Africa takes on two of Australasia’s best – in a row
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By trophymaster, 27 Jul 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, Rugby Union, Springboks, Tri Nations, wallabies
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From a SANZAR point of view the recent violent quakes that nudged New Zealand 32 cm closer to mainland Australia weren’t surprising to many South Africans. Geologists also confirmed the ambitions of rugby mad New Zealanders and announced that the land of the long white cloud had actually enlarged by one centimeter.
Who says mother nature doesn’t sway to the rhythms of the rugby world?
Australasia’s ‘terrible twins’ are a favorite target for South Africans to snipe at, and accusations of collusion have been flung about for more than a decade since before a Tri Nations communication allegedly calling the trans-Tasman cousins to combine to ‘get these Yarpies’.
In 2009, South Africa are again under seige as New Zealand and Australia combine in sequence to batter the Boks into submission before making them drag their bruised bones across both Australia and New Zealand.
South Africa will spend four weeks on the road: a non-stop schedule no other Tri Nations squad share.
To make matters worse, it seems South Africa haven’t earned sufficient respect to get the A-grade venues (which the terrible twins reserve for each other in Auckland & Sydney) – so South Africa hit the backroads at Perth, Brisbane and Hamilton.
Whether the Australasians will successfully ‘get these Yarpies’ is yet to be seen although early season form shows South Africa may not only be too powerful, but probably are too agile to be tripped up by the trans-Tasmanian twins.
South Africa have slipped 7 games down in a head-to-head against New Zealand and restoring this balance will be high on the Boks agenda. Fortunately, all signs point to South Africa experiencing a ‘golden decade’ and Springbok fans believe a ‘sweet 10 years’ is long overdue.
A nightmare return to international rugby after their apartheid banning is starting to fade into the distance as the Springboks again united the two most valued titles in rugby union – their simultaneously IRB World Champions and the IRB’s World Number one ranked squad.
Goals for the next decade include:
1. An unmatched third RWC title and unprecedented title defence
2. A string of Tri Nations trophies
3. Remedying of this Bok vs AB head-to-head stat – Played 76, NZ 40, Boks 33 drawn 3
Many fans of the younger generation have grown up during an era of All Black dominance and older rugby aficionados are keen to see South Africa return to where they left off prior to apartheid sanctioning.
The current ‘green revolution’ is set to restore the world’s rugby equilibrium which Bok fans have you believe are tilted significantly towards African latitudes, and maybe New Zealand geological tremors are an indication they too can see the writing is on the wall.
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Andystath said | July 27th 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Dear Toastmaster,
You have to be joking?This South African siege mentallity really should have gone the way of apartheid.
“In 2009, South Africa are again under seige as New Zealand and Australia combine in sequence to batter the Boks into submission before making them drag their bruised bones across both Australia and New Zealand.
South Africa will spend four weeks on the road: a non-stop schedule no other Tri Nations squad share.
To make matters worse, it seems South Africa haven’t earned sufficient respect to get the A-grade venues (which the terrible twins reserve for each other in Auckland & Sydney) – so South Africa hit the backroads at Perth, Brisbane and Hamilton.”
Where the F@#$ is Bloemfontein?Before you go to answer that isn’t veneue allocation about serving the fan base?
Brisbane is a fun city and Suncorp is an excellent veneue.Four weeks of business class travel and 5 star hotels combined with playing a sport you love for money must really be a terrible life!Toastmaster once you manage to rid yourself of that massive chip on your should head to the nearest dairy and purchase some cheese to go with your whine!
Katipo said | July 27th 2009 @ 6:44pm | Report comment
In my opinion Suncorp in Brisbane is the best rugby stadium of all possible venues in tri nations. Not sure why the ARU continue to play the Springboks in Perth though, where it is most convenient for them, why not make the AB’s play there?!
‘Boks look awesome. They should have thrashed the all blacks. All black grit and determination will not be enough next week. I expect the ‘Boks to improve and put 15 points on the All Blacks in Durban (sorry fellow kiwis).
Andystath said | July 27th 2009 @ 7:51pm | Report comment
Katipo-Sydney and Melbourne have large kiwi expat populations and Perth has a large number of Yarpies expats,hence they always play Sprinbok tests at Subiaco.
Katipo said | July 27th 2009 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
Hi Andystath, and they aru diminish the wallabies home town advantage by playing the Boks in Perth. It would benefit the wallabies most to play the all blacks in perth and the ‘boks in Sydney thus denying their many ex-pat supporters the opportunity to cry down the home team. Yeah, I know they actually play them where they do because they want to sell tickets to the ex-pats… (just doesn’t help the wallabies though).
katzilla said | July 28th 2009 @ 10:41am | Report comment
The ARUs first priority is Money. SO they need to go where the fans will pay. Unfortunately in this competitive environment the ARU depends alot on the desire of ex pats to see their team play.
Ben J said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:58pm | Report comment
NICE….article…GREG hahaha!!!!
I am a staunch Bok supporter but the fact that the Boks were wooden spooners 3 years in a row does imply a certain degree of negative predictability. If they win the tournament this year I will be obviously happy but one win at home is just that.
Having said that, the current team does look very strong across the park and a strong setpiece, very good strike runners, strong kicking game and worldclass athletes in many positions does bode well for the future.
I for one can’t wait until Saturday.
Andystath said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:40pm | Report comment
It does if bums on seats pay the bills.
katzilla said | July 28th 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Only you could turn 3 home games into a conspiracy Greg.
As for squaring the ledger, the one most important thing you need to do is to start winning in NZ. Until then NZ will win the occasional game in SA and the ledger will head even further in the direction of the ABs.
The game in nz this year will be the acid test of where SA are in the world, same with the games vs the Wallabies in OZ.
If your guys come out of their ‘tour’ with full honours then most Kiwis and Ozzies will be the first to congratulate you, but dont be premature, otherwise you’ll never find a lady friend.
mick h said | July 28th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Also, playing the boks in perth breaks the travel time they must endure. It’s the perfect venue for the Springboks.
Home ground advantage and a venue as close to your shores as is possible.
I think we are being overly generous. With Perth being a Aussie Rules mad city the only “locals” that go to the games are Expat Saffas.
Saying that I am going across to the match this year which from Sydney which I can’t wait for.
There is certainly no collusion. I don’t ever recall the AB’s ever giving us an even break and nor should they!!
Andystath said | July 28th 2009 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Subiaco isn’t a great venue but Perth and its surrounds make for a great rugby trip.
AndyS said | July 28th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
With all this erudite commentary about the Test attending proclivities of Perthites, do you all live there? A few years ago they sold out Subico for a Wallabies v Maori game, and they’d easily sell it out twice over for a Bledisloe. Sadly, it is just too small to ever get one of those. They also sell it out for games against SA, and they’ll sell it out in spades for next years match against England just as it was sold out last time Ireland played there. Still, I’m sure it must just be because the Saffers always attend…