Title defence begins on north island
18 Dec 2009
The Springboks will be based in Wellington and the north shore for the group stages of the 2011 World Cup.
The New Zealand World Cup chief executive Mark Snedden announced the final venues for the tournament on Friday. John Smit’s charges will be in the Kiwi capital for 17 nights and on Auckland’s north shore for four. Unsurprisingly, they have not been based in Hamilton after Peter de Villiers less than complimentary remarks in the Tri-Nations.
Rugbyheaven.co.nz reports that 23 centres have been confirmed for the competition -16 on the north island and seven in the south. Aprat from the 13 venues already named (Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Wellington and Whangarei), Bay of Islands, Rodney, Tauranga/Mt Maunganui, Taupo, Gisborne, Wanganui, Masterton, Blenheim, Ashburton and Queenstown will also host at least one of the 20 teams.
47 training grounds will be utilised around the country. The Boks will train at either Onewa Domain (Takapuna RFC) or North Harbour Stadium whilst on the north shore, and Rugby League Park, Newtown Park, Porirua Park (Norths RFC), Hutt Recreation Ground (Hutt Old Boys RFC) when in Wellington.
135 Comments
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18 Dec 2009, 09:58 am
smit at 2 ….BJ,CJ,WP NEL 3 ….or all over rover
18 Dec 2009, 10:12 am
Im not as confident about this world cup as I was when the Boks were under White. I knew White would do the business. Im worried Devilliers hasnt got what it takes. The fact that the Boks were using lineout calls from 2007 and didnt expect Smal to see it is shocking testimont that we have a coaching problem in that squad and I am not knocking DeVilliers. I think his entire core of assistant coaches are not also not up to scratch. Too me the whole bunch of apples are rotten.
Anyone know what is happening to the Bok badge come world cup time?
18 Dec 2009, 10:12 am
He he, Grant this Smit issue are realy getting to you hey…
18 Dec 2009, 10:15 am
Aprat from the 13 venues already named….
Name calling is not very nice.
18 Dec 2009, 10:19 am
@Dantalian:
Ha ha, also picked it up…see how it will change soon without a mention…
18 Dec 2009, 10:23 am
@Blouste: Stank vir dank from the Keolites.
18 Dec 2009, 10:26 am
Definitely the two best places to be based for the tournament…
18 Dec 2009, 10:45 am
Geez, why Wellington for 17 days? it’s a sh.it hole. Just ask Tackler. More wind than PE. Shuld have based themselves on the Shore for the whole time. Would have felt at home big time
18 Dec 2009, 10:51 am
i must say i was not very confident going to the world cup in 2007, white after all was out of his depth, we were ranked 4th in the world, had not beaten New Zealand away in close to a decade, had been walloped 49-0 by australia not to mention losses against france and ireland.
i’m not trying to knock white, but peter has shown this year that springbok teams can whitewash that all blacks and play different brands of rugby. All he needs to do is cull coach john smit’s powers because john can get the gameplan wrong like he did against ireland. Come 2011!
18 Dec 2009, 10:51 am
@whatever:
Not sure when last you went to Wellington…
Peaceful and serene coastal city… yet bustling, modern and the food/wine scene and cafe lifestyle is right up there in the world stakes…
Suggest you take a wee look at any of their tourism sites…
I was fortunate enough to spend a 3 week ‘all expenses paid’ trip across the Tasman for their last food/wine festival…
18 Dec 2009, 10:52 am
@bryce_in_oz:
Using Tackler as a social barometer is pretty laughable… eh… I demand a retraction from you…lol!
18 Dec 2009, 10:52 am
Tackler can I stay with you in 2011 for about 6 weeks? I also need you to play tourguide a bit. I would also like to buy your ticket for the final as i dont think you will be needing it.
18 Dec 2009, 10:55 am
@Pearl Rose:
Bit of dose of ‘reality’ for you Pearly…
“The year-end tour – or perhaps “tours” with two different coaches and the 37 players plus enforcements only together for a single week out of five – was a rude awakening.
