Brilliant Du Preez snubbed
29 Nov 2009
Fourie du Preez has unbelievably been overlooked for the IRB World Player of the Year award, with Richie McCaw claiming the top prize.
In a decision even more perplexing than the 2008 one which saw Wales wing Shane Williams win the award ahead of more deserving candidates, McCaw, who was anonymous in three defeats to the Springboks this year and nowhere near as prolific for the Crusaders as he has been in the past, was preferred to the superlative Du Preez.
The Bulls man was without peer in world rugby in 2009, playing a central role in the franchises Super 14 and Currie Cup success and in the Springboks’ Tri-Nations and British & Irish Lions campaigns.
The snub, and that of coach Peter de Villiers, who has lost just four of 12 Tests in 2009 (one of those in which he opted to field an understrength side with the Lions series sealed), for the Coach of the Year award (Ireland’s Declan Kidney won), won’t do anything to dispel the growing perception that the IRB has an axe to grind with the world champions.
The selection panel of Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales, supposedly watched over 63 hours of action from 49 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.
If this is the case, those who voted for McCaw either conveniently forgot to take delivery of the Springboks’ footage, or, despite their illustrious careers, know nothing about the game.
Let us also not forget that they omitted other exceptional Springboks Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow and Morne Steyn from the shortlist, all of whom have outshone the other candidates – Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip and Brian O’Driscoll, Australia’s Matt Giteau and England’s Tom Croft.
The IRB couldn’t be so blatantly biased as to overlook the Springboks for the Team of the Year award, and they deservedly scooped won that category, but it doesn’t ease the sense of frustration at being cheated out of the two other premier prizes.
By Ryan Vrede
354 Comments
29 Nov 2009, 10:35 am
It’s a weird decision but surely you aren’t suggesting that Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and John Eales know nothing about rugby!? I suppose Ryan Vrede is a fundi who knows it all!? LOL
29 Nov 2009, 10:38 am
@jonnymain: They may know plenty about rugby but since when has that been a factor in the way these things are decided.
29 Nov 2009, 10:38 am
To be honest those guys no more about the game than us, i dont mind if its other pros that pick the team rather than journalists like the guy who put this poor article togeather
29 Nov 2009, 10:39 am
To be nonest BOD deserved it by a wide margin he was brillenet all year for Ireland
29 Nov 2009, 10:41 am
@west:
Agree, I also find it amazing that a keo journalist who just about never had anything good to say about PdV now all of a sudden reckons that Peter should be the coach of the year.
29 Nov 2009, 10:43 am
@stormer in a teacup: Not very often it seems! I thought McCaw had an average year by his own very high standards when he wasn’t injured so I can’t understand the decision. I tell you something else, Ireland deserved the Team of the Year more than McCaw does the POTY award.
29 Nov 2009, 10:44 am
the Return of the KING !
29 Nov 2009, 10:45 am
@jonnymain: That should have been “Ireland would have deserved the TOTY”
29 Nov 2009, 10:51 am
@jonnymain: oh hell no!!! the boks had a brilliant year. ireland won ONE trophy this year .just ONE .
the boks on the other hand whitewashed the all blacks (something no one else in world rugby will ever do ) beat the ozzies twice, and beat the lions
no one else deserved the TOTY award more than the boks.
fourie du preez is the best player in the world period. i’m happy at least that mccaw got it ,i’d have been devasted if tht mongrel whinger BOD won
29 Nov 2009, 10:51 am
Seriously… Was McC visiting sick children in hospital, did he cure cancer, solve the AIDS epedimic?
Cos he sure didn’t play much rugby and when he did he was nowhere near the influence on results as BOD or FDP
Just think for a moment what BOD would have achieved by now if he was in a team for the All Blacks ability over the last ten years.
29 Nov 2009, 10:52 am
@mbaxman93:
Agreed re TOTY., but Player for sure was BOD.
Nearly won the Grandslam on his own
29 Nov 2009, 10:58 am
@mbaxman93: Ireland were unbeaten all year, yes against inferior opposition, but still an achievement of note. BTW the Boks were clearly the best team in 2009, my point was that McCaw was such a left-field call for POTY that it wouldn’t have been as much of a shock if Ireland had won the TOTY!
29 Nov 2009, 11:00 am
As much as I love Richie, I’d still have to go with BoD.I’m thinking last years result may have influenced this years.
And what’s funny is people running to FdP’s defence here when the game commentary for last nights match on this very same web site was calling for his head.
Saffer fans are an odd bunch
29 Nov 2009, 11:03 am
THE IRB IS A JOKE.
If BOD had won it I might have been okay with it.
But Richie, as brilliant a player as he is was no where near his best this year.
29 Nov 2009, 11:05 am
If losing only 4 out oif 12 qualifies PDV, then how does losing only 4 out of 14 including a clean sweep of the 5 AI’s (incl Aus in Japan) rate G Henry? I think Irelands winning 9/10 and drawing the other (incl playing 2 out of the top 3 teams) is a more impressive result. Yes the Boks beat a weak and rebuilding AB team, but the whole rugby world isn’t defined by beating the AB’s when they aren’t at full strength.
29 Nov 2009, 11:07 am
@Flametop:
Most All Black fans still believe that Umaga was a better center than BOD. Justin Marshell even compared Conrad Smith to him last night?????
BOD might be a bit of a **** but he’s the best center of the modern era bar none. Only Horan comes close.
29 Nov 2009, 11:07 am
Most All Black fans still believe that Umaga was a better center than BOD. Justin Marshell even compared Conrad Smith to him last night?????
BOD might be a bit of a **** but he’s the best center of the modern era bar none. Only Horan comes close.
29 Nov 2009, 11:14 am
McCaw finished the year as the dominant individual playing rugby union .
If Union was the NBA Ritchie McCaw would be your first draft pick over most of the
last decade.
You should have to perform in the November Tests to win the title for the year.
Fourie du Preez’s team mates let him down.
FDV rocks. A rare talent.
Ritchie snatched victory for himself and his team ;
ultimately triumphing in Europe.
at the same time “the Tri Nation Winners and Lion slayers ran out of puff”.
He is the complete rugby athlete. Its players like him that define eras.
Along with Daniel Carter, the most influential player in the game and one of the finest players ever to have graced a rugby union arena
Enjoy them while you can.They are rare talents.
29 Nov 2009, 11:17 am
@lapoftherugbygods:
The player that refs are afraid to yellow card.
His play is supposed to be so quick/subtle that refs don’t spot it. Shame it’s so obvious.
29 Nov 2009, 11:19 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
Actually having Tana anywhere near the judging panel is a joke.
If BOD took up place kicking he still would not have voted for him, just like he was afraid to play against him
29 Nov 2009, 11:20 am
@lapoftherugbygods:
You obviously didn’t watch the 3N…
Heinrich Brussow owned Richie McCaw… He dominated Richie McCaw… He made Richie McCaw his *****…!!
This is a joke…!!
29 Nov 2009, 11:22 am
Ritchie McCaw — best rugby player on the planet by miles — richly deserved it.
29 Nov 2009, 11:28 am
@TheTackler: best all round rugby player becuase of his other qualities not becuase of his openside abilities!!
heinrich brussow made every openside his ***** this year .. wat a player
29 Nov 2009, 11:28 am
@TheTackler:
has your permanent residence been approved yet?
29 Nov 2009, 11:30 am
heinrich brussouw player of the year, outstanding technique!
29 Nov 2009, 11:30 am
@mbaxman93:
Brussow was quieter than usual yesterday.
Guess it’s tiring carrying around McCaw in your pocket all the time
29 Nov 2009, 11:31 am
@lapoftherugbygods:
“McCaw finished the year as the dominant individual playing rugby union .”
UM, no he didn’t.
29 Nov 2009, 11:32 am
I feel bad for a guy like Brussow who wasn’t even shortlisted. Why cant such an important player not even make the shortlist never mind win the POTY award. Stealing so much opposition ball, slowing it down or winning a penalty at the ruck. Isn’t that why McCaw won his first award?
29 Nov 2009, 11:33 am
Come on Ryan. Where’s the cricket thread?
Stop bitching and moaning about something you can’t change.
UFO:
F. du Preez was “owned” on more than one occasion this year, including yesterday. I guess you would also have had a problem if he got the award. Not?
29 Nov 2009, 11:34 am
@jean-jacques:
I would not have been too upset (ISH!) if he had gotten the award
Came out of nowhere (in the test arena at least). Owned all the other opensides and made a nuisance of himself. Got SA out of jail on more than one occasion.
Was this the Charlton Heston lifetime achievement awark or player of the year? (It’s now 2009, not 2006 isn’t it?)
29 Nov 2009, 11:36 am
Du preez was average on tour. Richie Mac doesnt deserve the award! As much as i hate to say it, BOD deserves it much more than RM7.
29 Nov 2009, 11:38 am
@SKW:
Why hate to say it? He’s a joy to watch even to the neutrals
29 Nov 2009, 11:41 am
Ryan, have to agree with some of the posts here, you are losing it. I normally enjoy your articles but lately you have been off form. You wonder about the IRB being blatantly biased but that’s what this article is! If a player is brilliant as you maintain FdP is, he must be consistently so. You have to be incredibly one-eyed to believe FdP was brilliant on the EOYT. If he had spent less time waving his arms around at the ref a la Gregan he might have played better but on the NH tour he was average and does not deserve the award.
“McCaw, who was anonymous in three defeats to the Springboks this year and nowhere near as prolific for the Crusaders as he has been in the past, was preferred to the superlative Du Preez”.
Maybe Ritchie was not as prolific for the Crusaders this year, Ryan, because he only played 8 of the games for them. He was out for 6 weeks with a medial ligament injury picked up in the game vs the Highlanders but came back in the Crusaders win over the Sharks in Durban to take the man of the match with scrum.com saying “he showed no signs of lack of match fitness in a stand-out 80 minutes display of courage and commitment”. In case you haven’t remembered he also injured his knee in the semi-final vs the Bulls and missed the home tests vs Italy and France but came back for Canterbury, who like the Bulls won their national competition and his role as captain and breakdown king in the unbeaten EOYT tour culminated in his MOM award in the AB’s 39 -12 win in a great rugby game in Marseilles.
So Ryan, still think that Ritchie doesn’t deserve the award?
29 Nov 2009, 11:43 am
@nama1:
you obviously don’t understand the meaning of owned… shame…
29 Nov 2009, 11:44 am
screw the IRb i’m starting my own awards
KEO player of the year -fourie Du preez
Keo Team Of the Year-Springboks
Keo Coach of the year – Peter Helium Snor PDv theDiv DE Villiers
Keo try of the year – Conrad “snake” smith vs Boks
Keo Personality of the year–PDV
Keo Moustache of the year – PDV
Keo outstanding leader /player -richie mccaw
Keo Statement of the year – PDV “Rugby is a contact sport and so is dancing
”
29 Nov 2009, 11:48 am
“The snub, and that of coach Peter de Villiers, who has lost just four of 12 Tests in 2009′.
Well Ryan,
Kidney, the Irish Coach, didn’t lose ANY Games. NOT ONE. Not any. Zilch, nada. He lost sweet ***** all. And for good measure, HIS team beat Peters Team.
Ireland should have won the Team of the Year as well.
29 Nov 2009, 11:48 am
@mbaxman93:
Keo Breakdown Master of the year – Heinrich “ratel”Brussow!!!!!
29 Nov 2009, 11:52 am
@ufo: #33
That the best you can do? Shame.
29 Nov 2009, 11:53 am
Nice article Ryan Vrede. It’s just so obvious that everyone in world rugby has it in for the Sth African team. First they have the temerity to have non-Sth Africans among the IRB player of the year awards when clearly Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow and Morne Steyn should have been nominated, and not any of these non-Sth Africans.
Hell, why not throw Bakkies in there as well. Oh no, can’t do that, not after he was so wrongly suspended for two weeks – for which the World Champion Springboks so rightly protested with their silly little armbands. My only surprise there is that they didn’t do the same for Schalk “The Optometrist” Burger, because that too was clearly a baised affront to the World Champion Springboks.
If I’m not mistaken, the selection panel didn’t have any more than one player from participating countries on it, and they were all highly rated International players. Clearly they should have deferred to you, Mr Vrede, who would have saved them all 49 hours by just selecting half the Springbok team.
In terms of coach of the year, Declan Kidney’s team went UNBEATEN the whole year, including a win over the Springboks – which does seem to rate higher for the esteemed judges than 8 wins of 12 for PDV (the losses including, obviously, the last B&I Lions loss which was only due to the Sth Africans fielding an understrength team, and nothing at all to do with the opposition).
On that score, Graham Henry’s All Blacks won 10 of 14, including a second consecutive HM sweep without conceding a try – a bit more impressive than the Sth African effort – though again no doubt the Sth African losses were due more to them than the opposition. But you don’t hear too many whinges from the Kiwi fans.
Thanks again for your article Ryan. It’s these sorts of reads that’ll keep me coming back for a laugh.
29 Nov 2009, 11:55 am
@cane:
Cheers Cane, Still think there’s some work to do to get the NZ ****** off our back
29 Nov 2009, 11:57 am
@ufo:
@mbaxman93:
@jean-jacques:
@jean-jacques:
It is true that Brussow is a wonderful player, brilliant at the breakdown, again yest too.
But ‘Brussow owned McCaw’ ?
If you were to compare Brussow & McCaw strictly at the breakdown then its clear theyre both brilliant at these skills. Only the stats would show who was producing what.
But can you say Brussow is also a ball-carrier ? that he is a reliable lineout and restart source ? does he provide the linkman work that puts teammates over the white line ?
McCaw, once his injury eventually came right was simply sensational in the 2ndH of the season. Brilliant in the Tokyo Bledisloe – I dont see Brussow creating tries like that. And then McCaw has had 2 outstanding MoM performances on EOYT, superb again in demolishing France. What a player, he seems to fill the role of 3-4 men for the ABs, and they finish – deservedly – as the no1 Team on the Planet.
McCaw should have won the award last year when he wasnt even nominated. So this award is well overdue.
Ireland should have got Team of the Year – unbeaten throughout 2009 – that much is obvious.
29 Nov 2009, 11:57 am
This is a absolute disgrace. Did they give the award to McCaw as a consolation for not winning it last year when he should have? Are they making amends for the mistake they made then. As he was the best player last year and SW never should have got it. This year FdP was head and shoulders better than McCaw ever was. Even Brussow out played McCaw in Bloem. McCaw was injured for part of this year too. How could he have won it?
Who ever decided on McCaw for this award should be ashamed of themselves. FdP deserved it more than any other player this year.
I will never ever take these awards serious again not ever. Disgraceful that FdP never won. He will be my player of the year though. So bugger them. McCaw never deserved it this year and he is a decent bloke and will probably say so too.
29 Nov 2009, 12:00 pm
IRB Pillocks of the Year ……………….The Black Armbanded Boks.
IRB Comeback of the year………………..Jonny.
IRB 2nd Best Player of the Year………….Danny Boy.
IRB 2nd Best Team of the Year. ………Springboks. (best Team was Ireland)
29 Nov 2009, 12:00 pm
@WakaNathan: i said breakdown waka ,even you cant argue tht brussow not only dominated the breakdown this year but he did it against the best of the best (mccaw,smith)
29 Nov 2009, 12:06 pm
IRB Team of the year.
Give it to Leicester “B”. they butchered the Boks, so WTF.
