‘Weather a great leveller’
Ian McGeechan believes the inclement weather at Newlands suited the Emerging Boks and was a vital factor in them achieving a draw.
Newlands was pelted with wind and driving rain, while it also hailed at times. Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir, who was in charge of the Emerging XV, believed the tourists were more used to these conditions, but McGeechan didn’t feel the same.
He was happy to get away with the 13-all draw after leading 13-6 heading into the final minute.
‘I’m not disappointed,’ McGeechan told keo.co.za. ‘That was a potential banana skin we got through and our attitude was superb. The conditions were a great leveller and there wasn’t much rugby played. We missed one or two scores that cost us the win, but we didn’t lose either – which was very important.
‘We got through it, but it was a million miles from where we want to be on Saturday [for the second Test].’
Although the Emerging Boks were made up of non-capped players who would have enjoyed a hard dry surface to play expansively, McGeechan said he was more disappointed his side didn’t get better conditions.
‘You don’t need Test players to produce a result in a monsoon,’ McGeechan said in light of the Boks’ performance. ‘I feel sorry for our players, who really wanted to push for Test spots. Possibly, we played too much rugby in the second half, which gave them inroads.’
Muir admitted the stalemate felt like a moral victory – not only for this side but also for the senior outfit.
‘In the end, that felt like a win,’ said Muir. ’It was a game of two halves and we got the ascendancy in the second, while they had it in the first. The pride and character shown by the boys was very important and shows they can go on to better things.
‘Especially seeing as those conditions were more suited to their players than ours.’
After the final quarter of the first Test was dominated by the Lions, Muir feels this result was crucial in breaking the momentum of the tourists.
‘From a Lions perspective, they finished the Test well and I think we turned that around. That was always an aim of ours to stop that, and we stemmed that tide to a certain extent.’
Captain on the night Ronan O’Gara was one player wanting to push for a Test spot and he was disappointed they didn’t have a dry evening to do that.
‘We wanted to express ourselves, but didn’t get the chance to do that – the conditions were difficult. They were right up there with what I’ve had to deal with in Limerick, but not the worst.
‘I feel sorry for the guys, who wanted to push for Test spots, but we didn’t get that.’
By Grant Ball, at Newlands
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Emerging DRAGONS!
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 pm
When will you ever just say you were outplayed?
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
as much as I love ‘ The Geech’ he must surely give credit where it is due !
All credit to DANWELL AND EARL ! My manne ! The hero’s of SA rugby !
We love you guys ! We salute you !
Earl to start this weekend !
Danny too !
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Geech’s quote for the weekend…
‘I’m not disappointed, I know the Boks won but in the end it was up to the scoreboard and if we had had a different one things might not have been the same’
Asked to clarify the Lions coach went on to say that ‘… in terms of points the Springbok teams was better but that is not always the whole picture.
‘We had a NH ref this game which I thought would help us a bit more. I’m quite shocked that he also pinged our thighted in the scrums, it’s something that I’ll have to take up with the IRB.’ When asked if he was happy that the rolling maul was back in the game the great man said that ‘it would be fair if the ref let us have one too, maybe from the 22 drop out?’
It seems that all is not well in the head of this so called master of the game, but that is not unexpected as his senior players and a bundle of paid off officials had let him down.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
#3 rugbygenius: Are you Earl’s mom?
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 pm
with the weather the way that it was, the bigger heavier forwards of the Lions hould have been able to make inroads – but they could not. It was only due to a fortuitous charge down of Zanes kick that they scored. even then they nearly botched it. I dont think the Lions played well at all…
So that makes three sidew we have that are at about the same level as the second best team in the whole of the Britsh Isles?
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:29 pm
#3 rugbygenius: Did your mother tell you you are a rugby genius?
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 pm
#5 SjamBok: Haha ! No mate ! I wish I was a relative of Earl though ! I’m just a fan who dreams of Earl in the green and gold !
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 pm
#7 SjamBok: No – the voices in my head did.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
#3 rugbygenius: ha ha, you a ripper ekse…
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I sincerely hope we do not underestimate the BIL on Saturday cos the difference between their 2 sides is huge. Let’s pray we hold onto the ball and notjust kicking for the sake if it.
