Potent Pocock must be stopped
24 Aug 2010
RYAN VREDE writes that neutralising David Pocock will be crucial if the Springboks hope to rectify their attacking failings.
The Wallabies’ openside flank was an irrepressible force when the sides met in Brisbane, forcing four turnovers and regularly slowing the ruck recycle. Consequently the Springboks were often forced to scramble in defence, and, more tellingly, their attack seldom built the momentum to pose a threat.
Pocock’s excellence on the ground has been identified by the Springbok coaching staff as a primary threat, and head coach Peter de Villiers on Monday told the media that they had formulated a plan to blunt the scavenger. That rhetoric mimicked what was said about All Blacks fetcher Richie McCaw prior to the Soweto Test, yet that ‘plan’ wasn’t discernible, as McCaw continued to disrupt the Springboks at the breakdown.
The only plan that will prove consistently effective is breaching the advantage line consistently, something the Springboks have struggled to do. They showed promise in this regard in the first half at Soccer City, and consequently looked exponentially more dangerous than they had in any of their three previous matches.
Certainly the return of the hard running blindside flank Juan Smith aided their cause immeasurably. Smith, however, is an injury concern and if he fails to recover in time the Springboks will lose a potent attacking force. Schalk Burger has been the lone stand-out. Pierre Spies, so good in this regard for the Bulls during the Super 14, has been anonymous, as have John Smit and Danie Rossouw. With those players at their best the Springboks usually fire on attack. In their current form the effects are patent.
The Springboks managed two tries in the sides’ previous encounter, but those came in the final quarter with Australia having all but sealed the result. They had consistently failed to penetrate the Wallabies’ defensive line prior to that, and this offered Pocock regular opportunities to attack the tackled player. The effectiveness or folly of De Villiers’ ‘plan’ will be revealed at Loftus on Saturday.
Their primary carriers need to front at the collisions because to date they have been largely responsible for the attacking impotency of the back division. The Springboks showed an inclination to move the ball in Soweto, but their enterprise was often undermined by the lack of an attacking platform. Ball carriers were often isolated and McCaw thrived. Pocock cannot be allowed the same opportunities.
The Springboks’ backline is laden with game breakers, but the cause and effect nature of rugby means they pose the threat of a pop-gun if the heavies aren’t establishing a platform by getting across the gain line, and in doing so significantly reducing Pocock’s potency.
Along with a sustained defensive effort, this must be a primary focal point if the Springboks hope to snap a four-match losing streak.
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101 Comments
24 Aug 2010, 09:53 am
He’s good, that Zimbabwean.
24 Aug 2010, 09:55 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-1:
Shudddup you stupid ****
24 Aug 2010, 10:03 am
should get some zanu-pf vets on the sideline to distract him
24 Aug 2010, 10:03 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-1: He is good, and still so young! He has the potential to be a better player than McCaw as he has already started to develop his running game, something which McCaw has only done towards the end of his career. Depends on injuries, and his development of course. No-one is having a go at Deans anymore for letting George Smith retire.
Shame Louw has not been very effective in the Tri-Nations – he was really poor when he came onto the field on Saturday – he needs to choose when to attack the ball at the ruck rather than trying to steal every ball. He is also not very good when the defensive line isn’t as robust as the Stormers’ line was in the Super 14. He isn’t really a traditional fetcher.
24 Aug 2010, 10:09 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-4: Louw was on the field? Really?
Oh right, he gave away a penalty the minute he came on…I remember now….where’s Grant now?
24 Aug 2010, 10:12 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-5: I think it might even have been two, but I may be mistaken.
24 Aug 2010, 10:24 am
im not sure if Pocock will be effective, if Juan and Burger can repeat their performance from the weekend where they virtually shut down Kaino, Read and Mccaw with good aggressive clean outs and hard tackling boks will fine. hopefully Spies can somehow step his game up.
GO Boks!
24 Aug 2010, 10:28 am
Rucks hit (1st 3 arriving):
Eden Park: Schalk 19 Ritchie 42
Wellington: Schalk 20 Ritchie 52
Brisbane: Schalk 29 Pocock 53
Soccer city: Schalk 23 Ritchie 46
Now I know we had less possession on the whole, but if you look at defensive rucks alone, Schalkie was outplayed in each game too!! That’s terrible. Great player, not a 6.
