The Boks are undefeated in the Tri-Nations, a noteworthy feat at any time. On successive weekends they have beaten the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams, both of which are miles ahead of the rest of the world. But are they, as some have argued in this forum, a great team?
No they are not.
Today, with a home crowd, a refereeing team seemingly incapable of noticing Bok indiscretions (Note: I did not say the Wallabies were inappropriately penalized), they could only score one somewhat decent try – and that on a Wallaby hash-up.
More significantly, with the Wallabies down one forward and one back, they could only score a measly three points.
Great?
More like a credit to the Wallabies and an embarrassment to the Boks.
The Boks have:
• The hardest working, stealthiest, and to date least scrutinized loose forward in the world – Heinrich Brusseau (in short order he will be the best).
• The best lineout jumper in the world – Victor Matfield.
• The most effective captain in the world – John Smit.
• A pool of about 20-25 very solid interchangeable support players who in various combination’s provide an unimaginative but effective support platform for…
• The best kicker in the world (right now) – Morne Steyn.
Overall the Boks easily have the best group of players in the world.
However, behind the attitude, athleticism and sheer brawn, there is something missing. It may not be as egregious as the bluff perpetrated by the Wizard, but there is something missing – particularly for a team showing signs of believing their hyperbolic press.
The Boks won today but their defense, and even more so their attack, were badly exposed. My prediction – they have won their last Tri-Nations game for this year.
Michael Lee
Guest
clearly not this time
Laurens K
Guest
You talk about a load of nonsense! "I think you and your countrymen have a very misguided view on how good your team is. like I said earlier if anything the Boks have been made to look better than they actually are by the woeful performances that the Wallabies and All Blacks have delivered in recent weeks" We the Lions, then no2 twice and no 3 once. What more must we do to show we have a good team? I know you can only play as good as the opposition you are up against, if we are not that good these three teams must be really terrible. Or maybe you are all a bunch of bad losers. At least both NZ and Aus's captains acknowledged they were beaten by a better team, unlike their arrogant and idiotic supporters. We beat a couple of teams at home, this does not make us great, let's see what happens when the boks come across to your part of the world. At least you can all for once accept defeat and carry on
fox
Guest
His official form status: injured.
Mike
Guest
No, Fuzz! Ben J is right. Australia "were inadequate in about every facet.", with the minor exceptions of try scoring and scrummaging. And the score line reflected that - it was a 12 point whitewash remember?! He he, before Ben J jumps up and down too much, I should concede that the things Australia were bad at, they were REALLY bad at (uncharacteristically so)! I never got the impression that the Boks themselves were coasting (which is what Ben J's post would imply). Rather, they seemed to believe that the game could turn back quickly if they let Australia back into the match, and so they kept their guard up and the pressure on throughout - more power to them.
Darryl SA
Guest
What's Carters form been like since returning from Europe?
Knives Out
Guest
Sometimes teams just click, cookee, and sometimes they don't. I see what you mean but in the 2nd test the weather was bad. I'd be surprised if saw another game from NZ containing so many handling errors.
Aul Bwack
Guest
Certainly sounds like it. Ireland is a great place to go and have a good team this year. why not just lay off him Fuzz and stop picking fights if you're only on here a few days. You'll get used to it after you've been on here for a few weeks.
Grandpabhaile
Guest
With Mortlock out, though, the bit of teak in the line may be absent. However, NZ are looking poor, and are there for the taking. Their strength in depth has been shown up this season but with Carter returning they may get the necessary fillip to run some tries past the Wallabies. I'd hope the Wallabies win if only to give the Boks a run for their money since NZ have failed miserably so far.
Fuzz
Guest
your delusional go away grow up some and then come back. I assume this guy really got on your nerves
Derm
Roar Guru
Grrr...... (he said in his best vengeful tones.)
cookee
Guest
knives out;i reckon the wallies will beat the blacks on their own soil in sydney ;i have never seen an all black backline so inept at the basics ;amazing when theyre coached by an experienced coach like wayne smith;time for him to vacate?
fred
Guest
JOLLY JUPES, DO YOU AGREE WITH knives assessment;i see that bonza is easily amused must be the artificial colorants in his confectionery
Fuzz
Guest
So Ben in saying that australia were inadequate in every facet of the game you really aren't doing much justice for your own team. Seriously now if they were so inadequate why was the score margin relatively close it certainly wasn't a thrashing now was it? Do remember that Australia were so inadequate they managed to score 5 pointers twice oppossed to South Africas one. I believe the struggles of the Wallabies and the All Blacks of recent weeks have made the Boks look better than they really are. Your post here just reaffirms that
Bonza
Guest
I am enjoying this "banter" much better than watching the tri-nations
Knives Out
Guest
I couldn't comment until I see the team sheets, Fred. Part of me thinks that Australia will win a) because they were so stupid and bad in SA, and b) because they are playing at home. Part of me thinks that NZ will win because a) they have lost two in a row and b) if some of their handling sticks like it didn't in SA then they have the potential to rack up a huge score against some one.
fred
Guest
come on knives youre better than that.your posts ce jour are far from languid so be a tad more energetic avec moi
Ben J
Guest
I think the Springboks did what they had to do in order to win 3 potentialy gruelling encounters back to back. The next step is to see what they can do if they do not "have to" win anymore. They were pragmatic, suffered no apparent injuries, kept the other teams from earning bonuspoints and are unbeaten. You can't find fault with that.
Ben J
Guest
The Wallabies played cynical rugby typical of a team under the pump. Giteau deserves a 2 week suspension at least, his was but one of many professional fouls committed. 3 yellow cards and 19 penalties is a disgrace and they should be fined for unsportsmanlike behaviour :) Deans even cancelled the Sunday morning press conference as he was so upset with his team. If SA scored 3 points or 30 with the yellow cards is irrelevant. The fact is that Australia, apart from the first try, spoiled the contest because they were inadequate in about every facet.
Knives Out
Guest
Obviously I couldn't make such a comment without seeing the team sheets. Why don;t you tell me, Fred.
fred
Guest
KNIVESHOLE,tell me who will win the second bledisloe match in sydney and basically why