50-50 possession and we should win by 7.
This BIL side is not 15plus points inferior to us. Having said that I would be ecstatic with such a margin.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Blah blah blah McGeechan is a sour puss. If its not the ref its the weather or something else. We played better than they did. Period. Theyre not the worlds greatest – even if they´d like to think so and their B team wasnt good enough.
Lions are going to get a hiding on Saturday like they should have last saturday.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:54 pm
#8 rugbygenius:
If I were you I’d change my name.
Rose is pathetically useless. He is an insult to all players of colour because everyone and his dog knows that Rose’s middle name is quota.
He is an embarrassment to all players of colour who have fought for the right to have equal rights in this game.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:54 pm
#3 rugbygenius: Are you kidding buddy? You must have watched that game on tv, and have therefore been influenced by bob skinstands completely retarded comments. A prime example being when rose missed from in front, skinstands goes: “joel, those kicks are incredibly hard”
I was at the game, and as much as I wanted earl rose to prove me wrong, the oke is nothing special, and unfortunately wouldn’t even be talked about or known if he was white. the 2 kicks he missed cost us the game.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Even if the weather is a leveler, the greater experience in international rugby should have pulled the Lions through.
An international rugby should not have an excuse for this kind of failure.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:57 pm
#12 Slumtown:
Where do you think the Aussies get it from. You just have to ignore what they say in the press.
Besides, if they had any intelligence, they would realize that their arrogance fuels opposition irritation with them.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:26 am
well, I think the McGeechan coaching bubble is going to get pricked this weekend.
Boks with plenty to spare this weekend.
I have no idea how the Lions coaching staff can think they where in control of that game. They were the ones lucky to salvage a draw.
and by the comments being made, they know it but know that admitting it will be as good as throwing the towel in for Saterday.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:29 am
the Lions are going to get scrummed on the weekend as well.
and they can’t maul either.
And if Martyn Williams is the best they’ve got….just pack up and go home boys.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Rose blows hot and cold too much. Instead of being a player you want to receive the ball, as a fan you almost hope he doesnt at times. He wasn’t comfortable at 10 and lost the ball in contact when tackled. His kicking game (not for poles) was good. When Willem came on you could see how much confidence he had catching the ball and playing opposed to Rose.
Very happy with Heini Adams, Duane and Potgieter. Having been at the game and watching it on tv again, potgieter was very unlucky at a lot of the breakdowns. Adams increased the speed of our attack.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Wouldn’t it be cool if the Boks clinched the series and Bafana Bafana won the Confederations this weekend?
June 24th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Not sure when these guys will actually give ANY of our teams some credit, I might fall off my chair! Always an excuse
Geech has been disappoitning in this regard, but Gatlands interview after the game on Sky was a joke – blamed everything & said the weather suited the E Boks. You come from the NH, it pisses all year & you are ALL internationals playing not a single capped player. Pathetic excuses. He also said the Boks were disappoitning on the weekend and played no rugby at all, it was only the B&I Lions who played & were much the better team. The guy is a prick of note – you just don’t say that and hopefully its as big a cockup as when he claimed the Welsh hated the Irish before their 6N decider.
According to o’Gara the Lions “dominated” the game today – what was he watching, they were very lucky to get a draw IMO
I wont even get into O’Connells pisspoor interview after the game on Saturday
We need to beat them by plenty to shut this mob up!!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:42 am
#12 Slumtown:
Thats rich!!
Arent saffas more interested in weather reports before a game?
June 24th, 2009 at 12:48 am
As for the game tonight:
For an uncappped, disjointed lot the E Boks played pretty well after a poor start
Rose – hasn’t produced it at S14 this year & was not impressive tonight. I have no problem with him making the Bok squad IF he is performing, but he is not. He needs to find his form in CC & S14 and prove himself. PdV’s obsession is a serious worry
The loose trio were awesome, great futures all of them
Kirchner had an average game but still has the goods, and unlike Rose has proven it this year at S14 level – he should have been in the squad at least just for some experience. Maybe come 3N time
Come on Saturday I hope our boys are focused, intense and clinical – we need to beat them convincingly!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:49 am
#22 wallabie.:
Would you like to give some examples?