24 Aug 2010, 10:31 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-7: If they can repeat that, we’ll klap them. But I’d feel better with:
Louw
Smith
Burger
Spies comin on in last 20.
Or, I never thought I’d say it, but:
Burger
Smith
Potgieter
It really should be Vermuelen though.
24 Aug 2010, 10:36 am
Our problem is balance. Whilst Smith’s return was great and he kept McCaw under wraps, he doesn’t really get to the breakdown quickly. With Schalk at 6, who also isn’t really a specialist you can’t afford Inspector Gadget, the Tin Man Bully at 8. Spies needs to be on the bench. He’s only really effective in the last 20 anyway.
24 Aug 2010, 10:39 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-7:
The effort by the Bok’s on Saturday was outstanding.
The occassion, on so many levels, inspired the Bok’s more than any other time during this years 3N.
Yes, the Wallabies can be beaten, after all history says they are average when in SA. But they are not the AB’s. But this “occassion” isn’t anything close to the same as last saturday.
I wonder whether these particular Bok players are truly capable of lifting themselves again, when all they are really playing for is pride?
Still, we are only talking about the Wallabies circa 2010 I guess, so who knows!
24 Aug 2010, 10:44 am
@Brads(Brads)-11: I believe we will thump them.
24 Aug 2010, 10:50 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-9: In your previous post you admit Schalk is not a 6, yet you pick him there in this post?
24 Aug 2010, 10:58 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-9:
i agree Vermuelen should be given a run he has the physical presence required and he get involved alot but maybe that might be overkill with Burger + Juan on at the same time
maybe start with
louw
Smith
Vermulen then burger on with 20 minutes to go
@Brads(Brads)-11:
“I wonder whether these particular Bok players are truly capable of lifting themselves again, when all they are really playing for is pride?”
a few thing that might kick them into gear
Matfield’s 100th,
Hopefully the Loftus faithfull will fill up the stadium
I like the way Burger picked up his game after Juan led the way just hope it will rub off on the rest
24 Aug 2010, 10:58 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-7: really, mcCaw and them were ‘shutdown’? I’m interested in your definition of ‘shutdown’ i think i read somewhere that mcCaw hit more rucks than schalla & made more carries and line breaks. So how was mcCaw shutdown?
24 Aug 2010, 11:00 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-14: Burger was busy, but did not accomplish a lot.
The story of his life at 6, really.
He is a fantastic player, but not a 6.
24 Aug 2010, 11:03 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-8:
wow those stats are amazing looks like schalk wasnt even on the field in wellington but then again schalk isnt a true fetcher
will be interesting to see a similar stat when brussow is back
24 Aug 2010, 11:06 am
KEO is there any chance you can set up a meeting with the SA coaching staff so that we can explain to them the importance of a fetcher, while they defend there ignorance in this regard. While you at it can you invite Jake White as well.
24 Aug 2010, 11:10 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-17: Brussow won’t be the man he was with two surgeries’ worth of scar tissue caked up in his knee.
24 Aug 2010, 11:11 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-8: Exactly, great test player but not a 6. Ive been saying for years he should move to 8, has all the attributes. I think Rassie missed a big opportunity when he played Watson at 8 and Schalk at 6 for the Stormers, should have been the other way round.
24 Aug 2010, 11:11 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-7: They did not shut down the AB loose trio.
Counterrucking is not effective enough at slowing opposition ball.
24 Aug 2010, 11:12 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-15:
he didnt dominate as much as he usually does
im not sure about the line breaks but:
when he was carrying the ball how many meters did he make?
when he hit the ruck how many effective cleanouts and how many steals ?
its easy to say he hit more rucks and carried the ball more but how effective was he? why was Schalk awarded MOM?
apart from the one steal i saw Kaino was relatively quiet and what else did Read do besides the 2 penalties he gave away?
24 Aug 2010, 11:13 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-20: I have also said it for years, but will PDV cross the Rubicon and play Burger at 8?
24 Aug 2010, 11:14 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-19:
yeh i thought the same of dan carter with his achilles op but he proved me wrong hopefully brussow will do the same for you
24 Aug 2010, 11:16 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-19:
You hope.
24 Aug 2010, 11:17 am
Zimbabwe certainly produced great loose forwards who also showed great leadership qualities. I am thinking of Gary Teichman, Bobby Skinstad and David (Biceps) Pocock.