From the loss against a Leicester Tigers side who were without 12 of their regulars and another against an under strength Saracens, to the losses against France and Ireland in the Tests, it was a disaster.
And the tour was included in a year that in many aspects was one of the Boks’ worst yet and definitely not close to the best in Bok history.
From a 78% winning record after the Tri-Nations, De Villiers’ side slumped to a rather average 67% in Tests – and if the two midweek tour games are added, to 57%.
Their 2009 Test record was not as good as that of 2005 (eight wins and one draw from 12 games), 2004 (nine wins from 13 matches), 1998 (11 from 12) or 1995 (10 from 10).
The 2009 season also produced their fourth worst record of all time in overseas Tests, with only three wins from six games.
Strange replacement calls such as the (regular) cheapening of Test caps by giving players a run of 73 seconds at the end of a Test, and replacing a loosehead with a tighthead while there was a loosehead replacement on the bench, were indicative of poor planning and tactics.
They nearly lost the first Test against the Lions through silly replacement calls by coach De Villiers and ultimately won after a desperate last-second tackle by Morne Steyn on Ugo Monye.
The second was also won by Steyn with a last-gasp penalty from within his own half after the Lions, on top, were hamstrung by the enforced uncontested scrums.
The Springboks won the first two Tests 26-21 and 28-25.
In the third Test the Boks opted to make 10 changes. The Lions were forced to do the same due to injuries.
The changes in South Africa’s side gave the Boks the chance to show their depth against the Lions’ dirt trackers who were weakened by injury withdrawals before and during the tour.
The visiting side was the best they could put together, while the Boks could pick from their perceived player depth. The Lions won 28-9.
In the Tri-Nations, the Springboks were a cross-kick away from defeat against the All Blacks in Hamilton, and they were fortunate that they played the Kiwis without Dan Carter in the first two Tests.
Journalist and former Springbok communications manager Mark Keohane summed it up in the Business Day newspaper.
“The Boks lost to a half-decent French team, a Leicester team missing 12 of their regulars, a Saracens SA XV that would not end in the top six of the Currie Cup, made Italy look like Six Nations contenders and should have been put away by 20 points by Ireland, who in the last year have been the most consistent international team,” Keohane wrote.
“That the Boks were named international team of the year after taking a beating from the Irish was as close as it comes to an Irish joke, and it wasn’t a particularly funny one.
“Australia losing to Scotland gave some perspective to the Tri-Nations campaign. New Zealand’s changing of coaching roles and reversal to a more conservative approach, orchestrated by the world’s best flyhalf, Dan Carter, who incidentally did not play in the two defeats against the Boks in SA, adds more reality to the quality of the Tri-Nations win, and the All Blacks’ fitness in Marseilles ended any arguments that the Boks lost because they were simply too tired.
“The All Blacks, in club and provincial games, played as much rugby as the Boks and the Test sides have played even more matches this year than the Springboks.”
Keohane went on to add, “the best team in the world does not get smashed in Brisbane, Leicester, Wembley, Toulouse, Dublin, Johannesburg and sneak two three-point wins in Pretoria and Hamilton.
“The Boks are not as tired as we think and they are not as good as we think. But they could be the best if every agenda was put to one side and decisions were made that benefit the Boks and confront issues instead of blaming referees, fatigue and glorifying five-point losses.”
Positives of the season included the unearthing of Western Province centre Juan de Jongh, who did well on tour, and the way in which Heinrich Brussow and Morne Steyn slotted into their roles in their first international season, as well as the improvement in every game of fullback Zane Kirchner and the move back to hooker of John Smit.
Hopefully a lesson has been learnt about Smit’s major weaknesses in scrumming at tighthead.
“Your scrum strength is determined by your tighthead and John Smit is not an international tighthead. Can Div (De Villiers) really now still claim to have enough technical knowledge to coach a national side?” asks former Western Province prop Tank Lanning on the website sport24.co.za.