June 24th, 2009 at 12:55 am
i dont think geech and ,motormouth gatland have ever accepted they well outplayed on the day..they always find and excuse it just pisses me off especially gatland
June 24th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Gatland is getting more and more predictable, but I wouldn’t get to upset about it. Afterall what does he have in his trophy cabinet at the moment?
It seems that the times where he runs his mouth the most are before or after hi steam gets beaten.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:10 am
I dont think you Japies should be getting overconfident. The part of the 1st test you dominated in was the forwards, the Lions dominated you in the backs.
Id say that chances are the Lions are going to improve around the set peice this week but will the South African backs have fixed there defensive frailties? I just dont think PDV is that smart.
Win the battle upfront again and you win the series, but with a game up and a bit of a cushion, i expect the South African’s to sit back on their haunches and the do or die lions to want it more. I honestly thought at the start of this tour that they would be canned off the park, but the green machine has some chinks in its armour.
Dont be smart arse and point out the Chinks in the All Black armour please – that is not the topic at hand
June 24th, 2009 at 2:18 am
Rugby1
**** yeah i remember hating the Lions over here because of all their smack talk in 2005. It makes them repulsive as a rugby side and you lose all respect for the good rugby they actualy produce.
This is the ONLY northern hemisphere side that actualy look good throwing the ball around, takes 4 countries to be able to come together and have the skill set to play an expansive game. What a pity that its only every four years we see this type of game adopted by them.
Back to the DOUR game they all play where rare moments of brilliance seem like a fluke rather than a regularity
June 24th, 2009 at 2:23 am
#21 Rugby-1: remember Gatland is not from the home nations, he is a kiwi.
#28 NZMaori: kiwi cheap shots make them repulsive as a rugby side, the Lions fans were disgusted in 2005.
Also most of the NH sides throw it around, just look how a weakened France side ran rings around the ABs at home.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:10 am
#29 Big Hit:
Weakened French side?
I asked you before the French side came to NZ and you said only 4 players are missing from there #1 side and its a very good side.
Now you are saying this,such a two face you are.
NZ were missing about 8-9 players but hey i dont sit here and say thats why we struggled against a very good French team.1st game they out played us so they won,second game we started to get it going,you know the second game this year for NZ.
I think we did will against France,lets see what happens at the end of the year when we play france again.
As for 2005,let it go.Over 4 years ago now and as Tana said it was a complete accident,like remember Shaw running into the ruck a kneed a Kiwi in the back,you know accident,we have forgiven him,how about you
June 24th, 2009 at 3:20 am
#30 Hurricane: this clown was criticising the Lions, criticising NH rugby so forgive me if while I fire a few shots back
June 24th, 2009 at 3:49 am
#31 Big Hit:
Oh sorry.
The Lions have my full respect even more after the weekend.
They made a game they looked out of there reach and turned it into just about a win,they didnt give up like their competitors.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:56 am
#32 Hurricane: yeah, they really went for it. It reminded me of Fiji v SA at the World Cup, just constantly running it at them switching the play from side to side. I’m hoping for more of the same this weekend. I wouldn’t say the Boks gave up, some of their last ditch defence was really committed, M.Steyn on Monye was a good example.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:00 am
#27 NZMaori: One of 2 things can happen on Saturday:
1) We can blow the Lions away and win by 20
2) We can play like we played in the second half and loose by a few.
To be honest, we didn’t dominate up front. For certain periods yes, but in all we only had 32% or something ball. A real concern! But I do think we took it easy in the last 30, nearly costing us. I just hope we come out firing again and really finish the game off this time.
Another thing, why do you call us “Japies”?
June 24th, 2009 at 4:12 am
#33 Big Hit:
yeah bad words for me saying SA gave up.
Really wasnt the story,but just couple of missed penalties from the lions would have been enough.
As i said it was disappointing for the Lions but there were a few positives that came from that game.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:36 am
I’m not sure what the debate is here. It’s accepted knowledge everywhere that inclement weather is “a great leveler” in that it makes attacking much more difficult.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:15 am
On Tuesday, 23rd June, SACS 1st XV hosted the visiting Irish team, King’s Hospital School at. A large number of British Lions Supporters attended and 40 busses were be parked on the campus (as the Supporters attended the Emerging Springboks vs Lions match at Newlands at 7:00 pm).