29 Nov 2009, 12:09 pm
Give the guy who wrote this article a good slap. His articles are nearly always average to the max
29 Nov 2009, 12:10 pm
@WakaNathan: Why should Ireland have won ‘Team of the year award’ Who did they beat Waka? I know they beat us yesterday. That was a once off game and the last game of our season. Tried Boks. They beat teams in the 6 nations. Not having to play ABs 3 times and beating them 3 times and beating Oz twice. Now that is something to be proud of. ABs and Oz or way better than anyone of the 6th Nations. To have to play them 3 times and beat them 3 times and Oz twice is far harder than beating any NH team. We would have beaten those NH teams if we played them in the middle of our season. Remember we also beat the Lions here and they together make a very strong team. That was the start of our season. We were still fresh and ready for playing against strong teams. That is why we won Team of the Year, I say that is very fair.
How did R. McCaw get ‘Player of the year’ Jeepers that was a surprise to me. He should have won it last year no ifs or buts. SW should never have got it. Now I think this is them making amends for their mistake last year. FdP was head and shoulders ahead of McCaw. Useless bunch that are selecting these awards. Made another huge, huge error this year by not selecting the best player which was FdP.
From now on wont take these silly awards serious if they don’t really go to the right person. They can keep keep it. Makes a mockery of these awards really giving it to the wrong person. Absolutely ridiculous. FdP was robbed for sure.
29 Nov 2009, 12:14 pm
@cane: They gave it to the Boks cause we ‘Butchered’ the ABs. White Washed and bliksemed by Boks..
29 Nov 2009, 12:18 pm
@Puma:
Puma, Ireland beat France and South Africa. They didnt lose ONE match all year, incl Australia. They won the GS.
If youre not going to give it to them under those circumstances, then when ?
I dont think anyone would have disputed it to Boks if they had finished the year strongly. Even 2-1 on their 3-Test EOYT. But lets be honest, they were 2nd and 2nd best in the 2 matches that mattered. It certainly muddies the waters doesnt it.
Nah. Look if an AB fan – no 1 team in 2009 – can say Ireland should have been ToY (and ABs have never lost to Ireland), then I dont think I can be accused of bias.
As for individuals. Well Ive said here weeks ago that I would have given it to FdP too. But the year wasnt over then. To be honest, aside from tapping and running for Burgers try yest, I thought FdP was quite poor. He was also caught a few times vs France. So not a great tour for him. Whereas McCaw has been sim ply sensational throughout, 2 MoM awards and superb again yest. No 1 Bok player dominated France. But McCaw did.
Individual awards are ridiculous tho. McCaw should have won last year, noone but BH agreed with S.Williams. So I stand by McCaw, what a player !
29 Nov 2009, 12:21 pm
@Puma:
@ 41
I dont see you succumb to hyperbole too often, Puma, but youve really gone awol with this
“this year FdP was head and shoulders better than McCaw ever was”.
Well thats complete nonsense.
29 Nov 2009, 12:24 pm
@nama1: #37
Look dude if you want to argue… stick on topic…
I’ll type slowly for your benefit..
lapoftherugbygods said that in his opinion McCaw was the dominant rugby player this year… or words to that effect…
I made the point that he did not dominate Heinrich Brussow… therefore… by definition he couldn’t be the claimed dominant player this year…
that was my point… done and dusted…
If you think FdP was ‘owned’ that’s your opinion and nothing to do with the comment I was making… But if you think he was why don’t you just come right out and state your opinion that he was owned and who owned him… instead of beating about the bush and trying to draw me into a discussion I have no interest in…
If you think Du Preez was owned… good for you…
29 Nov 2009, 12:26 pm
@Puma:
That is true Puma. And that is why, even though the AB’s are rated (according to the IRB Rankings) the best Team in the World, they do NOT deserve a mention in the awards.
Boks number 2 Team for sure.
But any Team, that in 5 NH games, can only win against Italy, does not deserve this Award.
Ireland drew with Aussie. Their only blemish.
29 Nov 2009, 12:26 pm
@mbaxman93:
in your debut year, after convincing a nation that they never needed a fetcher, well its understandable that youre a little drunk on the excitement of it.
Brussow is wonderful at the breakdown. But he was nowhere in Brisbane and was rightly pinged, repeatedly, for cheating infringements in Durban (bridging, blocking off) that he was getting away with the previous week in Bloem. In Hamilton, McCaw was most certainly the dominant figure.
Brussow – certainly newcomer of the year (and Ive been saying as such all year). But to say he’s “owning” this or someone is his “b*tch”, well it appears youve got Pumas hyperbole disease and are desperately searching for solace in the wake of defeat.
29 Nov 2009, 12:27 pm
@Flametop:
If he was a Kiwi BOD wouldn’t be playing test rugby – Umaga and now Conrad Smith are both better than him
29 Nov 2009, 12:27 pm
@Puma:
#46
Puma, when the award (for the team) went to SA you call it fair but when it went against SA (individual player) you call it not fair and said the panel is a useless bunch.
You cannot have it both ways.
29 Nov 2009, 12:28 pm
@WakaNathan:
” then when ?”
Exactly.
29 Nov 2009, 12:29 pm
@WakaNathan: Waka to play the ABs 3 times and beat them 3 times. Now that is really testing not playing once off games in the NH. Which to me means nothing those games. Jake used to take understrength teams up there as we never worry too much about them. This year we took part of our full strength team. Exhausted from too much rugby. Should never have played CC until end of Oct.
4 missing players too and injuries eveywhere. Don’t count those one off games. Count games where you are really tested by playing each other 3 or even twice. One off games don’t say much. Had we had another chance agains those teams we may have beaten them. You know that Waka. Do you think Ireland would have beaten Abs 3 times and Oz twice and a combined TriNations team twice (They had a combined Irish and British Lions we had to play) So can only compare a combined Trinations side. NO they would never have. Boks are tops this year Waka give us our due. I always give ABs theirs when they win Team of the Year and when they beat us in Tri-Nations. I think you know we deserved it though buddy.
McCaw was injured a big part of this year. Come now Waka he never played that great against us. FdP should have won it everyone in the world knows it. McCaw should have won it last year too and the whole world knew that too. They just making amends for last year. So maybe next year when FdP may be nowhere they will give it to him to someone that should win it. Stupid and will never ever give these awards respect ever if they keep doing that. Just makes a mockery of the awards. Feel angry that FdP never got it. Like I felt angry last year that McCaw never and should have. He never deserved it this year. Forget about the NH tour. Think of the whole year.
Ag, really not going to take these stupid awards serious again. Seems it just suits who they want to win it.
Going for a swim now. Weather great here and our cricket is falling apart too. Going to lose to England today as well after thrashing them on Friday. Rather cool off in the pool
Cheers Waka.
29 Nov 2009, 12:30 pm
@cane:
It’s not based on a calendar year – the year in question is from last year’s November internationals to before these matches. If it included these November games that would have counted against the Boks, but these are only considered for next year’s awards
29 Nov 2009, 12:33 pm
@Robzim: Well they got it half right. But half right is not good enough.
How could McCaw have beaten FdP to that award Rob? Be fair and honest now.
FdP head and shoulder above McCaw. Give credit where it is due mate. FdP should have won it. I think McCaw knows that very well too.
29 Nov 2009, 12:34 pm
OH STOP BITCHING YOU WOMEN!!!!
SA got team of the year because we beat the Lions (that was the deciding factor between us and the Irish).
29 Nov 2009, 12:35 pm
On Keo’s New Poll they ask:
Who is the best Team in the World right now?
SA.
NZ.
Ireland.
The All Blacks currently have 100% of the votes cast.
29 Nov 2009, 12:37 pm
@Puma:
Reality shows that we can’t play under NH conditions (which must be said are more suited to the ABs than the Boks).
Forget the tired playesr and the missing players. We made the same basic mistake we’ve been making in the 2000′s – chosing the wrong team to play in wet/soft conditions.
The claim was our forwards were’nt dominant in the first 2 internationals. they were yesterday and we still lost.
Also claims that Adi and Kanko weren’t fgood enough. We still lost without them.
The message is clear but the Bok management are too thick to achkowledge it.
29 Nov 2009, 12:37 pm
@cane:
NOOOOOO, I just gave the Boks a 25% stake
29 Nov 2009, 12:39 pm
@cane: Cane eoyt tours never mean much Cane. You play a team once off. Should be schduled different. We should have played France 3 times or Ireland 3 times. Much better that way you can judge the best team from that. Not once off. Any team can win a once off. Just ask Scotland
Playing here against ABs/Boks and Oz now that is bloody tough. We play each other 3 times and travel huge distance to do so. To win that is a true test not a once off game. No my friend I don’t rate once off games. I think you understand though
Bring back the tours or if we have to go to NH let us play one team 3 times not jump about and play once against this and that one. Rotate the tours too. Once in SH eoyt and we go their NH the next. Forget the In-coming June tests they mean nothing as they send us their 2nd or 3rd side.
Okay not off for my swim. HOT here today and the pool just looking great and inviting.
Catch up later. Cheers Cane.
29 Nov 2009, 12:39 pm
@Puma:
Because FDP showed that he can’t respond under pressure and is also a premaddonna ( and a petulent one at that).
29 Nov 2009, 12:40 pm
meant scheduled.
29 Nov 2009, 12:41 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
They were without doubt the 2nd best Team London.
But too many blemishes later on.
- Saracens.
- Leister.
- France.
- Ireland.
- Australia.
Irelands single blemish, if you can call it that, a draw with OZ.
If they can’t win the Award with that kind of record, then when?
29 Nov 2009, 12:42 pm
Oco, Howzit mate, Jeepers never getting to go for my swim.
No buddy he should have won that award. Just like McCaw should have last year. It is a disgrace. Think they made amends to McCaw this year. He is a damn decent bloke McCaw and I think he knows that FdP deserved it. Like a slap in the face to FdP like it was to McCaw last year when they gave it to SW.
Okay now out of here for my swim. Catch up later.
29 Nov 2009, 12:44 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
LOL…………………..mine was the only vote when I made the Post.
Glad you are doing your bit to keep a ballance London.
29 Nov 2009, 12:47 pm
@cane: Cane buddy, that swim still coming….hehe.
Cane you know well that Sarries and Tigers were played by development teams from SA. That was not our Boks. It has not been said we won’t do that again (letting a development team travel with the test side) otherwise people think they have beaten the Boks which they have not. Boks played 3 tests and lost 2. We never lost to the clubs Cane. Our development team did. We should have had our 2nd best chosen to tour but they never got selected. Not good enough for players that have played their hearts out not to get selected. They wont make that mistake again. Always choose the best test side and best dirt trackers.
Okay now for sure out of here for my swim. Cheers.
29 Nov 2009, 12:47 pm
Sorry mistake there. Meant – It has been said.
29 Nov 2009, 12:51 pm
As for Ryan’s column, what a load of hogwash. It’s about time journos and the rest actually start watching the rugby rather than listening to the supposed commentators.
Couple of points:
1) Vs Italy “Great tackle by Matfield” No it wasn’t it was Kanko who made the tackle.
2) On Schalk knocking on vs Ireland “There was a hand in there that prevented Burger getting clean ball – Skinstad”. No, replay showed no hand but Burger knocked on 3 times trying to pick the ball up unopposed.
The commos say what they want to believe, not reality (as evidenced by the replays).
FdP is not as good as the SA press (or Bulls supporters) want to believe. No sniping runs like any good scrummie (think of Joost but he id over do it).
FdP always complains if he is even touched on the field. Maybe he can move to Holywood and join other stars who feel the same.
29 Nov 2009, 12:52 pm
Hondo:
Have you watched a replay of the match yet? I would love to see your rating of the players performance. Please put it up for us.
29 Nov 2009, 12:52 pm
What a stupid poll.
The facts are NZ are the best team in the world.
The poll should be reworded to say who is your favourite team
29 Nov 2009, 12:53 pm
@Puma:
Cheers Puma but we will disagree on this one. If it was an SA player it should have been ‘rocket launcher’ who adds a completely different aspect on the game. FdP is just a lot of hype.
29 Nov 2009, 12:57 pm
@Puma:
sorry Puma but the Saracens and Leicester did beat the Boks.
I see what you are saying but to say that wasnt the Boks is a bit rude to those players that put on that Jersey for the first time.
29 Nov 2009, 12:58 pm
@Puma:
They Played as South Africa.
Before they lost, I didn’t see any reference to these Teams as Developement Teams.
To try to pass off these loses, as SA “B”, or something akin to that, is to belittle the huge achievement of those who won on the day.
Get out into the ocean Puma…………………..you only live once.
29 Nov 2009, 13:02 pm
Where are Leicester in the IRB rankings?
29 Nov 2009, 13:03 pm
@rich1:
Please stop…..you’re killing me and embarrassing yourself
29 Nov 2009, 13:04 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
on par with the Saracens i believe.
IRB Rankings below
1) NZ
1.5) Saracens and Leicester
2)Boks
29 Nov 2009, 13:05 pm
Why only three NH players in the Barbarians?
29 Nov 2009, 13:08 pm
@Hurricane:
29 Nov 2009, 13:12 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
I counted 5 NH players and 9 or 10 SA players. So much for the players being fatigued.Wave some cash in their face and all of a sudden 2 new legs appear
29 Nov 2009, 13:14 pm
@Hurricane:
But according to earlier South African posts all these players only play for their b team anyway?
29 Nov 2009, 13:15 pm
How do they rate the coach of the year. It is not fair to say that the team that won the most has got the best coach. If that was the case then the team of the year will always have the coach of the year.
29 Nov 2009, 13:19 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
CHCH,you know by now how it rolls here with some people. The B team counts only if the B team wins.
Backs:
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand), Drew Mitchell (Australia), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Jaque Fourie (South Africa), Morne Steyn (South Africa), Matt Giteau (Australia), Fourie du Preez (South Africa), Will Genia (Australia)
Forwards:
Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Stephen Moore (Australia), Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira (South Africa), WP Nel (Free State Cheetahs), Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Danie Rossouw (South Africa), Carlo del Fava (Italy), Rocky Elsom (Australia), Schalk Burger (South Africa), George Smith (Australia), Andy Powell (Wales)
I am hoping these are the teams anyways
29 Nov 2009, 13:37 pm
#58
Puma:
LoL, half right according to who?
I have no idea whether Richie thinks he deserve it or not – did he make a statement?
I never said he should have won either – personally I think BOD deserved it more.
Anyway, there is no scientific way in which we can determine who is the best player in a team sport like rugby.
I do however think the combined vote of a team of respected ex international players from all over the world counts for more than the opinion of any individual blogger on Keo.
29 Nov 2009, 13:44 pm
i want some blood pudding for st andrews day
29 Nov 2009, 13:44 pm
although i actually dont pay much attention to these awards, especially as it meant we kept the 2004 IRB player of the year at openside for bloody years when it was patently obvious he couldnt fetch for toffee….my 2 c worth….
Team of the year…Ireland…boks stuffed it up last 5 games.
Player of the year….H Brussow
Coach of the year…Kidney….PDV blew it the last month.
29 Nov 2009, 13:48 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
I think the problem’s with the clubs not releasing them. The BaaBaas match ia outside the test window.
29 Nov 2009, 13:51 pm
@grant10: no I rate we do deserve the IRB team award… we won the Lions series, tri-nats and Super 14 (well not we the Bulls won that)
29 Nov 2009, 13:52 pm
@ufo: #50
Thanks for typing slow. I nearly understand what you are saying.
Enjoy your day.
