Tri-Nations latest (Mon)
19 Jul 2010
Keo.co.za brings you the news from the Tri-Nations.
PdV: Aussie technically better than Blacks
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers believes Australia are technically superior to New Zealand.
This after the Springboks lost back to back matches against the All Blacks.
‘Australia are technically better than the rest of the world in all sporting codes. It doesn’t matter whether it is athletics, swimming, or rugby,’ he said. ‘They will pick up the little things and really work on it.
‘We are battered and bruised a bit. They [Australia] didn’t play for four weeks and it perhaps balances each other out nicely. They will obviously be much fresher and also draw some energy that we haven’t won a game yet on tour. I think it will be difficult to contain them when we take the field on Saturday.’
Bekker out of Aussie clash
A back injury has ruled Andries Bekker out of the Boks’ Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
Bekker suffered the injury in the closing stages of the Boks’ 31-17 loss at the hands of New Zealand. Flip van der Merwe, who was called up to the squad last week, is likely to sit on the bench due to Bekker’s absence.
‘It is a setback but we will have to deal with it,’ said coach Peter de Villiers. ‘That is part of the game. We have to rely on the strength within our squad for the Test. It is a blow for Andries too as he was just coming back from a previous injury.’
Ranger axed
Rene Ranger has been dropped from New Zealand’s squad to face Australia.
Ranger debuted on the wing for the All Blacks against the Springboks on Saturday, but has duly been cut for their squad for the 31 July Test in light of Joe Rokocoko’s return from injury. There is also no place for loose forward Liam Messam, with Victor Vito preferred.
Scrumhalf Alby Mathewson earns a call up as cover for Piri Weepu, who is nursing an injury.
Forwards - John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Victor Vito, Samuel Whitelock, Tony Woodcock.
Backs - Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson.
This thread will be updated throughout the day.
74 Comments
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19 Jul 2010, 08:44 am
3 zip
then check the heat
smit….walk now!
19 Jul 2010, 08:47 am
smit…..retire
spies….impact player
januarie….bench
matfield….rest
MS….bench
WO…..bench
Habana…..very,very thin ice….
In
Butch
Aplon
Bekker
Dewald potgieter
juan de jongh
Chilliboy
And please lets sort the mess with Frans Steyn….asseblief Coach…..asseblief….
19 Jul 2010, 08:49 am
@grant10(grant10)-1:
Agree with you!
He should take a few other passengers with him too. Some just don’t have the passion anymore. Bring in the youngsters who want to wear the jersey with pride.
19 Jul 2010, 08:56 am
@grant10(grant10)-2: wait a sec… smit can’t retire because we lost to NZ twice in NZ. even if his form has been off.
boks don’t need any knee-jerk reactions right now. we just need to tweak the team and game plan.
WO – back to currie cup
JdV and JdY – in at 12 (and cover)
Aplon – start
Frans Steyn – back and start
that will do the trick!
19 Jul 2010, 08:56 am
*JdY=JdJ
19 Jul 2010, 08:58 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-3: fat cats gravy trainers…..no hunger….full of excuses and bloody hot air….
A loss is okay….as long as we go down with pride and giving it all
I doubt some so called senior boks can look in the bloody mirrow…..lazy, fat, and pompous prima donna wallys….
I am more then pi ssed off with the Fat Boys Club.
19 Jul 2010, 08:58 am
maybe we need a big young impact player to come off the bench like jean deysel or duanne vermeulen. someone big and fast to throw their weight around.
19 Jul 2010, 09:10 am
@bobbyboyshey(bobbyboyshey)-4: Bobby
I find it amazing that the other boks must be dropped….but the worst performer….and most out of shape…..and most bloody useless …being Plod….is somehow bullet proof and allowed poor performance after poor performance….come on mate!
Plod is supposed to be the spiritual leader ….the man looked up to….he is a bloody out of shape, fat , gravy training passenger!
Stop making excuses for him….knee jerk???
Hell….he should of been out a year ago!
