There has been much talk about the challenge both the Wallabies and Springboks face this weekend. Excitement is matched equally with enormous apprehension on both sides.
The importance of this match is huge.
The Springboks’ recent record against the Wallabies has been disappointing to say the least. Out of their last nine encounters, South Africa have lost seven. The Wallabies are coming into this game having succumbed to a British and Irish Lions series defeat and a Bledisloe Cup whitewash.
Regardless of all the talk, pages of statistics and predictions posted on The Roar this week, most of you would agree that this is a tough one to call.
The build-up has been quite interesting this week. There have been quite a few articles and posts mentioning the Springboks’ dominance over the Wallabies, pre-isolation, and how this has been neutralised post isolation.
Besides a recent run of good form for the Wallabies over the Springboks, results between these two teams have been pretty much even since 1992. As a result, a fierce rivalry has been developing between these two sides over the last twenty years.
There is something about a Wallabies/Springboks Test match. It is a massive clash in playing styles and rugby cultures that has the potential to produce a classic encounter each time. And there have been plenty of them over the last 20 years.
Some of the most memorable matches between them are the World Cup opener in 1995, the World Cup semi -final in 1999, the tri-nations finals of 1998 and 2004, and the World Cup quarter final in 2011. Not to mention the Springbok’s resounding 61-22 victory over Australia in 1997 (the most points Australia has ever conceded in a Test match) or Australia’s 49-0 thrashing of South Africa as recently as 2006.
I won’t go into the details of these matches, and there have of course been many more classic encounters between these two sides over the years, but it is apparent that some of South Africa’s most important victories, and devastating defeats, have been at the hands of their modern rivals, Australia.
richard
Guest
Totally agree.Population of USA,approx 310 million.If they took the sport seriously,with the money and resources they have at their disposal,no one would compete with them.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Ah Jezza... Yes you are correct. Apologies. My bad. I completely missed that loss in Durban in 2008
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
If the US pumped as much money into rugby as they do into football then they'd kill us. Hands down!
There is one big difference between rugby and NFL though. Our athletes are conditioned for endurance over 80 minutes with matchday squads of 22 Their atheltes do only bursts, so they are conditioned for optimum performance over short stints. And their squads are huge.
IvanN
Guest
Can you imagine if the USA had put as much effort into Rugby as they do NFL ? backlines made up of sub 10 second sprinters from 11-15 ? Forwards that can roll cars over, SA and NZ will always be top nations in Rugby, its their greatest sport - Aus seems to have too many other codes competing for their youths attention,
I can't see it ever happening. The NH season is firstly very fractured, you play a bit of HC, then a bit of Six Nations, inbetween a bit of Aviva and Rabo, then a bit of tests etc. We don't like that down south, we want to play something and finish it. then you have the seasons, which ultimately is the biggest challenge. Then if you look at current NH structures how are they going to do it? Kick out Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy? Apart from that, the game in the NH is mostly club orientated, or perhaps I should say the clubs do what they want and the national Unions have little influence. SA is orientated towards springboks, even if it doesn't always look that way. I simply cannot see, nor would like SA to get in bed with one group if they fail to make it work with another.
JimmyB
Guest
I can't see it actually happening Brendan, but it would be a very interesting competition, no doubt it would be very well sponsored. The more I think about it, I think SA would be welcomed with open arms. Money talks in elite sport and that sort of comp would make everyone involved a he'll of a lot of cash. Might kill Super Rugby stone dead too. Great bargaining power for the Boks and their provinces.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
I feel the same DR! It would be a tragedy if South Africa left Super Rugby. I'm sure, if there is any talk of them pulling out, it's only a negotiating tactic. I'm sure this great comp is here to stay!
DR
Guest
Thanks for that Jimmy. I may make more effort to catch a few games. Brendan, i would be incredibly sad and dissapointed if we lost SA from Super Rugby. I have further thoughts on the matter but will have to wait til later as unfortunately work is getting in the way of the important things ;)
Jerry
Guest
You've got the results for 2008 wrong, the Wallabies won 2-1.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
That's very kind of you Richard. I always enjoy the resulting chats ;-)
richard
Guest
Couldn't agree more DR and Brendan.I have been beating that drum ( about the threat England pose),but I tend to think people in the SH aren't taking that threat seriously.The amount of money and resources the Poms are throwing into their team shows just how serious they are about winning the next WC.People write them off at their peril. Brendan,really enjoy your work.Keep it up.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
I guess you made your climb a bit too soon then DR. I know SARU have hinted at forming a comp with England & France in the past but how would you feel if England, France & South Africa started a comp?
Ben.S
Roar Guru
You keep making reference to Bryce Lawrence when he actually apologised for his performance in the 1st Lions Test of 2009, something else you keep making reference too to.
JimmyB
Guest
Was our own fault though Brendan, because we knew that we had to be ranked top 4 by the December( I think ) cut off time. Certainly a group of death, but as DR says, whoever comes out of it, should feel pretty confident for the business end of the tournament. DR the Welsh should be ok age wise, they are the fittest NH team at the moment. Their problems might be at 9 and 10 ( obviously crucial ), Phillips looked like he was on his last legs in the Lions series and Biggar was the only Welsh first choice who didn't make the Lions squad. The Heineken Cup is a great tournament which is pretty brutal physically, but not as free flowing as Super Rugby. It might be a better grounding for international rugby though as it more closely resembles it IMO. The French have it pretty well sewn up at the moment due to their financial clout.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
With New Zealand's rugby culture, they'll always be a top force. West Indian situation is due to lack of interest from their youngsters.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Now that you mention the make up of England's pool JimmyB, I wonder if England will be a threat. I think Australia, provided they keep this core group together, will be tough to beat. Wales & England are the form NH sides at the moment, so another tough game for the English. You've had an unlucky draw this time round.
DR
Guest
Neither would i Jimmy. Unsure about the age of the Welsh lads but they look to have a strong core and pretty sure most of them will have 2011 burnt into their minds and always wary of those pesky French! Wish I could see more of the Heineken cup but life gets in the way sometimes.
JimmyB
Guest
I hope you're right mate, I'm just naturally pessimistic I'm afraid, being a Pom. I do think experience is important though in terms of caps. If you look back at the winners of the last 4 RWCs they were all very experienced teams that had been through tough times together, which helps when the chips are down, as they surely will be at some point. It wouldn't surprise me though if there is a European winner.
Samual Johnson
Guest
To summarise, and New Zealanders will have to face facts one day. Union is now professional, it is not the "shamateur" setup they dominated by really being pros when everyone else were proper ammos. Give it a decade and things will even out significantly and we will all look back with nostalgia at the dominant Blacks of the 20th century as we do about West Indian cricket.