29 Nov 2009, 13:55 pm
WHAT A CROCK OF **** IT SHOULD OF BEEN DU PREEZFOR SURE
29 Nov 2009, 13:55 pm
As an Irish fan, I think it’s fairly clear that the Boks were the team of the year – we had a great year compared to where we were last year, but we are still very much a work-in-progress. The Boks seem to have peaked this summer (SH winter) and at their best were clearly the best team anywhere this year.
On the same note, Declan Kidney is 100 deserving of the Coach award. He took a team of players who had been stripped of all confidence and were looking forward to possibly slipping behind England in the NH pecking order and won the 6 Nations (albet in an ugly way) and there are real signs he is starting to develop a winning style of play. The big tests will come on the SH tour next year, but there is definitely cause for confidence.
I am stunned by the POTY decision, though. McCaw has struggled with injuries this year and never hit his best form. Brian O’Driscoll was the outstanding player in the 6 Nations. His tries against Wales and England were spectacular – it looked as if there was no way he could ever ground the ball, but he found his way in. Oh well, McCaw is the best player in the world, so I can’t complain too much, but BOD deserved the award this time.
29 Nov 2009, 13:56 pm
@SpringbokSarah: ireland unbeaten all year….and beat Boks….
Boks lost to 2 club teams as well?
A bit of a stretch to call that team of the year in my opinion
29 Nov 2009, 13:57 pm
@cane: Yep…I voted for them ’cause I do believe right now they are the best in form team…but that was not the case a couple of months ago…@Hurricane: Baabaas will get creamed once again..
@Dubbelnul: PdV has been exposed due to only having one game plan…a Bull’s gameplan..
@Robzim: Richie’s always there or thereabouts…for the lack of any consistant oposition his award is well deserved
29 Nov 2009, 13:57 pm
as robzim says…no way to actually scientifically decide…all bull really….
29 Nov 2009, 13:57 pm
@cane:
Cane, lets be honest. The Boks won the matches that count, and have the silverware to prove it.
Would Ireland be able to beat the 3N away from home (like we beat Aus and NZL)? Never in a million years. Did they play France away from home (like SA and NZL did)?
Like I said, the Lions tour gave SA the edge.
29 Nov 2009, 13:59 pm
amazed some 1 eyed bats didnt ask for smit as tighthead …
29 Nov 2009, 13:59 pm
@grant10: …and Irish coach totally outsmarted SA coach..!!
29 Nov 2009, 13:59 pm
@grant10:
The comp runs from the EOYT last year and ends before this years. So our performances recently were’nt considered.
29 Nov 2009, 14:01 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): Yep…the silverware is why we got the Team of the year…but we been pretty unconvincing since we last added to the cupboard
29 Nov 2009, 14:01 pm
@David: okay….i dont pay much heed to the Rugby oscars…..then most say how can you drop a IRB player of the year award and all that rubbish….
Very subjective…for me Brussow was amazing every game except for 1….
So…enough said.
29 Nov 2009, 14:04 pm
The Boks (like the Bulls) have the ability to win the big games. That’s what makes a great team.
Yes we sucked on this tour, but isn’t it the 2008 tour that’s taken into account for the 2009 team of the year award? I might be wrong.
I’m a Sharks fan so I know what I’m talking about (the Sharks rank right up there with our cricket team and NZL in terms of choking).
PS I would love SA,NZL and Aus to form a “Lions” team. Can you imagine the hidings we would give those boys!!!
29 Nov 2009, 14:05 pm
@David:
I thought so:
So based on the Boks from Nov last year to BEFORE the tour this year, we were far and away the best team.
This years tour counts towards next years award.
29 Nov 2009, 14:12 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
How can the Lions tour be the deciding factor?
Boks were lucky to win it and overall conceded more points than they scored. Hardly decisive
Other than the EOT tour and the Lions tour the Boks were outstanding (the tri-nations domination was huge)
29 Nov 2009, 14:13 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): Yep…but Sanzar would load that team with AB’s and Ozzies…and don’t expect any players of colour to be getting a free ride selection wise…and even the B&I Lions would get thrashed by a southern hemisphere combination
29 Nov 2009, 14:15 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala: Bulls/Boks were also pretty outstanding in Super 14
29 Nov 2009, 14:19 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
Boks won 2-1 mate. The Lions were outscored by the Boks in 1997 too, but we all know what happened there.
Why I say the Lions tour was the swing vote was because Ireland and the Boks won their major comps (3N and 6N). The Boks got that little bit extra from the Lions tour.
29 Nov 2009, 14:21 pm
@Storm outta hell:
They should think about it, now that would be a huuuuuge money spinner.
29 Nov 2009, 14:22 pm
McCaw is without doubt my favourite player in ruby, but even he would admit that he didn’t deserve this ahead of du preez. He was without doubt the best player in the world and even brussow outplayed McCaw in the trinations with even the New Zealanders admitting this. Absolute rubbish. O’driscoll was also right up there. AWE
29 Nov 2009, 14:24 pm
Why should we care?
No idea what difference it makes to anybody, McCaw didn’t play against France (2) and the Boks (2) and the ABs still lost the 3rd Test with him.
And, S Williams the 2008 player of the year? please
29 Nov 2009, 14:26 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
Just to give it some perspective that losing margin was equal to the worst All Black result in all history.
@Storm outta hell:
The Bulls were very good. The Crusaders almost missed their 4th semi final
29 Nov 2009, 14:29 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): Yah…but the results would be so one-sided there won’t be any home crowd support
29 Nov 2009, 14:29 pm
FdP’s snub likely intended for SARU in general and the two 3rd Worlders Organ and PdV in particular, JS too.
The shameless duds let loose their enlightening ‘visions’ to share with the rest of the rugby world and here is the gentle stub as a pay back
29 Nov 2009, 14:29 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
Chch, we all know the Boks lose games like that now and again (well, since 92 anyway).
I like to look at stats that matter aka silverware.
29 Nov 2009, 14:32 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
Team of the year is based on results. All Blacks were out of it before we were halfway through.
29 Nov 2009, 14:34 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
Actually when GH decided not to tell the team that they needed to beat France by six points he pretty much conceded it and I think was April
29 Nov 2009, 14:38 pm
@Puma: Aha…like maybe don’t count the games Carter wasn’t playing (2 in SA this year, France loss) and the games Williams, Kahui, etc etc were out – the excuses just rolling out from bokke. Too tired diddums, injuries – join the club.
Truth is Bokke peaked in Hamilton and have been slipping ever since. Good season for sure, but very poor finish has ruined it. 3N wooden spoon on current form.
Six losses counting the clubbies by the way.
29 Nov 2009, 14:44 pm
@Hondo: Yep…just keep the 3rd worlders in their place..a subtle kinda message…playing the race card again..?
29 Nov 2009, 14:48 pm
Not a great weekend of sport for SA. Still think there is something in our pshychology that lacks a killer instinct when another team is down…. kinda like the brits when u expect them to lose and they bounce back.
IRB award should have been FDP or BOD – personally expected BOD to get it because even in losing sides he stood out. McCaw has always been fantastic- but was kept quiet by Brussouw in three games and his team won nothing of consequence this year. Not his fault he was chosen, but sure he is as surprised as everyone else….
29 Nov 2009, 15:03 pm
FdP was overlooked, he just wasn’t good enough.
One can even judge by his hair that he spent most of his time running backwards
29 Nov 2009, 15:04 pm
@OCO:
Should I mention that he also can’t pass or kick to the right?
29 Nov 2009, 15:09 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
Results = silverware.
The Lions could have smacked us by 50 in that match. The series was done and dusted.
29 Nov 2009, 15:11 pm
Was pretty surprised mc caw got top dog,but making out the IRB are biased towards S.A makes you look like a ****.Also getting tired of hearing about how tired S.A players are after a hard year,what a load of s..t.Saturday against the ba bas will be our 6th consecutive game,which will make 15 in one year and we seem to be improving.Ok you’ve had a couple of injuries,what nation hasn’t,we’ve had to play retards and inexperienced players like stephen donald,isacc ross,tialata etc in key games because of injuries and have suffered the consequences[mainly against S.A]but you just have to get on with it….I would say S.A have had a very good year and the ABs a s..t one….but as the old saying goes ,your only as good as your last game.
29 Nov 2009, 15:16 pm
@Hondo: are you sick or what?how in heavens name can you put a racial spin to an issue of fdp not getting the best player award.maybe he was not good enough or maybe kicking was not the judges cup a tea.i think they preferred lazy running,illegally slowing the ball,lying on the wrong side of the maul etc.
29 Nov 2009, 15:22 pm
Who cares what Hondo thinks; his views are irrelevant unless they result in an actual lynching.
29 Nov 2009, 15:23 pm
I cannot believe how insecure you guys are. Every Time something doesn’t go your way, a new conspiracy theory is mooted. While I agree McCaw did NOT deserve the award, to then make a leap by crying conspiracy, is indicative of a massive inferiority complex!
29 Nov 2009, 15:23 pm
Surely it’s Hayman with an “a”.
29 Nov 2009, 15:24 pm
There’s some political considerations here, they wanted to spread the awards out a bit. SA weren’t going to get Team of the Year and Player of the Year with FdP, certainly not three with Coach as well. Likewise they weren’t going to give Coach of Year to Ireland and also Team and Player awards – they just got one. With one more award to go – NZ weren’t serious contenders for Team or Coach awards this year so they gave them the Player award.
29 Nov 2009, 15:27 pm
@rich1: the more reason not to lose too much sleep over these awards.
29 Nov 2009, 15:33 pm
Earl Rose should have been IRB player of the year.
29 Nov 2009, 15:34 pm
Or Adi Jacobs.
29 Nov 2009, 15:45 pm
It was Fourie or BOD. End of story. McCaw was made to look like he was searching for parking by Brussouw. Shocker.
29 Nov 2009, 15:45 pm
After his performance last night, and the manner in which he has been a catalyst for his team all year, I thought BOD deserved to be Player of the Year more than Fourie du Preez. The manner he just consistently slides off tackles baffles me!
And with Coach of the year. I’m a big fan of PDV, but on the basis of Ireland being undefeated this year, surely Kidney does deserve the award?
29 Nov 2009, 16:18 pm
I’m sure Fourie DuPreez is devastated.
not
29 Nov 2009, 16:39 pm
@Ian:
@ 127
well
HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !
29 Nov 2009, 17:11 pm
richie is a truly great player. can’t complain.
29 Nov 2009, 17:17 pm
why do we South African’s have this conspiracy theory that everyone is out to get us? load of shite. the panel voted, richie won. Well done to him.
29 Nov 2009, 17:39 pm
Congrats to all the players/teams on their respective awards. Was a great year’s rugby…. I think Richie’s massive EOYT clinched it for him. I personally don’t subscribe to the fawning over Fourie. I think the guy is a very very good player, but I see him as limited and one-dimensional when the chips are down. To me, Brussow was the Bok of the year without a shadow of a doubt.
Oh and please can we get Poppa to award us the Most Despised Nation On Earth award, based, of course, upon his exhaustive research based on the comments of a handful of bloggers. And while we’re at it, we can award him with the Nobel Prize for Social Antropology, based on hs own experiences and a lifetime of experience in wife-beating, alcoholism, internet porn and not having a life or any friends.
29 Nov 2009, 18:32 pm
Why is everyone working themselves into a frenzy herewhile saying the same thing.
Clearly the trend set means that FdP will be the winner next year.
So chill out yáll
29 Nov 2009, 18:34 pm
@Atreides:
LOL
29 Nov 2009, 19:57 pm
@Atreides LOL:)
29 Nov 2009, 20:10 pm
@Atreides: RMC should have won the award last year.
FdP or Matfield should have won it this year.
Matfield was not even nominated (he even captained the Bulls!)
I suppose I would prefer RMC winning it to BOD. I can’t stand the man – he is a great player, but he is the biggest whinger, whiner, sh**te stirrer who ever graced the fields in the no 13 jersey.
I am not sure that I would prefer him to Jacque Fourie or even Conrad Smith.
29 Nov 2009, 20:27 pm
@Heavens Game: Matfield was the probably the players player. The other guys are executive picks. Money spinners, Jonah Lomu types. Good for the game and very visible.
I thought Ben Robinson should have a mention too. Turned the Aus scrum into a real scrum, and had all the other skills too.
But I don’t think tight forwards ever get a look in…to ugly to be the face of the game:)
29 Nov 2009, 20:29 pm
@Heavens Game:
My thoughts exactly. Good on McCaw, he’s a great player.
29 Nov 2009, 20:31 pm
Without doubt, Fourie Du Preez outshone Richie McCaw this year. The panel have let themselves, the IRB and the rugby community down.
PDV did not deserve the best coach award. I agree with them here. He has some way to go before being seriously considered for this award.
29 Nov 2009, 20:36 pm
@muffy: You have a point there about Robinson – no one can say the Aus scrum are pushovers now. Robinson however has made his impact this year, like Brussouw. Matfield has dominated lineout play for a few years. Comparable players would be Eales, Jones and Andrews. But even they did not dominate like he has.
He probably will be known as the best player never to have won the IRB player of the year.
Hope not though. Good point about the flashy guys, though. Its a pity because the engine room is where domination is established
29 Nov 2009, 20:38 pm
@Hondo: Ag rubbish man.
29 Nov 2009, 20:44 pm
Fourie du Preez the most overrated scrum half on the face of the earth. Last year 2008 he threw all his toys out his cot because he was too chicken to get his head around elv’s and his game showed it. He was hugely instrumental in Sa losing the tri nations 4 games from 6 which he started 4 and lost 3. This year he shone behind a kick and chase game plan when his opportunist streak put him in the limelight a few times, but when chips are down he’s the most negative influence on a team you can find and his service to his back line possibly one of the absolute worst in the game. People still can’t work out exactly what the cause is for Sa’s dismal back line non entity rugby. Well look no further than Fdp he’s the root cause of all the concern the veritable n’ggr in the wood pile the architect of the malady. Get him out the team and watch a whole new game plan evolve. Fdp is the cause of most of our stagnant **** rugby.
29 Nov 2009, 20:51 pm
Skop – W%&**$er. IRB even bigger WA#%^&s
29 Nov 2009, 21:03 pm
I believe ireland deserved team of the year. Had South Africa gone even 2-1 on the tour I would have thought they deserved it but the tour was a big failure. We cannot claim fatigue and then claim any relevance in our series win over the Lions. Brussouw should have been player of the year I think Fdp was pretty poor in the last three games which cost him.
What i cannot understand is the number one ranking. There I think the boks should be ranked first. The All Blacks also lost 4 games including 2 at home and the boks won the tri-nations that should have ensured extra ranking points.
29 Nov 2009, 21:07 pm
suck it up your one dimensional doos hero is the most fallible idiot on the rugby field between him and his fly half they practically lost against France and Ireland. The pair of them don’t have half a f.ng clue in hell when push comes to shove.
Elevate a half baked slow distributing idiot into a rugby god and expect a whole lot more gnashing and wailing watching your team lose after kicking every decent go forward ball away to nowhere. These palooka’s got seriously zero idea about turning games around. Between Fdp and M. Steyn is exactly where we lost the plot yesterday or can’t you exactly see it square in the face how pathetic pedantic useless this slow coach is behind the scrum especially at the breakdown ball slower than a grandmother on second rate valium. Pathetic is hardly the word for such poor useless service and kicking rubbish strategy.
29 Nov 2009, 21:13 pm
@skopskiet: So you feel quite strongly about this?
29 Nov 2009, 21:38 pm
@skopskiet:
FDP made sticky with your wife didn’t he?
