Baa Baas match ‘not ideal’
3 Dec 2009
Saru couldn’t withdraw the nine Springboks selected for the Barbarians as they had already made an agreement with the club in April.
Peter de Villiers tried to justify the Boks’ minimal preparation time of two days in French conditions before the Toulouse Test as he wanted to make the tour a ‘two and a half week one instead of four weeks’. De Villiers hasn’t had his wish granted as still more than half of the Boks who started against Ireland will spend a week longer up north for the fixture at Twickenham on Saturday.
Saru acting MD Andy Marinos was initially unwilling to speak about the Boks’ involvement in the exhibition match against the All Blacks as the topic of the Boks’ ‘fatigue’ has been a big talking point in recent weeks.
‘We’ve all heard Jake White’s views, so haven’t you guys spoken enough about this issue? But anyways, in April SA Rugby had a request from the Barbarians to have our players released. We spoke to the provincial unions as last year one party was willing to release and the other not, and this year we both agreed to let our players play,’ Marinos told keo.co.za.
Players such as Schalk Burger and Bismarck du Plessis weren’t available for the Boks’ Test against Italy due to injury, but will line-up for the Baa Baas two weeks later. Fourie du Preez – usually a target for all opposition facing him – was also doubtful for the Ireland match, but Marinos played down these worries as he doesn’t believe the risk of injuries at Twickenham will be as great.
Those who watched Schalk Burger clattering into defenders in last year’s Wembley encounter or seeing two Australian props being stretchered off would disagree.
‘We couldn’t withdraw certain players as the Barbarians had selected their team and based a model around those players, so we couldn’t do that to them,’ said Marinos. ‘Im confident our medical team did all the work at the end of the tour and they would’ve pulled guys who they were worried about.
‘In hindsight, given the year we’ve had, it’s not ideal – the players have to spend another week on tour and run the risk of injury. But we must take the match in context. The week’s build-up is not as tough, and Baa Baas matches aren’t the same intensity as Tests.’
On Monday De Villiers called for more rest as the players were physically and mentally drained after the year, but Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Beast Mtawarira, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Jaque Fourie, Du Preez, Du Plessis and Burger will get one more hit-out.
Looking ahead to 2010, Marinos said the priority shouldn’t be the players’ franchises, but the Boks.
‘Do you rest the players for the Super 14, or for the Boks? The media want them to play Super Rugby, but that’s skewed, the Boks must get the most of them. When the Boks are strong and successful, it benefits all of South African rugby. We’ve done advanced planning for 2010, and told all our stakeholders those plans.
‘We’ve got an invitation to open the new Aviva Stadium [against Ireland] and a fixture against the Baa Baas, but we need those as we look to unearth talent before the World Cup. We know we have to manage the players. They can’t miss huge blocks like the All Blacks did in 2007, but they have to be managed by their Super 14 teams.’
By Grant Ball
429 Comments
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3 Dec 2009, 21:28 pm
@carol: And going to the loo almost every 12 minutes. Stay on the side closest to the steps. That John Smith’s is lethal for pea bladders.
3 Dec 2009, 21:28 pm
@SodaJoe: Hey, me old duck….
Whats happening in Minniapolis tonight?
3 Dec 2009, 21:30 pm
All Blacks by plenty! Class team of the year.
3 Dec 2009, 21:31 pm
@SodaJoe: I will stick to Guinness….however I NEVER go to the ladies during play!!
3 Dec 2009, 21:31 pm
@Blindspot: Your defintion of plenty please?
3 Dec 2009, 21:32 pm
@SodaJoe:
backhand, forehand, juice.
sies – tyd vir bid.
3 Dec 2009, 21:32 pm
@carol: 15 or more.
3 Dec 2009, 21:34 pm
@carol: Remember the fatigue of the Baabaas. The All Black are fresh and ready. They give 100% everytime they pull that jersey over their heads.
3 Dec 2009, 21:37 pm
@carol:
OK, 4 Man would love nothing more than a parade, you must watch it, he will let you guys do some log pt before he allows you to start drinking.
I hope he is hard on a few of those London fairies
3 Dec 2009, 21:37 pm
@Blindspot: I may go with 15….However I will be shouting for the Barbarians!
3 Dec 2009, 21:40 pm
@carol: Let’s just hope they play true Barbarian rugby. Run, run and run.
3 Dec 2009, 21:44 pm
@Robzim: Rob, please talk in language I understand what is log pt?
