Comments on: 123 Vs 456 in the Battle of the Hemispheres

By: MarkR

MarkR — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:29:10 +0000

Cambell, can’t disagree although Carter would pip him for MOTM, but the French came to play which allowed both backlines to play, & they both looked good. My hearth was in my mouth for the first 50 or so as the French breakouts were just made out of nothing sometimes.

By: MarkR

MarkR — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:20:46 +0000

Yeah, Jane’s been interesting to watch, guy I know played with him & commented that he was extremely difficult to put down & very deceptive. I like the way he thinks & sets up the tries. His try could’ve been scored by 2 or 3 ABs with only 1 Frenchman in a position to get to the ball. It’s nice to finish on a high note after going down 3-0 to the Boks !

By: Campbell Watts

Campbell Watts — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:48:02 +0000

Conrad was my MOTM.
His defensive decisions were impecable, like you say – he flys well under the redar on most teams threat sheet.

Go son!

By: MarkR

MarkR — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:19:28 +0000

Campbell, Conrad Smith is now officailly Mr Invisible, that is the other teams don’t seem to see him. Jane & Sivi showed what quick ball can do & Thorn was once again outstanding. That was a great game to watch.

By: MarkR

MarkR — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:17:43 +0000

Parisien – slightly optimisitc ? I think VERY optimistic, they lost 1 game to the French & 3 to SA. SA they won’t play such stupid game plans again. The new guys have proven their worth although 10 is still a concern.

By: Joh4Canberra

Joh4Canberra — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:02:07 +0000

All of the Six Nations is on the BBC in the UK. So installing J@ck TV would be one way to watch the 6N in Australia via the internet. Of course this would be in breach of copyright but I’m not responsible for what others do with this information

Watching rugby on TV in Germany is not easy and you may need to resort to internet streaming (which itself is not always reliable). The German sports channel DSF (Deutsches Sportfernsehen) used to show the Tri-Nations (with commentary in German) but they haven’t done so for a couple of years now and it doesn’t look like they intend to pick up the rights again. When I was living in Germany I would sometimes watch Tri-Nations rugby at home on DSF but at other times I would go to the local Irish Pub to watch it on Sky Sports (UK). Irish Pubs are generally your best bet for watching rugby in Germany (and a lot of Europe). A lot of Irish pubs in Germany have access to Irish or British satellite TV ad can show rugby that way.

There are, however, a couple of problems when it comes to watching rugby at an Irish pub in Germany even if they have a Sky (UK/Ireland) subscription:
(1) Time zone: Although South African games are not a problem (South African time is the same time zone as German summer/daylight saving time) games being played in NZ and Australia can present a problem as a lot of pubs won’t open early enough for these games. A NZ night game kicks off at 9.35am German Summer time (too early for most pubs) and an Australian night game at 12 noon (which is probably opening time for most but not all pubs). It helps to be on friendly terms with the publican While he wouldn’t open up the pub early, because the publican and I were on quite friendly terms he would sometimes let me in to the closed pub just to watch the rugby.
(2) Most pubs only have the ability to show one channel at a time and sometimes you’ll get a large crowd wanting to watch something else (typically soccer) at the time of a rugby match. If there are more of them than people wanting to watch rugby (as invariably there are) then inevitably the rugby doesn’t get shown. This used to frustrate me no end — especially since the Irish pub was the only place to watch rugby (since this involved having access to satellite TV from the UK/Ireland) and there were any number of ordinary German pubs they could go to watch soccer (since you could also watch this on German Pay TV available in most ordinary German pubs).

If you live in a part of Germany quite close to France (as I did) then a lot of people have access to some of the French free to air channels including France 2 which is good for the 6 nations and for France’s home November internationals. But this won’t help you watch any of the Tri-Nations since this is not shown on free to air television in France but on the subscription channel Canal+. And if you’re not anywhere close to France then this option won’t help you.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:42:16 +0000

Should have taken those bets all the way to le bookmaker, Parisien.

By: Parisien

Parisien — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:56:04 +0000

Well after this weekend, I think the Kiwis will be feeling relieved and even slightly optimistic, ditto the Irish and the Australians. The French are confused, and will shrug it off as always, the Welsh will be peeved, the South Africans and English ever so slightly anxious, and the Scots and Italians resigned to whatever fate holds for them.

By: Who Needs Melon

Who Needs Melon — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:19:47 +0000

Mmm… what flavour was that pie?

This is why I only bet with metaphorical money.

By: Campbell Watts

Campbell Watts — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:50:04 +0000

Oh my GOD!!!!

Did you just see the All Black absolutly DEMOLISH the french??
5 tries to zip! The most polished perfomance of the northern hemisphere tests!
2 northern hemi tours and not a single try scored against them!

Great game of running rugby too – what a spectical!
Congrats to the AB’s!!!