29 Nov 2009, 21:39 pm
@malcolm:
This tour doesn’t count towards the award, the 2008 tour does.
29 Nov 2009, 21:46 pm
and you don’t ? Watching these hyped up hopeless twats practically give away every possible go forward opportunity on a plate to the opposition because of their sh’t scared backward thinking negative cowardly kicking **** rubbish due only to one thing, pure unadulterated second grade negative idiocy and cowardice. Wtf do these useless half backs think they doing kicking every f.ng god damn ball up in the air. Have they not got eyes in their idiotic heads to see what damage it does not only to the psyche of their team but to the entire negative strategy they employ. Pure pathetic one dimensional trash rubbish they learned from who exactly. Jake White, the senior player coaches, who the hell orchestrates such dismal non evolved **** idiotic delinquency on a rugby field? I’d like to know, because whoever it is they should be shot for killing Sa rugby stone dead in its tracks. I never witnessed such diabolical debased rubbish on a rugby field almost as pathetic as Streauli’s 3-53 fiasco or Whites 0-49
29 Nov 2009, 21:52 pm
centurian f.kwit your an idiot twat punkass palooka prick. Catch a wake up f.kwit twat *** fool. Not sure who’s worse stuck in their idiotic archaic dinosaur ignorant heads you or Fdp. Twat *** idiot.
29 Nov 2009, 21:59 pm
@skopskiet: Geez bud, you sure know how to make yourself look mal.
29 Nov 2009, 22:15 pm
“John Smit said it best when he pointed to two missed penalty kicks at the end of the half as potentially game-costing”
If you have to rely on two penalty kicks to beat FREAKING IRELAND, then you are in teh wrong side of teh pool to start off with.
FFS Ireland is a side that has YET to beat the AB’s, EVER. This was shoddy, DAMN SHODDY. The entire tour was badly organised and poorly thought out, and the tactical analysis was bad. If Smit could not get his boys to play for pride, and cjhange tactics when they weren’t working (until 2 minutes from teh end) then Smits leadership is in doubrt for me from now on.
The boks have played their best rugby just after when they were trying to run too much, and then they went more to the centre between 10 man rugby and running rugby. They have not played total rugby (i.e. probing all around the park all teh time – not just when they need to). The backs they have are workld class, and now it is time that they realise it and give them ashot too. Or maybe teh forwards are just too damn lazy to get across to clean?
SIES! That performance was lame and not worthy of being called a Bok performance- especially the forwards.
29 Nov 2009, 22:22 pm
Will flukety fluke be coaching winning ways?
29 Nov 2009, 22:26 pm
LOL…i see even JW is being blamed for the tour.
some funny **** on here tonight.
so in summary we had a helluva great scrum and we got fooked.
29 Nov 2009, 22:30 pm
Smit must retire now. Its time. And Matfield maybe close on his heels. Time to f.off and rake in the profits from all that cauldron hype. Time to start playing damn rugby again. I’m almost sick to death of this **** we been dished up since 2002 or thereabouts its time to start turning the corner.
Pdv kick these doose out its time for some proper total rugby like Ab’s showed against France or like we got glimpses of last year against Aus at Ellis Park or like Mallet’s team played in 97-98. This kak we getting fed as springbok strengths is the biggest load of garbage yet under the sun. Let it die with the legacies of Jake White and John Smit both and maybe Victor Matfield too, but its seriously now time to move on. If they can’t do that much then god almighty I fear the absolute worst for 2010 and 2011. So help me.
Pdv you better have the balls to call the shots and cull what seriously needs culling, its now or never meneer.
29 Nov 2009, 22:38 pm
usual Sa f’ak’d up psyche that fooks itself in the eye. Nothing new, same old same old f’ak’d up idiotic bravado filled dinosaur thinking hype f’ak’d us in the eye again. That and an inability from senior palooka’s to see or read the script on the field and a penchant for kicking f’ng rugby balls up in the goddamn air for 80 diabolical minutes solid. Thats about what fook’d us in the eye. Like usual we fook’d ourselves. Like the thick idiotic dickheads we are.
29 Nov 2009, 22:38 pm
Yup Fdp lost it here this last month
and Richie won it with ABs wins
29 Nov 2009, 22:41 pm
a great scrumming frontrow, which all the kenners wanted.
a great fetcher, which all the kenners wanted.
…and we still got fooked by ireland nogal…now what?
now it looks like blame being lade onto a halfback pairing who in running for player of the year, won a BIL series, the 3N by a 5-1 thrashing and a record S14 smashing.
this team only going to get better – what they need to do is manage the senior players and pick a very different rested hungry (but merit 2nd string) side for EOY tour next year, tho its true the senior players game must also improve in several aspects and this kicking is bullshit, they;ve made the mistake of buying into some idiotic kick ‘n chase line invented by the press and instead moved away from the real reason they were winning – hard committed numbers at the breakdown – irrespective of what the kenners say its not the scrums what win matches.
29 Nov 2009, 22:47 pm
its very simple the irish and french are out dom doosing us, they were tougher, harder and more committed at the breakdown.
don’t make a difference if you got diego maradonna creating at halfback in that scenario.
29 Nov 2009, 22:53 pm
we should not be losing to those irish fellas with the talent in this bokke outfit, but nevertheless they thoroughly deserved their win as a result of their play at the breakdown, if you cannot match it, they will win and did.
29 Nov 2009, 22:59 pm
@cab: You will continue making excuses for the blue eyed boys of the team. At least AJ was injured and the blame could not be put squarely on his lack of tackling ability. Cab perhaps you must re-visit this tour and pretend that you have not seen FDP before. Let me warn you though, you might, just using the evidence, think FDP should not be near a Bok jersey. But let the truth be told that is exactly how he played.
29 Nov 2009, 23:01 pm
@Shakes:
so you are suggesting that the reason the bokke are losing is because of one of the greatest rugby players of his generation?
29 Nov 2009, 23:08 pm
@cab: Yes Cab the last two we lost he had a major hand in it. Did you watch any of the other matches? The other teams don’t kick away possession as much as he does.
29 Nov 2009, 23:12 pm
Wasn’t the scrum that got us drilled. We lost it behind the scrum. No two ways about it Fdp and Morne Steyn lost this test match like giving it away on a gilt edged plate. Forget the loose ball or the line outs where they disrupted us, the area we lost this game was in the backs, same as nearly every game before through our idiotic 2004 – 2007 penchant for dom doos rugby we gone all the way back there to kick the f.ng damn thing up in the air because we think we can win the game without the f.ng ball. In other words idiotic Jake White trash rubbish senior player f’ak’d up kak doos rugby defense wins games rubbish. Kick it away and chase all game long. Palooka idiotic rugby.
Spin it any which way you like it but Fdp and M. Steyn lost this game on a plate nobody else. Matfield and Smit can be charged as accomplices in the debacle but chief destroyer of Sa hope was Fdp destroyer in chief. M. Steyn his 2Ic.
29 Nov 2009, 23:15 pm
forget the scrum and halfback, the reason they losing is cos they not playing dom doos rugby as it should be played and winning the collisions. we were beat up at the breakdown again, you cannot attack with that, and that rubbish about the scrums as an attacking platform is pretty much just that, it can happen but its very rare – instead your backline only moves from creating go-forward at the breakdown – by winning the collision thru dom doos intent and grit.
29 Nov 2009, 23:17 pm
Finally the gameplan has been shown up as not being sustainable. If PDV and the brains trust have taken note and act accordingly then this EOYT has been a resounding success. The reason I say this is it forces us to change to a more ball in hand strategy that will have a chance of winning the WC. We have already seen a major plus where certain players plying their trade up north can make a great contribution to our quest of a successful defence. PDV must now step up to the plate and get the team comfortable playing with the ball instead of being living tackle bags. Cheers I’m out.
29 Nov 2009, 23:18 pm
hell, we scrummed them into the ground, did;nt make the slightest difference.
29 Nov 2009, 23:20 pm
Who says he’s the greatest rugby player of his generation? You? jake White? Who?
I say he’s practically dismal in some games. Throughout 2008 totally useless. And in certain circumstances like on this tour he’s been the worst option we could have had behind the pack.
Yes you want to know ygwy we lost to Ireland and perhaps France too. Fdp. Don’t need to look any much further than that. Dom doos Bulls style thick as two planks rugby kick the ball to no f.ng where. Thats what beat us. Best rugby player of his generation was the major fundamental reason we lost yesterday and also highly instrumental in our loss to France also. Morne Steyn didn’t help matters either one little bit.
Didn’t you watch the game. Did you not see every goddamn attack opportunity get shunted up in the air to nowhere straight into oppo counter attack hands? Did you not see the pathetic poor pedantic service this best player in his generation serves up as his contribution to our dismal non eventful attack momentum. What did you see if you missed all that?
29 Nov 2009, 23:23 pm
i dont blame PdV, apart from his midweek quota selections, his selections for ireland were what all were calling for, they got their scrumming and fetching specialist – the players need to be up for it. ireland and france wanted it more. its a shame, and the bokke were not totally useless, but they were not at their peak – all they need to is pick maybe 5 or 6 different players for the EOY tour, get them drilled as a unit before leaving and we get different results.
29 Nov 2009, 23:23 pm
HAHAHA, what a JOKE this award has become.
“Oh lets not give any awards to the Springboks, they brought the game into dispute by wearing armbands”
Pathetic. Brussow dominated McCaw without cheating in every single game and has never had a bad game this year.
How can you give an award to a player so lesser in quality?
I’m pretty sure it was John Eales, he also didn’t want to give the award to Habana in 2007, he’s just a tall, long bloke who loves his ANZAC spirit, nothing wrong with that… is there?
The IRB are a disease. FDP is the real player of the year.
29 Nov 2009, 23:26 pm
@skopskiet:
You ask for a worldwide vote on who the best scrumhalf has been the last 5 years and there only going to be one winner.
i agree with you tho that he has become a bit precious and has lost some of his sharp strong attacking around the fringes and his kicking is now absolutely overblown.
29 Nov 2009, 23:31 pm
you can’t see it in front of your face. We won first phase scrum ball like never before. First 10 minutes we utilised the advantage once and scored a try. Then low and behold Fdp and M. Steyn kick everything. Not one or two balls but every living goddamn thing they get from the scrum they kick it backward and forward like ping pong gaining grounds and watch Kearney and co. come storming back at them. And Sexton out kicking and out running Steyn on the day.
Got f.all to do with out ou doosing them. That we did fine we out ou doosed them solid. What we failed to do is to play any rugby at all after that. We KICKED it Again and A Goddamn gain and again we kicked it away into their relieving grateful hands. Can’t you see the simple problem. Fdp and Morne Steyn gifted them this game. Nobody else beside perhaps Kirchner and Pienaar and JPP who also kicked everytime they should have ran.
29 Nov 2009, 23:32 pm
@skopskiet:
Shut up, would you rather have your cape town hero Ricky? The only reason the up and under tactic didn’t work was due to not having the hard chasers of Pierre Spies and Jean de Villiers that apply real pressure, that and the Irish back three aren’t islanders and actually know how to catch a ball. Are players not supposed to follow a game plan that the coach lays out?
Idiot.
29 Nov 2009, 23:33 pm
you not listening to what anyone is saying. i am saying, the scrum was fantastic, brussow is fantastic…and yet why did we lose?
you say its the halfbacks, i say its the breakdown collisions.
29 Nov 2009, 23:37 pm
@Kobus Kitty: good to see you whinging Kobus… haha as anyone who knows rugby knows, the player of the year includes last years AI internationals, a time when Ritchie was supreme… He came back from injury against Brussouw this year…
still going on with the victim mentality bwahaha as the AI’s this year have shown, when your team cant execute its very limited game plan they have absolutely no other ideas…
must have been the Australasian conspiracy that nailed you guys in Europe huh? how else do you explain 1 win from 5 in the NH, yet my team continues to march through the NH, not conceding a try to test match opposition in 2 tours… ouch…
29 Nov 2009, 23:39 pm
Thus spoke zarathustra – its about time someone put that scrumming nonsense in its place.
29 Nov 2009, 23:44 pm
I seriously don’t give to goddamn hoot’s who they vote for as best scrum half and best rugby player on the planet is. Don’t mean squat sh’t. Fdp lost the game yesterday. Like he was highly instrumental losing 2 weeks ago in France and like he was highly instrumental in losing us the tri nations in 2008.
So I care absolutely stuff all what people think and how they vote. What is blatantly obvious is this greatest f.ng idiot behind the scrum is losing us games we should be winning. Not once not twice but plenty, and nobody sees it. He’s a liability in certain circumstances yet he’s been hyped up into this rugby god. The guy is pathetic as a distributor one of the worst in the game. Useless in fact. And this kicking **** is killing us. So anybody want to vote for him as best idiot this or that go ahead wont change squat that on this tour and in other situations before Fdp has been more a liability than an asset. M. Steyn not much better. Between the two of them they f’d up our running opportunity and momentum something chronic.
Kak sleg in other words diabolical useless weak rubbish. Pathetic rugby that loses games and don’t win squat. So vote for the loser all you like don’t make him a winner, just an over hyped up loser nothing more.
29 Nov 2009, 23:46 pm
So to summarize:
SA have a scumming specialist in BJ. We win the scrums.
SA have a fetching specialist in brussow. We win turnovers.
SA have a lineout specialist in Matfield. We win lineouts.
France and Ireland not renowned for their scrum, none of them play with a specialist fetcher, and none of them have a lineout specialist. Yet they win the test matches.
The golden rule of rugby is win the collisions at the breakdown.
We were getting no forward momentum.
We were getting turned into the tackle.
We were not getting over the adv line.
We lost.
29 Nov 2009, 23:46 pm
Im still trying to find that local Keo-blogger that has said “you know what, FdP was superb at times this year with great performances but he faded noticeably on tour whereas McCaw had started slowly as he recovered from a serious injury and his form has built to a magnificent peak against the form team of 2009, France at home, and those 2 MoM awards show that he deserved to be Player of the Year on the ABs unbeaten NH tour”.
But, hey, look on the bright side. At least this way youve got 1 more thing to moan about til the season starts again next year.
29 Nov 2009, 23:48 pm
@poppa69:
Oh well, with Richie McCaw winning, at least we don’t get an angry POPPA69 blogging some racist remarks like he did during the all blacks Tri-nations campaign (that I don’t need to mention AGAIN) or do you want me to POPPA? should I repeat your words?
McCaw was injured for a good part of this year as well. Disgusting. The IRB might as well have just flushed this award down the toilet.
29 Nov 2009, 23:51 pm
@Kobus Kitty: hahahaha never made a mistake in your life Kobus, must be hard being so perfect… and all your talk is just as rascist, so a fine one to keep bringing it up… shows the measure of a man if he has to keep resorting to one mistake a person made almost 5 months ago… still, it must help your hurting and fragile ego now the boks have been shown up in the NH… lucky Rolland let you guys get away with so much in this years 3Ns huh??
29 Nov 2009, 23:54 pm
@skopskiet: @ 157
wooooooooooo horsey. put down your weapon and step away from the victim.
29 Nov 2009, 23:54 pm
go get f’ak’d Kobus. You can’t handle it that your dom doos idiot Fdp f.k’d up our game solid. Between him and your other Bulls plank we lost every possibility of getting anything remotely reminiscent of a rugby strategy going.
If it means getting some decent ball to backs I don’t care who it is, Ricky January or who. But if they can provide Some ball just SOME damn ball to the back line it would be a damn far cry better than the dismal rubbish trash **** service that best useless idiot twat scrum half rugby player god in the world FAILED to do for two tests on the trot.
