In rugby’s professional era, the hardest thing to do is win in New Zealand against the All Blacks. In fact, there are very few players still active in rugby who have done so.
George Smith remembers 11 August 2001 in Dunedin, when Australia prevailed 23-15. No other Wallaby from that game is still in the picture.
Smith’s skillset was sorely lacking the recent romp at Eden Park. Slower ball is a good thing when foreigners play in New Zealand.
Michael Hooper is faster than almost any other forward besides Pierre Spies, but he and Spies – if they are to beat New Zealand – need to focus more on slowing the ball.
France won in New Zealand 22-17 on 13 June 2009. Louis Picamoles was the starting eighthman for Les Bleus, Nicolas Mas was in the front row, and Mathieu Bastareaud was in the midfield; there are 12 French players who tasted victory over the Kiwis who are still potential French Test players. But the Gauls do not look much like sacking the dark empire any time soon.
There are as many as 17 Springboks in or around Heyneke Meyer’s setup of who remember winning in New Zealand. The miracle win on 12 July 2008 (30-28 on a late try by a sniping, chipping Ricky Januarie) featured Boks like current captain Jean de Villiers, ageless winger Bryan Habana, abrasive rake Bismarck du Plessis, speedy hooker Schalk Brits, blood brothers Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, mercurial talent Frans Steyn, oft-maligned Ruan Pienaar, the soon-to-return Schalk Burger and J.P. Pietersen, and France-based Gurthro Steenkamp and Juan Smith.
On 12 September 2009, in Hamilton, the Boks were victorious again, the last time a visiting team has won in New Zealand. That night, Morne Steyn was on the field (but it was Frans Steyn who kicked the Boks to victory, with three penalties from inside his own half), as were Fourie du Preez, Beast Mtawarira, Jaque Fourie, and Jannie du Plessis.
When we wonder why Meyer persists with some of the players he does, a possible rationale is that he is obsessed with beating the All Blacks,
there are maybe only 30 active players in the world who know how it feels to beat New Zealand in New Zealand and he has access to 17 of them.
That’s the only reason I can understand Steenkamp and Jannie du Plessis taking the field in Wellington soon.
Am I on to something?
Rollaway7
Roar Guru
Make him president!
Harry Jones
Expert
He's alive & well & playing Currie Cup in Bloemfontein. The story was complex
Zack
Roar Rookie
While we're on the subject of "whatever happened to...", whatever did happen to the (I think) Bulls prop arrested for a homicide way back in 2010-11'ish?
Harry Jones
Expert
Boland is best place on earth
fanie
Guest
Mentioning the Currie Cup the WP did a Oz on the Bulls Battling scrum line outs average loose trio excellent and the backline magnificent bad omen for the boks Don t worry Julia you do not have to come out of the cupboard you are safe sis the other angle can be HM does not want to lose but if he loses against Oz he has a hell of a problem is he now going to call the rookies.Psychologically the team will be dead ducks against the AB and what about the end of year tour we have to play Merlin and the Dragon we have not defeated this Dragon and we could get pricked by the Roses.So Armand mentioned a watershed am i lucky to retreat into the dark shadow of the Boland mountains.Can we change Julia to Johanna at least we can sing GIVE US HOPE JOHANNA.
Two Eyed Cyclop
Roar Guru
Now you confused me again :-(
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Ouch!
Ra
Guest
Yeah agree with Buk, Harry, thanks for your guys world view on Springbok rugby, it gives us a good insight into players and behind the scene goings on that would not otherwise know. It doesn't stop any of us from being thoroughly and passionately one-eyed, but it does give the eye under the patch more options to look at lol
Ra
Guest
Don't worry about name dropping there Tragic. I agree with you. Red Kev and The kingmaker, open side dude, are three who I read passion for their state sides in their comments, but who are not afraid to praise good play by opposition also and talk from knowledge of the game. Of fellow Kiwi scribes I like Atlas who seems to have a seat on the NZRU board, and there are two or three others who write with balance.
IvanN
Guest
hard to call Bismark a force of nature, and Etzebeth a fast and poweful - when we've all seen etzebeth put Bizzy on his backside....
IvanN
Guest
Correct. He has however beaten NZ 4x at JWC's 2012 - SA beats NZ in the final in SA. 2013 - SA beats NZ for 3rd place playoff 2014 - SA beats NZ in group, and again in SF
RobC
Roar Guru
Beat me to it, Harry - Eben had zero game time in SR, and one of the reasons Stormers had a bad season. - His injury was during the last test of 2013 - Before injury, I would rate him above other 2nd rowers. He has the weight and power of Bakkies and Retallick, but w/superior solo-jumping power and acceleration. In Ellis Park, he outran all but one AB forwards. He outpowered and outjumped both Retallick and Whitelock. I watched his return in Pretoria, where I thought he was excellent, considering his injury return. He was average in Salta. I think it till take him the rest of the season to get back there.
Buk
Guest
Thats great Harry - appreciate that as I know very little about the SA scene, and you, BB, Armand etc. fill in gaps. Thanks for your articles.
Harry Jones
Expert
Pollard twice, right?
Harry Jones
Expert
Juan Smith did
IvanN
Guest
current players who have beaten nz in nz at u21 level?
It was his first 80 minute performance of the season, give the guy some time, hell.
Harry Jones
Expert
Oh No worries And I agree
canadiankiwi
Guest
I watched the Argentina second test. Etzebeth played poorly, as did most of the Springbok forwards. The same media pundits who nominate him for MOM after every Springbok win are the same ones I refer to when I say he is over-hyped. Just because everyone says he is the new Bakkies does not make him the equal to Bakkies in his prime. Bismarck, Vermuelen, Alberts, Louw deserve the praise they receive, they have earned it. Etzebeth's praise is based on his potential, not his production (same as Lambie and Goosen). Lets be honest, the irb nominated Owen Farrell for player of the year in 2012 and gave it to Shane Williams in 2008- how I am I suppose to take that award seriously. McCaw won it in 2009 when he should not have ( FDP clearly did) and did not win it in 2008 when he had arguably his best season ever.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Sorry about the lack of clarity. My disagreement was with Xenomorph's comment that it is not Hooper's most important responsibility as a 7 to create havoc at the breakdown. I also disagree with his with view that Fardy and Hooper are an effective back row combination. I think if you are going to play Hooper at 7, you need a big, heavy-hitting blindside (ie Kaino or Messam). Fardy is average both athletically and physically at Test level.