By: Photon

Photon — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:00:18 +0000

Congratulations to the Irish, they where the better side on the day, felt the Boks let themselves down by not taking the chances that came their way, on the balance of play the result was a fair one. Agree with what one of our commentatrors here said in that the Boks are a little presdictable now and will have to develop some backline play

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:40:41 +0000

No, you’ve made some salient points that I agree with, Photon. The only thing I disagree with is that Ireland won’t be able to unlock the SA shackles. I also disagree that a different selection would have beaten France, but that is irrelevant today, I suppose.

I did note in my brief analysis that Smith is a huge loss, which is one of the reasons why I think SA will struggle. He adds a lot to the breakdown (and the lineout), and so does Du Plessis. They’re both absent and so a lot of onus will be on Burger and Brussow. Brussow, as we saw in the France game, is supremely talented at stealing ball – like a younger George Smith, but I do not see Burger or Rossouw as the men to adequately support him. A back row of Brussow – Burger – Rossouw seems to lack verve and wit, IMO. France beat SA because SA couldn’t get near them physically, and yet PdV has selected a forward pack to try and do the exact same thing. There’s only so many times one can put all his eggs in the same basket. Thus if the packs cancel each other out then the winning team must have the best backline which, IMO, is definitely Ireland. The only Irish selection I take issue with is Wallace, and perhaps Earls, but O’Driscoll, Kearney and Bowe are superb players.

By: stuff happens

stuff happens — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:54:24 +0000

Many thanks Pothale.
FYI I’m Welsh by birth and these matches are the only time I can’t support Australia. As soon as I see those red shirts run on to Cardiff Arms Park (I refuse to call it Millenium twaddle) and the sound of the National anthem – I’m gone. Anyway, I have no choice, my Mother would never forgive me.
As to the match, I’m with Warren Gatland when he says that Wales simply have to win games like these if they are to make any progress.Next year they play two tests in NZ as part of their build up to the RWC and that will be a real challenge for them.

By: stuff happens

stuff happens — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:43:09 +0000

Photon, entirely agree about Juan Smith a fantastic player; one of the greatest assets for the Springboks.

By: pothale

pothale — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:29:39 +0000

Not really Stuff. He plays for Dragons as flanker/nackrower. He was out of the game for a good while with a neck injury and only got back last season. He’s young enough and light enough on his feet for a 6’4″ guy. Gatland brought him on for his first cap in the Argentina game, but only in the second half when they had enough points on the board. Very inexperienced but will benefit from having Williams and Powell on board. Powell is good in the eight shirt as a replacement for Jones, and Lydiate in the 6 shirt will have his hands full keeping an eye on Genia and Hynes??

Australia have enough poke in the scrum, even if your locks are being a bit powder puff. Charteris and Wyn-Jones will give you headaches in the lineout though.

The Australian backline is better, and if Cooper is given his head as playmaker – as the reports suggest – then this is a match where Australia could start to make hay, I think.

One player to keep an eye on is Shane Williams – he may be regathering his form. If he gets a free run with the ball, he could start striking again – lovely runner to watch.

I’m hoping Australia win though. Good to keep the Welsh boyos in place for the 6 Nations, and give them something more to cry about in their beer – hope you put a few on them.

By: stuff happens

stuff happens — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:02:40 +0000

Pothale do you know anything about Dan Lydiate who’s replacing RJ?

By: stuff happens

stuff happens — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:01:32 +0000

Many thanks Joh4 very useful info. I wish I’d known when I was in Germany during the TN.
Here in Australia we have the usual lottery of trying to access the 6N every year. It’s extraordinary that we don’t have regular TV coverage of one of the game’s best tournaments.There’s a rumour that SBS are interested but I’ll believe that when I see it. Last year it was Setanta for which of course we have to pay so your info could be good value.

By: Photon

Photon — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:35:58 +0000

Knives
In high pressure matches like saturday boring and disciplined(by disciplined I mean each player sticking to the plan) will usually beat clever and inventive, the Germans have shown it time and again for years on the soccer field, and South Africa and England have done likewise on the rugby field. It’s rare that you win these type of games by running the opposition of the park, it’s the very reason why so few triesI in rugby, and goals in Football are scored at final time in world cups.

The Irish have shown during the Six Nations that they know how to win slum it, it’s just that I think the Boks have been doing this for years first of all, and the side that they have picked for Saturday is far better equipped to slum it than the one from the French game. The French where good in that game, but I honestly feel that but for the selection of Jacobs and Steyns moronic trip of the Heymanns I think it was, we would have still won that match.

The Bok game is built around a solid defence and deadly kickers, sides keep using ADs channel to gain momentum or break the line, as the French centre did in that test. I think with Olivier there it will be tougher to do. Oh and the reason I think it was less brutally exposed in the Lions serious and Tri Nations is because of one man Juan Smith, the man is phenomenal, whenever someone needs to be there in cover he’s been there, he’s been the glue that has held the bok loose trio together for years, and is one of the most underrated 7 flanks in world rugby.