So you f.ng Bulls delinquents can’t see it staring you in the damn face but Fdp was the Sole idiot along with Morne Steyn who f’d up any chances we had of winning this test which we should have done at a canter if those two palooka twats would have spun the ball instead of kicking 95% AWAY!!
29 Nov 2009, 23:54 pm
@skopskiet:
Its your opinion versus the rugby worlds. FDP is a wizard.
29 Nov 2009, 23:58 pm
lol, ok i’m out.
we win in 2011 in new zealand, bank on it, too much talent.
30 Nov 2009, 00:00 am
@cab: yep, cause your second stringers were so convincing versus leister and saracens
30 Nov 2009, 00:02 am
@skopskiet:
Oh yes, Oh yes… I bet you would have liked Ricky to be in place of FDP.
I want you to do something okay? Look passed the color of FDP’s skin.
FDP this year scored two tries in the Super 14 final.
Set up tries in the Currie Cup final.
Set up and finished the try in the final Tri-nations match.
Set up 2 tries in the Lions tour.
Set up and scored a try against the Wallabies in perth.
Scored and set up a try against Italy.
That’s off the top of my head, there are many more things he has done this year.
Stop making up things about his passing, they are crisp, fast and always to the mark.
30 Nov 2009, 00:05 am
@malcolm:
The 3N points re rankings uses the same formula for other games.
fact is Boks lost 4/5 in Europe plus a loss at home v Lions. You are also awarded higher points if you win away – thats where the AB’s got their noses in front – their away wins.
Hell, imagine the crying off the roof tops if the AB’s had lost 4 up north this year, you’d all have proclaimed NZ had died and the world was feasting on its rotting corpse.
As minders of Bill, your lot were a disgrace to the game regarding your performances up north this year.
Ritchies reward is a reflection of his performances across the year, his impact on teh team, and of course who he is up against, his consistency of excellence was ahead of FdP’s, its quite simple really.
30 Nov 2009, 00:06 am
@skopskiet:
HA HA HA, wow, I hit a nerve.
So it is personal between you and FDP. Come on fella, spill the beans.
FDP you biscuit!!
30 Nov 2009, 00:08 am
No not the collisions. The ball in The AIR the ball OUT OF hand. Thats what lost us the game. In other words we GAVE them the ball on a silver platter and said come run at us we don’t like playing with the ball in hand like Ab’s do, we like playing catch up rugby we like playing WITHOUT the ball. This the game we been bred on. This is our strengths this is how we like to cough up games. We like to KICK the ball AWAY to the opposition. This is why we our own worst enemy and this is why we LOSE games we should actually win without much sweat. Like yesterday.
Who lost the game. Not the loosies in the collisions. Not the tight forwards this time. Not even the line out that we lost far more than we should have. But where we really LOST it for keeps is when we KICKED the ball to them and said you have it. Defense wins games this is our ou doos strategy this how we like to play WITHOUT the goddamn ball in hand.
How pathetically ignorant stupid is THAT?
So to sum up AGAIN. Fdp and M. Steyn LOST us the test match vs Ireland no one else.
30 Nov 2009, 00:09 am
Boys, we can argue with our Kiwi brothers all night, at the end of the day, its trophies that matter.
And we got a truckload of them.
30 Nov 2009, 00:10 am
@poppa69:
THREE – NILL
Tell me, how ANGRY were you to make such remarks? It obviously wasn’t that sort of deep depression, grieving anger of getting kicked out of yet another world cup, it was a different kind of anger to that, wasn’t it? I think your anger during the Tri-Nations had more RAGE than that of your anger from the world cup. I guess because you think the Tri-Nations is “your” cup. Shame man, I can see why you want the World Cup so badly because for me – winning the 3N cup didn’t even feel a fraction as good as winning the World Cup… for the second time.
Ag, Shame.
30 Nov 2009, 00:12 am
@Kobus Kitty: @188
I suppose that if any way he has made sweeping statements about your level of intelligence and you have interpreted those as ‘racist’ then I would advise Poppa to consider a legal defence as used in libel litigation where the principal will set out to prove the allegation as correct.
And I like his chances of success.
and, come to think of it, lets review the evidence:-
1. @ 177, KK says:- “Brussow dominated McCaw without cheating in every single game and has never had a bad game this year.”.
well what a load of old cobblers. Brussow was penalised, repeatedly, for cheating at Kings Park for bridging and blocking. He got away with it many times in Dublin too. He was also poor in Brisbane and anon in 2ndH in Hamilton.
2. @ 177 again “it was John Eales, he also didn’t want to give the award to Habana in 2007, he’s just a tall, long bloke who loves his ANZAC spirit”.
Eales has 2 RWCs and Capt in 1 of them. Possibly 1 of the best tight-fwds EVER. His nickname is ‘Nobody’ as in ‘Nobody is perfect’ – Eales is as clean as a nuns whistle.
So, KK, if Poppa called you a bonehead or a dipsh*t, then I think you should stop handing over confessions.
30 Nov 2009, 00:13 am
@Kobus Kitty:
I think we need to send Skoppie a signed picture of FDP for his birthday…..
30 Nov 2009, 00:16 am
@Kobus Kitty: it was actually too many beers Kobus, and still you harp on about it..
tell me, how many times have Ireland beaten you guys ?? and how many times have they beaten us.. us =0 same as scotland, hang on, Scotland have beaten you guys 4 times havent they bwahahaha
at least afterwards I congratulated SA and admitted they were the best team at the time, something I know for a fact you would never ever do… and as stated previously, I can admit my mistakes, shame you cant..
did winning in NZ for the first time in 10 years feel as good? did losing to eng by 50 points feel as good ? losing to the convicts by 49-0 feel as good ? did 19-0 at home feel as good ? did losing 4 from 5 on your EOYT feel fantastic?
hahaha you sorry little man, but keep going, you going to bring it up next year when it will be 12 months old, not 5… and I apologised for that remark publicly, something I believe you would never have the kahunas to do… you sook!!
30 Nov 2009, 00:17 am
@WakaNathan:
Mmm, look mate, Brussow outplayed McCaw ON AVERAGE this year.
Brussow has a loooooong way to go before he can start becoming a legend like Richie, but the way you write him off is laughable. Give credit where credit is due.
30 Nov 2009, 00:18 am
Kobus, I know why the 3Ns didnt feel good to you, its ruined your collection of wooden spoons you had going there, must be a BIG collection…
and also, think we can safely add Ireland to the “teams SA were lucky not to face in the World Cup” hahaha
vatso katvis!!
30 Nov 2009, 00:20 am
@poppa69:
I’ll say it again, the Boks win what matters. Plain and simple.
My team (the Sharks) have the best win/loss ration in the Currie cup since 1990, quite comfortably too.
But they can’t win the big games, and I deal with it.
30 Nov 2009, 00:24 am
@WakaNathan:
No, Brussow plays the ruck fairly. He doesn’t worm his way in from the side like McCaw does.
If McCaw deserved the award, how come no one was mentioning him to even be nominated?
30 Nov 2009, 00:27 am
Centurian you’re a twit prick idiot not worth a second thought. Fool.
Kobus, Fdp is a liability at times. Perhaps not in Perth or in the S14 final or the second Bil’s test at Loftus. But most definitely through most of 2008. And most definitely behind the scrum this Eoyt. He is a very poor continuity player and lets the momentum die a sorry sad death. And between him and Morne Steyn they practically killed any chance of a win yesterday. I watched it unfold from the start how pathetically pedantic useless the two of them are. I would drop them both right now and let them realize what running winning rugby is all about because neither of them have hardly any clue whatsoever.
Did you see how Carter, Smith, Jane and Mils with Sivi took apart France last night. Chalk and cheese from our useless dismal rubbish up in the air kicking game. How many times they boot it to nowhere compared to Fdp and M. Steyn and how many times they spin it to the backs and allow them to run into space?
We gone backwards at a rate of knots since these idiot palooka’s like Smit Matfield and Fdp been running the game plans and running our rugby into the goddamn ground.
30 Nov 2009, 00:28 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): well centurion, as stated I made a bad comment after the game in Bloem, the excitement and the alcohol became too much… I retracted that statement publicly on keo here…
after the following two games I was one of the first to congratulate SA on their efforts, and it was the same when you guys broke your 87 year duck in Dunedin last year..
tell me, when the Abs beat your guys, why do so many SA’s bring out the we was cheated line rather then acknowledge the opposition was better on the day?
and as Ive already said to Kobus, that was 5 months ago… why does he still persist in bringing that up every time to argue a point? seems the truth hurts, and it must have been mightily painful if he cant let it go, dont you agree?
yes, Boks win what matters… like against Fiji, Argentina and Eng… not one team ranked higher then 5th at the time… bravo … guess that explains all the dominant 3Ns performances over the many years…
30 Nov 2009, 00:31 am
also centurion, heres some stats for you…
since the turn of the century, the AB record is as follows…
Played 122
Won 100
Drawn 1
Lost 21
% 82.37
Points for 4435
Points against 1920
Difference +2516
Tries 526
Conversions 386 (73.4%)
Penalties 339
Drop goals 7
Id love to see SA’s stats over that same period…
30 Nov 2009, 00:33 am
@poppa69:
Mate, I don’t know what happened in your soap opera on Keo, so lets leave that.
If the Kiwis beat us, they beat us. I’m not one to moan. Except for that dam Jeff Wilson forward pass in 1997
And on the ‘games that matter’ thing, and this is getting old, we can’t help it if NZL can’t beat a team that lost TWICE to Argentina.
And for the record I wanted to play NZL in the final at the world cup, but you bananas keep getting knocked out!!!!
30 Nov 2009, 00:34 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
If you scroll back over the year I think you will find (a) I said – early in the S14 that “Brussow should be in Boks immed….he’s brilliant” and (b) he balanced the Bok loosies, and put Burger to shame and (c) Changed the Series vs Lions and (d) praised him to the heavens during TriN, esp after Bloem.
But that doesnt mean Im fken *BLIND* either. But to not worship at the Shrine of Brussow on each and every breathing minute does not equate to “writing him off” ?!?
A little balance is all thats asked for, and youre not providing any. Ive given credit where credit is due, on many occasions. But it seems youre not prepared to do the same for McCaw on this partic matter because that would in some way expose you as disloyal.
Maybe you have watched the ABs matches on tour. They havent lost in 5 consecutive Test matches (not even the Boks could do that this season) and McCaw was MoM in 3 of them.
30 Nov 2009, 00:34 am
and no you got it all *** about face as per usual. I don’t prefer January over Fdp due to skin color. In 2008 January was head and shoulders a better attacking bet then Fdp every which way and they should have stuck with January we might have won the competition instead of coming stone last with Fdp behind the scrum. The one game January started he won the game on his own in Dunedin. Fdp started 4 and we lost 3 of those except the dead rubber at the end.
If you want to know the scrum half I’d pick right now to replace Fdp from word go in 2010. It would be Sarel Pretorius with Hougaard on bench. Fdp must get dropped so his head realizes he’s hardly the best anything as far as rugby goes because if tends to lose games hand over dirt we should be comfortably winning. In other words Fdp is a dad overrated loss.
30 Nov 2009, 00:35 am
@poppa69:
Boet, I don’t deny NZL’s superior stats, they are awesome.
But like I said with my Sharkies, I would trade an amazing win/loss record for some big trophies any day of the week.
We might have to agree to disagree on this one.
30 Nov 2009, 00:37 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): it is getting old, much like how at the time we were poor losers for blaming Barnes, yet after your loss in Brissy and to France, so many SA’s now understand our points about Barnes… 2 penalties with 30 percent possession…not one in the entire second half… I dont believe Wilsons forward pass was in a WC 1/4 though was it??
30 Nov 2009, 00:37 am
@WakaNathan:
Um, I just called McCaw a living legend in my previous post.
Would you like me to get sexual with him?
30 Nov 2009, 00:38 am
@poppa69:
We all know Barnes is a tool.
No no, Wilsons try in the 1996 tour of SA (SORRY I SAID 1997).
30 Nov 2009, 00:40 am
@poppa69:
Oh shame, can’t handle your lite beer, Poppa? Like CENTURIONSHARK has stated, we win the big ones.
How many years has it been since you won the world cup? (do we even count 1987 as a proper world cup?) Maybe if you stopped pillaging island talent and actually developed your own born and bred players that won’t just play for the money, MAYBE you could then win something of value.
If you haven’t noticed, the rugby world works in years of 4, revolving around the world cup. So keep winning those meaningless tests, champ.
30 Nov 2009, 00:40 am
@skopskiet:
Do you want a colour photo of FDP for your bedroom wall, or black and white?
30 Nov 2009, 00:41 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
Au contraire, I believe you started with the unsubstantiated hyperbole. But Im happy you realised that context, nothing can be assumed around here.
30 Nov 2009, 00:41 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): no dramas… and can understand your frustration with the Sharks, I thought they were one of the best teams this S14 just gone, seems they get the shakes too
30 Nov 2009, 00:42 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
Hard to know which 1 of the 2 was better tho.
30 Nov 2009, 00:43 am
@WakaNathan:
“Brussow has a loooooong way to go before he can start becoming a LEGEND LIKE RICHIE.”
30 Nov 2009, 00:45 am
@poppa69:
Man, I live in Pretoria (born in Durbs) so you can imagine the hard time I get
30 Nov 2009, 00:47 am
@WakaNathan:
Fair enough, Brussow IMO is better on pure poaching ability, while McCaw offers a better lineout option (to to mention all round experience).
Both players are very strong with the ball in hand, and defend like demons.
30 Nov 2009, 00:48 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): you poor bugger
30 Nov 2009, 00:49 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
well isnt that just stating rthe bleedin obvious ?!
but
show me where Ive written him off and not given him credit. Ive merely tried to plug the hole with my finger to stop a tsunami of hyperbole drowning everyone. This complete cr@p over this thread about Brussow ‘owning’ McCaw and generally outplaying him seems to have taken a few pixels of the Bloemfontein Test and blown it up to wall-sized mural and lost its focus somewhat.
30 Nov 2009, 00:50 am
To conclude (I must sleep), if McCaw was South African (we wish), Brussow would edge him on form providing Spies and Smith started at 8&7 respectively.
But if Spies or Smith got hurt I would start McCaw. Thats just how I like to balance a lose trio.
Later boys.
30 Nov 2009, 00:52 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): good night centurion..
30 Nov 2009, 00:52 am
@WakaNathan:
Okay okay, I might have skimmed the threads and picked on you.
Lets wait till the Super 14 before we pass our final judgment
30 Nov 2009, 00:53 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
whatever. Noone out-breakdowns McCaw when he’s fit (as he showed in Hamilton, Brussow was schooled).
But lineout option ? taking restarts ? link man to 50% of AB tries on tour ? ball-carrier ?
These are attributes to McCaws game – not over his career but this year alone – which Brussow simply doesnt have.
Ive repeatedly said his “brilliant” but for some reason that doesnt seem to be enough. But to single out just 1 attribute of play and blow it up into a generalisation just demands a response.
30 Nov 2009, 01:10 am
Brussow has the highest tackle count in the super 14. He carries the ball far stronger than McCaw (see Currie Cup final, Brussow throws off 3-4 players every time he has the ball) he is also far superior in the rucks than McCaw. Oh and yes, McCaw really showed his line out skills against the Springboks.
To say that McCaw, an old flanker who appears to have lost his mind due to many concussions is better than Brussow, is actually quite insulting and cannot be taken seriously.
