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
Pages: « 1 … 12 13 14 15 16 [17] 18 19 20 21 22 … 25 » Show All
29 Aug 2008, 13:00 pm
OK guys & galls…… me signing out……. our presence has been called for again.
29 Aug 2008, 13:01 pm
#797 WP Till I Die: Man you really are a die hard supporter.
29 Aug 2008, 13:01 pm
#762 grootblousmile:
I am aware of your serious situation, so everything of the best for you.
29 Aug 2008, 13:01 pm
#795 poppa69:
It was a day of magic.
I remember how dumbstruck Ricky Ponting was, walking off the field after we had managed to make that score…
29 Aug 2008, 13:01 pm
#800 Ethel: Hello Harry!
29 Aug 2008, 13:02 pm
#800 Ethel: Well hello there Ethel.
29 Aug 2008, 13:02 pm
#797 WP Till I Die: Hello Ethel!!!
29 Aug 2008, 13:03 pm
Hello everyone except Ethel
29 Aug 2008, 13:03 pm
#779 WP Till I Die: mick lewis you beauty….
why brett lee never tried to york ntini with pace with that second last delivery is beyond me….
29 Aug 2008, 13:03 pm
#797 WP Till I Die: And wp til i die and wp til i die and wp and wp and wp til i die.
29 Aug 2008, 13:03 pm
#782 Ethel: hello Aunty
29 Aug 2008, 13:03 pm
#796 EEE: Are you serious! A huge Janice Joplin fan. oops the age comes out again.
29 Aug 2008, 13:03 pm
#808 Rugby_Princess: Greetings and salutations!
29 Aug 2008, 13:04 pm
#802 Loosehead:
Never say never
29 Aug 2008, 13:04 pm
Greetings Muppets! What`s happening around here today?
GBS – Sterkte ou bees!
29 Aug 2008, 13:05 pm
#800 Ethel:
Hello Harry!
29 Aug 2008, 13:05 pm
#805 Sniper: #806 Loosehead: I am not Harry and hello Lossie. I love anything loose!
29 Aug 2008, 13:05 pm
#808 Rugby_Princess: Hi RP….and yes of course…Ethel
29 Aug 2008, 13:05 pm
#815 sondebok: Everyone is being so nice to each other, it is a little strange.
29 Aug 2008, 13:06 pm
#815 sondebok: Hier gaan fokkol aan nie…moan oor die krieket en worry oor die rugby….
29 Aug 2008, 13:06 pm
#815 sondebok: howdy sonde!
got your sms, but the missus has recieved the photos from yer missus already, thanks!
29 Aug 2008, 13:06 pm
#811 vindicated: Aunty se moer! I am a young voluptious, intimidating, sexy young girl. AND you should know that.
29 Aug 2008, 13:06 pm
#813 Loosehead:
Hey Loosey
Sonde ! Snipey & WPTIDDDDDD
Where is Dawnie?
29 Aug 2008, 13:06 pm
#572 AWESOMESTORMER: no need to be that radical … i can sommer tell you now what will happen!
#642 Dawn: must be an airhaed to watch that program
29 Aug 2008, 13:06 pm
#819 Loosehead: Wait till after tomorrows game…
29 Aug 2008, 13:07 pm
#658 Dawn:
No matter how lowly your station
you stand with the lords of your nation
you stand with your king
when you beat on your thing
In the common great male occuaption
29 Aug 2008, 13:07 pm
#817 Ethel: I love loose girls with loose morals.
29 Aug 2008, 13:07 pm
#823 Rugby_Princess: hello princess.
#822 Ethel: do you double as a crikey in a bikini?
29 Aug 2008, 13:08 pm
#804 WP Till I Die: couldnt have happened to a nicer bloke , Mr Ricky Ponting, what a prat….
29 Aug 2008, 13:08 pm
#816 WP Till I Die: Hello Harry – more like Harriette#808 Rugby_Princess: High beautiful pumpkin cream apple crumble
29 Aug 2008, 13:08 pm
Right I am out of here. The Friday afternoon “Farmyard Hitching Post” has arrived.
That is when the “My ****** is tighter than your ****** clan” come out to play and the male Groupies all try to make inroads with “My willy is bigger than yours”
Hold on tight cause here goes ………….. !!!!
29 Aug 2008, 13:08 pm
#822 Ethel: “voluptious and intimidating”…i.e. fat and looking for sh*t with any guy that gets close?
29 Aug 2008, 13:09 pm
#807 Ethel:
Hello WP Till I Die!!!
29 Aug 2008, 13:09 pm
#825 MightyQuin: I hope that things will spice up before tonights game already.
29 Aug 2008, 13:09 pm
#818 MightyQuin:
Hey Quinnie
What is you prediction for tomorrow ?
29 Aug 2008, 13:10 pm
#774 MenaceToSobriety: yes, it just pyjama cricket anyway…hehe
29 Aug 2008, 13:10 pm
#831 Trigger:
29 Aug 2008, 13:10 pm
#823 Rugby_Princess: High your Royal Highness! I am in and out here like a ‘quickie’. Busy planning for next year and trying to get out of the class. Have no idea where anyone is.
29 Aug 2008, 13:10 pm
#832 MightyQuin: Ouch!
29 Aug 2008, 13:12 pm
What gives?
29 Aug 2008, 13:12 pm
#828 rangerman:
Hey rangerman
I think Ethel is a Lady-Boy – you know like they have in Thailand
29 Aug 2008, 13:12 pm
#834 Loosehead: What “game”? I love WP, but they’re gonna get hammered. Might be some drownings during Sharks game…although sun’s out.
#835 Rugby_Princess: Tough one, but I picked Ozz on SuperBru…don’t think Highveld will save us this time.
29 Aug 2008, 13:12 pm
#815 sondebok: hi there, how’s the compilation coming along, i have drafted about 20 songs so far
#835 Rugby_Princess: more rp, hoe gaan dit met u?
29 Aug 2008, 13:12 pm
#821 rangerman: .Those females are efficient as usual!
29 Aug 2008, 13:13 pm
#826 gunther:
Jy soek my met ‘n seer hart.
Are you cute.
29 Aug 2008, 13:14 pm
#838 Sniper:
Ja, you remind me of an ex …
Dawnie !!
Ola – how are you for a Friday ?
29 Aug 2008, 13:14 pm
#842 MightyQuin: Hard times for Bok and WP supporters. Unlikee the easy times for Vrysaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat supporters.
It is pouring with rain in Durbanville. Wellington will not be fun this afternoon for the Banana Boys.
29 Aug 2008, 13:15 pm
W Province to get donnered.
Proteas to crash and burn
Boks to get thrashed.
Gotta get my DVDs …………
29 Aug 2008, 13:15 pm
#831 Trigger: you reminded me of the song, trigger inside…by therapy?
29 Aug 2008, 13:15 pm
#846 Rugby_Princess:
Like a wolf on the prowl …………….
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