I wont be surprised if Pocock becomes the next Wallaby captain – it will probably be either him or Genia.
24 Aug 2010, 11:19 am
@willievz(willievz)-23: In our dreams. Spies is definitely helping us out in this regard though. The only thing I remember him doing in the game was giving away that stupid penalty at the ruck. If hes not going to play Schalk at 8 at least give us a decent 8 that actually does something on the field
24 Aug 2010, 11:20 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-22: “why was Schalk awarded MOM?”
He played pretty well, but really the MOM was a consolation booby prize.
24 Aug 2010, 11:23 am
Bam-bam is playing some awesome rugby. We paid the price against the All Blacks for not picking a fetcher.
Ja Burger plays to the ball but he’s not a fetcher.
Ja Juan plays to the ball but he’s not a fetcher.
Spies is never going to be a fetcher…not his game.
We need to slow their ball down… otherwise the same thing is going to happen again. They’re gonna hit us on the counter after turning over our ball.
24 Aug 2010, 11:23 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-27: agreed.
24 Aug 2010, 11:24 am
One word……….Burger
24 Aug 2010, 11:24 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-8: You must consider that Schalk is doing his own job as well as half of Spies’ job. He very often does not commit to the ruck because he covers at the back where Spies is supposed to be and he marks the opposition’s crash ball players. McCaw’s primary role in the team is to hit ruck and slow down ball because he is afforded this luxury by a classic no 8 who does what he is supposed to do.
@Transformation(Transformation)-15: McCaw’s effect on the game was minimized because they were tackled backwards by Schalk and Juan. The rucks that he joined were mostly as a defender to prevent the Boks from driving through the middle. It looks great on the stats page, but it does not have such a great impact on the game. That is why I hate stats
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-20: Agree, seeing that he is doing most of Spies’ work anyway. I would love to see the Boks playing Juan, Potgieter and Schalk. An interim measure until Brussouw/Stegmann are fit to play. Bismarck at hooker will add an extra dimension to our ground play
24 Aug 2010, 11:32 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-32: How do they watch the game afterwards with Spies and not say “Sorry mate, pack your bags, enough is enough”?
You right Schalk is covering for him ALL the time. This so called plan they had to try not play a fetcher only lasted 70 min, in the Highveld! Imagine trying it again in NZ and seeing how long it lasts
24 Aug 2010, 11:33 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-27: I watched Spies when I watched the game a second time. He is **** scared of making contact. He makes contact with his hands first every time – there was one instance when he was waiting for one the NZ ball carriers to run into him. He put his hands out first and while he did that, Schalk and Juan came past him and hit the living **** out of the ball carrier. I mean, that is disgusting, to say the least. And, it has nothing to do with fatique – just a mindset that is very difficult to alter.
24 Aug 2010, 11:36 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-22: i have no idea why schalk was made mom, i wouldn’t have picked him…juan was for me mom candidate or richie!
24 Aug 2010, 11:36 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-32: Agreed with Schalk doing Spies’ work, which is reflected in the breakdown stats.
24 Aug 2010, 11:43 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-33: I think the plan not to play a fetcher is compounded by the absence of a quality fetcher while Brussouw is injured. I am not convinced that Stegmann – who is injured as well – can make the step up. Louw is not a genuine fetcher and looked a little out of his depth at test level – it pains me to say it because I was really believing that he is a class act.
I really like the look of Keegan Daniel, but I know that all the size fanatics will have a field day if I suggested it. I just think he brings so much more to the game with his vision, good hands and pace.
We can get away not playing a fetcher if our forwards get stuck in like they did on Saturday, but in order to sustain it, we need the right forwards. There is no place for Spies and Smit. They must be replaced by Potgieter and Bismarck.
24 Aug 2010, 11:44 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-34: Almost impossible to alter. He’s not a test match player and never has been. Nice guy off the field, terrible on it.
24 Aug 2010, 11:46 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-35: Yes, I agree with you. I said after the game that it would be between the two 7′s and I thought McCaw deserved it because he had a greater impact on the game.
However, having watched the game again, I still think Schalk was a worthy recipient of the trophy, if not the most deserving. At least it was not given to Spies or Smit
24 Aug 2010, 11:53 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-37: We really do struggle in the “Genuine fetcher” department. Stegman really needs to improve but would have been interesting to see how he would have fared had he not been injured. Sorry I dont see Flo as a fetcher, more of a semi fetcher like Schalk.