30 Nov 2009, 01:13 am
Oh and Ja, we can’t forget what Brussow did to McCaw in the Super 14. He was instrumental in the Cheetahs victory over the crusaders.
30 Nov 2009, 01:35 am
@Kobus Kitty: @ 231
well thats fortunate because noone is taking you seriously.
30 Nov 2009, 01:38 am
I think David Hands of the UK Times puts it most succinctly:-
“But the thinking man’s team remain New Zealand, who have one more opportunity to display their wares — against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday — before packing up for Christmas. It may rankle a bit that Richie McCaw, their captain, carried off the IRB Player of the Year award (for the second time) when he missed part of the season through injury and his side failed to beat South Africa in three encounters — many would have voted for Brian O’Driscoll, the Ireland captain — but McCaw remains the most influential player on the planet.
New Zealand’s management poured so much thought into their preparations for France, but they still need someone on the field to carry it out and that someone is McCaw.
By personal example, by playing the law to the utmost and beyond, by achieving standards his colleagues all seek, he is able to push such rivals as Lewis Moody, David Pocock or Heinrich Brüssow into the shade.
David Hands’s team of the autumn
Rob Kearney (Ireland); Cory Jane (New Zealand), Conrad Smith (New Zealand), Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand), Sitiveni Sivivatu (New Zealand); Dan Carter (New Zealand), Will Genia (Australia); Fabien Barcella (France), Andrew Hore (New Zealand), Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Paul O’Connell (Ireland), Rocky Elsom (Australia), Richie McCaw (New Zealand), Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Argentina). Replacements: William Servat (France), Benn Robinson (Australia), Donncha O’Callaghan (Ireland), Keiron Read (New Zealand), Chris Cusiter (Scotland), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Mils Muliaina (New Zealand).
30 Nov 2009, 01:42 am
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
#117
I thought the GH must go crusade was over but looks like you have a hatred for him. Shame at the moment there is no better in NZ or out of NZ.
Deans has been bought down to earth with a thudd,international is different to coaching a provincial team. Gatland,will his mouth says it all,and what he says never backs it up.
30 Nov 2009, 01:49 am
@WakaNathan: and you think you are taken seriously you piece of low-life kiwi trash?
30 Nov 2009, 01:49 am
@WakaNathan:
Whenever I see your name, I read Wankernathan.
I stopped reading your little article you posted as soon as I read “But the thinking man’s team remain New Zealand” Yeah, they really proved they were that when they tried to run everything out of their 22 against the Boks.
30 Nov 2009, 01:56 am
the kiwis are lauded for playing running rugby now but when they tried it agains the boks they came a poor second!don’t think they will be trying to play from their 22 come tri-nations time.
30 Nov 2009, 01:58 am
@Kobus Kitty:
#231
I was waiting for the smiley face,or the just kidding at the bottom of your post but there wasnt. Then came to mind that i think you are actually serious with your comment,lol.
I havnt seen Brussow actully carry the ball like that against NZ,bumping off 3 players everytime.I think you need a reality check and even watch the game a little more closely
30 Nov 2009, 02:01 am
@Valkyrie:
#238
We have played that style of rugby gor many years and have actually blasted you guys out of alot of matches with our speed etc. So i dont know where you come up with “When you tried it against the boks we came a poor second” . Selective memory anyone?
30 Nov 2009, 02:04 am
@Kobus Kitty:
#237
The reason why the ball was in our 22 cos of the amount of kicks that SA do against all teams. We play a running style of rugby. This year we have seen patches of what NZ can do. The French and NZ game was by far the best game to watch out of all the games this year,and i have seen all the tri nation games and including the SA vs BIL and some of the EOYT of SA.
If you like the Kick and hope for the other team to error then be my guest but i hate it
30 Nov 2009, 02:13 am
@Hurricane: lol.well it didn’t help you this year going down three zip to the boks.selective amnesia?
30 Nov 2009, 02:14 am
@Hurricane:
Joe Rockokocko running from inside his try line instead of putting it down for a 22. Is that a good example of a “thinking mans team”? Which France v NZ game? they played 3 this year. Maybe for you they were the best games to watch, it was your team you were supporting. BIL second game was more important and better rugby than any of the France v NZ games.
30 Nov 2009, 02:17 am
@Hurricane: and it also didn’t help you against france in world cup 2007 but then again you always commit hari kiri(ritual suicide) in world cups so that really don’t count i guess!
30 Nov 2009, 02:22 am
Any of you New Zealanders know why McCaw wasn’t even being mentioned by anyone to be nominated, let alone win the IRB player of the year? This by itself shows that he should not have won anything.
30 Nov 2009, 02:23 am
@Hurricane: was this the first time the kiwis never won against the boks in a calender year?i think the boks white washed you also one other year,think it was in mallet’s reign and i think that was the year the kiwis became the first and still only team to be white-washed in the tri-nations by the boks and australia.
30 Nov 2009, 02:28 am
@Valkyrie:
#242
I am on this site. No Kiwi cannot forget this year,especially as it gets said in alot of threads with the word fatigue.
And many times i have said well done on that as well.no problems.You played a kicking game that got you through.
@Kobus Kitty:
#243
The last game against the French and NZ was a good game. France didnt give up trying to run it back at us,and hats of to them,more guts than most teams i have watched.
I didnt say anthing about what game was more important,to us the french game was more important than your BIL tour and vice versa.
@Valkyrie:
#244
Well just thank your lucky stars you didnt have to face france in 2007,fact is you probably would have lost. But hey thats like over 2 years ago and our running game has got us to being the best team in the world. We have the best win/loss ratio than any team on the planet,so yeah losing the world cup then only a year later shove it down the thorats of the winners is just as good.Thanks for that
30 Nov 2009, 02:32 am
@Valkyrie:
#246
I believe 1998 was the year.
Dont get me wrong on what i have said earlier. South Africe in the Tri nations played a better game to a situation at that point.NZs running game was not working as well as we had liked so we went down the path of kicking the hell out of everything as well. We were well and truely beaten by SA who were at that time the playing the better game/style that was needed.
30 Nov 2009, 02:33 am
mccaw doesn’t deserve the award as he was out injured and got nailed by brussow in the tri-nations but cheats and arrogant pricks will always get special treatment by the kiwi pandering irb.still can’t forget the day that mccaw landed in france in 2007 with his world cup winning speech already prepared and in his pocket!what an arrogant prick!
30 Nov 2009, 02:36 am
@Kobus Kitty:
#245
Its been done now.
I personally think McCaw is the most important player to my team,so he would have my vote every year. But in saying that, even i thought he was very lucky to get it this year and was robbed last year.
30 Nov 2009, 02:37 am
@Hurricane:
So you think a mild thrashing of the on-off french is a better match than a game that only comes every 12 years that goes down to the wire at 25 all on the 80th minute? Wow.
We beat the two teams that beat France twice and once in the semi-finals. That’s how things work, if you’re not good enough to beat your teams on the way to the final then you get kicked out. The All Blacks weren’t good enough, the Springboks were. Don’t cry or beat your wife… It’s just a game.
30 Nov 2009, 02:37 am
@WakaNathan: Good article that by Hands. Could you not edit his “team for autumn” to satisfy some here who get hysterical about what world-beaters FdP and Brussouw are? So please take out the new George Gregan (aka Genia) and that heinous IRB award winning McCaw and put in FdP and Brussouw.
Hell I’m a saffer too so i know all about the irrational anger some of my countrymen show when their team has lost (again). By the way match of the weekend by far was that NZ v France game for which both teams and their players deserve accolades – I think everyone including Skoppie has now had a guts full of the kick and charge stuff we have had dished up this year as rugby. It is killing the game and rugby like we saw the AB’s play on Saturday will get the crowds back.
30 Nov 2009, 02:45 am
@Valkyrie:
#249
One thing he isnt is Arrogant.
He is a professional,he is prepared for everything. One thing you dont go over to a RWC is having a losing speech in your pocket. I would rather have a winning speech any day
30 Nov 2009, 02:50 am
@Kobus Kitty:
#251
Wow you dont read to well do you.
I said to me the french game was more important that the SA vs BIL game. The same French team that have won 6 out of the last 8 games against you guys.
So now you are calling me a wife beater?
Look as i have said,2007 RWC holders are the BOks,no problem really,at the time it was hard but we have all grown since then,shame i cant say that about you,you honeslty seem very childish.
30 Nov 2009, 02:52 am
@out wide:
#252
lol
I am hoping for this ping pong rugby to stop as well
30 Nov 2009, 02:58 am
@Hurricane: lol.you should seriously consider stand-up comedy!he went to france believing the graham henry aka harry potter’s hype that the kiwis have the number1 as well as the number 2 teams in world rugby.the only captain that had a world cup winning speech on arrival and he never came close to winning the actual thing.sometimes arrogance can bite you hard in the butt!
30 Nov 2009, 03:03 am
@Hurricane:
My reading is fine, this is what you said:
“The French and NZ game was by far the best game to watch out of all the games this year”
So which is it? And don’t call us the “RWC holders”… we are the World Champions.
30 Nov 2009, 03:05 am
@Valkyrie:
#256
I just say it the way i see it. No problem really is there?
NZ had 30+ very good players that are off international standards,proof in the pudding is that NZ played Ireland at home and at the same time sent a team to Argentina,we won all the tests. Now i know its hard to comprehend as SA have 15 good players and the rest will actually lose to Provincial teams as we all know this.
Again i will say the RWC was 2 odd years ago. What next you wanna talk about,did you hear USA landed on the moon?
30 Nov 2009, 03:12 am
@Hurricane:
Believe what you want but that wasn’t our second string team.
30 Nov 2009, 03:13 am
@Kobus Kitty:
#257
To me the French game was better,sorry about the confusion.
As for me calling your team the RWC holders,i can call them anything i like,really you have no say in the matter. At least i acknowledge you guys are the holders,its a shame you cant get your head around NZ being the best team in the world
30 Nov 2009, 03:24 am
@Hurricane:
I notice how a few meaningless wins in the North can boost ones ego about his team. How are the All Blacks the best team in the world? You lost to the Springboks three times this year, you didn’t beat them once. Please don’t tell me you are making these assumptions due to the IRB rankings?
30 Nov 2009, 03:32 am
@Hurricane: you can say what you want but as far i see it mccaw became a laughing stock at the world cup and probably never got rid of the pie from his face although it’s more than 2 years now.it only takes 15-22 good players to win a world cup which you kiwis can’t fully comprehend it seems.wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late buddy.
30 Nov 2009, 03:40 am
@Kobus Kitty:
#261
Meaningless wins in the north??
Every test match is important to me.
Did you watch SA play all those meaningless games in the last 4 weeks? I bet you did.
IRB ranking is something that when you consistently win against teams and take every tour as important,unlike your theory of meaningless wins in the north , if the Boks had your attitude,i will see them slip to 5th in the IRB ranking. Lucky for them and SA not all have a **** attitude like you
30 Nov 2009, 03:43 am
@Hurricane: let me tell you this hurricane,with henry as coach you will never win a world cup and you can go right now to the bookies and put some money on that!
30 Nov 2009, 03:45 am
@Valkyrie:
lol
Exactly,it takes 22 to win a RWC and 22 to lose to provincial sides.
To us McCaw is the best player around,hes made his mistakes and unlike you,the perfect South African he acknowledges his mistakes and gets on with it.
I dont know why but its seems to be usual on here. When South Africa gets made a fool of like in the EOYT,you guys jump on with all the nastiness and bitterness towards all.
How about you take good hard look at yourself,you are not all that.
30 Nov 2009, 03:49 am
@Valkyrie:
#264
Cool.
As i have said,you being perfect and now you can see into the future,is there anything you cant do
30 Nov 2009, 03:53 am
@Hurricane:
One of the many reason why we win world cups and you don’t.
The Springboks use the NH tours mostly to see what depth we have. 2006, Jake White (even on a losing streak) sent a squad filled with up and comers to tour, we lost some games but we discovered Frans Steyn, a player who one year later would effortlessly fill the inside center position when Jean de Villiers got injured in the World Cup.
Like I said before, keep on winning those meaningless tests that come every year, we’ll keep winning the World Cups.
30 Nov 2009, 03:57 am
@Hurricane: @Hurricane: i can take being made a fool off in an end of year tour but i would not be able to live with myself being made a fool off for more than twenty years at rugby world cups!is it true that the suicide rate in nz,after every wc,actually rose substantially?heard a rumour to that effect.
30 Nov 2009, 03:59 am
@Hurricane: there is one thing i can’t do and that is sheep shagging…that’s just to grose to contemplate!
30 Nov 2009, 04:00 am
@Kobus Kitty:
@267
So this year the Boks sent there #B and C side and left there top team at home?
Thanks and we will keep winning test matches,as they are test matches. And you keep trying to find excuses as to why you guys once again slumped and collapsed on another NH tour.
30 Nov 2009, 04:09 am
@Valkyrie:
20years at RWC is 5 games.EOYT is jus about every year isnt it?
Tri nations is every year.How many times have you guys said this is our year,same with the Super 10/12/14. How many times have you been bought back down to earth after.
As for the suicide rate in NZ,it is high but the RWC years it does not rise. Just a silly made up story you South Africans love to believe. I just hope you are not being an *** about suicide cos its really no joke
@Hurricane:
#269
Whoa,now thats more like it. Its not all its cracked up to be,sheep shagging is rather boring,we shag spring boks now,put up less of a fight most year
30 Nov 2009, 04:14 am
@Hurricane: wrong again mr.know it all.last year we went unbeaten.we still got more grand-slams than you lot.last year we beat the english with a record score and this year you lot could not get more than twenty points against a team considerd weaker than last year.i recall one of your rugby writers saying it’s important for nz to smasg england with a record score.you lot are very delusional it seems on those two little islands of yours.i have a great idea for you guys,why don’t you arrange an island world cup,that way you will always win!great idea don’t you think!
30 Nov 2009, 04:14 am
@Valkyrie:
I believe domestic violence sky rockets after they get kicked out.
@Hurricane:
The Bok XV that played the club teams were filled with mostly quota selections.
The team that played a fresh France and Ireland were physically exhausted and missing a handful of crucial players. And yes, they were fatigued because unlike New Zealand, we actually care about our domestic competition and we put our top guys in the end rounds and finals (which were test match level)
At least the IRB made some sense in awarding the Boks the team of the year.
30 Nov 2009, 04:20 am
@Hurricane: as i said ,just heard this rumour.would not be joking about suicide but just find it strange and sad that it’s high in nz and i believe in ireland as well, countries with similar population levels.
30 Nov 2009, 04:23 am
nice chatting to you hurricane but i have to hit the sack now.cheers
30 Nov 2009, 04:33 am
@Valkyrie:
Last year,you walloped you 19-0.
Last year we went through the NH with out conceding a try,like this year.Thats 2 years running with a NH team scoring a try on their own home ground. I am proud of what as you say 2 little islands (even though its actually 3) has to offer when it comes to sport.
As for the Island cup,doesnt really bother me,we seem to have the edge over your guys,i would rather keep beating SA and watch people like you find excuses and start getting all nasty on Keo.
@Kobus Kitty:
Your first line says it all as if SA dosnt have a violence problem lol,clueless.Cant pull the wool over my eyes.
And well done to you guys for that Award,up to the EOYT i believed you guys deserved it and its good to see that the end tour didnt ruin which was up to that point a very good season. But leave the missing players and fatigue out of it please,all teams play alot of rugby,not just SA. And for once please say that the French and the Irish actully played better than you cos they were better.
