Leicester bank on international stars
5 Nov 2009
Leicester have named seven internationals in their starting team to face the Springbok XV at Welford Road on Friday.
Former All Blacks Scott Hamilton and Aaron Mauger – who will also lead the side – anchor the inexperienced backline, while Lote Tuqiri is on the bench. Argentina winger Lucas Amorosino also starts.
Coach Richard Cockerill has selected the same forward pack that started against Northampton and shunted the Saints’ heavies metres back at a time, especially at the scrum. An all international front-row of Marcos Ayerza, Mefin Davies and Martin Castrogiovanni have been included, while Martin Johnson has released England lock Ben Kay.
Former Grey Bloem schoolboy and then England U17 captain Ben Pienaar starts on the flank, while England hooker George Chuter is in the 22.
Richard Blaze, Harry Ellis, Toby Flood, Geordan Murphy, Billy Twelvetrees, Sam Vesty and Ben Woods are ruled out by injury, while Anthony Allen and Jeremy Staunton have been rested. Leicester players Louis Deacon, Tom Croft, Lewis Moody, Jordan Crane, and Dan Hikpiss are in the England team to play Australia on Saturday.
Leicester – 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Lucas Amorosino, 13 Andy Forsyth, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Aaron Mauger (c), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Brett Deacon, 7 Ben Pienaar, 6 Geoff Parling, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Calum Green, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Mefin Davies,1 Marcos Ayerza.
Subs: 16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Tom Armes, 19 Dan Hemingway, 20 James Grindal, 21 Greig Tonks, 22 Lote Tuqiri.
77 Comments
5 Nov 2009, 15:01 pm
Dragons
5 Nov 2009, 15:10 pm
This game is ganna be a cracker.
5 Nov 2009, 15:11 pm
BIG HIT….Your opinion here please my man?
5 Nov 2009, 15:15 pm
a decent tigers side but Boks should win
Raubenheimer, De Jongh, Potgieter and pienaar to do well
5 Nov 2009, 15:24 pm
#3 grant10:
Decent front row (Castro/Ayerza good test props)
Ok second row (Kay good, Green a youth player)
Dire back row (two youth players and a lock)
Average half-back combo (Youngs a good prospect, Mauger not a 10)
Young centres (both youth players)
Dodgy back three (Hamilton good but no pace, Amorisino and Murphy error prone)
SA should win comfortably, if they don’t there’s something wrong.
5 Nov 2009, 15:25 pm
I would like to see what this Pienaar from the Tigers can do!
Our forwards will be good but the backs will struggle Rose and the two wingers will cost the boks the game in the end!
5 Nov 2009, 15:25 pm
#4 The_Boss: which Pienaar, theirs or ours?
5 Nov 2009, 15:35 pm
Personally im a little worried about this game, im the biggest supporter of the boks (aside from jan and elton of course), but just because some talented guys throw on that green jersey they dont become invincible.
They need game time together.
not too mention this is the first some of these guys are playing against a NH outfit in the NH.
I expect allot of nerves from our guys brought on by a bit of being overwhelmed by the sell-out crowd and nerves create mistakes which creates a lack of confidence.
The added pressure of being world-champions when not too many of these guys were even close to france in 2007 might not help.
Leicester on the other hand are the under-dogs,so they’ll play with allot of mongrel with everything to gain from a bok scalping, spurred on from the 60/80000 strong crowd, they know the conditions, have home-ground advantage and most of all they know eachother.
The fact that their captain has had a 70% win rate vs the boks would govern his team building talks and they’ll believe they’re capable of pulling off the same feats if he uses his words correctly.
I wish we had 2 or 3 big guns on the bench just in case anothern “Tonga” happens.
(And tonight, before i sleep, i’ll be praying they dont notice the Rosey chink in our armour at full back)!!!!
5 Nov 2009, 15:37 pm
#6 groenie: I agree, our forwards will give as much as they take and hold their own,but i see lots of backline fumbles..