19 Jul 2010, 09:20 am
@grant10(grant10)-8: he is looking a little heavy and a touch lazy around the park… but to yank your springbok captain out of the squad when he is on 98 test caps in the middle of a tournament is the kind of thing that would have happened during harry viljoen’s era.
look. if he hasn’t sorted his form out by the end of the trinations then i think the bok management team need to address his succession as a player and captain. but he has earned the right to play his way back in to form in this tournament.
who would be your captain? matfield? schalk?
who would be your 1 and 2 hooker? tiaan? gary b? bismark 2plus3?
19 Jul 2010, 09:36 am
january is costing us big time …. must be the k@kkest nr9 in bok history. Zane also on Bok material. bring back jake white
19 Jul 2010, 09:38 am
@grant10(grant10)-2: I agree, Smit has been way below par, the problem is, there is only one oak better than him, pump by die dam pump, pump, pump.
19 Jul 2010, 09:38 am
Guys , dont worry. The boks are on course for 2011.
Remember 2006 ?
The Ab’s team are the absolutely best they have, the BOKS they have plenty to come back.
Like Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, FDP , Juan Smith , Bakkies, Bismarck , all ysters in their positions.
The Boks will come back , they have BMT , and BMT for the important games.
What needs to be done is using other guys against the Ozzies, like Kanko, Ruan , Gio , Juan de Jongh , Andries ect ect.
The biggest disappointment for me is Pierre Spies, donner but he is a passenger, Matfield and Burger are the only 2 who gives everything at the moment
19 Jul 2010, 09:44 am
@coma(coma)-11: that is the worst ad in the world. hideous.
what about tiaan liebenberg?
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-10: sorry ja. forgot to mention that. he has surely played his last game fro the green and gold. bring on ruan and hougaard!
19 Jul 2010, 09:46 am
Saw on Supersport that Andries Bekker is out with a back injury.
19 Jul 2010, 09:47 am
This from Peter Bills today. Have to say, whoever booked the Boks travel arrangements needs to be shot – why, for starters, did they arrive in NZ only 6days prior to Eden Park Test when they could have landed atleast 10days prior thereby allowing themselves better preparation ?
“Ambushed in Auckland, walloped in Wellington … What next for the weary Springboks as they prepare for another tough test, this time against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday?
What’s more, the exhausted, battered South Africans must have thought their own union was against them as they suffered a nightmare travel schedule across the Tasman Sea early yesterday.
Saru had booked the players on a flight out of Wellington departing at the ungodly hour of 6am. That meant a 4am start at the team hotel, yet they did not get back to their Wellington city centre hotel until after midnight following their defeat for the second successive week by the All Blacks.
So early was the South Africans’ flight they arrived in Brisbane by 8.15am.
Lifting themselves from the mental setbacks and physical hammering for Saturday’s test – against an Australian side as fresh as a daisy – is going to be an enormous task for John Smit’s men. It is no exaggeration to say the wheels are close to coming off this Springbok outfit early in the 2010 Tri-Nations series.”.
19 Jul 2010, 10:01 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-15:
Oh well, I have calmed down today. Not SOOO bad!!
It is a AWEFUL feeling to lose. Is it the same for you guys? Is this what it felt like last year for you guys?
19 Jul 2010, 10:10 am
@grant10(grant10)-8: good morning grant
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-15: yes, the wheels are coming off like in 2006, remember black panda, the springboks entered the world cup ’07 ranked no.4, while the mighty all blacks were the favourites to sweep all and sundry having entered the comp @ no.1…
I say pdv must loosen all the nuts & forge ahead, there’s no reason we should peak too early
19 Jul 2010, 10:20 am
@The Analyst(The Analyst)-16:
I do remember coming on here and trying to be gracious in defeat. I thought the Boks were magnificent and said so. And I never blamed the ref for the result. After each of the 3 defeats.
Oh, good morning Transformation, I didnt see you there.
19 Jul 2010, 10:23 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-18: hey my learned & fair friend
19 Jul 2010, 10:26 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-19:
Yet another attempt at faux-friendliness. And to think I took it as genuine before.