30 Nov 2009, 04:48 am
@Hurricane:
Yeah, no. While we were winning hard fought, grueling encounters with the BIL… the All blacks were playing Italy. Its not just the number of tests you play, its who you play.
Sure, Violence in SA is an issue, but it certainly isn’t caused by losses in sport. To think that your whole country goes into mourning after an All Black loss really does show the mentality of New Zealanders. Pathetic.
3-0
30 Nov 2009, 04:51 am
For the record this is how POTY was selected:
Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace John Eales and other judges from the irb watched over 63 hours of action from 49 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.
No place for emotional flim-flam I love you FDP, Brussow blah blah blah. Just hard cold viewing, scoring, moving on.
As usual those who criticise will likely understand little about the process. Empty vessels, as they say.
30 Nov 2009, 04:55 am
@Kobus Kitty:
We played Italy and France,you know France the team you cant beat. Mind you maybe Namibia took out of you guys early on.
And yeah,no it is the number of tests you play. Playing 3 tests at home is easier than playing 3 tests away,dont you think no matter who you are playing.
NZ vs SA
Played 78 games NZ won 42
drew 3
SA won 33 due to NZ being Fatigued
Thank you
30 Nov 2009, 05:02 am
@Qrest:
Obviously you can see that a few South Africans think their players should have won it. You cant blame them,its been a good year for them up to the EOYT. Beating the ABs 3-0 may have clouded their vision. Damn these South Africans want everything,Super 14,tri nations,RWC,7s rugby,team of the year and noe they want player of the year,a bit greedy i must say
30 Nov 2009, 05:10 am
@Valkyrie:
And nice having this converstaion with you Valkyrie.
No doubt we talk a bit later,have a good one
30 Nov 2009, 05:25 am
Well done Mccaw but most of you foraging on the ground is illegal. Its bit poor that the grestest flouter of the law wins this award.
Then again looking at how the Kiwis get the rub of the green, its not surprising.
30 Nov 2009, 05:32 am
@Hurricane:
World Cups won
Springboks 2
All Blacks 0 (I, like many others don’t count 1987, as it was an invitational and considered a “friendly”)
30 Nov 2009, 05:35 am
Richie McCaw wasn’t even on the radar this year. Almost everyone besides New Zealanders and New Zealand lovers (you know, people who think the Haka is exotic and means something) knew that FDP should have won it.
30 Nov 2009, 06:30 am
@Kobus Kitty: Look mate the Boks beat the All Blacks 3-nil this is true but South Africa have lost to Ireland a team who havent beaten the All Blacks ever in nearly a 100years of playing each other come on you must be kidding your team lost to 2 club sides which I know they are not push over teams but even the All Blacks 2nd string team got the job done against Munster.I hope you can back to earth and make some good points I look forward to hear them.
30 Nov 2009, 06:33 am
@Kobus Kitty:
NZ have won the RWC,every other rugby nation excepts it bar some people in South Africa. If you can read and if you get the chance to see the RWC you will see NZ winners 1987
1987 was the roots of the tournament. Blame yourselves for not being invited but the top and the best international rugby teams were there. SA wasnt even in the top 20 teams in 1987. You missed out big time.
@Kobus Kitty:
Again another post that lacks the respect of other people and countries. The Haka does mean something to us.You dont have to like it,totally up to you,but when you say something make sure its correct,especially when its someone elses country and race.
You dont see me bad mouthing your people. I dont think i have met a person as immature as you on this site. An embarrasment to the good South African people out there.
30 Nov 2009, 06:36 am
@Kobus Kitty: Oh yeah you have won one more rugby world cup than NZ, a nation who has nearly 500,000 more registered rugby players than NZ and should be dominating world rugby more often than small little NZ.
30 Nov 2009, 06:48 am
@marvinb:
How many times has it been said here? That wasn’t a second string Bok XV. It was a side selected for political reasons.
@Hurricane:
Oh, that’s why the Springboks in 1986 beat the NZ Cavs 3-1 in a 4 match series.
Thanks to the IRB always brown nosing New Zealand, the 2011 RWC is going to be the biggest failure and will be lucky to break even. We don’t want to go back to the “grass roots”. What a joke.
The fact that you sheep are even defending McCaw winning the award just shows how blind and inbred you are.
30 Nov 2009, 07:04 am
@Kobus Kitty:
#288
Haha i was hoping you wuokld bring up the cavaliers.
Out of the 1987 All blacks,there was aname for them cos it was a new young team,only about 5 Cavaliers existed in the 1987 AB team
Cavaliers team in 1986
Kieran Crowley, Victor Simpson, Michael Clamp, Gary Knight, Alan Whetton, Gary Whetton, Andy Dalton, Hika Reid, Andy Haden, Jock Hobbs, Murray Mexted, Grant Fox, Warwick Taylor, Craig Green, John Ashworth, Andrew Donald, Wayne Shelford, Steve Mcdowell, Mark Shaw, Bill Osborne, Bernie Fraser, Wayne Smith, Robbie Deans, John Mills, Bryce Robins, Dave Loveridge, Steve Pokere, Frank Shelford
All Black team in 1987
Forwards Anderson, Brooke, Brooke-Cowden, Drake, Earl, Fitzpatrick, Jones, Loe ,McDowell, Pierce, Shelford,A Whetton,G Whetton,
Backs, Crowley, Fox ,Gallagher ,Green, Kirk (c) ,Kirwan, McCahill ,Stanley, Taylor, Wright
NOw I see 4-5 players from that Cavaliers team that made the 1987 RWC team. And remember the RWC wasnt played in SA. It was in NZ and OZ and we all know the excuses of travel you guys come up with
30 Nov 2009, 07:10 am
@Kobus Kitty:
I didnt defend McCaw winning the award,i said he was lucky. Actually we have moved on since then with you calling me a wife beater etc. You have a huge chip on your shoulder about anything to do with NZ.
30 Nov 2009, 07:14 am
Most reiduclas decision in the history of the game, McCaw was a non event this year, poor decision. I am seariously loosing respect for the IRB both regarding the lack quality in refs and the poor decision by the board.
We will have to stuff it up there asses by winning the WC again and dooing so without the objective reffing whitch seems is no longer the way of IRB, rather it seems that the ref sides with the lowest ranked team in a match, the AB’s being the exception to this rule (Wayne Barnes did not get the memo).
30 Nov 2009, 07:56 am
Hey Valkyrie and Hurricane, the World Health Organisation keep statistics on suicide which can easily be researched on the internet.
The rate of male suicide in South Africa is significantly higher than that in NZ, and the rate of female suicide slightly lower.
Further the WHO note that South Africa is rapidly becoming one of the suicide capitals of the world. Not a pleasant subject but since Valkyrie raised it I thought I’d add a bit of facts to his hearsay.
30 Nov 2009, 08:02 am
Even though i think McCaw is one of the most influential players ever to have played the game – FDP certainly deserved this award – very puzzling
30 Nov 2009, 08:59 am
McCaw undoubtedly the best player on the planet over the last 5 years. But this was not a great year for him. Missed the June tests with injury. captained ABs to 3 defeats against the boks, and was outclassed by the newcomer Brussouw in 2 of those 3 games.
Only thing we can be sure of is Richie will be a spent force by 2011. IRB probably recognising his impact in the eyars gone by and recognising he’s on the decline.
Have the ABs got a backup yet?
30 Nov 2009, 09:10 am
@Hurricane: Hurricane, the reason Kobus calls us wifebeaters is because he tried it once, she left him bloodied and bruised, hes now jealous because hes such a weak little man he cant do it to his own… now you watch, he’ll be bringing out something I said 5 months ago, the mentality of the man… see, they have one good year amongst the ordinary last 15 and their arrogance comes out…
all the talk about the NH tours not being important, but boy did you see the knives come out for their players after each and every subsequent loss… hilarious…
Thats why hes called kitty, because hes a soft *****… plain and simple..
30 Nov 2009, 09:57 am
What? Wait a minute, what the hell is goings on here.
30 Nov 2009, 10:01 am
@poppa69:
Woah, Poppa, nice long post… and it’s all about me? Bringing up your racist remarks must have really made you MAAAAD.
30 Nov 2009, 10:04 am
@poppa69: I’ll take 2 ‘ordinary’ world cups in the last 15 to your invitational one 22 years ago.
30 Nov 2009, 10:06 am
Richie?
WHAT A F*CKING JOKE
30 Nov 2009, 10:38 am
Wow, a lot of anger on this site.
I’m going to go cuddle with the Sevens Trophy, Super 14 Trophy, World Cup Trophy, 3N Trophy, B&I Lions Trophy and all those silly little ones in between.
30 Nov 2009, 10:39 am
While du Preez would have been a worthy winner, dismissing McCaw because of the AB’s losses to the Bokke and his absence due to injury is rather blinkered.
My recollection of the reason why NZ lost to SA was the boot of Steyn.
On McCaw’s return to the team from injury, NZ has moved from a clear second place on the IRB ranking to a firm and clear leader.
So two issues debunked. du Preez won the 3N for SA and McCaw has done nothing this year.
30 Nov 2009, 10:47 am
Richie McCaw is s truly world great. Enough said. The best no. 7 to ever wear the jersey.
He is deserving of whatever he wins. The man is a legend.
FDP has some more time to serve before he is the same class as Richie.
30 Nov 2009, 11:00 am
McCaw is the worthy winner. He is a leader as much as a stalwart player with a mature head about him plus a true servant of modern rugby. Du Preez on the other hand is more of an over hyped glory boy prima donna who still needs plenty growing in his immature mind to get anywhere near the stature of either McCaw or O’ Driscoll.
As players go if you have to compare apples with apples not even a debate.
South Africans still largely totally dependant on psychological spoon feeding nowhere near the levels of maturity one finds through other sporting nations. Still babies suckling on the teets of bravado filled hype and it shows in our incapacity to lift the psyche and compete in tours such as we’ve just seen. Still a long way to go to arrive at any level of composite professionalism. What the Ab’s showed against France we only emulated once in 97 under Mallet, other than that we tend to fold and capitulate like spoiled immature babies missing mothers breast feeding back home.
When Du Preez loses that spoiled baby spat syndrome and lifts his game to the levels of a true composite professional then maybe he might become worthy of such adulation and adoration that this largely one eyed support base in this country lavishes on him. I don’t see no immaculate hero, nowhere near the capacity of a Richie McCaw. All I see is a little impetuous prat that still got one long bit of growing to do, both as a sporting hero or as a world rated scrum half or perhaps even as a mature human being.
30 Nov 2009, 11:04 am
@skopskiet:”McCaw is the worthy winner”. Starting a post with this statement is not too clever. Makes scanning through for meaningful posts easier though.
30 Nov 2009, 11:05 am
@skopskiet: You’re a clever fellow. Look in the mirror and repeat it until you believe it.
30 Nov 2009, 11:08 am
@Brads: Come on man, look at the whole picture. McCaw missed many S14 games – didn’t shine. Missed international games, then returned and still had little impact against the boks. I think BOD deserved it more. I also think Heinrich Brussow had a better season, so too did Morne Steyn, but surely FdP deserved it. Instrumental in CC, S14 and 3N victories, not to mention he was quality in 2007 too. I could have understood BOD, but McCaw is pure madness.
30 Nov 2009, 11:12 am
@skopskiet:
Totally agree with the shocking game plan Skoppie, however, they would have been given instruction from the coaching staff who are tasked with working out the game plan which the players have to execute.
So blame PDV and his coaches for the poor game plan and blame FdP and Steyn…and others, for poor execution.
By calling FdP a liability you are going slightly over the top in my opinion.
30 Nov 2009, 11:13 am
@out wide: @ 252
Well said that man ! youve got it spot on too. Boks need to widen their horizons and throw the blinkers off in their style of play. Actually, its an absolute sin to have a fwd pack like that and yet keep kicking it away. They could have had teams chasing them, not chasing fairly limited teams like Ireland.
No worries about your countrymen, we all have bloggers here that embarrass us. Valkyrie is just young and immature and thinks life is a ‘My **** is Bigger than Yours’ moment. Rather pathetic actually. Kobus misplaced his monocle recently and cant find it. We Kiwis have Chaz to deal with, similarly pathetic in his attempts to rile the locals with barbs over the neighbours fence. Thats life.
30 Nov 2009, 11:18 am
@Kobus Kitty: @ 261
“meaningless wins in the NH” ?
Hurricane, if you ever needed proof that Kobus is talking cr@p, then this is it.
Every match has meaning. They dont become meaningLESS only after you lose.
Fact remains that the only team Boks could beat away in hostile conditions was Italy.
Italy !
Perhaps they should have binned SANZAR after all, as has been widely mooted here. That way all their matches against Italy would become meaningful again.
30 Nov 2009, 11:19 am
@Hurricane:
y far the best game of the season…I hope the All Blacks continue playing like that next season. They are unbeatable when playing their very entertaining brand of rugby. SA really needs a Plan B…or anything other than this one dimensional rugby. Especially now that their game plan has been worked out by the opposition.
30 Nov 2009, 11:22 am
@WakaNathan:
Buddy, stop trolling…u have become a bore.
30 Nov 2009, 11:27 am
truth for some of you poor adulating idiots bit tough to swallow. Fdp nowhere near to McCaw or any where near worthy of the stupid adulation some you one eyed fools lavish onto a rather one dimensional and in many instances liability towards the greater team cause. Ratel and Oubaas yeah I’m talking to you amongst the rest of the largely insular and blind fool followers that overstate a players worth. And thats partly the reason this team performs so poorly due to the over hyped hero worship of some of our largely mediocre ordinary one dimensional players.
30 Nov 2009, 12:09 pm
@skopskiet:
Was it just FDP; or did FDP and MS double team your girlfriend (or boyfriend, whatever rocks yours boat).
30 Nov 2009, 12:09 pm
@skopskiet: McCaw is a world class player and deserves the award (even if it wasnt his best year) but to say that fdp is over rated and must be dropped from the springbok side is idiotic to say the least. After you say something like that all your credibilty goes out of the window. He may not have the best distrubution skills but he is strong on defence and can read the game like no other player. Try and recall all the tries he scored and created (I know it might be difficult because you dont seem very smart) He is the best scrumhalf in the world by a country mile and you want to replace him with ? in south africa. Very stupid. You are the Julius Malema of this site. Just saying a lot of **** to get attention
30 Nov 2009, 12:22 pm
McCaw is an outstanding talent and a fine example of sportsmanship. BoD has only one of these qualities.
On the fetching issue, McCaw does cheat, but he is a fantastic player. Brussow is a better ball snaffler and more legal, but McCaw’s genius lies in the number of weapons in his arsenal, he has a more varied game, but i’m pretty happy with Brussow for the Bokke.
SA have been the best side in the world in 2009. The rest is bullshit by dissillusioned kiwis who;ve been cleaned up and are not accustomed to ut. The Eoy Tour was never going to be good for SA both cos of who was selected, even tho the very ones complaining most now are those who where all for development, and also because the bokke stalwarts are absilutely buggered.
Noakes is right to an extent, but the main reason this Bok EOY tour was such a faulure is because of its ‘development’ tag. If however, results are not a worry, then go ahead with development, but dont moan when it all goes tits up.
30 Nov 2009, 12:34 pm
@skopskiet: 303 – Stop the nonsense now Skop. You have it in for the Bulls because they beat your team in the Semi of the Currie cup or you never have liked the Bulls or their supporters. You are sounding very bitter now. Bulls are a great team and have proved it not only this year.