Final Score: SACS 5- Irish 5
June 24th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Correct me if I am wrong, BH but isn’t this the type of weather you Brits are used to? More so the Irish? I have never been to the UK so its an honest question as I am going on what I hear about UK. So that being the case, the advantage should have been to the Lions as our players are more used to sunny and hot weather? Also bearing in mind that the EB only had 4 practices together!
Hurricane, the Boks did not give up, our coaches got arrogant and substituted all the players making a difference in a matter of 5 minutes. Who in their right mind takes one part of the world’s best lock combination off? especially as we all know Bakkies work rate and worth to a team. Who would take an inspirational leader like John off? or the team’s brain in FDP off, and replace him with an out of form player, its like Henry taking off Carter in WC quarter final (I know he was injured, just making comparison), and then Luke wasn’t even out of form for you guys what did it do to your team? Not to mention taking Beast off!
June 24th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Geech is talking ****. The weather suited the northern hem boys. We dont play on mud in Africa. The soils are sandy and occasionally clay soil. The Lions had the advantage last night..
June 24th, 2009 at 8:52 am
‘I’m not disappointed,’ McGeechan told keo.co.za. ‘That was a potential banana skin we got through and our attitude was superb. The conditions were a great leveler and there wasn’t much rugby played. We missed one or two scores that cost us the win, but we didn’t lose either – which was very important.
*** me that is churlish. what about the opportunities the E-Boks didnt take?
no man Geech, we always respected you but it seems you have bought a bunch of whiners out with you this year.
Paul o’Connel (you know, the invisible lock(, Ronan O’Gara (i tapped and ran whilst their backs were turned, victory is sweet), Ferris, Gatland etc etc etc.
Kom nou Bokke, steur hierdie farkers huis toe saterdag asseblief!
June 24th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I think Geech is losing it. The conditions should have suited the Lions, and to their credit they played some good stuff in the first half. For some reason, when they came out for the 2nd half the instruction was clearly to kick the leather off of the ball and consequently they played no rugby at all!
Well done E. Boks for getting a well-deserved draw.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:57 am
#40 rangerman: People also seem to forget the real driving force behind the last Lions tour to SA wasn’t McGeechan at all, it was Jim Telfer.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:00 am
#4 brendon:
“paid off officials” ?
truly, has a fair ref ever been involved in a match against the SA team that didnt win ?! ever ?
Also interesting to see the same bloggers who mocked the ABs performance vs France despite playing in worse conditions than this match and yet making excuses liberally here.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:04 am
#43 WakaNathan: what are you talking about you crackhead?
runa long now and play on silverfern.
p.s. how did you vote in the “should drop goals become one pointers?” poll after the s14 semi bulls vs saders?
lmao you kiwis turn silly when you lose
June 24th, 2009 at 9:05 am
#44 rangerman: Did they really have that poll on silverfern!? What a bunch of tossers
June 24th, 2009 at 9:10 am
#45 jonnymain: i am serious man. they wanted it to become a one pointer..like..SHOCK HORROR!…..league!
seems they missed the droppie that took the saders to the semis.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:12 am
#46 rangerman: I got banned from that site years ago. Bunch of precious Kiwis who can’t take any criticism of their beloved ABs
June 24th, 2009 at 9:13 am
#44 rangerman:
its your countryman making allegations against the ref, not I. Its boring and pathetic this national obsession with all refs being ‘cheats’.
What ‘poll’ ? Yeah, of course DGs should be 1 pt. Its a blight on the games when the likes of F.Steyn pings a multitude of attempts – why does he do it ? because theyre easy pts. DGs being 1-pt would still have won you a RWC in ‘95 anyway, splitting a drwan game.
Or are you just taking the p*ss ? Because thats what you do when you turn silly ?
btw – did we lose ?