19 Jul 2010, 10:30 am
@The Analyst(The Analyst)-16:
Talking of ‘calming down’, I did note one absolute doozey here yesterday and I apologise for boring others by cut’n'pasting it here:-
750. THE ANALYST(THE ANALYST) :
July 18th, 2010 at 6:12 am
@lapoftherugbygods(lapoftherugbygods)-748:
BUT, as much as the kiwis are chest beating etc. etc. you must admit that it is difficult to play the way you want to with 14 men at the most important time of the match.
Having watched the replay again this morning, I am looking for at least one self respecting kiwi to admit that Danie Rousouw’s sending off was legitimate???
to which I replied:-
753. BLACK PANTHER(BLACK PANTHER) :
July 18th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
@The Analyst(The Analyst)-750:
Anal’ist.
“Having watched the replay again this morning, I am looking for at least one self respecting kiwi to admit that Danie Rousouw’s sending off was legitimate???”.
Oh, how about make your way back to no58, which would be about 700 entries ago on this very thread.
Actually, I havent seen “1 self-respecting Kiwi” who has NOT said it was a BS-YC. Why dont you find me one to back up your theory. Theres a good boy, run along now.”.
So, Anal’ist, did you see that or just simply choose to ignore it ? Did you find one ?
19 Jul 2010, 10:30 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-17: I think Black Panther was remarking about the travel arrangements, not suggesting that the Springboks are falling apart and their World Cup challenge of over.
“Have to say, whoever booked the Boks travel arrangements needs to be shot – why, for starters, did they arrive in NZ only 6days prior to Eden Park Test when they could have landed atleast 10days prior thereby allowing themselves better preparation ?”
Even the author Bills, is saying their trinations challenge is falling apart. Read what is in front of you, don’t leap frog to conclusions. Last year the All Blacks lost to the Boks, and Saffas were arrogant enough then to make comments about the all blacks must not dare play the boks until they improve as the boks cannot play rugby against them being so poor and pathetic.
More nasty things were said about psychological blows that were going to be dealt to the all blacks by the boks this year to crush them mentaly before the world cup!
Saffa’s need to check their fragile ego’s at comments made by NZlanders. You all were very groot bek last year and at the beginning of this season’s S14 and trinations. Sluk. And Eat the humble pie. You dished it out, now vreet it!
19 Jul 2010, 10:35 am
congratulations to the All Blacks… by far the superior team on the field…
Black Panther, Poppa, Cane and company… enjoy the wins… you guys must be really proud how the ABs have come back from last year… impressive stuff…
as far as we go…
the time has come, within the Bok camp, for some serious soul-searching, deep introspective honesty and analysis to identify… and more importantly… acknowledge where things are going wrong and then having the courage to address the problems without sentiment for the best benefit of the Springboks…
a lot of these guys will say they will “do anything” for the Boks jersey… that should include stepping aside and handing it to someone else when you’re not doing the job adequately… anyone who can’t do that is not being honest when they say they will do anything for the jersey…
they all also say it’s not about the individual, it’s about the Springbok… so again… if they’re not just blah-blahing… they should be prepared to step aside because they all know they have not been good enough… and did not give the turn-around performance they promised…
19 Jul 2010, 10:36 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-22:
H A L L E L U J A H !
19 Jul 2010, 10:37 am
quotas & WO costing boks big time … send january to zimbabwe
19 Jul 2010, 10:41 am
@ufo(ufo)-23:
Cheers, you da man.
I apologise to gentlemen like yourself, only, for any OTT reactions to ‘blame it on the ref’ excuses and instead, like yourself, who see it for what it is.
Besides, I said BEFORE Wellington that I thought Rolland “is a hometown ref” – not exactly self-serving was it. I also thought the YC to Roussow was complete BS and said so on the match thread as soon as it happened. I hate refs who dish out cards like that, it belittles the sport, no less.
19 Jul 2010, 10:43 am
@haaibok(haaibok)-12: Graham Henry rates the ABs at only 75% ready so far…
They have plenty more in the tank. Lots of exciting, world-class up-and-coming talent to carry the baton with fresh legs.