One of the negatives of the season was the lack of openness regarding the year-end team selection. “Window-dressing at its most crass,” Keohane calls it.
De Villiers is commendably building for after 2011.
But was Bandise Maku, only seven months younger than Adriaan Strauss, the answer? Strauss will turn 26 only after the 2011 World Cup – and once he had joined the team in Europe as a replacement, he was preferred to Maku in the Tests.
Why select the Bulls’ two reserve hookers while their number one, Derick Kun, stays at home? Why was Jean Deyzel overlooked and then, as a late tour replacement, preferred to Davon Raubenheimer and Ashley Johnson at Test level? No honest answers to these and other similarly relevant questions have been forthcoming.”
18 Dec 2009, 10:56 am
@bryce_in_oz:
Yeah, just fishing a bit mate. I go down on business about once a month. Great place when the weather is good. Can be very unpleasant when wet and windy, but so is Cape Town.
18 Dec 2009, 11:03 am
@whatever:
18 Dec 2009, 11:05 am
@bryce_in_oz:
Come on Bryce,most of the people here dont want to listen to the truth,settle down please
18 Dec 2009, 11:09 am
@bryce_in_oz:
Well said
@Pearl Rose:
Put that in your pipe and smoke it…
18 Dec 2009, 11:10 am
@bryce_in_oz: 13. bryce_in_oz..
Firstly.. Mark Keohane is not a journalist.. He does PR and is employed as a Goebels to Promote Rugby legacy and its racist roots…
Secondly… Mark Keohane never has honest answers
@whatever:
How are you… insignificant twat..lol
18 Dec 2009, 11:12 am
@bryce_in_oz: hello bryce, i like how there are gaps in your attempt to recall contemporary springbok success/failure. Can you be so kind as to give us the Springboks’ record against ireland from 2004 – 07? And ditto for France. What was the team’s win ratio by the end of 2006 and what were the causes/excuse i’m sure you have plenty?
How convinient that you quote mark keohane when it suits you, ha ha ha. Google the words “mediocrity truimphs – keo.co.za” look for the keo.co.za link and enjoy reading the result.
18 Dec 2009, 11:13 am
@Langenhoven:
Hey I’m good f. u k knuckle. You manage to get your inflated head off the pillow I see. Wake your boyfriend when you got up?
18 Dec 2009, 11:19 am
@Langenhoven:
Forgive me… I should have omitted the Keo quotes (too ‘busy’ sitting on this Aus Cash 200 SPI trade)… and just have included the cold-hard stats there-in…
18 Dec 2009, 11:20 am
@whatever: My boyfriend made the breakfast… my girlfriend needs a bit of a kick… she is still in bed… Need to call the wife and tell her I will be home shortly
My ego is naturally huge… not inflated though
18 Dec 2009, 11:23 am
@Pearl Rose:
Sorry mate… not a Keo ‘cut and paste’ that… but I couldn’t give the web source as I got tired of the constant ‘post in moderation’ shenanigans… and after all ( it might not seem so) but I’m diligently (cough) at work here in my home office at 8pm in Melbourne…
You want some stats… by all means go to ‘pick and go’… a great site for all your test needs…
18 Dec 2009, 11:23 am
@bryce_in_oz: The stats will also reveal that greatest underperformers in those losing teams/games were rugby players that you regard as heroes…Those much talked about senior players… They sabotaged PDV’s record. PDV should however take the blame for not listening to me. I told him to get rid of the trojans.. He did not
18 Dec 2009, 11:26 am
@Pearl Rose:
I think you will find your stats against France over the last 10 years has been ****,not positive though,hmmm maybe i should check myself
18 Dec 2009, 11:28 am
@Blouste: you’re here too…only in south africa does a coach get berated for his team winning with last gasp kicks, the blue bulls beat province in this years currie cup semi courtesy of a late penalty by morne steyn, the fact that they won the match is irrelevant everyone should focus on the fact that this bok laden team couldn’t score a try against a wp team filled with no-name brands. Frans Ludeke is a **** coach for being unable to coach the bulle to pulverise a province team devoid of superstars.