June 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
These conditions certainly don’t suit McGeechan, and I think this is why he is a little bitter. He tried to step out onto the field before the game, and the northwester caught him square in the ears and lifted him right over the second tier of the Danie Craven stand. And explaining to the guys in the ABSA corporate suite why he was suddenly part of their party was embarrassing, to say the least. No, I’m not surprised at all that he’s unhappy.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:19 am
#46 rangerman:
Were the Boks ‘a better team’ than England in 1999 just because Jannie de Beer kicked 5 x DGs ?
no, it means that he was a better kicker of DGs
I go to a rugby match for the physical confrontation and running it with ball-in-hand. Not some kickoff between individuals. Go and watch Aussie Rules if that gives you your thrills.
DGs should be there to split draws. a 1-pt DG would STILL have won the Boks in 1995 and the Poms a RWC in 2003.
And if that meant the Saders didnt reach the Semis, then all the better. Not my team anyway, I dont give a sh*t.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:21 am
#48 WakaNathan: are you mad?
Drop goals should be one point?
another mad kiwi
#49 katman:
June 24th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Weather certainly was a leveler. Imagine the hiding they would’ve copped from the e-Boks if it was dry & sunny.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:24 am
#50 WakaNathan: easy now O’Neil
we couldnt give a toss what you think of Drop goals actually.
they are part of the game like lineouts etc and require skill.
you just keep on losing beautifully because you refuse to take that option eh?
June 24th, 2009 at 9:26 am
#48 WakaNathan: If DGs are so easy why can’t the ABs score them?
It’s a skill and part of the game of rugby. Don’t like it? Go watch league!
June 24th, 2009 at 9:32 am
#50 WakaNathan: wakacracka i gotta go.
catch you on the flip side eh?
p.s. you sure you arent actually an aussie?
June 24th, 2009 at 9:51 am
#38 Sharksgirl: yes the weather is like that in the winter, but I think the style McGeechan’s team played on this tour has been a running style so maybe that’s what he’s getting at.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:01 am
#56 Big Hit: ah okai, ’cause the forward pack was even bigger than ours, which the weather should’ve helped, but I guess the weather did not help any running rugby!
Next year we were hoping to come to the UK! Have to see Scotland been on my wish list for ever, when is the best time to come, bearing in mind that I am from Natal so love the heat not keen on freezing my limbs off
June 24th, 2009 at 10:50 am
#53 rangerman:
Oh, I get it now. Youre referring to the RWC loss to France. Again. Again. I suppose since thats the only thing SA has over NZ, then a little repetition goes a long way (not forgetting that it was France the ABs lost to, but I digress…..).
Hey Einstein, if I was voting against the DG as 3-pts on the basis of the RWC loss, that would be a bit THICK wouldnt it ? The ABs lost by 2pts, remember. So making the DG worth 1-pt would be like a turkey voting for Christmas.
No, if it was 1-pt instead then it would mean a DG was not an option and that playing for a Try or a Penalty (which Barnes was never going to give) was the only option for victory.
Maybe its just my opinion, but isnt winning a rugby match via Tries or Defending a Try is what the game is all about ?
June 24th, 2009 at 11:04 am
The weather suited the emerging boks when the B&I Lions play in that sort of weather quite often throughout their season.
Nice excuse, but at least he isn’t talking about mechanics or playing an overweight out of form scrum half.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I actually think the weather suited the Lions, the emerging bok pack was nearly 80kgs lighter, thats 10kg per player, with better weather they would have been able to shift their pack around much more, the e-boks loosies were phenomenal.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:18 am
#58 WakaNathan: You can’t just work the elements that you’re poor at out of the game, Wankathon. Rather become skilled at the entire range of scoring options available and use them to your advantage.
Next you’re probably going to campaign against overly aggressive ruck clean-outs, the rolling maul and the rush defense.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:56 am
#61 katman:
How pathetic. So youre argument is that you would have to become less-skilled because its worth less ? That just sounds dumb to me.
Au contraire, I say bring back rucking, with boots on, and long live the maul. Id rather watch a maul than some idiot taking pot-shots all day. Actually Ive read plenty of criticism of F.Steyn here by the locals to know that Im not alone.
And lets not confuse the point here. Im all FOR the DG, just not at its current value.
All this dicking around with silly rules and ELVs could easily have been resolved with making the Try worth more and DGs worth less. I want to see RUNNING with the ball and the confrontation spent trying to prevent it.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
#62 WakaNathan: No Wankathon. My argument is that YOU want to make them worth less BECAUSE your lot don’t have the necessary skills to execute them properly. How you got to that silly conclusion in your first paragraph is a bit mystifying and I’m not at all surprised that it sounds dumb to you, because it is.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
#63 katman:
sILLY HUH ? oh, says the one who resorts to childish name-calling.