The Boks have peaked. Their “super-experienced” veterans are already too old and slow and are being relentlessly overtaken by younger, hungrier opponents, and so the Smits, the Matfields, the Habanas, the Jean DV’s — they’re going to be MILES off the pace come RWC2011 on NZ soil.
Peter de Villiers is in BIG BIG trouble. He peaked in 2009 — two years out and midway between World Cups.
At this rate of decline, the ancient Boks might not even make it past pool play. Just look at the two huge wipe-outs in a row they’ve had on NZ soil…
I
19 Jul 2010, 10:51 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-24: You’re welcome. Fair is fair after all.
19 Jul 2010, 10:51 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-26:
no need to apologise BP… it’s all down to passion and huge disappointment… guys are hurting and i understand that…
what i do wish though… is that saffas would be more understanding of, and less arrogant towards, AB supporters when (and if) they lose to the Boks…
but i actually don’t blame the ref at all… after such a big incident in the previous match… i’d have thought all the Boks would be on ‘best behaviour’ in this one… play it hard as possible… but within the law…
i’m a big fan on Danie… but **** man he was just farking stupid to do that… so was JdV stupid for his spear tackle… he IS more itelligent than that…
sure, they both may not have been the most ‘convincing’ fouls… but i said after Bakkies’ Headbutt brainf@rt that the worst thing about it is that it makes refs look more closely at the Boks because they expect the boks to foul… as Smit said… we’ve worked hard to overcome our thugby reputation… and are just throwing our hard-earned good reputation down the toilet…
yeah… lots of honest introspection called for now…
19 Jul 2010, 10:58 am
Ranger should’ve been cited
19 Jul 2010, 11:16 am
@ufo(ufo)-29:
Nah, that YC to Roussow was complete BS – I like to see a bit of argy-bargy because it reminds us that the jersey still means something to the players in the pro era. The problems will strt when they dont care.
But I do agree with you that discipline SHOULD have been highest on the agenda and it would appear to be no coincidence that McCaw was targetted and early to unsettle the ABs thru their Captain. Same thing happened with Heaslip in the earlier International in June, slipping a knee to McCaws head. Dumb.
So I sympathise with the profound look of bemusement on Roussows face, it was a BS call albeit one who welcomed upon himself.
19 Jul 2010, 11:20 am
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-30:
Marginal.
How about Kirchner, aka Sideshow Bob ?
If I was the ref in Wellington:-
1. Roussow an immediate ‘Final Warning’ and penalty.
2. McCaw – 1 Final Warning only. If 1 more professional foul, he gets the YC.
3. Ranger – Final Warning and penalty.
4. Kirchner – straight YC. It was very high, quite intentional, and saved a try.
19 Jul 2010, 11:24 am
McCheat was given 3 final warnings
19 Jul 2010, 11:33 am
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-33:
Then no problem whatsoever – YC.
19 Jul 2010, 11:33 am
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-33:
Wrong. I counted 2 plus he was given a team warning,but hey you story sounds better
19 Jul 2010, 11:33 am
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-33:
actually, it was only 2. But 1 should be enough – YC
How about Kirchner ?
19 Jul 2010, 11:43 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-20: why are you sulking now? If someone disagrees with you, they’re an enemy? Toughen up sonny!
19 Jul 2010, 11:51 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-37:
No. Im not sulking. Im happy. My team of no hopers just clocked their 2nd BP-win over their greatest rival. What makes me happier is that they appear to only be at the very start of their improvement curve with some hot new talent merging seamlessly in with wise old heads. Why wouldnt I be happy ?
But I am calling YOU a ‘poor loser’.
19 Jul 2010, 11:55 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-22: i certainly did read what was in front of me and commented accordingly. If it is not to your satisfaction i humbly apologise.
19 Jul 2010, 11:57 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-22: 2ndly, if you can recall any of those nasty things that I had said about the all blacks last year, feel free to remind me…
19 Jul 2010, 12:03 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-38: how am i a poor loser? Have i said the all blacks don’t deserve their victory?