London Keo Boys are seriously NOT fairy like!!
Very big and blokey I’ll have you know!!
You would not want to meet them in a dark alley if you had upset them!
3 Dec 2009, 21:45 pm
@Blindspot: No Frans to do droppies everywhere this year!!
3 Dec 2009, 21:46 pm
@Blindspot:
With Fourie du Preez in action it could be kick, kick and kick.
3 Dec 2009, 21:47 pm
Bok solutions….
Choose overseas players….stop the weak kneed punitive approach.
Smit to 2 or retirement…not negotiable.
Rest the main manne….we dont we will not get Matfield , Smit ,Bakkies to 2011
Skop making me nervous about the halfbacks….can they be more expansive or is the inherent conservatism too inbred??
3 Dec 2009, 21:49 pm
Pissed off the Irish booted out the WC….bloody Henry….
3 Dec 2009, 21:52 pm
@carol:
4 Man might be big and blokey but I do not think you ever will any of the others in any dark alleys.
Maybe in a dimly lighted library, but not in a dark alley.
Log pt is physical training (pt) using a heavy log.
3 Dec 2009, 21:54 pm
its too inbred and Fdp’s the problem, maybe Morne can still kick the habit but I doubt Fdp can.
3 Dec 2009, 21:55 pm
Just hope the Stormers kick those Sharkies butts in the super 14….
Bloody 1 eyed wally supporters…..they were always my 2 nd best team….not so sure anymore!!
3 Dec 2009, 21:57 pm
@grant10: Oh Hi, how was the fizz?
3 Dec 2009, 21:57 pm
@skopskiet: You got me concerned skop….after thinking about that tour…..the only time i thought our backs looked acceptable was 1 st half against Saracens.
Adams a bit like Genia of aussies….nothing flash but a quick service to 10 all the time…..
we definitley slowing it down at the breakdown points…or kicking it away.
3 Dec 2009, 21:58 pm
Stormers have a leadership problem, Schalk going to be captain. Like a ship with no rudder. Groovy.
3 Dec 2009, 21:58 pm
@carol: Cool….but now a definite headache tomorrow….
3 Dec 2009, 22:00 pm
Should never have let Watson go….huge fark up of note i tell you….
Watson, Wikus and Joe van niekerk will destroy our bok trio 6 love!
Brussow the only player worth his salt!!
3 Dec 2009, 22:01 pm
@grant10:
#368
I also dropped them as my second team – I am now going for the Cheaters as no 2 with Sharks as 3, Lions as four and Bulls still stone last.
We just need a proper no 10 – I have lost all faith in PG.
I hope Wikkelspies recovers in time
Otherwise Lionel Cronje will have to step up.
3 Dec 2009, 22:02 pm
@Robzim: Rob, trust me…I would take any one of them as a body guard!!
Think pubs more a natural habitat rather than a library!! lol
3 Dec 2009, 22:03 pm
@Robzim: Jeez Rob i know you like old Wikkelspies but for the life of me i dont really understand the attraction….
Lionel Cronje will hopefully come through for us….
Grant a bit of an enigma….but to be fair he has been stuffed around,…
Should have made someone else skipper.
3 Dec 2009, 22:04 pm
@grant10: Even Watson did not manage to get a point on the board for Bath this last weekend!!
3 Dec 2009, 22:05 pm
@skopskiet: Schalk skipper, come back Jean!!
3 Dec 2009, 22:05 pm
Sleep time….
Outta here
Nite all…
3 Dec 2009, 22:07 pm
yeah I been watching Fdp vs Adams a long time. I’m almost convinced if it were Fdp feeding the backline that time Bulls played Reds to get through to S14 semi’s in 07 instead of Adams they wouldn’t have made it. Adams keeps the backline pumping all the time, always at the breakdown point and whipping it out at 90 miles an hour. Fdp slows it down to a steady 10, and thats if he’s having a good day, otherwise its look around- consider my options – look around again – have a chat to the ref- look around a third time – then either box kick or pop pass it to another lumbering prop who either fumbles or gets turned over on the deck, hardly ever goes to FH, and if it does then he does the dirty deed and kicks it up in the air.
3 Dec 2009, 22:08 pm
@carol:
London is a safe place – so they might do as body guards over there.
just joking – they are probably all big and brave.
When are u going to watch Luke playing at Bath?