5 Nov 2009, 15:38 pm
Think it will be a easy win Rose or no Rose, think the game might just look Rosy::-):
If Scott Hamilton has no pace Pienaar should chip and chace for Jongi if Hamilton is out of position.
5 Nov 2009, 15:39 pm
How do you do the smile thing?
5 Nov 2009, 15:41 pm
u lift the end of either side of ur mouth try it…chicks dig it
5 Nov 2009, 15:42 pm
#12 BALLER canREADY: HA HA
5 Nov 2009, 15:44 pm
#12 BALLER canREADY: Thanks gonna give my wife a shock tonight showing het my new party trick
5 Nov 2009, 15:44 pm
het *her
the new smile thing
5 Nov 2009, 15:49 pm
Well, I always say this, but wings seldom win you matches. I think despite our average backline, the Bok pack on Friday night is a very good one. I therefore have to think Boks should win without too much hassle.
AS LONG AS WE KICK WELL….
Who will kick for posts – Earl or Ruaan?? I would imagine Ruaan.
5 Nov 2009, 16:05 pm
Luke fans: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/bath/8343332.stm
quite an orator
5 Nov 2009, 16:06 pm
#8 BALLER canREADY: Hey there Baller
Just to let you know, there cannot be 60 to 80 000 people, cos the new Welford Road Stadium capacity is only 24 000.
So I don’t think the boys will be too overwhelmed by the crowd. Most of them have played at much bigger stadia and in front of much bigger crowds in the Currie Cup competition and the Super 14.
I reckon if they go on there and play their natural game, then there shouldn’t be too much worry about them winning.
I doubt whether even a full strength Leicester team would have been able to beat Griquas’ 2009 CC team. Never mind a team of talent such as the Boks.
Oh yes, another factor that I am reminded of is the Emerging Boks team that played the British & Irish Lions at Newlands this year.
If you remember, the Emerging Boks were the only team outside of the Boks who did not lose to the Lions. And they were not as strong a team as the Bok XV who are playing tomorrow night. After all, there were NO test Boks in that team, and they also only had a few day to prepare.
Nee wat!! I really don’t have much fear for tomorrow night. If anything were gonna worry me, it may have been a bit of complacency on our boys’ part. But even that is something the Bok culture has shaken off.
Enjoy the game!!!
5 Nov 2009, 16:08 pm
Will we be facing Castrogiovanni again in the Italy game? He’s bloody good. Gurthro and Beast have their work cut out.
The other prop is decent too.
5 Nov 2009, 16:09 pm
#17 Big Hit: Quite!
5 Nov 2009, 16:10 pm
#17 Big Hit: You gonna have to transcribe it or sen dit via pigeon BH, you know most of the okes in SA dont have internet speeds capable of streaming
5 Nov 2009, 16:25 pm
#5 Big Hit:
As far as I remember there are 2 Tuilagis. Is this one the good one who runs over everybody?
5 Nov 2009, 16:26 pm
#17 Big Hit: Just confirms why I don’t like the chap. He has such an air of superiority and entitlement about him.
5 Nov 2009, 16:29 pm
After all this morning’s talk about Heinke, it’s gonna be great to see him against a solid front row to get a better idea of how he’ll cope at tighthead. Hope he gets at least 20 mins…
5 Nov 2009, 16:31 pm
#22 Yetirat: it’s the little brother of the other four Tuilagi’s, all of whom are Samoan internationals, I don’t expect his style is much different though
5 Nov 2009, 16:48 pm
#25 Big Hit:
Ohhhh I didn’t realise there were so many of the buggers! Wasn’t one of them actually playing for England on the wing at one stage?
Good thing we have Olivier on defence then to counter him, as he’s proving himself to be pretty solid in that area.
5 Nov 2009, 16:53 pm
#17 Big Hit:
Verg good interview that…..great ambassador for SA rugby!
