I was horrified to read that the Test match in Perth on Saturday could be deprived of the classic sea of Gold, and replaced by, well, just a sea.
The news that the home fans will don the blue of the Force, rather than the famous Aussie gold, in solidarity with each other against their removal from Super Rugby, will be music to the ears of the travelling South Africans.
For those not in the know, the Western Force have been axed from the Super Rugby competition. Their death knell was confirmed when it was revealed this week that their appeal against the ban had failed.
While the sea of blue may fire up the Boks, it’s not that they need any extra motivation in Perth.
The hosts have never beaten the Boks by more than seven in Perth, and indeed have only squeaked a win on four of the eight occasions that they have met at the home of the Western Force.
Frankly, the decision to play the Boks in Western Australia, where an estimated 35,000 South Africans call home, makes about as much sense as SARU granting Cape town a Test match against the All Blacks.
Playing at sea level, in front of several thousand ‘Cape Crusaders’ will give the All Blacks a massive advantage, not usually enjoyed up on the Highveld.
At least, unlike previous Tests in Australia, the game is more likely to be sold out.
The Aussies looked deadly in their second game in New Zealand. They will be looking to build on the impressive display, but the Springboks have recovered from annus horribilis, and now look to have solid cover in all 15 positions.
So how will things look in this much anticipated encounter? It’s going to be ‘Titanic’ up front, and ‘Dances With Wolves’ in the backs.
We need a Bok win will keep the championship alive, and that it exactly what will happen.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree that should have always been the case being able to select anyone playing super rugby, not just in aust (provided they are eligible by world rugby rules of course).
PeterK
Roar Guru
no they cannot block them if the tests are in the official test windows, besides their club is not even playing since super rugby is over.
DavSa
Guest
Ha ha ...got it....?
Chooks
Guest
By suggesting that playing in Perth is a disadvantage to the Wallabies. That the large expat South African community essentially makes the Perth Test a home game for the Bokke. I'm sure it won't be long before the Spirit is booted from the NRC as well. Appears to me that anything to do with Rugby in WA will be tossed into the "too hard" bin.
Suzy Poison
Guest
And New Zealand only scored five tries in those three games too. New Zealand scored 13 tries against the Wallabies. Different games. The loose play of Australia meant New Zealand played fast and loose too. I think that fact flatters the number of tries they had scored against them.
Harry Jones
Expert
Huge huge huge huge underdogs
Tooly
Roar Rookie
It doesn't matter as long as we are not robbed and as long as we build on our last match by at least a small degree . It would help if we adopted a versatile game plan that involves common sense rather than idiocy too late for common sense on selections .
andrewM
Guest
Better that than remembering that they are waratahs
lloyd marshall
Roar Rookie
That's true but Sydney is 4 times the size of Perth. The percentage of South Africans living in Perth is far greater.
lloyd marshall
Roar Rookie
Can't wait either my friend. Enjoy.
lloyd marshall
Roar Rookie
From your lips, to the ears of the rugby gods my friend.
DavSA
Guest
Baylion , lots of teams have frittered away starts against The All Blacks over the years . It is a huge characteristic of their game in that they have an ability to create doubt in the oppositions minds even if they are leading by 17 points. ...I agree on defensive systems meaning so much more than tackle stats but with that comes attacking strategies which will target areas where defense systems have weaknesses . Read individual players tackle stats.
I did yes.
Mike Julz
Guest
I was kinda expecting this, the Force fans wearing their Force jerseys in this weeks Wallabies game. The question is, what team they will support?. No doubt they will cheer the team in Gold, but deep down, they want to cheer the other team just to vent their frustrations towards the ARU. It makes sense for them to do it.
DavSA
Guest
Strategy Machooka . Actually I am pre - empting disappointment . Had so much practice last year I have become an accomplished pre-empter.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Oh c'mon DavSA please... you're embarrassing we Wallaby with all this enthusiastic talking us up stuff! ;)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Baylion... just an aside regards the number of tries (9) the Wallaby have scored in their last two Tests against the Blackness. The BIL in their recent tour against the same mob only managed to score 4 tries in three Tests! :)
DavSA
Guest
How The Wallabies can be anything but favourites is beyond me. reasons : 1. The travel factor . Boks made the long trip from Argentina and barely found their land legs before hopping on a plane to Aus. It matters in Superugby and it matters in test rugby . Argentina had no advantage in the last test as they not only travelled to SA but made the return journey too . Still stayed in the match for long periods. 2. AUS record since 2013 . 3. Aus confidence will be high from NZ game. 4. Alistair Coetzee has a dismal record against quality sides . Has either rewritten the record books for first time achievements ( not positive ones) or gone down by record scores. A Bok victory cannot be seen as anything but an upset . Should it be raining it will bring the Boks into it . They are better equipped for a tight , kicking game. But in good and dry weather Australia have more fire power to play with ball in hand , minimizing scrums and lineouts. neutralizing Bok strengths.
MitchO
Guest
Pek may as well go take the cash. Might have been different if Cheika called him up instead of Robertson. Then Pek can consider fighting for a spot as 33 year old in 2019.
lloyd marshall
Roar Rookie
Did you even read the article? ‘nothing more than the crowd’s attitude doesn’t carry much weight for me.’ That was not the basis for the prediction at all.