New Zealand’s win against Australia (a team that is rebuilding and is yet to mature) this year through a penalty that was awarded after daniel carter had kicked & his wings chased and turned over the ball, is really should never have been celebrated by the kiwis, why celebrate mediocrity? The all black with dan carter & richie mcCaw back should have annihilated the wallabies
Is that the kind of thinking you and bryce in Oz subbscribe to?
18 Dec 2009, 11:29 am
@Langenhoven:
Sounds like a good Thursday night previous eh?
18 Dec 2009, 11:34 am
@bryce_in_oz: 27. bryce_in_oz.. I am snowed in mate.. Huge snow storm last night.. So I might spend the day blogging and give the twats a roasting… Does the shoe fit??
18 Dec 2009, 11:35 am
Below are the stats for the last 8 years against France,not good reading for SA
Date Tourn Rnd Match Score
Fri, 13 Nov 2009 AI SAF v FRA 13-20
Sat, 24 Jun 2006 ST SAF v FRA 26-36
Sat, 26 Nov 2005 AI SAF v FRA 20-26
Sat, 25 Jun 2005 ST SAF v FRA 27-13
Sat, 18 Jun 2005 ST SAF v FRA 30-30
Sat, 09 Nov 2002 AI SAF v FRA 10-30
Sat, 10 Nov 2001 AI SAF v FRA 10-20
Sat, 23 Jun 2001 ST SAF v FRA 20-15
18 Dec 2009, 11:36 am
@Langenhoven:
When the Bok’s underperform under PDV it’s the senior players… when they (the same seniors) underperformed under JW… it was JW… ah well… who am I to argue…
@Pearl Rose:
Pearly… it’s one of those ‘catch22′ situations synonymous with sports (and more so their fans)… a one pt loss is a loss… a one pt win is a win… we as fans will berate the loss and celebrate the win…
Keep winning and “she’ll be right”…
18 Dec 2009, 11:40 am
@Pearl Rose:
Ummm this Australian team thats rebuilding and yet to mature beat the Boks this year,we didnt lose to the Ozzies at all in 4 games. Everyone celebrates a win,didnt you celebrate the mediocre game you played at the RWC against Fiji? What i recall a late try against the tide won the game for SA
18 Dec 2009, 11:43 am
yeah, and don’t let stats get in the way of common sense either.
just watch Div give a 2 minute press conference, the game is well and truely up then.
Unless Gold or Muir talks, then we have to look at stats because they spin lovely smelling bullshit.
18 Dec 2009, 11:43 am
@bryce_in_oz: According to Keo… Jake never underperformed… It was the politicians who made him lose… and they weren’t even on the field…He was supposedly forced to pick quota players like JP and Habana.. hence the his relatively dismal record
18 Dec 2009, 11:46 am
oh, and on the common sense bit.
just name 1 other coach in the world who would even consider earl rose as an international having seen what he has produced at s14 level?
18 Dec 2009, 11:49 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl: I watched all of the S14 coaches at press conference.. They sounded kak too.. Its tough when english is not your first language… BUt then again, you allow your prejudice to fkup your intelligence
18 Dec 2009, 11:49 am
@Langenhoven:
Yep have recently seen some friend’s London FB pics of the snow… impressive…
Only happened once in 6 yrs of central London for moi unfortunately…
Crank that heating mate…
I’m under the apple tree, in Melbourne (hoping it doesn’t rain), Crawford River Riesling in hand… and willing this trade to finish so I can head off to the boys at the local and knock-off for the year…
Good chatting…
@Langenhoven:
Come now Langes… we ALL know JPP, Frannie, Rickie and particularly Habs were JW favs and not forced upon him… Shimmy and Solly on the other hand and to a lesser degree Lawrie and Eddie (no malice to any of them)… were not…
But I’m off… good weekend to all you geezers…
Go Ntini and the boys!
