The Boks don't deserve our sympathy

Yeah it is, like having players go down with supposed injuries at key times in a game. Each to their own.

Ethos or not, you're being a little naive if you don't think all teams at all levels in some way or another play to what they can get away with... what is smart is doing it effectively; either not getting caught or making sure the repercussions don't cost you the match. Victor Matfield having a running debate with the referee drawing his attention and ultimately provoking his ire is not smart rugby.... the Boks often just get it plain wrong. The way the ABs play the ref is fantastic, it's obviously something they have put a lot of thought in to.

i thought the AB's were far below their 'clinical best'.

i thought the AB's were far below their 'clinical best'.

warren... 'is becoming a seriously goot player' ....yeah? Well before he 'becomes a good player', at this stage of his career, whcih country in World Rugby would not want to sign him if available? I am just being a bit silly as Ben Smith is already a superstar....

More like the ARU are kidding themselves. There aren't enough supporters in Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast to fill a single stadium let alone three.

Yeah - I guess the WB supporters are their own worst enemy

I think SA need more smart management to be honest, the talent has always been there

Brendan, thanks for the article, like you I thought Vermeulen outstanding, and you make a number of good points. But I thought SA managed to get in the AB heads like no other team has for a while; their resolute defence in the first half leading to the AB's eventually resorting to kicks out of what seemed to be resignation that the SA defence was so tough to crack. I believe that has put something into the heads of the AB's. And SA on that performance I would put down as a most likely RWC finalist, and they might well win it - especially given the nature of the RWC where SA and NZ only rarely square off against each other (only 1995 and 2003, if you discount the play-off for 3rd in 1999)

OJ you're kidding? Half the comments on ANY wallabies article are AB supporters bragging.

Definitely noticed the lack of intensity against Australia. At the end of the day teams aren't going to take the wallabies serious when they are playing at empty stadiums.

it was nothing to do with conrad. he didnt do owell

Fair enough Brendan. I took issue with the comment about "another loss, this time to a better side". I thought the wallabies deserved to win in Perth and a record of 8-1-1 backs that up. However I sympathise with bok fans trying to reconcile two very narrow losses in 2 weeks.

MY apologies Rhino--I thought you were referring to individual matches and not a running total of series' victories. On the reffing; I DO recall Joe Morgan being held back without the ball with a try beckoning;I must have overlooked all the indescretions by biased NZ refs though! :-)

Good morning Brendan Firstly, while I was hoping the SBs would show some starch and take it to the ABs, I never anticipated just how much starch was given - this was a complete turnaround of siesmic proportions compared to the week before and for that, I take my hat off to the SBs. They showed up with intent and proceeded to give commitment which IMO, were both remarkable for their absence against the WBs. On to the match - there were some startling observations I gleaned from the match. I didnt know the ABs had it in them to lead the possession and territory stats as what I saw at HT and FT. To that end, it really did emphasise how much of a defensive effort was displayed by the SBs at both ends of the paddock - amazing stuff. Admittedly, the ABs made simple errors like dropped ball, crazy passing not finding the ball runner etc but sometimes such errors are the result of the defence line hence, they're forced errors rather than unforced. If you watch the match again, have look at the SB defence effort from the OC/wings. Throughout the game, these guys were screaming of the line to get amongst the ABs before the passed ball would arrive. Brilliant tactics because on numerous occasions, it forced the AB ball-runner to cut back inside rather than force a pass that could be intercepted. We've learnt our lesson from the like of JdV and BH intercepting and taking off fo a try. Anyway, forcing the IC/OC to come back inside, kept the play and ball handy for the SB flank cover to get over and challenge the ensuing rucks once the tackle happened and certainly stole more rucks than the ABs would care to admit to. It also forced the ABs to diversify and resort to grubber kicks through the SB backline on occassion rather than continue the hand-to-hand passing game which IMO, was really quite visible but the SB defence, was just as visible. The tackling was at its brutal best from the SBs and was another example of how much they came to this match wth a whole lot of intent. Understandably, the ABs kicked the ball more than the SBs but two things come to mind - where the kicks were done and the result of those kicks. We kicked a lot in the SB half which IMO, the ABs retrieved 50% plus of their own kicks...these helped to keep our attack going until we'd make another forced error or cough up the ball at the ensuing ruck. IMO, this was a match from yester-year fought in the trenches by two teams with bucket-loads of intent, guts and commitment and certainly, not a match for the faint-hearted with the occassional sweeping plays going from one end to the other at times and desperate defence by both sides to nullify what supporters thought my have been, long-range try scoring efforts on offer. Absolute brilliance in D and A. Of course it looked at times like the ref was hasty with his whistle and at other times he forgot he had a whistle but that's just swings and roundabouts stuff. Overall, the ref had a decent game that was made all the better when I thought he wasn't even there at all. So where to for the return match - well, I think the ABs have to sort out there ruck cleanouts for starters and ensure the quick service from Smith is not affected by othe oppositions efforts to slow down the ball - IMO, the ball was in the ABs hands a lot more than in the SBs hands and the need to improve their own ruck returns and retain possession, must be at the top of Shag's checklist when they head to SA & ARG. For the SB's - retain this sense of intent and commitment for all matches has to be on top of HM's checklist because practice can only improve actions. Their defence effort was just superb under the AB attack - the kicking game could do with some improvement because it looked like most of the kicks didn't place any pressure on the ABs at all. But it was a much, much better performance than what was served up the week before and this has got to be a positive for the SBs??

The All Blacks are only allowed to play how they play by their opposition, and the Springboks turned up to play on the night, so they deserve a lot of the credit for the scoreline. That was easily the toughest Test since Ireland in 2013. But I agree about some of the All Blacks' declining stocks! Mealamu should not be in RWC2015, and Luatua needs a rocket for not even attempting to tackle Hendricks. Luatau is doing his best to play himself out of the squad.

My attention was on MotoGp MotoGP at the time and I mistakenly thought you were replying to the DC post above yours rather than the twins post. My apologies.