Smit keeps mum over Bees comment
3 Sep 2010
John Smit wants reporters to stick to rugby and stop kicking up a fuss about the Bees Roux trial. Perhaps he should pass on the message to Peter de Villiers.
Without provocation, De Villiers made an outrageous statement on Monday claiming the Boks were fully behind Roux, the Blue Bulls player charged with the murder of a Tshwane policeman.
The statement has angered a lot of people, not least of all De Villiers’ employers at the South African Rugby Union. It’s also caused a stir among those close to the deceased.
According to News24, at a memorial service for Ntshimane Johannes Mogale, the Tshwane metro police regional director Moloko Racheku said he shuddered when the Springboks announced that they were 100% behind Roux.
De Villiers said the team supported the player, not the deed, but how the situation developed. He never once offered the team’s condolences to the family members, who are ironically, big Springbok supporters. That there is an ongoing investigation into the case is irrelevant. De Villiers should have shown some tact.
Smit has always been the more sensible and diplomatic of the Boks’ coach-captain duo, but brushed the question aside on Friday. Asked for clarification on whether the Boks had discussed the matter and whether they are fully behind Roux, he said: ‘Stick to rugby. I know it’s hard for you guys, but stick to rugby’.
It was a difficult situation for Smit. If he echoed De Villiers’ statement, he would have made the same mistake as his coach. If he said the Boks weren’t behind Roux, he would have contradicted De Villiers and confirmed widespread belief that the national coach is a loose cannon.
Smit only has his coach to blame for putting him in that situation. De Villiers is in trouble for those comments and will be ‘assessed’ by Saru in the coming days, but his statement about Roux was made as the team’s spokesman. His careless comments have ensured the Boks look as bad as he does.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Bloemfontein
Follow SA Rugby mag on Twitter
286 Comments
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3 Sep 2010, 15:52 pm
@ET(ET)-196: Well 1 thing is for sure…..PDV no longer has even a semblance of control…..seems the decision making now vests with Plod.
And after Sundays haul over the coals pdv will be even more toothless….
3 Sep 2010, 15:53 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-199: well i hope you correct….
3 Sep 2010, 15:54 pm
anyway
outta here
cheers ET….
Keep those predictions coming….seems you and Skop get it on the button more than most…
3 Sep 2010, 15:57 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-197: Nah, the murder pun was in bad taste… tactless.
Neither Mallet (he was right by the way) or PDV should comment on anything other than their tenure. They are there to coach and speak to the press about the boks and opposition. Nothing more or less.
Mallet being right (ticket prices then and now are expensive) with his comments did not have the right to speak his mind.
How often do you want to speak your mind yet know you should not?
3 Sep 2010, 15:57 pm
@grant10(grant10)-202:
I am chomping at the bits to read Pdivvie’s book. I think it will outsell them all.
3 Sep 2010, 15:59 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-204:
I just think there is too much being made of all this. All this is doing is make sure that we blog on this site, advertises pay Keo and his boys money to write **** that we would react on. Whether it good or bad!
3 Sep 2010, 15:59 pm
@David(David)-200:
What concerns me more is who is in control here. Who really runs the show.
Can you ever hope to see let alone accept the Man.U. players doing something even vaguely similar.
If your coach says you don’t play or you are not going on tour the that is it for those players, correct?
Where has the tired and overplayed concerns now disappeared to?
3 Sep 2010, 16:01 pm
@ET(ET)-207:
Were you complaining last year?
3 Sep 2010, 16:02 pm
@grant10(grant10)-201:
Agreed totally.
Those seniors have the contracts in the pocket and are now emboldened and brazen about what they want to do, come what may.
3 Sep 2010, 16:04 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-206:
Ive been busy the past week so was unaware of the latest PDVisms. I did a quick read and found much ado about nothing.
The rugby world is more than accustomed to South Africa.
3 Sep 2010, 16:07 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-210:
The sensationalism of the journos on this site, actually makes a case for the ANCYL’s utterances about media and media freedom.
3 Sep 2010, 16:10 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-187:
Keo and his cronies forget to mention that they are the only ‘journos’ who is not invited by the Springbok camp. Even the guy from the Centurion Rekord gets an interview. They are simply not respected..
3 Sep 2010, 16:18 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-208:
Although it will be difficult for you to really understand I will boldly say that I have fortunately never trusted S.A rugby from its inception. It has always been a huge divider despite Mandela false hopes(now proven).
What to all and sundry may be termed non-racial is to me gloriously simply window dressing done to an art form.
You may again call it conspiracy, as you once did many, many months ago but explain why do I get so much of it correct if I do not read the signs correctly?