The next best to Brussow is actually Watson but this is a team sport so I wouldnt mess up the current culture by bringing him back. I thought Kabamba Floors was never given a fair chance when he was playing a brilliant fetcher role a few years back. Remember the Currie Cup final where he made Spies look stupid. Unfortunately Jake also didnt believe in playing a fetcher at the time for some reason.
I dont see Keegan as a fetcher but def a real class player and seems to have bulked up a bit. Could make a great no. 8
The more I think of the Spies issue the more frustrated I get. Anyone of Keegan, Vermeulen, Potgieter, Kanko, Alberts etc etc would do a far better job
24 Aug 2010, 11:55 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-40: And of course Schalk
24 Aug 2010, 11:56 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-39: spies? Yessus! That would’ve been a travesty. This guy that stops runaway trucks in ads can’t break the advantage line no even f*cking ONCE! And Tacitus will tell you that Spies’ ‘primary’ task is to carry the ball! Pfffft what a showpony!
24 Aug 2010, 12:00 pm
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-7:
Jean is likely to be sidelined with Injury.. Lets hope not!
Also if they were so effective why did McCaw score & get away with an obvious forward pass every person on TV saw..lol
24 Aug 2010, 12:02 pm
So Div has stated they’ve got something up their sleeve for Pocock. He’s also had something up his sleeve in the last four matches.
The situation is simple – stick with Div and we don’t have a hope to win the WC. There is enough time to recover from here with the right personnel.
Saru swallow your pride and make the change.
24 Aug 2010, 12:06 pm
RWC winning team under Heyneke (not pdv clown)
F Steyn
Shadowwwwwwwww try scoring machine
Mossie
JDV
M Steyn
F Hougaard (wing)
M Steyn
F du Preez
Spies/Vermeulen
Brussouw
Juan Smith
Matfield
Bakkies
BJ
Bissie
CJ
24 Aug 2010, 12:11 pm
another doos that needs a stern dressing down is habana! In the 10min of the match we were already commenting about him exposing his wing!!
47. TRANSFORMATION(TRANSFORMATION) :
August 21st, 2010 at 5:11 pm
habana jumping the gun looking for
intercepts!
48. SLUMTOWN(SLUMTOWN) :
August 21st, 2010 at 5:12 pm
F ing Habana and his f ing intercepts
Puts pressure on all defenders .
24 Aug 2010, 12:14 pm
@Guns(Guns)-43:
Mccaw is immune to every rugby law under the sun
that try as far as im concerned should not have been in addition
he escaped with breakdown infringements , he had his hands all over schalks eyes he ran obstruction on bryan habana several times when he was chasing up and unders etc
so to answer your question if the ref + touch judge didnt see the forward pass and the tmo didnt see that as simultaneous grounding then there’s nothing that could have stopped that try being awarded not even chuck norris!
24 Aug 2010, 12:17 pm
lets wait till team announced.
I bet same old same old….Spies…..Juan and Burger. with plod as well.
Nothing will change.
Unless Regime Change.
24 Aug 2010, 12:17 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-46:
since 3n started this year he’s tried that so many times im starting to think he’s been given a licence (im not sure by who ) to go for the intercepts .
its getting embarrassing watching him miss and then trying to run back and cover and by then its too late.
24 Aug 2010, 12:19 pm
watch the weak management drop Juan De Jongh as well…..weak kneed bas tards…Aplon will get the bullet as well….morons that these coaches are.
24 Aug 2010, 12:22 pm
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-49: To emphasize your point – JDV did exactly the same when he played wing, so it must be part of geniuses Gold and Muir’s innovative defensive system
24 Aug 2010, 12:25 pm
when was the last intercept from the wing scored? I think the opposing teams have figured it out!
24 Aug 2010, 12:25 pm
Grant10
Would you not drop Aplon or De Jongh for F Steyn?
24 Aug 2010, 12:27 pm
@aliboy(aliboy)-52: And how. In fact, I believe Aus and NZ are using it to their advantage by spreading the ball to the outside centre through the hands. He then delays his pass and waits for Habana to come off his line and then passes either over Habana’s head or behind him to the fullback and wing that are left unattended.
