RWC 2007 saw humiliation heaped on sides tipped over the Springboks for rugby’s ultimate crown, and it was no surprise that 2008 would offer opportunity for pride to be restored. But what’s going on in 2009?
I understand the need to restore balance.
In particular, New Zealand post-RWC 07 was on the brink of mass suicide and Kiwi PM, Helen Clark, reportedly was sent scurrying around the halls of Wellington canceling the Armies’ DEFCON 3 status and the National Guards official ‘hit orders’ on All Blacks’ coach Graham Henry and company.
For the sake of human-kind, and the future of the South Sea Islands, pride would have to be restored and South Africa would simply have to play a role in ensuring that in 2008. And so they did.
Bok fans looking at the 2008 and 2009 schedules have seen the light.
In rugby, venues can play a role in the ultimate outcome of games. No doubt. Which of these grounds would you fancy your chances at – The House of Pain, Ellis Park, Twickenham, Bloemfontein or Loftus?
Rugby players themselves will tell you they have their favorite parks and, conversely, there are grounds that just seem to intimidate, their fans hostile, their aura conspiring at wicked downfall.
South Africa have three such grounds, forming the backbone of Fortress South Africa – Loftus, Ellis Park and Bloemfontein.
Last season South Africa played along with SANZAR schedulers (for the greater good of restoring pride) and slacked off using these stadiums for vital battles.
When they ultimately resorted to Ellis Park, the Aussies got an almighty record hiding, 53-8. Too late. (Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth have friendly stadiums by comparison – any South African will attest to this and yet these were 2007’s preferred opening venues?)
This time round, I wish I could say that in Tri Nations 2009, we will see the visitors not be gifted such soft landings and that with Fortress South Africa restored, the House of Pain is going to look like a kiddies jumping castle at an under 9 year old girls party.
But I can’t.
Loftus and Ellis Park, key elements of South Africa’s fortress, have somehow again been written out of the 2009 script.
Enter the battle of the arenas. Left in my hands, I’d guarantee a yo-yo schedule from hell.
Australia and New Zealand can count themselves lucky we’ve again cut them some slack.
Rusty
Guest
Ellis Park is a fortress - even against the all blacks. Record reads played 11 - Boks 8, AB 3. If you only look at it from re-admission then the record is 6-2. Total win -loss ratio against all teams at Ellis Park is played 42, won 30 or 71.4% if you factor it only from readmission its even more impressive played 21, won 17 = 81%. If you think about that and the fact the ABs won 2 of those then we have only been beaten by one other team (France) at this venue in 16 years... pretty good either way you look at it Dunedin is a massive AB fortress but then so is the rest of NZ != p14 w12 l2 = 85.7% losses to Boks and Wallabies since '92 Most impressive is Brisbane as a Wallaby fortress p 30 w 26, l 4 = 86.7%. Only NZ and Lions have won there since '92 With that in mind there has to be something about the venue providing more of an edge than other home vernues.
Justin
Guest
allblackfan, not sure if you are 100% correct - I doubt the AB's love playing at Ellis Park. Anywhere else in RSA sure, but not Ellis Park. Have you ever heard of any rugby player not from RSA who said he likes playing at Ellis Park? Even the players from Natal and Western Cape don't like playing at Ellis Park
altus
Guest
They aren't on the schedule because the Lions are playing at those venues in 2009. South Africans are used to losing the Tri-Nations. Losing (again) to the Lions will be a catastrophe.
allblackfan
Guest
Jerry, The ABs don't mind where they play the Boks in SA. They'd play them on a beach in Durban if they had to!! Home ground advantage is largely a mental thing; it took the Boks 10 years to realise that which culminated in 08's win in Dunedin! True Tah, I think the ABs did something similar (in 2006, if I remember correctly). Two altitude games back to back. Check the records if u want
Ben J
Guest
Greg I agree No stadium in SA offers what Ellis Park gives you. Newlands and even Loftus are happy hunting grounds for the AB's. The atmosphere of Ellispark is magic.
Mr Grumpy
Guest
Loftus Versfeld is Fortress New Zealand. The All Blacks have won four of their five tests against the Boks in Pretoria. Sat, 26 Aug 2006 RSA v NZL 26-45 Sat, 19 Jul 2003 RSA v NZL 16-52 Sat, 07 Aug 1999 RSA v NZL 18-34 Sat, 24 Aug 1996 RSA v NZL 26-33 Sat, 25 Jul 1970 RSA v NZL 17-6 And while the Wallablies play the Boks in Perth, they also play them at Suncorp/Lang Park where their record is five wins from five tests.
Hoy
Guest
I see the point in this though. I could never understand why Australia was nice to South Africa year after year and let them play in WA, a practical home ground for them. If it was a choice, I am sure every home game in each country would just be in the most intimidating grounds that country has. Unfortunately for Australia, our performances show we have no heartland home ground. We have the ability to win or lose anywhere.
van der Merwe
Guest
Two Lions Tests will be played at Loftus and Ellis Park in consecutive weeks.
True Tah
Guest
Got to agree with Jerry, I can't see the ABs ever agreeing to playing a game at Bloem one week and Pretoria the next. Then again, the Boks exploded the myth of the House of Pain last year.
Jerry
Guest
It's not just up to SA where the games are played I'm sure. The NZRU and ARU wouldn't accept if all fixtures were played at altitude.