Comments on: Big guns fail to fire

By: Ratel Brussow (MSIUR)

Ratel Brussow (MSIUR) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:53:10 +0000

@grant10: Aah and there it is! Your koo is finally coming to fruition. And I suppose Pottie or even better Luke should take over the reigns? Don't ruin another world cup for us Province. I'm warning you. The Gary Teichman incident was a disaster.

By: Ratel Brussow (MSIUR)

Ratel Brussow (MSIUR) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:33:00 +0000

Other site says this:

15 Zane Kirchner:
He was solid under high ball in testing conditions, a few good great kick-chase runs, but his option taking not up to par.
6/10

14 JP Pietersen:
Took a quick restart, but then kicked the ball away and also produced a high tackle. Still well below his best.
5/10

13 Jaque Fourie:
Good chasing, with a great break and brilliant offload for Schalk Burger’s try. Solid on defence and SA’s best back.
7/10

12 Wynand Olivier:
Dispelled the myth that he is not up to this level. Was solid on defence, few chances on attack.
6/10

11 Bryan Habana:
Great collect in the air from high kick and some really good chasing. His workrate is still exceptional.
6/10

10 Morné Steyn:
His kicking at goal not nearly as good as earlier this year, and as a result the rest of his game suffers. His defence is okay, but a poor [performance by his standards.
3/10

9 Fourie du Preez:
Simply the best scrumhalf in the world – a tactical genius and giant on defence. Good cover.
8/10

8 Danie Rossouw:
Lost a line-out, but working hard at breakdown. Also gave away crucial penalty in 60th minute and generally better … but not good enough on the day.
5/10

7 Schalk Burger:
Very busy as usual and a good supportive running line for his try. But did not have the expected impact.
5/10

6 Heinrich Brüssow:
Brilliant steals at the breakdown – winning crucial penalties. Best South African forward yet again.
8/10

5 Victor Matfield:
Had early line-out stolen from him, then a couple of good tackles – but gave away silly penalty. Well below his best.
4/10

4 Andries Bekker:
Good early carry and good line-outs, along with some good tackles and hitting a few more rucks. But also gave away silly penalty.
6/10

3 BJ Botha:
Very strong scrumming and a real impact in the first half. The difference when he left the field soon after half-time was very obvious.
6/10

2 John Smit (captain – moved tighthead on 48th min):
Early free kick for delayed throw, which was hardly his fault though. He worked hard, but it remains a mystery why he was moved to tighthead again when the Boks had a clear edge in the scrums with him at hooker.
6/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira:
Showing better form, very strong in scrums and a good carry.
6/10

By: GI POT

GI POT — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:26:39 +0000

HEAVENS GAME: I am not for one moment suggesting that we discard anybody. I am saying that Morne Steyn, although limited, is the best that we have; therefore he must play. My point is that we need a collective effort from the whole of the professional side of rugby in SA to groom flyhalves that are able to read games and do brilliant things on instinct, ala Carter. I see scores of flyhalves like that play in our school teams, but by the time they make it into the professional arena, they all look as though they are playing inhibited rugby.
This team has the ability to become better and to defend the WC in 2011 – with the current game plan and personnel. I am just tired of having to watch the Gitaus and Carters of this world play the game as I believe we can

By: WakaNathan

WakaNathan — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:44:30 +0000

crikey, was Roussow even on the field ?

By: Heavens Game

Heavens Game — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:24:08 +0000

@GI POT: Yeah, discard the greats that are already there, in time-honored SA tradition. Like Pienaar, Teichmann, Christie (Coach). Dont replace guys who have shown and proven their decision making and abilities at the highest level. For gosh sakes, the current Boks are out on their feet. I guarantee you that the Irish players that played in the BI Lions tests would have noticed a distinct difference in intensity in the Springboks yesterday.

By: GI POT

GI POT — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:14:42 +0000

Matfield is lucky to get the 3 points he scored. Steyn is a limited flyhalf that is good when the field is hard and the ball travels a long way. He does not have the brainpower to sum situations up and take opportunities. This lack of ability is hidden when FdP plays at 9, but the latter had an off day and this brought Steyn’s shortcomings to the fore. Having said that, he is by far the best we have at the moment. I was impressed with JL Potgieter in the CC but don’t think he is test quality, P Grant had his opportunity and did not take it and is limited, as is De Waal. I reckon one to watch is Boshoff of the Lions – he runs straight, is quick off the mark and distributes well. Maybe Naas Olivier needs to move to a bigger union to realize his potential. All I know is that we must keep looking for a solution at flyhalf. Pienaar’s confidence is in shreds – no fault of his own. All of this is prompted by Dan Carter’s performance vs France last night. It was a revelation and highlights how far we have to go in that position and how unbeatable we will be if we have a flyhalf who is not moulded into a gameplan, but plays the situation.
It is true that the Boks do not have plans B, C etc, but that is not only the fault of the Bok coach. The problem lies at provincial and franchise level too because of the one dimensionality of the thinking in our rugby. That is why I thought that PDV’s philosophy would bring a fresh approach to the Boks. I would like to think that we will see more of his influence in the next two years. Holding my breath…