24 Aug 2010, 12:27 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-53: i would drop habana….for aplon. Frans at 15
I would drop JDV for JDJ ….JF at 13.
24 Aug 2010, 12:29 pm
I can’t believe that there are so many Aus and NZ supporters on this site. Surely only they could vote for J Smit not to retire after the 3N?????
Bloody agents…
24 Aug 2010, 12:29 pm
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-45: You can’t have 2 M Steyn’s…
And if Spies wears any number under 16, we’re definitely not gonna win a thing
24 Aug 2010, 12:31 pm
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-47: I was at the game and also saw the interference running Mccaw was doing on Habana, had me swearing like a mad man
24 Aug 2010, 12:31 pm
@grant10(grant10)-55: OK, I could go with that. The only little problem I see is that JDV organized the defense brilliantly on Saturday. The big problem is that JDJ and Mossie will not be given front foot ball with M Steyn at 10.
What about F Steyn at 10? Do you think he has learnt to pass yet?
24 Aug 2010, 12:31 pm
the 3 stooges will choose this team
15 f steyn
11 habana
12 jdv
13 jf
14 jpp
10 m steyn
9 hougard
8 spies
7 J Smith
6 schalk
5 matfield
4 d rossow
3 jannie dup
2 plod
1 guthro….
i would choose
15 f steyn
14 jpp
13 j f
12 j d j
11 aplon
10 butch
9 hougaard
8 kanko
7 j smith
6 f louw
5 matfield
4 F VD Merwe
3 j dup
2 bissy
1 guthro
24 Aug 2010, 12:33 pm
@willievz(willievz)-23: I don’t no where this fascination with Burger at 8 has come from. He has played his whole career as a 6, and a couple of games as a 7 and 8, and he was always found wanting.
24 Aug 2010, 12:33 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-57: We are screwed if Spies wears any number under 23
24 Aug 2010, 12:34 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-53:
F Steyn for Aplon, Aplon For Habana, JP on the right wing.
JdJ and Mossie at 12 and 13. Problem solved
24 Aug 2010, 12:35 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-51:
@aliboy(aliboy)-52:
The opposition have definitely figured it out.
on the several times it has worked habana and JDV where not the last defenders they were standing at a center so leaving the defensive line did not leave any space out wide.
the execution has been terrible the idea though is not too bad especially if you don’t have any other attacking options something the boks seem to lack at the moment
24 Aug 2010, 12:36 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-59: this myth of ‘organising the defence’ brilliantly is one of the most purported ones here on keo…what is ‘organising the defence?
24 Aug 2010, 12:36 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-59: F Steyn at 10 would certainly excite F Steyn….! He wants to be at 10….12….he messed it up badly before but may have matured a fair bit. I would go with Butch at 10 this weekend….he is a general….will sort the defence. I am not averse to JDV…a great player…at 12….but JDJ deserves a run….
24 Aug 2010, 12:37 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-63: agree
24 Aug 2010, 12:37 pm
@grant10(grant10)-60: I would love to have Flo there, but I am a little disappointed in his performances. We cannot go into this game without Schalk, so if we must counter their loosies with Flo, I would pick Schalk at 8.
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-61: I hear what you are saying, but this year Schalk has added something to his game – he is a brilliant link between forwards and backs and he covers exceptionally well at the back. He can surely not be found wanting more than Spies does.
I STILL THINK THAT LUKE WATSON IS THE MISSING COG IN OUR LOOSE FORWARD COMBINATION
24 Aug 2010, 12:40 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-58:
it was terrible and annoyingly illegal. the worst part is that it was so effective in stoping habana from reaching the receiver and congrats to him for getting away with it.
now they say Mccaw pushes the boundaries and he’s a genius but honestly there’s a fine line between being smart and cheating.
24 Aug 2010, 12:42 pm
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-61:
It’s not a fascination. Pierre Spies is allergic to contact and therefor people have been looking for a substitute at #8. You can’t leave Schalk out of your team. Ditto for Juan. We need a fetcher in the team, so to accommodate for that, they suggest:
6. Brussouw
7. Smith
8. Burger
Which would be a very balanced loose trio
24 Aug 2010, 12:43 pm
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-69: Na I would never blame him, just the **** ing useless ref’s
24 Aug 2010, 12:44 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-65: It all has to do with communication and reading the opposition’s lines of attack. If you want to see how this impacts in a game, look at the first test of the 3N and compare the defense when WO was at 12 with the time that JDV was at 12.