19 Jul 2010, 12:11 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-41:
Frankly, I cant be bothered with you any more. Not sure what or when things went wrong, Transformation. You seemed fine and reasonable……when your teams were winning and my teams were losing. The duplicity and bitterness crept in since Eden Park.
Does ‘fair weather’ mean anything to you ?
19 Jul 2010, 12:32 pm
@haaibok(haaibok)-12: What? Ali Williams, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui.
More to the point, those players you name, against the existing players who have not fronted up – how do you know they wouldnt have fronted up too?
Its your strategy, its broken
19 Jul 2010, 12:40 pm
First I want to congratulate the All Blacks on the brand of rugby they are playing. I had a friend at varsity that supported the AB’s exactly for that reason. He took a lot of flak for that, but I am starting to understand why a Saffa would support the AB’s.
Imagine 2 sides playing the Bok brand of rugby. Pass to 1st channel, set it up. Get murdered by AB’s at contact point. Do the same thing 3 more times. Same result. Then kick up and under. Win the ball back 1 out of 10 times. Just to crash it up again. Boring, boring and ineffective.
We got lulled into a false sense of superiority last year with that gameplan because the AB’s were ****. They lost all their lineouts with 6th choice locks, tried to run it from impossible positions etc.
The AB’s still played the better brand of rugby last yr but it was not effective. There is no future in the way the BOks play. The Boks will probably win 6/10 against the AB’s in SA with that style, but it will all be close games.
Boks will be lucky to win 1/10 in NZ and will get clapped by 20 points in NZ.
When I was a youngster I watched the Boks played Eng at Ellispark in 1984, Gerber scored 3 tries, lovely attacking rugby. Yes, I know the laws changed, but there is no joy in watching rugby played the way the Boks are playing currently. Are the youngsters proud of the Boks, are there heroes??
As a neutral, I would far rather watch the AB’s (and even the Aussies) and that includes last year. Rugby should be entertaining.
So, hats off to the AB’s playing the game like it should be played and without compromising on being ruthless in the tackle and rucks.
I know Spies would love to play open rugby, but he should be doing the hard work first. He is s”hit scared, falling off more than 80% tackles, avoiding contact etc. Should not wear a Bok jersey. Give me Schalk and Juan Smith anyday.
Stop blaming the refs and quotas (yes, it irritates me too), but there are far deeper problems in SA rugby.
My advice is: Start building a culture of exciting rugby at the Boks that will filter throught to the youth. Question should be asked: should SA youngsters aspire to play rugby like the Boks or the AB’s?
Well, if I was a school coach I would show AB videos to my players.
We need players with a bit of grunt up front eg Bismarck, Juan Smith and even Potgieter. I also would replace Vic. He does nothing but putting in a few tackles. Does not hit anyone back in the tackle, just ride the tackle. Does not do any hard work, just run around and direct defenders like a cop.
Team for Sat:
1 Steenkamp
2 Smit (as no-one else there)
3 BJ
4 Danie
5 Vic (shouold have been Bekker
6 Schalk
7 Louw (replaced by Juan in SA)
8 Potties
9 Pienaar
10 Morne (close call with Butch
11 Habana (Hougaard would be a good call)
12 De Jongh (JdV if available)
13 Jaque
14 Aplon
15 Kirschner
19 Jul 2010, 12:42 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-42: i’m not interested in you bothering about me, i’m not here to seek your approval as a fair saffa or any such nonsense. As long as you comment on this blog i will take you on robustly on any rugby-related issue. Otherwise you can namecall to your heart’s content
19 Jul 2010, 12:44 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-40: You watch matches with me!
Shouting at the TV no less. The blog is no place for what get’s shouted at the tv in the heat of a match!
19 Jul 2010, 12:46 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-40: 2ndly! You may not have made the negative comments that were bandied about, BUT your little check you in the World Cup comment earlier, is exactly what the people that make those comment’s would say, and beneath you!
19 Jul 2010, 12:50 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-45: Fair enough, but do not pretend not to be biased in your view then.
19 Jul 2010, 12:59 pm
That Ranger is a bit of alright.
19 Jul 2010, 13:05 pm
Transformation is one of the Big 5 on the blog.
IDIOTS
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