For me the code of rugby is more important than any national team performing so I call the Wallabies or the French or the ABs or the ‘Boks. Thus I complain all the time even last year if there is a reason to complain and in S.A. there is always a reason. That’s the nature of the beast.
3 Sep 2010, 16:21 pm
@ET(ET)-209:
Actually, I think you and Grant are getting a bit hysterical about the News24 story. Smit only said that it’s difficult to rest a large number of players at the same time.
3 Sep 2010, 16:21 pm
@ET(ET)-213:
Noted.
3 Sep 2010, 16:24 pm
@ET(ET)-213: 2I will boldly say that I have fortunately never trusted S.A rugby from its inception. It has always been a huge divider despite Mandela false hopes(now proven).” – ja, well then why don’t you f.ck off and support the US eagles – a team more suited for your sensibilities and location. It will clearly be no loss of a BOK supporter… traitorous git!!
3 Sep 2010, 16:24 pm
When Keo tweeted that PDivvie should rest all the senior players since they’ve lost the tri-nations…I asked him, would he drop his kid from the first team, if he knew he wouldn’t win the champtionship…No, he wouldn’t cause then the whole family wouldn’t come watch.
To ask Pdivvie to drop the senior players is like saying to the sponsors, “Listen we going to half half full stadium and half our viewership watching…but please send us the cheques at the end of the month, its for a good cause”
3 Sep 2010, 16:29 pm
@David(David)-214:
OK
Time will give the answer then. Have not yet read the article .
3 Sep 2010, 16:45 pm
@David(David)-214: see superrugby
It is a voice of defiance.
Where on earth do players decide?
Amateur hour.
3 Sep 2010, 16:46 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-151: Not true. Chilli has been playing s14 since 2006/7. He played against all s14 opponents and he was never found wanting.
I have always defended Chilli because I know he is a very good player
Now what I would like to do is list the aspects of Chilli’s game where I think make him a BOK.
here’s my opinion/ratings (excluding John Smit).
1. line throws, (Primary duty: Liebenberg very suspect in this area esp when under pressure) i.e. Chilli, Bissie, Strauss
2. scrumming, (bear in mind some experts thought this was Bismarks weak point because of his height) i.e. Botha,Chilli,Bissie, Strauss, Liebernberg
3. ball carrying, (not just crash ball type like Strauss)Bismarck, Liebenberg, Chilli, Botha
4. turnovers (yes even if they are not a hookers primary duty) Chilli & Bismarck are leaders in this aspect.
5. pace & scoring ability (not primary duty but a nice-to-have) Deon, Liebenberg, Burden, Chilli
6. leadership (Chilli, Botha, Strauss)
7. Defence (Bissie, Botha, Strauss, Chilli, Maku)
8. Passing, ball handling skill (again Deon, Chilli, Bissie, Botha, Strauss) this includes knock-ons etc
9. Sicknote (Chillie, Bissie)
10. Least game time in 2010 due to injury (Chilli, Bissie)
Verdict: Chilli in terms of ability and talent is there up there with the rest…PLUS (I wish I can do BOLD) he is the a shade dark
…. therefore Chilli is there because he is capable and talented PLUS(not BECAUSE) he is a POC…
the FACT that he did not have the same game time that the others have had this year does not take away the FACT that he is not only as capable as the all the rest but that he has a better “rugby brain”…
( I know he gave away a penalty with his first attempt at a turnover last week but his two “steals” made as much impact as Butch’s tackling at that stage of last weekend’s game…)
Any other aspects I’ve not listed feel free to add…
As I said this is MY opinion…I HAVE NOT googled any stats… feel free to agree or disagree, I won’t hold it against you I promise
The BOKS will win tomorrow…
3 Sep 2010, 16:47 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-217: no mate
i would not pay to go see smit…habana….spies….M Steyn for boks.
Put in Bissy, Duane vermeulen, Butch….
i am there
3 Sep 2010, 16:49 pm
@grant10(grant10)-221:
That’s great, pity you not the one paying their salaries.
3 Sep 2010, 16:53 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-222: ja.
point is the 19 contracted players are the issue.
Its no longer about merit….its about the salary bill.
Thats the main reason for the accomodation.
3 Sep 2010, 16:54 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-220: awesome post mate
I reckon you on the money there…
3 Sep 2010, 16:57 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-220: good post – burden needs more of a mention, though…
3 Sep 2010, 17:01 pm
@grant10(grant10)-219: Dlck Muir told Habana to for intercepts!!!
