Looking at the pre-Tri Nations ‘warm ups’ of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, only one thing is clear: the Boks have had the beter ‘pre-season priming’ to take this year’s trophy.
New Zealand stuttered against France, and Australia got to warm their legs against Italy, while South Africa put in weeks of pre-season training and hosted the Lions.
After the Super 14, I’d have put my house on South Africa, with France and Italy helping to confirm my prediction.
Now with the kick off imminent, I’m growing more jittery and wondering if I’ll be looking for rental accommodation by the end of August.
My main concern centres around Bakkies Botha.
I’ve managed to convince myself that he’ll not last through the Tri Nations and that he’s likely to cop another ban at the earliest possible (and plausible) convenience. Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield are an awesome pair, which Australia and New Zealand have no answer for.
The duo tilt the game away from the South Pacific and I’m sure they’d successfully lead the hunt to bagging this year’s Tri Nations trophy if allowed to play through the series.
As I’ve said, that’s not likely to happen.
The trap has already been set (thanks to a certain Kiwi citing officer in the Lions series). Bakkies Botha is just dangling by a thread and he’s going to get pinged. In fact, we’ve already got betting running on how, when, where, and by whom.
This is what ‘total rugby’ is all about.
It involves set-ups which are manipulated into place well ahead of the kick off of any game. Total rugby also includes what happens after the 80 minutes on the field, and this year, I hope South Africa will be able to play a better post-match game, inflicting at least an equal amount of ‘collateral damage’ on New Zealand and Australia.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says it’s “purely coincidental” that Semipeni Finau has put on a massive, late hit on a fourth fly-half in nine…
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
I don’t really get the comparisons between Joey Manu and Sonny Bill Williams. I realise they have the Roosters in common, along with a…
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
There are those who will forever play the man - and not the ball - where TJ Perenara is concerned. The All Blacks and…
I well remember the day a New Zealand Rugby staffer put their hands on me. It seems I’d made them angry.The Wellington Sevens was…
