“Ireland had so much possession and could not score a try. This shows that they are not that great a side.”
Hmmm – they scored 7 tries in the their previous two matches. The weather conditions, and the tactics of the Boks hugely reduced the possibilities for scoring tries, but at least Ireland were willing to run with the ball, but the Boks have shown themselves to be a good defensive team this year – as the ABs and Australia discovered. Their go-forward, kick n chase strategy though has bitten the dust.

49 passes – that just more than a pass every 2 minutes??!!

“There is a telling statistic from the first test against the Lions this year: the Springbok team made a total of 49 passes, whereas the Lions’ halfback Mike Phillips made 76 passes on his own.”

Ouch… that can’t be right surely… can any stat fans confirm this?

Watching this game – my fellow rugby comrades continued to note that the Bok running game was again seen wanting with attacking stanzas often losing ground. When the Boks kicking game is out of synch – the running game becomes even more essential.

It doesn’t make sense – because the Bok backline has genuine quality players – whose responsible for the attack strategy?

They will need to be at their absolute best for this – otherwise the 3N could be over for the Bok before they get to play at home which is their historic strength.

The little knowledge I picked up of that strange and exotic game came from a decade lliving in England and a determination to acquaint myself with at least some of the strange native customs of which cricket is surely one. A game of many variables, I was mystified why such things as cloud cover and moisture in the air, not to mention in the ground on which the match was played, were of such interest to writers and commentators.

It would be explained to me with infinite patience that meteorological conditions have a great influence on the behaviour of the ball as it is bowled, especially if a medium paced bowler tries to make it “swing”, to which end I believe a seam bowler spends an inordinate amount of time rubbing the ball against his crotch. (Weird pastime or what?)

And this, mind, is when we’re talking about a ball travelling 20m or so!!

On several occasions last Saturday, Morne Steyn attempted goal kicks from infeasibly long distances. Doubtless, he was thinking back to his series winning penalty against the Lions in Pretoria which he struck from inside his own half. But doing that on a balmy autumn day on the high veld of South Africa is one thing; trying it on a freezing foggy day in Dublin in November is quite another. Towards the end of the match it was quite difficult to see from one corner of the ground to the other as the pea soup shrouded the ground.

But that didn’t seem to deter him. Several times in the first half he tried kicks from close to the half way line, once indeed from inside his own half. Even someone with his prodigous boot hadn’t a hope in those conditions.

I believe the famous wicket keeper Ian Healy, with typical Australian sporting graciousness, used to greet a batsman’s dismissal with the cry “Back to the nets, idiot!” No doubt a quiet word in the ear from a good bowler would do Mr Steyn the world of good as well.

The Boks finished the Tri Nations and then had a break before they headed up North. Same as the Aussies and ABs.

Tired is an excuse. It’s not acceptable from the NH teams when they travel in June down south, and equally it shouldn’t be acceptable from the SH teams when they lose up North. The Lions arrived in SA at the end of their longer season, and were up for it – they didn’t complain about tiredness for losing the series. And the squad played 8 more matches before they played the Tests, whilst the Boks were purposely wrapped in cotton wool.

I have been surprised by the Bok performance throughout their tour. I expected their scrum to have problems but thought they would make up for this with their loose forwards, but that didn’t happen. To me the players did not look totally interested, and did not have their hearts in it, which is despicable when you are representing your country.

I expect a different Bok outfit in 3N 2010, but they might get towelled up a little if they play first up in both Oz and NZ. Then they might switch on in front of their home crowds.

The end of year tour was mostly a disaster for the Boks, I say mostly as there are some things to be taken away from this. Some good, some bad but I think there will be a clearer picture on certain players new and old and their roles within the team. The strategy or lack of it will need also to be reviewed as well as a nurturing of a second tier of players, too much depends on the front liners and perhaps this is why we fall flat later in the season?

As for the IRB team of the year – I suppose you could question it after the tour but I think beating the “scratch” Lions side – whom after watching I think would have beat most nations, the ABs 3 times and Australia twice, both home and away are fairly impressive. Put simply I don’t think any other team achieved as much.

It might appear to be disrespectful, however – after an overtly long year – it wasn’t a first prize situation. Besides, during critical times of the year when the NH could prove their worth, they didn’t quite get there. I doubt the Bok’s reign of supremacy will last through until world cup though.

Certainly – the All Blacks were impressive!

Taking nothing away from the Irish who played a brilliant game, no team is all good or all bad.

Re: your comment on team of the year further on – now who would qualify as the winning team other than the Boks? It might feel rather unfair considered subjectively, but objectively speaking, no other team qualifies unfortunately – their tour up here did not count towards a “must win” result. How would any other team qualify for team of the year when overall the Boks ruled?

Back to the game just played, why did DIV bring de Villiers from Munster only to have him on the bench until too late? Why replace Morne Steyn when Ruan Pienaar could obviously do no better and seldom does these days. Too many players kept on the bench – but one has to respect the fact that other players had to have their chance – for any team, I’d certainly prefer this avenue than during a critical test if I were the coach.

It’s easy to play ref from the outside and I believe the Boks seriously used the experience as a learning curve.

the AB’s are a global brand selling out stadiums across europe (even italy) and i am sure there is a reenue sharing agreement so the nzrfu makes sure the top players are rested and ready to go for the tour. which is the better approach? depends what the ultimate goal of the governing body is. grassroots rugby is probably healthier in sa but the abs play much better in europe.

its a moot point anyway so before anyone points it out yes we all know the euopean guys play much longer seasons than the south africa do. and on top of this matfield , du preez and habana all signed up for the barbarians, which is surely madness.

also surpised mccaw got player of the year in one of his quieter seasons. i would have gone for BOD – an icon and the best 13 in the world for a decade now.

No excuses for the Boks – they had a terrible NH tour. Its part of the calendar year for rugby (they played 2 less tests than NZ this year) so South Africa needs to learn how to win on the road.

If NZ can do it, I can’t see why the Boks can’t.

Surprised to see McCaw get the player of the year – I thought it was going to be Brussouw.