5 Nov 2009, 17:08 pm
#23 katman: I disagree, I think he is a confident and articulate young man, nothing to be apprehensive about
5 Nov 2009, 17:13 pm
#28 XhosaKid: Not by my standards.
5 Nov 2009, 17:14 pm
#26 Yetirat: that was Lesley Vainikolo, the older Tuilagi’s are all Samoan internationals, however this one has played for England at youth level.
5 Nov 2009, 17:15 pm
It seems the weather forecast has improved for the game, now only “light showers” expected with a maximum of 9 degrees … lovely weather for Leicester really!
5 Nov 2009, 18:44 pm
Is this being streamed live any where on the internet? I don’t see anything on RugbyZone.com.
5 Nov 2009, 19:01 pm
#32 SodaJoe: Not sure Joe, Just pleased we are getting. Was a bit worried that it was just our Dirt Tracker that Supersport may not show it.
We getting it 21.45pm
Think we should win it. Well hoping. Only 4 days of training with these groups of players. Hope that is enough.
5 Nov 2009, 19:04 pm
#33 Puma: Thanks bud. Unfortunately I don’t see any rugby at all from an autumn tour perspective.
Will likely need to watch at a pub downtown.
Worse things to do in life.
5 Nov 2009, 19:05 pm
#33 Puma: If a Springbok team can’t beat a club team there is something seriously wrong with our rugby.
5 Nov 2009, 19:18 pm
#34 SodaJoe: Watch it in the pub Joe, Much better than watching on your pc.
#35 SodaJoe: We should win this but this is not our Bok Side. Great players in that side but they are our Dirt Tracker side thrown together and now only have trained for 4 days. Should win it. Have them to win on SuperBru by 15. Never really knew who was in to the otherside. Now see there is some good players in the Leicester side.
5 Nov 2009, 19:19 pm
#5 Big Hit:
I am surprised that both Giovani and Ayerza were not called up by their respectively test qsuads?
Last time Davies played for Wales he was the back up to McBride, must be long ago, either way this is a strong front row, saw it against Leeds last week, bad news for Chili and Steenkamp: they might be maimed if not be careful,,,
5 Nov 2009, 19:20 pm
#35 SodaJoe: If it was our Test side we could klap them good and proper Joe. Even the Dirt Trackers should just that they have not really had much time to gel together.
5 Nov 2009, 19:21 pm
#23 katman:
At least he doesn’t falsify racial allegations like Rose and Sephaka?
5 Nov 2009, 19:23 pm
#37 Hondo: think Ayerza is called up, Amorisino too but they don’t get released until 5 days before the Eng v Arg test which is on the 14th Nov so they’re available for this game. They play Wales on the 21st and Scotland on the 28th.
5 Nov 2009, 19:31 pm
#38 Puma:
The Leichester’s front row is quality, the rest are a combo of the 2nd and Reserve teams, Hamilton despite his age is their best wing/fullback while Amorosino and Murphy drop more balls than they carry.
5 Nov 2009, 19:35 pm
#41 Hondo: Looking forward to the game. Was not sure who was in their team. Hardly ever follow NH club rugby. Only their internationals I watch.
This is the way to go for Bok rugby in future. Should always have a Dirt Tracker side. Many just never ever get a chance to tour and play. So it is good to be playing one of the clubs over there.
5 Nov 2009, 19:38 pm
#41 Hondo: Our front row in the Dirt Trackers is not that good and we have HVDM that has never played TH before on the bench and also has not played any rugby since April. Well he is on the bench so that is fine. Rate him though but only at LH as that is only where I have seen him play.
Chili not very good in the scrum. So hoping for big things tomorrow night.
Pleased that Deysel is on the bench there too. Hope he gets some game time.