I thought once the Boks played we all came together and just forgot who play for which unions. Once Boks play forget who plays for who then it is South Africa. Give the Bull players and their supporters a break hey!
30 Nov 2009, 13:10 pm
@WakaNathan:
I believe the Boks beat the All Blacks in Hamilton, or is that town too boring to be called “Hostile”?
Ugh, with all the KIWIS and CAPES rejoicing in McCaw undeservedly winning the award, I feel sick. There is a reason why no one was mentioning him to be even nominated, let alone win the thing.
30 Nov 2009, 13:22 pm
Although McCaw is a great rugby player, him winning the award this year shows the bias of the panel. How many super 14 games did he miss? How many test matches did he miss? what was his teams win ration this year? He captained teams that did not win 1 trophy the year and he only played half the season. How many games that he played in did he get awarded the many of the match?
I think the IRB are now one year behind and are playing catch up!
30 Nov 2009, 13:42 pm
@Puma: When at all did Skopskiet mention the Bulls?
OT: Why the hell should anyone care who wins the award? It’s all opinions anyway, and the results are only the opinions of the panel, of course you will have people disagreeing with them. There is no such thing as objectivity, only the attempt at being objective.
30 Nov 2009, 15:18 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): @ 313
actually, y’know what. You just overstepped the mark.
30 Nov 2009, 15:32 pm
@cab:
“more legal”
priceless, Cab.
Oh, and “disillusioned” ?
really, Cab ??
Actually, youre usually quite a fair man. So Im going to give you the benefit of the doubt this time. Because on this occasion, youre opinions have been drastically shaped in the wake of defeat.
@Kobus Kitty:
This seems to be your fallback, tyhis oft-repeated line of yours
“….noone was mentioning him to be nominated”
what ? where ? you mean on Keo ? HA !!!! You mean on the all flag-waving Brussow For President fanclub site ?
Well I’ll tell you when and where ‘everyone’ was nominating FdP as Player of the Year (incl me, I might add). That was around about July. Because FdP had been truly excellent in the TriN. For me, he was also excellent in Lions but I believe Phillips shaded him in 2ndTest.IMO.
So thats why we mentioned him THEN.
And why McCaw NOW ?
5 Tests. 3 X MoM awards. Unbeaten. And with injuries behind him (Brussow faced him on his comeback, remember), he has been simply unbelievable. FdP ? well his EOYT was fairly average and, at times, poor. His season tapered off, dramatically.
As for no trophies for NZ….. Well we have the Bledisloe Cup – massive in our country. NZ didnt lose, once, to Aus in 4 Tests. NZ also reclaim the Dave Gallaher Cup from France. NZ beat them 2-1 over the year, incl in France. And there’s no trophy to go with ‘Unbeaten NH Tour’ but the ABs did that without conceding 1 try, you cant make any silverware to rub that from the records. Yes, the Boks deservedly won the TriN. When they were good, they were excellent, no doubt. But also glaring weaknesses. Throughout the year, the Boks were a 1stH team, not an 80min team once. Similarly, the 1stH of their season was good, the 2ndH absolutely shocking. And completely limited in style, which was massively exposed in NH where you need more than a garryowen to win on European soil.
Ireland went unbeaten in 2009, on the back of 11 unbeaten matches. Theyre the ‘peoples choice’ as no1. And McCaw, deservedly, for finishing stronger and better than anyone else.
30 Nov 2009, 15:55 pm
@WakaNathan:
Cry me a river.
Skop looks for kak and gets it. His rants on FDP are unjustified and tiresome.
30 Nov 2009, 15:57 pm
@WakaNathan:
It must hurt to have all these great stats but nothing to show for it…..
30 Nov 2009, 16:05 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
No, his ‘rants’ are his opinion. Thats what blogs are for – ‘opinions’. You can choose to agree or disagree.
What you chose to do was emerge from the gutter with trash-talk.
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
perhaps, but it must hurt to think youre The Best but noone is listening.
30 Nov 2009, 16:35 pm
@WakaNathan:
what? come off it, mccaw is a master of the quick steal by coming in from the side or from an offside position. he knows it and his choirboy innocence would do fitzpatrick pround. good on him but when an observant ref like Barnesey is around and aware of richie’s cunning, he is pinged, and nz are often then in a bit more bother.
30 Nov 2009, 16:40 pm
@cab: Barnesy is hardly observant. What he does when Mccaw is playing is watch 1 player only and forget about paying attention to the rest of the game.
30 Nov 2009, 16:56 pm
we have the bledisloe cup …. massive in our country…
enough said I think…
30 Nov 2009, 17:02 pm
Those waxing lyrical about the AB’s performance are getting ahead of themselves. Firstly their form going into the French game was at best workman like, certainly not spectacular.
They were unimpressive against England, but well done to them for grinding out victories. They played very well against the French, but let’s be honest ,when last have the French played two great games in a row !!!!! Their game plan suited the AB’s who exploited the situation very well.
But to say the AB’s have arrived is premature, they have not overnight sorted out their problems. Cowan on the basis of one good game is not suddenly a great scrum half, they still have no heir apparent for Carter and Mccaw and their locks are still average , front row still has question marks . etc, etc
Whilst on the night it all came together for them I am not sure if the AB’s were very good or if the French were piss poor, I expect the latter.
But let this victory plaster over the cracks for them, our problems have been exposed and we know what to do to fix them, not sure about the AB’s though !!!
30 Nov 2009, 17:13 pm
@justrugby: With respect sir. That team from New Zealand were like ol greek gods playing rugby. They would have beaten Francois and the boys in that 1995 final. Thate team sir – they were not of humankind. They were something like I have nevr seen.
30 Nov 2009, 17:16 pm
@rugbygenius:
Each to their own opinion, they were same same side we beat 3-0 !!!
30 Nov 2009, 17:19 pm
@justrugby: Yes that also shows how amazing we are huh .
30 Nov 2009, 17:22 pm
@rugbygenius:
Well it shows something…huh
30 Nov 2009, 17:25 pm
@justrugby: Ja you are right sir. But check now – if it wasn’t for PDv, we would never have beaten the NZ like that. He was the designer of that victory.
30 Nov 2009, 17:35 pm
@rugbygenius:
What’s with the sir sh#t, you pissed ?
30 Nov 2009, 17:41 pm
@justrugby: No you check, on this place there is too much disrespecting of people and I don’t like that. People caan just be saying BAD BAD things to each other. But because I respect people I call them sir you check? Its because I respect their opinions also .
30 Nov 2009, 17:44 pm
@rugbygenius:
Cool !!
30 Nov 2009, 17:46 pm
@justrugby: Thank you .
30 Nov 2009, 17:55 pm
@cab:
More legal ?
dont paint 1 with the brush and leave the other untouched. Its really a bit silly.
You will remember Kings Park ? I do. I spent the week here being abused after Bloem because I had the temerity to say that whilst Brussow had an excellent match he was also “cheating repeatedly…blocking-off, bridging, hands in ruck..”. The usual cr@p about being a sore loser ensued.
What happened at Kings Park ? Brussow was repeatedly pinged for infringements at the ruck, bridging twice and not-rolling-away/blocking-off. (and FdP was also pinged for crooked feeds, which he got away with in Bloem, incidentally).
Now every loosie does this. N.Back and Dallaglio spent their whole careers doing it. The worst cheats ever those 2.
But to intimate 1 is a serial cheat whilst ignoring the sins of t’other ? well, thats nonsense. Safas have spent a whole career labelling McCaw as a cheat. Because its convenient. Jake White even started a whole campaign based on that just prior to RWC’07 (he got Muller, Capt, to call McCaw “a cheat” at the press conference prior to a match in NZ).
Cab, unless you were blind you would have seen Brussow at work in that last 15mins in Dublin, in particular. He got away with blue murder as the Boks were desperately pushing on in Ireland Qter, ref Owens was virtually giving him cart blanche to cheat at will, handling off his feet in ruck, laying on the ball/blocking. Good for him, he got away with it. Masterful. But innocent ?…..esp compared to that Other Guy ?
dont kid yourself.
Bloody good player tho. But which ‘bloody good’ loosie is a veritable choirboy ?
30 Nov 2009, 18:01 pm
@gunther:
Thats because you have absolutely no idea whatsoever.
As far as Kiwis are concerned its:-
RWC
Bledisloe
TriN
Ranfurly Shield
S14.
Thats what makes us who we are. We dont seek your stamp of approval.
Funny, since Boks lost on EOYT there has been alot of “but we won 3-0 !”
And, yes, they did.
But what trophy will have ’3-0′ on it in years to come ? None. Thats because there are even some things that mean more than silverware, duh.
The ABs weren’t handed a trophy at Loftus in ’96 either. But that achivevment even trumps any RWC win as far as we’re concerned. But, then, maybe you cant understand that either.
30 Nov 2009, 20:29 pm
Waka matey gotta thank u for covering my back in my absence tho like you once told me yourself I’ll return the comp.
I’m old n ugly enough to take care of myself round these hallways of impeccable gentlemanly manners. Centurian wanna mix his metaphores and hurl some abuse I don’t think the poor ******** quite realizes what he might get himself in for. I can hurl insults like the best of them – I could possibly vloek that idiotic smug snot nosed highfalutin prick right under the table if the moderator would allow me the latitude to take the gloves off. Poor schmuck faced centurian wouldn’t quite know wtf hit him.
As regards some these poor adulating Fdp groupie followers in here who simply can’t bear someone like myself’s blasphemous intent against their hallowed saint of scrum halves the righteous Gallahad of No.9′s the veritable can do no wrong infallible fool himself. I like to ask these adulating prostrating idol worshippers of the Greatest Player on the Planet whether he turns water into wine or walks on water too. Far as I can make out the idiot has one of the slowest passes on a rugby field, stands around at the base of the scrum for almost an eternity till he decides which rampaging bull fatty he’s going to pop his next hospital pass to, or else he’s squealing at the ref how come the oppo loose forwards have spoiled his impeccable unprotected ball, and throws a hissy fit if for any reason ref don’t offer him a free bee after he’s got caught in possession cause he’s basically just too slow in getting the ball out the back end of the ruck.
As for his eternally patient fly half and centers waiting for his immaculateness to occasionally and disdainfully grant them a measley scrap of poorly distributed morsel of ball once in a remote while, the poor buggers would be extremely immersed in abject appreciative gratitude if it at least would come when the opposition haven’t already born down on them as they get man and ball similtanously.
And then they reckon this genius is God’s own gift to South African running rugby potential evolution. Couldn’t be further from the truth, this slow poke slow distributing rugby scrum half is the very core of the problem as to why our backline is as flat footed and toothless in attack as its become exposed to be in recent times. Ever since Fdp inherited and wore the mantle of best 9 on the planet the Springbok back line play has all but dried up in almost practical totality.
And no Puma its not because he’s a bloubull, its because he’s a lousy running game non distributing scrum half. That by itself represents the sum total of his overrated inadequacy. Nothing else, not even the poorly assumed reasoning that this gutteral prick idiot centurianshark lowers his f’ak’d out low cast low life mind to.
30 Nov 2009, 23:29 pm
@skopskiet:
ME cover YOUR back ?
fella, Ive yet to meet anyone less in need of a back-covering.
1 Dec 2009, 00:33 am
@WakaNathan:
Yeah, I kept asking the question because no one was answering. And no, I visit other rugby blogs and he wasn’t being mentioned at all. It was between BOD and FDP.
Only now that he has won it do the KIWIS come in and defend for the honor of their McCaw.
He didn’t deserve to win, wake up, you one sided farmer. And FDP still had a very good tour.
1 Dec 2009, 02:32 am
@skopskiet: FFS you are a ridiculous little leprechaun today – are you still hungover? Geez what a freaking overreaction.
Yes FdP kicked averything away. So did Morne. I was surprised Smit didn’t hoof it either.
Seeing a pattern here?
They were clearly under instructions. Bad ones.
Everyone knows that you cannot JUST play a single plan and must vary it. But not your precious coach apparently.
FdP is immensely talented and typically makes great decisions 90% of the time. His skills in any of the scrumhalf disciplines is the best.
He is by far and away the best scrumhalf in the world. Your rants are FARKING RIDICULOUS!
The Boks were told to kick the leather off the ball because of the conditions. So they did. Simple as that. But they could have at least tried a few wide runs.
I for one want to see Rugby rules changed to make kicking the ball more risky than the ruck, so that teams are forced to run it.
1 Dec 2009, 03:26 am
@WakaNathan:
Yeah, and when we won 3-0 there was alot of………”but we beat you last year and and and………” BS. Practice what you preach ya wally
1 Dec 2009, 03:30 am
@WakaNathan:
Mate, you have been out of NZ far toooo long. No one gives a toss about the Ranfurly Shield anymore. And the Bledisloe only gets it’s higher status when the 3 Nations is lost….hehehe.
If the Ranfurly Shield had status, why does no one go and watch the game?
1 Dec 2009, 03:35 am
Oh, and a study by Auckland University reckons rugby, hockey and netball will be nothing sports in NZ by 2020 ish (Can’t recall exact date) cause all the new immigrants are from Asia, Middle East and Eastern Europe and don’t give a toss about the game of rugby. Other sports like soccer will be taking over
So wakkadoo s make the most of your little end of year run cause it seems the game is doomed to be a bit player in the future……..shame!
1 Dec 2009, 03:57 am
@whatever: You just showed your ignorance saying no one cares about the Ranfurly Shield, maybe the more dominant unions have lost a bit of respect for it but most unions would kill for it
1 Dec 2009, 05:00 am
@Waster:
No mate. A five minute photo opportunity and a small three line run on in the sports pages does not make it a very sort after Shield anymore. The s14 is definitely taken over as the Trophy in NZ for provincial sides. As for the Air NZ cup, well just look at the spectator numbers again!
1 Dec 2009, 05:20 am
@whatever: Three day party actually when southland won it this year, they sought after it for sure. Even my lowly province won it once and defended it, was a great time, adds a bit of spice.
The Air NZ cup has been great this year, best I have seen in a long time, pity the NZRU want to ruin it next year, bloody bean counters
1 Dec 2009, 05:25 am
@Waster:
Okay, I forgot about the Southland boys……yeah, they looked pretty chuffed. Maybe it still means alot to the players, but whats happenned to the spectators? Jeez there are more blokes on the Marist club balcony on a Sat afternoon watching club footie than going to watch the Air NZ Cup!!
1 Dec 2009, 05:27 am
@whatever: I dont know, I went to every game I could and most of my clubs games too
1 Dec 2009, 05:59 am
@Waster:
Good man. You doing your bit
I think the sport as a whole has hit a bit of a flatliner from a growth point of view. My sons school is battling to get numbers to make up 3 teams. Admittedly it was never a rugby orientated school, but jeez it’s been an uphill battle to get the boys to play.
1 Dec 2009, 11:16 am
@Kobus Kitty: @342
So whats yer point ? Noone nominated Ireland as Team of the Year either and yet they clearly deserved the title despite ABs ending us no1.
McCaw as Player of the Year is far more appropriate than the Boks taking a prize on the back of a 1 from 5 end to their season.
@whatever:
And what would you know, immigrant ? When Southland won, more rugby conversations about rugby sprung up between Kiwis than in years. SA doesnt have an equivalent so no wonder you dont appreciate the history or know what it means.
In fact, you clearly despise everything about NZ, why dont you just F.O. back to your homeland ?!
Still no1. And qualified for the WC – now tell me, what are soccer crowd no’s in NZ ? you seem to have all the stats. And if the crowd no’s arent great, how come the All Whites were still good enough to get there ?
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