NZ has had some of the greatest DG-exponents the game has ever seen. G.Fox and N.Botha were virtually the same players in their skillsets.
D.Carter is a superb kicker off either foot. Of course he was already injured in the RWC QterF 2ndH when the ABs needed a DG.
Even F.Steyn takes about 10 pots before he gets 1. Borrrrrrrrring, run the farken thing ! Got to Aussie Rules or football if that gives you a thrill.
Anyway, for want of repetition, Im all for the DG. Just not games dictated by them. Id rather see tries.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
#64 WakaNathan:
I wonder what you would have said if Mehrtens had succeeded with that field goal he so narrowly missed in WC final 1995…
I say make a drop goal should also count for 5 points, it is one of the finer arts in rugby, I can’t get enough of watching those sail through the posts!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
fk the poms come up with every excuse , if they loose at Loftus it will be due to the altitude or some other shite excuse.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
WakaNathan
i have to say i find dropgoals to be quite entertaining, much more entertaining than say a penalty kick. it takes alot more skill to put over a dropgoal than place the ball, so should a place kick then be half a point?
i find games with dropgoals quite interesting. it doesnt happen often that that there are any dropgoals in a game, and games dominated by DG’s happen every 2 to 3 years.
June 24th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
#65 Pietman:
the scores were tied at the time 12-12, so it wouldnt have made any difference if the DG was worth 1 pt or 10. As it was Stransky kept his nerve better and won SA the RWC. Absolutely no problem with that whatsoever. DGs – my opinion – are there to split tied scores and prevent games going to AET or stupid kickoffs (Cardiff Blues, Heineken Cup Semis). It keeps defences honest which means the DG is only but ONE option.
I hope yr joking about
#66 byoboy:
if altitude wasnt an issue, I wonder why the SARU scheduled the final 2, and deciding matches, at altitude ? No other country holds this geographical advantage. Its often quoted as a reason why Boks lost in ‘97, ie that they didNT play more than 1 Test at altitude.
Obviously its not insurmountable. The ABs won the Series at Loftus in ‘96. But, without a doubt, its an advatage whether small or large. In matches that are so close as the 1st Test, any small advan is a good one.
Personaly I like the whole altitude thing. It adds another challenge, a different one. And variety is the spice of life as they say. But lets not ignore the fact that it is an advantage to the home team.
#67 yoda:
Yeah, I find DGs a wonderful part of the game too. But they shouldnt dictate games, which they can when theyre worth 3pts.
Pen kicks are obviously there for a reason. But pen kicks are usually earned by way of a team effort. For DGs you just have to be near the posts for a snap kick. It was immense, then, to see Engl earn that field position in the 2003 RWC Final. And lets not ignore fact that pens can be wholly subjective at the whim of 1 ref which might be ignored, nay given the other way, by a different ref.
No, I like DGs. But they always seem to be a kind of acknowledgement that the team isnt good enough to score points any other way. I pay to see Tries and Defence thereof, not F.Steyn taking ridiculous pot-shots all day.
June 24th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
#65 Pietman:
“I hope youre joking about”…..them being worth 5pts. Presume youre just trying to make yr point.
You’ll be resulting to abuse and namecalling like BokFan1 next. I just like discussing the game and its wonderful intricacies to be honest.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
“BIG HIT”
In regards to your rebuttal to yesterdays comment, you would have understood the point I was making if you concentrated on reading my ‘opinion’ which requires you to STOP thinking about your own (for just half a second big guy).
The Lions are a magnificent side who toss the ball around and everyone is playing for a pass or offload on attack. The hard ground in the republic is ideal for your superior midfield backs and solid loosies to create opportunity.
What frustrates me is that the 4 home nations, who’s team culture is probably alot more serious than that of the multi-cultural Lions, seem to play far less expansive rugby as a mindset. For example they miss surprise opportunities when one guy actually does make a break, the finishing isnt always there. But it is with the Lions buddy. Thats why I like them.