I know you’re probably going to accuse me of ” not really making any sustainable points” but hey atleast I tried.

By: pothale

pothale — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:01:01 +0000

Ryan Jones out of Welsh side is not good news for the team, and it hands the odds to Australia who should have a much easier match with a few of the Welsh front-line players not on the pitch. This will probably balance things up and give the Aussies the chance of another win on their Grand Slam tour, and probably allow them to cling onto third spot in the IRB rankings.

Crisis, what crisis?

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:22:54 +0000

‘It looked like a permanent Substitution. Perhaps he was playing half-crocked in his second bout?’

Could well be. It’s bonkers that some nations objected to the 3 front row replacement ruling.

By: van der Merwe

van der Merwe — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:02:59 +0000

It looked like a permanent Substitution. Perhaps he was playing half-crocked in his second bout?

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:01:27 +0000

For some bizarre reason I skipped the glorious Italy v SA match. I certainly hope you’re not suggesting that Mtawarira had the edge over Castrogiovanni.

http://www.scrum.com/southafricatour/rugby/match/87469.html

Blood sub?

By: Parisien

Parisien — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:48:20 +0000

Go Georgia! They have a strong forward tradition producing good packs, and produced the mighty Yachvili brothers. I thought they did alright in the last RWC up against the more fancied teams…

By: Parisien

Parisien — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:42:54 +0000

And lets not forget Georgia! And you Westerners can get to claim Samoa.

By: van der Merwe

van der Merwe — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:39:56 +0000

Castrogiovanni was certainly on the field. Did you not catch the Beast bellowing hysterically at him after one particular scrum?

By: Kevin,Meath

Kevin,Meath — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:35:50 +0000

Tock, understand the desire not to contribute Murdoch’s wealth so will not get sky myself, so watch all the H cup on myp2p.eu. You should be able to get most there, quality varies from excellent to mediocre depends on your and their broadband etc . Other posters suggest alternatives on this post.
Not sure who is going to win this weekend could be a NH clean sweep, could be a SH one. Is it a sign of how of change that 3 best in NH play 3 best in SH and results are very much up for debate. would that have been the case 2 years ago ?
and I do think SH is stronger than NH but i think gap has closed.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:28:59 +0000

I don’t know why John Smit has so often been identified as the problem. The SA scrum was only mediocre prior to his transformation to prop and in many games Smit has held his own. For me the real problem is Mtawarira, who truly is a very poor prop. It was bizarre that his illegal scrummaging during the Lions first test was applauded when all it did was highlight his inability to scrummage accurately. It is no coincidence that he was stuffed on the European tour last season, during the 2nd and 3rd Lions tests and then during the 3N. He is the weak link but luckily for him John Hayes is not the man to expose his flaws.

Regarding the scrummage I would expect there to be a lot of penalties, and from both sides. None of Healy, Hayes, Mtawarira or Botha are technical greats and Botha especially is renowned (alongside CJ van der Linde) for getting on the wrong side of referees. However, what will be in his favour is the fact that he has competed against the Munster and Leinster front rows, and is in good form (as is his fellow Ulster prop, Tom Court). Regardless, where SA might experience a problem is in the ruck contest and general play. As far as I recall one of the reasons Smit was moved to prop was the fact that he offers very little dynamism compared to the various current test hookers: Servat, Szarzewski, Polota-Nau, Hore, Flannery, Rees etc. He is more of a trier than a doer which means that SA will have one less ball carrier in a pack that is already shorn of Pierre Spies. Strauss and Du Plessis are more than capable runners and Du Plessis is wonderful at contesting the ruck. Will Botha offer any of this? I would suggest that he will not.

As much as Smit is durable and committed, SA will not beat Ireland with a front row that reeks of damage limitation. Brussow will have to work twice as hard with no Bismarck du Plessis and Juan Smith and it is a big ask to pitch Danie Rossouw into the 8 jersey on such short notice. SA may well go on to strangle the life out of the game but I have a suspicion that Ireland will be too clever and too inventive on the day.

By: Nelson

Nelson — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:49:52 +0000

i think smit will go fine at hooker but would be intersted to hear thoughts on bj botha. he used to be highly rated by some but i actually cant remebmer him actually starting a major test in his s14 days and no idea how well he has been playing of late.

on the irb rankings debtate i dont now what to make of it but will add this. sooner or later france is going to throw together an unstoppable team. they have the best domestic league, the most money, enough players and a complete way of playing. whether it will be this generation i do not know but i guess we will know more after this weekend

By: pothale

pothale — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:07:17 +0000

Ok then

SH = 5W 1D 8L
NH = 8W 1D 5L

Though interestingly in media – journos and players are talking about SA have only won one game from four so far on tour.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:45:38 +0000

One thing that has gone largely unnoticed is the fact that the SA replacements arrived at roughly the same time that Ghiraldini and Castrogiovanni were taken off for Italy.