18 Dec 2009, 11:49 am
quinton davids
shimage
tybilka
chavanga(but to be fair he did score 4 tries against uragauy)
luke watson
….all forced selection and political bench warmers
18 Dec 2009, 11:52 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl: According to the commentary here in England after the Sarries game… quite a few. But then your prejudice clouds your judgement
18 Dec 2009, 11:53 am
nope, I have no problem with coaches struggling in their 2nd language at a press conference.
i do have a problem with them talking complete bollocks though.
18 Dec 2009, 11:57 am
my prejudice clouds my judgement?
..more like yours clouding yours.
Rose has been found wanting time and again disguised by a decent CC game here and there when all the top Boks are away on senior duty.
….much like the sarries game really
18 Dec 2009, 11:59 am
@Hurricane:hi hurricane. My friend bryce in oz here went to town trying to negate wins against the b&i lions and branding them shams all because the team needed morne steyn to win the Test, no mention of ruan’s missed kicks that would’ve changed the complexion of the game. My question was to merely show the hypocrisy of his assertion! If it wasn’t for jpp’s try-saving-tackle against Tonga would we be talking about “world cup winning coach jake white”? I just don’t get why have selective amnesia on these things!
@bryce_in_oz: just to recap bryce…i said i was not confident going to the world cup in 07 and i gave reasons, you came through and said what you saod and quoted keo extensively, i then referred you to an article mark keohane wrote on the 4th of december in 2006 in business day, after reading that article can you reallyy say that mark keohane was absolutelty right about jake white, he should have been fired on the spot?!
Is mark keohane the john the baptist of rugby and everything he says we should swallow as gospel?
18 Dec 2009, 12:00 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl:
Hanyani Shimange had a lot of promise, he played excellently for the Cats in 2004. In 2006 he was the understudy at hooker to John Smit, and was a strong and mobile scrummaging hooker.
Yet the poor man played more than 30 Super 14 matches and 9 Tests all as reserve, despite being at that stage the official No. 2 hooker in the country (according to Jake White).
18 Dec 2009, 12:01 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl: 37. Brigadier Van Zyl… Chavanga scored 7tries( World record)… Luke Watson .. WP/stormers player of the year.. Tiyibilika.. Jakes choice to exclude Luke… but a briiliant player that was killed off by a dumb/failed coach(Loffie)
You should not be debating with me mate.. I am superhuman
18 Dec 2009, 12:02 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl:
By the way, Chavhanga scored six tries in that match against Uruguay.
18 Dec 2009, 12:05 pm
@Pearl Rose:
HI pearl
Fair comment mate
18 Dec 2009, 12:05 pm
@Langenhoven:
Langenhoven, it was six. It was not a world record – Marc Ellis from New Zealand scored six tries against Japan in 1995 – therefore he equalled the world record.
It is, however, still a South African record.
18 Dec 2009, 12:07 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl: 40. Brigadier Van Zyl… S14 caoches like Loffie did everthing to prevent Rose from competing at Fly Half.. Its the part of the strategy of seeking and destroying black talent.. It the way you and they were brought up… Where would you be without Apartheid twat. That white skin is very important to you..innit
18 Dec 2009, 12:08 pm
all average players at best.
only Watson has been able to secure good financial employment abroad.
the only really dumb thing Eloff has done has been giving Rose game after game to get it right and now name Bolla Conradie as Captain of Boland and the man to lead them out of the kak.
18 Dec 2009, 12:11 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl:
Luke Watson was exceptional in 2006 – SA Super 14 player of the year, and almost the Players’ Player of the Year (and there was much controversy over the voting on that one!) – and numerous overseas commentators were remarking on how it was ludicrous that he was not picked in the Springbok squad then.
I will agree that the way he was included later – the infamous “No 46″ fiasco – was an absolute shambles.
18 Dec 2009, 12:11 pm
@WP Till I Die: There was huge confusion at the end of that game as to whether it was six or seven.. but it interesting that the game is not talked about much even though it was record in terms of the scoreline too… Too many black players in that team…??
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