3 Dec 2009, 22:11 pm
yeah time out – g’night
3 Dec 2009, 22:11 pm
@grant10: Water before bed Grant, you will thank me!!
3 Dec 2009, 22:19 pm
@Robzim: My Bath contact has just finnished with my mate so I have lost my Bath Pass and will have to convince someone else to come with me!
3 Dec 2009, 22:26 pm
@carol:
gawd!, the *******!, I hope your mate is OK though.
You have to make a plan to see the future Springbok captain in action. Maybe Grant and I must come over and take you along, we can even introduce you to the MAN.
Once you have met him Percy will only become a memory.
3 Dec 2009, 22:32 pm
“Gentle Noaksie, this I know
For your bible tells me so.
Beaten Boks to you belong,
They are weak when you are strong.”
3 Dec 2009, 22:48 pm
@Robzim: Nawhhhh, Luke is too hairy and arrogant for me!!
However would love to take you and Grant to Bath…..whilst you meet Luke I will find Butch!!
Percy will not be surpassed!
Mate has found another man!!
3 Dec 2009, 22:56 pm
@carol:
Hello Carol. I hope you are well. Lovely evening in CT. One day after full moon. It looks majestic in a calm sky.
How are all things rugby? Well, and music too…
3 Dec 2009, 23:04 pm
mmmm, just seen the pic’s of The Rattels eye. Looks very suspicious. The Boks supplied the evidence and asked the citing boys to check. The guy apparently spent a whole morning looking at the video and, as with Tony Woodcocks case, could not find the incriminating video shot. Very similar cases, except the green wa nkers have been found out to quite like double standards?? When found out, the best defence is to go on the offensive and whinge hey my green friends? and whinge and whinge and whinge.
3 Dec 2009, 23:13 pm
@carol:
Once you have met him you might fall for the charisma, strength of personality and intelligence. You will see.
Anyway,your mate seems to be a fast mover, good for her
Butch??. He is an over the hill shark – do not waste your time.
3 Dec 2009, 23:20 pm
@whatever:
What evidence? A photo of a person with a bruised eye socket does not mean that Jamie Heaslip’s hand was in Brussow’s eye.
The video recording is available for anyone to see. If there is nothing then there is nothing. Do not blame the Irish for that.
3 Dec 2009, 23:29 pm
@Robzim:
Mate, I’m having a ping at the Irish fans and the Irish RU for whinging at us for refering this to the citing official. What evidence did Woodcock have? A scratched face and his word? Same thing? If you believe something happenned, then send in the pic, state your case and wait to see if they can find the culprit. If not, as in both cases, then move on. However, the Irish (in general) have basically come out and said we have no right to refer stuff to the official without us having something on tape. Just asking for level playing fields boet! And boy have they been crying, crying when Burger stuffed up and crying when we refered this. They like a good cry!
3 Dec 2009, 23:30 pm
@Robzim:
Also, according to the “oficial word” we did not name Heaslip.
3 Dec 2009, 23:46 pm
@The Jinxta: Sorry to miss you Jinxie….as your rugby fades away we still have a whole winter of rugby ahead of us!! Then six Nations next spring!!
Not the same as Super 14 and Currie cup though!!
Need to find some new music….any suggestions?
Hope all is good in Cape Town now spring/summer is kicking in!
3 Dec 2009, 23:50 pm
@Robzim: Rob, Luke Watson is like Marmite…..you know the ad!!
Butch is a bit clapped out, but I like the ‘old’ ones!!
4 Dec 2009, 00:38 am
@carol:
Sorry, I was distracted, complicated times.
That ad was never used here – probably too “explicit” for the morals of the rainbow nation, can u believe it!!
The baby looks more like Fourie du Preez than Luke Watson if you must ask me.
Anyway, have a good night, see u around.
4 Dec 2009, 08:01 am
Cape Town on it, Cape Town on it
Cape Town on it, Cape Town on it
Come on and
Cape Town on it, Cape Town on it
Cape Town on it, Cape Town on it
4 Dec 2009, 08:13 am
hey grant and robzim , want a hankey? cry me a river boohoo
lads the sharks have real supporters , not dilly dally fly by nights, no broken hearts here
you stick to your problems and who ever scratches ur ***
trust me sharks will be just fine without ya
4 Dec 2009, 08:32 am
@sharks_lover:
Half empty stadiums for semi finals, real supporters ???
Ok, say it often enough you will belive it ,I suppose.
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