By: WP_

WP_ — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:03:28 +0000

Oh get over it Grant, you’ve been saying that all year!

He will play on to 2011. Deal with it!

By: kevin w

kevin w — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:41:54 +0000

It’s clear that we all see the games differently…

I thought Danie Rossouw was non-existent.

Wynand Oliviers defence better than Adi’s by a mile – he cover tackled for a few other players at critical times as did Fourie du Preez.

Not John Smits throwing but little effort by the jumpers.

Frans Steyn’s boot is required – Sorry Kirchner.

Morne Steyn kicks away every bit of attacking momentum we get. Got away with it for a while but becoming limitin and friggin boring to watch.

By: grant10

grant10 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:11:27 +0000

@Porra the Fat Speedster: There is a time to say goodbye. I agree...its that time.

By: Jackson 4

Jackson 4 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:05:18 +0000

Exhausted sad boks need a good long rest. Can’t agree with Pietersen rating. He’s the saddest bok of all. No fire in him, jumps for the high ball like a girl, tackles with his face out the way, grabs with his hands or sticks out a stiff arm. Never seen blood on him, never seen him put in a big hit or take one.

By: SKW

SKW — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:58:26 +0000

The same Ireland that nearly lost to Georgia and couldnt get past argentina?

By: poppa69

poppa69 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:26:14 +0000

@Nanashi: 3 squads of world beating teams? you guys might want to beat NH club sides first before spouting off…

like I said earlier, guess we can add Ireland to the “lucky SA didnt play them in the WC” category…

By: Porra the Fat Speedster

Porra the Fat Speedster — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:21:30 +0000

when
john smit
was playing
hooker
our scrums
were
good
and our
line-outs
bad
when he
moved
to prop
our scrums
were average
and
our line-outs
better
he actually
carries
a soft
wobbly
stomach
on him
and there was
no sign
of a
captain
on the field
yesterday
let him
go

By: nama1

nama1 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:48:46 +0000

@WakaNathan: #76
Personally. I would have no problem with it.

I would also love to see the following citings:
1. Player diving onto Habana in the in goal area.
2. Player diving onto F. du Preez in the in goal area.
3. Player lifting Habana of the ground, releasing him in the air and letting him fall on his back AFTER he kicked the ball.

By: WakaNathan

WakaNathan — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:19:53 +0000

Clearly JPP will be cited and banned for longer than Carter was, it was higher and more dangerous.

Even the blind and insane would have to admit that, surely.

By: nama1

nama1 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:12:42 +0000

@Kryger: #53 "The coaching staff is prepared to sacrifice SA rugby for the sake of the captain. JS is and never will be a tight head! BJ is answered this very emphatically. The line outs went south because he could not find his jumpers." Demmit! What am I suppose to make of this? @Crouching Tiger Hidden Bokke: #56 OK. ADI is not in the team. Now Zane is your next "target" Why not just say, Olivier is/was kak. I thought Zane was one of the better players last night. Zane, Habana, JPP, Beast, Danie, Brussow, BJ in my view were the stand out players. You may disagree if you want.

By: radiohead

radiohead — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:43:08 +0000

And when last have you been in Pretoria? Driving through Waterkloof, Brooklyn, and so forth, hardly gives the impression of a “snor city”. Gauteng has also become one big city region.

By: radiohead

radiohead — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:33:49 +0000

How much do you know about Matfield? He’s the sports car type who loves the cafes. The difference here between him and Bakkies is legend.

By: TheTackler

TheTackler — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:12:40 +0000

Matfield’s missing his Klip-en-Kouk and his lime green Cortina three-litre with Weber carbs and Monza pipes back in his beloved Snor City. Take him and his sidekick Batterproof Bakkies out of their comfort zone and they instantly turn to soft runny fromage even before their plane has landed at the other end. They’re just “hometown heroes”.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:07:48 +0000

I am out of here, need to get some sleep now, thanx WP for your time