats obviously because he wanted to become captain and left when Peter got the job only to return again why? Captaincy
29 Aug 2008, 12:19 pm
#683 grootblousmile: Dit moet moer seer wees.
29 Aug 2008, 12:19 pm
#683 grootblousmile:
Eina – that must be painful.
29 Aug 2008, 12:20 pm
#685 AWESOMESTORMER:
Yup, was thinking the exact same thing.
29 Aug 2008, 12:20 pm
#682 poppa69:
Our problem is that there doesn’t appear to be any long term replacement for Bakkies putting their hand up. As for John, he might not be the best hooker in the world, but we’ve always looked lost when he’s injured.
29 Aug 2008, 12:21 pm
#682 Richie_7:
CUDDLY!
29 Aug 2008, 12:21 pm
#678 AWESOMESTORMER: Yes I think that they all get on well with Peter. I think that Peter is a good decent man. And has a good sense of humour too. Just maybe they still need more time with him but if he starts to change the team it will bring in something there. I just don’t think that they are liking this new gameplan much. But they have to play it as thats what the coach wants otherwise they will be out. Anyway it takes a lot of time to be with the players to really respect each other. Jake has most of his team in the under 21 team. They were with him for a long time.
29 Aug 2008, 12:21 pm
Samoa are looking to create a Super Rugby side to compete in the Super 14 by playing their ‘home’ matches in New Zealand and Australia.
The controlling body of the Super 14, SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby), have been actively looking to expand the competition for some time now, and various formats have been suggested for an expanded tournament.
SANZAR’s latest expansion talks included rugby officials from both Samoa and Fiji, although Tongan officials were absent from the August 4 meeting in Apia, Samoa.
The Pacific Island nations are desperately trying to fortify their weakening position on the rugby ladder, something which has not been helped by the sub-standard Manu Samoa side selected to face New Zealand at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on Saturday.
There has been talk of a combined Pacific Island team entering the Super competition, but Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) Chief Executive Peter Schuster is campaigning for a separate entity entry for each nation, with SANZAR expected to change the Super tournament radically from 2011.
Schuster revealed that financial reasons were high on the agenda, and he was keen for a Samoan team to play their matches at Australian or Kiwi venues where the gate revenue would be much higher than in Samoa.
“Those are the options that they are looking at, where you can get good gate money and whether you go to Australia or Mount Smart,” Schuster told Yahoo!Xtra.
“All these things are important information for the viability of the teams.”
“That [stand-alone entry] would be the preference. We would like to have our own franchise in the Super Series and also a test team in a series.
“That would give you more depth of players and also allow us the retention of good players. At this point of time they [SANZAR] have to make a decision around mid next year.
“For us, and for Tonga and Fiji, we are looking at exploring the viability of professional opportunities. We need to give some options to the SANZAR group.”
Schuster further explained that it was imperative for the Pacific Islands to be included in the Super tournament if they were to progress, and provide their own players with a professional set-up, which would lessen the player drain that the Islands currently experience.
Most of the top Samoan, Tongan and Fijian players move abroad to play professional rugby, simply because there is little or no money to be made playing rugby in the Pacific Islands.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also the chairman of the Samoan Rugby Union, convened the SANZAR talks in Apia, which were attended by New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chairman Jock Hobbs and his Australian counterpart Peter McGrath.
“We’re happy with progress of the initial consultations with SANZAR and the possible opportunities for the Pacific Unions to talk to all the parties in SANZAR as any future changes which could open up opportunities for the Pacific Unions will require a unanimous decision by the SANZAR members,” said Malielegaoi.
Back in the nineties, Samoa were involved in the Super 10 tournament, the predecessor of the Super 12 and Super 14 tournaments.
They played most of their home matches in Auckland, with a lesser number of matches played in Apia.
29 Aug 2008, 12:22 pm
#685 AWESOMESTORMER:
Click the arrow nearest to the poster’s nick, the one on the left, that way we will know whom you wish to reply to, makes it easier.
29 Aug 2008, 12:22 pm
#658 Dawn:
I have tennis elbow on both arms…
29 Aug 2008, 12:22 pm
#690 David: yeah agreed… a lot like us when Tana left the scene… as for Smit, he commands respect and leads from the front… a quality I think is very rare these days….
29 Aug 2008, 12:22 pm
#691 Dawn:
Djy moet mooi luister, daai bra is vet
29 Aug 2008, 12:23 pm
#684 grootblousmile:
Toemaar, no laasnag het ek ook.
Ek voel sommer vuil vandag, die goed wat ek gedoen het.
29 Aug 2008, 12:23 pm
GBS.
I pay respect to the free state front row man, your dad.
My prayers are with you.
29 Aug 2008, 12:23 pm
#688 SyKoPlaya:
Where’s post 683?
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