At no stage did i mention France in yesterdays post and if you would like to start talking about the All Blacks well, lets just say you wouldnt want to start me up! In summary, stick to the point dikhead.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
#70 NZMaori: you’re talking nonsense. You said NH nations, of which France are one. Anyway, Wales and Ireland as a rule in this decade play expansive rugby, Scotland move it when they can and England scored 16 tries through their backs during the 6N. Think before you speak or endeavour to do your research before you post.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
#71 Big Hit:
yes, well, “endeavor to do your research’ might also save you a few embarrassing moments in future, Mr Spoutyourmouthoffbeforethinking !
#70 NZMaori:
this guy is too busy with singing Die Stem and refuelling his NZ-vendetta to know anything about a balanced opinion.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Would you agree that a more expansive style on a team level behind a solid tight five is better rugby? That would be what we try and do down here mate. You guys invented the 10 man game that professionalism has left behind.
As for those 16 tries, well you got 10 in two games, france didnt turn up as they sometimes dont at Twikenham and we’ll get 10 against Italy this Saturday, mark my words.
Cant argue with Irelands flair coming to fruition. They are playing magnificent rugby, but I wouldnnt go as far as saying its a rule of thumb for the last decade.
We are not going to always agree big man but my final comment on the matter is this. What i see in the Lions reminds me of supporting some of the All Black selection era’s over the years. When you rate every guys ability in your team and they throw it around, you witness sublime peices of rugby. Much like the Babarians of 78 some teams are full of greats and achieve great feats. England 03, Springboks 09, NZ 96. That Lions backline is the best going around at the moment in world rugby. They have the ability to turn this series if they get the platform. 9 through to 15 deserve the Lions 09 to be remembered, but like many generations of All Black players over recent years, they will only be remembered for their results.
Good luck against the Springboks this Saturday.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
#73 NZMaori: Well you have shown me you have some knowledge of NH rugby.
I don’t really agree with the ‘France didn’t turn up’ line however, they haven’t beaten us in the 6N since 2006 home or away and were knocked out of the World Cup in Paris.
I don’t agree that professionalism has left 10 man rugby behind either. Argentina played 10 man rugby and reached the RWC semis whereas NZ and Aus went out in the quarters.
You seem to have a preference for running rugby, no harm in that, but in my opinion it’s the clash of styles which makes rugby interesting, if every team was a runaround team then it becomes as boring as if every team was a 10 man rugby side.
Variety of styles is key in my opinion, a good example was Boks v Lions last weekend. Great stuff.
Agree that the Lions can take this but if they don’t it will have been fun watching them play.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Yip agree
Ka Kite
June 24th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
#73 NZMaori:
Im not sure about the Lions having the ‘best backline’ altho I would go as far as saying ‘best midfield’, Roberts and BOD are a complementary combination and were superb last w/e. Phillips played well but tends to be slow getting his pass away, perhaps its because he’s quite big and it is not whippy because he’ll take a step first to get some leverage. Has a game quite similar to a young Justin Marshall. I also think S.Jones tends to crab across field a bit instead of playing heads-up and committing flankers away from midfield. If Hook was a better kicker he would give even more options in midfield and outside backs. O’Gara is simply woeful, doesnt commit any D whether with ball in hand or otherwise. The wingers ? Well please dont tell me Monye rates on the scale because he commits schoolboy errors (incl same 1 twice !) and looks some way off this level. Bowe and Byrne are both lovely players and I reckon they should try and involve Kearney because he seems to make it all look so easy.
I watched the 1974 Series doco recently and Phil Bennett was absolutely sublime throughout. This current backline would be supreme if they had a flyhalf like that.
Boks backline is superb too, lets hope they use it instead of obsessing in the fwds. It seems a crime to see Habana without any pill.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Yeah I imagine the rain helped the emerging Boks more after all the BIL Lions probably never play in the rain.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
#77 DEE DAH:
Have seen enough deluges in both CT and Durban to know that its not entirely unfamiliar conditions for the locals either.
To be fair, its more the freezing cold and damp and lack of light in UK over their Winter. Complete heavy downpours like that dont happen frequently, more of a constant drizzle (for days…..weeks….). Those conditions looked more like what we get in NZ or even Queensland.