Muir backs Habana to recover
2010-09-03 09:29
Johannesburg – Springbok assistant coach
**** Muir has backed wing Bryan Habana to
recover from his recent slump in form in
the near future.
According to the allblacks.com website, the
former IRB Player of the Year has endured
a wretched run of form in 2010, with his
only tries coming for the world champions
in twin Tests against Italy.
He has failed to score for the Springboks in
their following six games, including the
entire Tri-Nations, while crucial errors
against New Zealand and Australia in the
last two weeks gifted tries to the
opponents.
Coach Peter de Villiers resisted calls to axe
him for this week’s match against Australia
in Bloemfontein, however, and Muir backed
the decision.
“All great players have these spells where
they lose form,” the backs coach said.
“Bryan has set the bar very high, so we
probably notice it more.
“He’s one of the most dedicated players
and he’s working hard to get back to his
best, so I’m not overly concerned about his
form.”
After scoring against the Italians in June,
Habana moved level with Joost van der
Westhuizen as the country’s most prolific
try-scorer – with a total of 38 scores.
He has failed to make the record his own
since then, but Muir does not believe the
pressure is getting to him.
He continued: “I don’t think breaking the
try-scoring record is having any effect on
him. He’s bigger than that and he plays for
the team.
“I’ve encouraged Bryan to come off his
wing and look for work, and he’ll be
rewarded. If he makes one glaring mistake,
everyone jumps to conclusions that he’s
off form.
“That’s the business we’re in – we get
criticised. It’s about being bigger than that
and working hard to rectify it.”
Muir said they were expecting a different
approach from the Wallabies this week, but
was confident the hosts were fully
prepared.
He added: “We are expecting the Aussies to
be more direct.
“If you look at the selection changes they
have made, they want to muscle up and be
a little more physical.
“We want to see steady improvement and
certainly from where we started to where
we are at now there has been an
improvement.
“When you eventually get a result there is a
sense of relief but it is about performance
and we are all working very hard towards
the World Cup and that’s the ultimate goal
for us.”
3 Sep 2010, 17:03 pm
Stoked, watching GWK Griquas on live streaming
3 Sep 2010, 17:05 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-226: ja
seems muir now also using the wc as an excuse.
He is an imbecile.
3 Sep 2010, 17:06 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-220: Very nice analysis. Hopefully the Bulls are saving him for something special. Ludeke has been sitting on Hougaard and look how well he stepped up. Definitely found FDP’s replacement.
3 Sep 2010, 17:09 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-229:
Not Ludeke, Heyneke. Heyneke was the one who (on his usual poaching weekends in the western cape) brought Hougi up here. Hougaard was already good at under 18 in Stellenbosch.. Heyneke taught him discipline.
3 Sep 2010, 17:18 pm
@RugbyStudent(RugbyStudent)-230: Heyneke may have poached him but the current coach gets the credit. The face man usually does.
3 Sep 2010, 17:19 pm
Time to go folks, have a great weekend.
Goodluck
3 Sep 2010, 17:33 pm
Anyone know the Griquas score?
3 Sep 2010, 17:39 pm
10 – 9 to Cheetahs
3 Sep 2010, 17:43 pm
Cheetahs really hitting the ‘offide’ line on defence, Griquas making all the play
3 Sep 2010, 17:44 pm
Nokwe scores, conversion to come. From turnover on their 22. 15 – 9
3 Sep 2010, 17:44 pm
17 – 9
3 Sep 2010, 17:49 pm
halftime 17 – 9
3 Sep 2010, 17:58 pm
Thanks for the updates goyougoodthing mate!
Come on Griquas.
3 Sep 2010, 18:01 pm
20 – 9. Penalty slotted for Cheetahs.
3 Sep 2010, 18:06 pm
23 points to 9. Oh dear
3 Sep 2010, 18:07 pm
have the Griquas looked like scoring a try?
3 Sep 2010, 18:08 pm
@WP_(WP_)-242: In the first half they were, and now on attack
3 Sep 2010, 18:09 pm
Naas Olivier Scores!
3 Sep 2010, 18:10 pm
Conversion missed. 14 – 23
3 Sep 2010, 18:13 pm
Nokwe scores under posts. This one is game over going to be 30 – 14 to Cheetahs
3 Sep 2010, 18:14 pm
thanks mate
Go boys. Get Basson into some space.
3 Sep 2010, 18:21 pm
Sarel Pretorius scores under posts. 30 – 21
3 Sep 2010, 18:27 pm
33 – 21
have to see this chick htt p: // www. facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?pid=5588025&fbid=427882217300&id=551627300&ref=nf
3 Sep 2010, 18:29 pm
bugger. Need another fightbak
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