5 Nov 2009, 19:41 pm
#40 Big Hit:
I see
I thought the Argies play earlier, in that case and the event that Julian White is totalled, can’t see the sense of Leic. playing their props Ayerza and Giovani without any rest: both played last 4 weeks solid with a Romanian prop on the bench
5 Nov 2009, 19:47 pm
#42 Puma:
Yes, I agree on that practice, not necessarily on the selection and the opposition’s strength in these mid week games
You better start watching now the NH rugby till next March, between the 3 leagues there and the French one you get at least 3 quality rugby bames every weekend, you’ll spot increased number of young SAFFASs players who never played in SA but moved to Europe after high school
5 Nov 2009, 19:50 pm
#43 Puma:
Dyesel has a great attributes and potential but he needs a long rest.
As long as he performs for the Sharks that all I ask now, they need him match fit badly
5 Nov 2009, 19:53 pm
#45 Hondo: Will do Hondo, Just forget about the games being played up there.
I know there are many saffas playing in the NH and it is a pity we just let our players leave after High School. They will eventually play for England or France or who ever they are playing for now.
Lots of scouts come here during our Craven week. We need to keep our youngsters here. Saw some great talent during the Craven week this year.
5 Nov 2009, 19:57 pm
#46 Hondo: Well he had a long lay off fromt he Sharks in the S14 when he got injured.
Hope he is match fit remember Sharks lost in the Semi of the CC so probably has not had much rugby since then. So another lay off.
Think he must have been very excited to get the call up to go. Feel really pleased for him. Not a nice way to get into the Bok or Boks 2nd side because of another player getting injured, but really pleased it was him they chose to take when Spies got injured. It is long, long over due for him to have got a selection. Now hope he can play and not only just sit on the bench and get no game time.
5 Nov 2009, 19:58 pm
will this game be televised?
5 Nov 2009, 19:59 pm
The dirt trackers are going to be in for a rude awakening
5 Nov 2009, 20:04 pm
#49 Wezwp: SuperSport 1 – 9.45pm tomorrow night.
#50 Wezwp: You think so? They have not had much time together. So hoping they can pull of a win. Some really good players in our Dirt Tracker side, only question is have they gelled in 4 days of training? Also what are the conditions like there? Rain or dry?
5 Nov 2009, 20:04 pm
#51 Puma: of meant off
5 Nov 2009, 20:06 pm
#47 Puma:
The selection policy in today’s SA from CC to Test level is such that the young one are ready to listen, they rather go to be rugby pros elsewhere than to attend a university here.
I spotted 5 new, unknown names this season alone in the UK and France’s rugby teams, 2 Afrikaans new playes in Air NZ cup and I am sure there are few in Aus.
5 Nov 2009, 20:08 pm
Damn Groot Constantia was busy today. You guys should in box me if you interested in cellar tours.
5 Nov 2009, 20:12 pm
#48 Puma:
Dyesel is a blind side, he looks to take over from the colossal Juan Smith eventually, I don’t see WP’s Vermulen and BB’s Potgieter as a test level competitors to Dyesel, but he needs a longer rest from his bad injury.
And he is a transvaaler too!
5 Nov 2009, 20:13 pm
I think its going to be tough tomorrow night but i believe the Boks just got enough fuel in the tank. The Irish are The team to watch out for on this tour. I also believe The all blacks wont have it all their way against The welsh.
5 Nov 2009, 20:15 pm
#53 Hondo: Our genes are everywhere then
Those kiwis wont have to scout the PI anymore for big players. Serious though many, many Afrikaans families have gone to live in NZ and their children will carry the good genes. They will produce suddenly huge big forwards in a few years time just like us through our genes.. 
Then to leave after high school is just a massive, massive lose. We need to keep those youngsters here.
5 Nov 2009, 20:16 pm
#57 Puma: lose = loss
5 Nov 2009, 20:16 pm
#53 Hondo:
Are you sure they’re not the children of people who’ve already emigrated?
5 Nov 2009, 20:17 pm
#55 Hondo: I know he came from the Lions. They missed out big time. Kept him on the bench all the time.