WO was waiting for the AB’s to run at him, thus giving them yards of space. Mossie, Morne and co had to take their cue from him because if they advanced ahead of him, it would cause gaps in the defense. When JDV played there, he advanced to close the space and pulled MS and Mossie up with him by communicating with them. The reason why this falls on the shoulders of the 12 is because he has the best vision on the field of when the ball is out of the ruck, scrum or whatever phase. You need someone who is decisive and intelligent. JDJ is very adept at doing this and, probably one of the best in the country, is Doppies La Grange of the Lions.
24 Aug 2010, 12:44 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-68: schalk is playing well….but he aint no fetcher…..its a toss up between schalk and J Smith in my opinion mate…a tough call but J Smith is a banker in the lineouts…..
About LW….yeh mate….thats a sad fact.
I tell you what, the route the game is going i would love to have Bissy to start at 2 with a game breaker like schalk brits waiting on the bench as well!
But in SA Rugby thats too much to ask for….such innovation would be deemed a form of cancer.
24 Aug 2010, 12:45 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-56: Do you know that not so long ago the AB’s had a captain for 3 years that never lost a game. 31 games incl 14 tests, not 1 loss. He got dropped because someone younger and better came along (at least according to the selectors at that time).
24 Aug 2010, 12:49 pm
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-69: Funny thing is that as an AB supporter I was cursing the Boks who were running past the dropping kick and blocking the AB’s from getting to it. Never noticed McCaw running interference on Habana. Funny how you always see things through only one eye when watching the game. Replays are great for putting some perspective on your thoughts if you are inclined to do so.
24 Aug 2010, 12:49 pm
bok team to be announced at 13 h00 on supersport…
24 Aug 2010, 12:50 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-72: i think blue bulls fans would tell you, you’re talking bollocks, seeing as to meisikind is always solid on defence for them
24 Aug 2010, 12:56 pm
@grant10(grant10)-76: Which channel? Or are they just going to put up the names in the rugby section to read?
24 Aug 2010, 13:01 pm
@grant10(grant10)-76: my friend, don’t hold your breath…kanko will play fetcher hahahahaha
24 Aug 2010, 13:04 pm
@Puma(Puma)-78: blitz
24 Aug 2010, 13:05 pm
@aliboy(aliboy)-75:
haha yes replays are a beautiful thing but even then most of us will still only see what we want to see and not whats shown.
24 Aug 2010, 13:10 pm
At 6 who would one pick out of the 2 for your national side?
Schalk or Pocock
24 Aug 2010, 13:17 pm
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-69: did they also mist the constant offsides whenever the Boks put up a garry owen? I lost count of the number of times Bok chasers were ahead of the kicker..
those same chasers, did the ref see them intentionally impeding the NZ player from contesting the ball? one case in point, when the ball bounced back of Aplon, did he really contest the ball or did he just jump near the ball to obstruct the defender?
use both eyes to watch the game, you will see its not only NZ that do and get away with illegal play..
24 Aug 2010, 13:29 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-83:
The letter of the law says…those in front of the kicker must stay put or retreat when a kick is made.
I noticed that many a bok player in front of the kicker were walking or trotting forwards to the catcher hoping their kicker or an onside player would run a put them onside.
I noticed many a time at the bok kicks and players offside at the kick not staying put or retreating.
24 Aug 2010, 13:31 pm
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-84: agreed, it was an example that all teams push the boundaries, in all sorts of ways…
I thought it quite ironic that SA were penalised for illegal obstruction, thought it was only NZ that trained for that type of thing
24 Aug 2010, 13:33 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-83:
The one example you site you refer to a player who actually showed some sort of effort to play at the ball he did jump up so the ref may have thought he was going for the ball – im talking about a player who made no effort to even get to the ball but was quite content to elbow and push into the path of the chaser.
so if both sides are doing it does that make it ok?
i think as long as we all agree that its illegal then fine.
but don’t label a cheat a genius -
24 Aug 2010, 13:54 pm
A cheat is a genius if he /she gets away with it…they are a domskop if they get caught!!
24 Aug 2010, 13:55 pm
like warne & steve waugh @ 87 … they sit back and let hansie take all the blame
24 Aug 2010, 14:47 pm
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-82: Pocock.
24 Aug 2010, 14:47 pm
@willievz(willievz)-89: If by 6 you mean opensider, like it does in SA.
24 Aug 2010, 15:12 pm
Pocock stopped?…. ek het ‘n .306
24 Aug 2010, 17:32 pm
If Heinrich Brussow is so highly rated amongst South Africans, and indeed the world over, then I must conclude that Deon Stegmann is the MOST underrated player in South Africa.
Stegmann appeared on the scene in 2008 at the age of 21, a nightmare Bulls year, but was still awarded Bulls forward of the year.
In 2009 he was the form flanker, but missed a third of the Super14 through a ban that was a very unfortunate situation as the replay shows(when he folded Conrad Smith in half in Wellington- his feet weren’t even touching the ground, a little harsh).
Then the selectors choose Johnson and Raubenheimer etc. in the 2009EOTY tour, and players like Vermeulen and Stegmann and Mapoe didn’t see the Emerging Boks. (Something which they openly rue).
2010, and Stegmann was once again the top openside (with ruggastats.com and rugby365.com even putting Schalk Burger out at 7 to accomodate his selection at flank in their teams- though it must be said Burger was a hybrid flank), and Stegmann managed to outplay Brussow, McCaw (twice), and Louw, and was the most influential player behind Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield in the Bulls’ quest for Super 14 glory.
But then Francois Louw gets selected, and moved between blindside and openside. What more must Stegmann do to get selected?
I’ve been watching Brussow and Stegmann for 6 years now, and listening to the opinions of coaches etc. and IMO Stegmann is better than Brussow in every way.
Brussow is of course a crowd favourite with his run in the Springbok jersey (rightly so, the boys has considerable skill), but ignoring Stegmann simply demostrates that the majority of the rubgy supporters don’t know what to look for in a player and a flank.
According to Heyneke Meyer, Deon Stegmann is of inestimable value to South African rugby. People just don’t see a workhorse that flies under the radar and shuns the spotlight.
Would it have helped if he wore a bright-coloured scrum cap? Or had long, flailing, blonde locks?
David Pocock is a menace, yes. Had the selectors banked on Stegmann when Brussow got injured we wouldn’t worry- we’d be entertained.
24 Aug 2010, 17:32 pm
@Staal(Staal)-91:
24 Aug 2010, 17:35 pm
Pocock is going to shine on Saturday! If Spies is so highly rated amongst SA’s, then Vermeulen and Alberts must be the most underated players in South Africa.
24 Aug 2010, 17:39 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-92: The boy is young.
He will get his chance.
24 Aug 2010, 17:46 pm
@willievz(willievz)-95:
Willie, these guys start out in the Bok team in their early 20, both Brussow and Stegmann are the same age. Brussow and Burger started out as 22 and 21.
24 Aug 2010, 17:47 pm
@willievz(willievz)-95:
And there are no gaurantees with the coaches. They’ll make a political/favourite selections and lament it in the press a year later.
24 Aug 2010, 17:48 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-94:
Not if you look at contribution.
25 Aug 2010, 01:48 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-7:
Therein lies the problem – are the Boks good enough to get up 2 weeks in a row, (let alone 3)
Last weekend took a lot out of them, both mentally and physically, and as much as I respect both SB and JS, its always difficult to put 2 mammoth efforts consecutively. Pocock is a very good player – knows the law as well as MCaw, and understands its application.
SA were very good on Saturday, they almost did it, but how much will that effort have taken out of them for this weekend?
For those that think McCaw cheats etc, consider this.
At the start of each game all refs tell the fetchers that they will warn them if they are getting close to the offside point, only if the player enters the gate correctly – the ref will not tolerate side entry – that’s an auto penalty.
McCaw will attempt to go forward as much as possible until he hears “hands off number 7″ being shouted by the ref, up until then, its fair game.
This is the way the game is being reffed, and as you would expect, McCaw will go as close as possible to the line to get any advantage he possibly can – I wouldn’t expect anything less, would you?
You can call it cheating if it makes you feel better, I prefer to call it “playing to the ref” – and funny thing is, that’s what all the players are saying too, Boks, Ozzies and AB’s.
25 Aug 2010, 13:02 pm
They ought to move about a lot more freely without those swollen heads which so impeded them in the earlier rounds.
25 Aug 2010, 21:56 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-26: Yes,we do produce great loosies
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