Hondo where do you live now? In the UK?
5 Nov 2009, 20:20 pm
I do hope Heinke gets at least 40 minutes tomorrow….if the gamble pays off it could be a huge blessing for SA Rugby.
5 Nov 2009, 20:21 pm
#55 Hondo: Hondo think Deysel is well over that injury now. He took a long lay off in the S14 then we only maganaged it to the Semi in the CC. So he has had another lay off. After these two games that he will play in then he is back home and think he will have another rest before start training for the S14 for next year.
Unless they keep him there to cover for the tests. Which they may or may not do.
5 Nov 2009, 20:24 pm
meant – managed
5 Nov 2009, 20:30 pm
Hey Grant , looking forward to tomorrow night? These end of year tours bring back many memories. Always this time of The year The family will get together in The name of rugby. Rip uncle Keith Lentoor.
5 Nov 2009, 20:31 pm
#61 grant10: Hi Grant, I hope it comes off. Just think with not playing any rugby at all since April it will be a huge ask of him. Especially in a new postion too.
I would have taken the Cheetah Player. Nel instead. Bring Heinke slowly into that position in S14.
5 Nov 2009, 20:31 pm
Back later. Going to watch Boots now.
5 Nov 2009, 20:35 pm
watch out boytjies, might be wet and heavy!
5 Nov 2009, 20:45 pm
No less than five Leicester first choice players have been named in the England team to play against Australia in the first Autumn International of the season at Twickenham on Saturday. They include the entire regular Tigers back row of Tom Croft, Lewis Moody and Jordan Crane. Also absent because they are on England duty is lock Louis Deacon and centre Dan Hipkiss.
In addition, several top Leicester players are injured, including Richard Blaze, Harry Ellis, Toby Flood, Geordan Murphy, Billy Twelvetrees, Sam Vesty and Ben Woods. They are joined on the sidelines by Anthony Allen and Jeremy Staunton, who are being rested after playing in all nine matches played by Leicester this season.
This game is just a pure propaganda for transformation bla bla bla bla
5 Nov 2009, 20:48 pm
Tomorrow, Guthro mets his gat!
5 Nov 2009, 21:24 pm
our mix n match team against their mix n match team so who gets taken to the slaughter?
I reckon tomorrow night we find out what Nh rugby is about no more easy picking’s, that big PI center gonna plow through our mid field and Rose at back aint gonna stop that run away loco once it got a head of steam up.
5 Nov 2009, 21:36 pm
#44 Hondo: they play them into the ground up here, that’s why we have so many injuries. Leicester Tigers for example, have 19 players injured.
5 Nov 2009, 21:40 pm
Can’t wait to see Earl silence his critics with huge tackles on Tuqiri and darting runs past Mauger et al !
Bokke ! Rose !
5 Nov 2009, 22:24 pm
#57 Puma:
It’s inevitable
I do believe most left SA after High School, the PIs controlling rugby at the grass root level in NZ, most responsible parents will not send their kids to play against them, it’s a growing issue in NZ to judge by reading the press there
SA will grow now into a rugby nursary to supply England, France, NZ and Aus with 18 years old rugby players who has the potential, they are strong, big, and hungry and played rugby since childhood.
5 Nov 2009, 22:25 pm
#72 rugbygenius:
So do I!!!!
5 Nov 2009, 22:29 pm
#71 Big Hit:
I know that!
The injuries rate in the UK this season is phenomenal, Ire and France too
That’s what I am implying: sending those quata guys against the hard tackle premier league rugby team like Leichester is irresponsible
5 Nov 2009, 22:33 pm
#68 pepinillo:
But still a risk because the Leichester’s 2nd and Reserve teams’ players hit hard too on the slow, soft underfoot pitch and there’s no where to run for Rose, De Jungh and the other whiff size ‘springboks’
6 Nov 2009, 08:14 am
strong team this
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