Roar Guru
Joined August 2013
29.4k
Views
11
Published
787
Comments
Journalist, copywriter, public relations consultant, novelist, entrepreneur, gamer, a South African who have lived in New Zealand for 25 years, loves New Zealand and South Africa and feels privileged to have family and friends in both countries -- I have huge affection for Australia (especially the Gold Coast because it reminds me of Durban) and Australians who I game with all the time.
Published
Comments
Numerous scientific studies are unequivocal - referees are biased. Subject to involuntary, subconscious opinions and feelings, as well as the influences of the local…
In the arm wrestle for influence within SANZAR, Australia holds all the cards because New Zealand – being in effect a state of Australia…
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has poured cold water – in emphatic fashion – on recent speculation that the Super Rugby will be…
Pursuit of a championship title cost the Springboks a vital test win against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on the weekend because they…
An objective and considered look at rugby's biggest villains reveals why Aussies are called Diggers and the Springboks thugs…then there's the intriguing, but barely…
News that the Boks intend to go for broke on Saturday raises the question of whether tournaments such as The Rugby Championship and Six…
The Springboks suffered an injustice in the Test played again the All Blacks this past weekend. I am trying to ensure that the fact…
A hurting Wallabies team under the fresh captaincy of Ben Mowen will have too much firepower for the Pumas in Perth tonight, and should…
Remember those old battle cards we played as kids? Each one had a super hero or fighter aircraft, with various points for speed, power,…
News that English and French clubs plan to break away from the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions – coupled to their invitation…
The Wallaby props have copped a lot of flak for not being good enough in recent weeks, but it can be argued it's a…
I could never understand the short-sightedness of politicians. Maybe the profession attracts a certain time, but as you say, t’s all nepotism, corruption, revenge.
Springboks display failed game plan of a failed coach
Thanks Kirky – Apartheid caused an immeasurable hurt not just in South Africa. I was in the army in the late 1980s and a news journalist in the Eastern Cape in the 1990s, so I know I saw many things that most other white South Africans did not, like droves of parentless four, five and six-year-old black street kids huffing glue. Those kids, in my personal opinion, would be the ones to go on and lead the crime wave of the late 1990s and 2000s. So yes, there is a lot to forgive.
I had hoped however, that people would respond to the leadership and vision of Nelson Mandela (who I met in my work) and begin to move on because a failure to do so means the same old vicious cycle just continues. White South Africans also did a tremendous amount of good in South Africa – a powerhouse economy, medical innovation e.g. Dr Chris Barnard, a world class education system etc.
So there was a foundation on which peace could be built, and a leader like Mandela to get it started. But unfortunately, post Mandela, the new Government started behaving like a kid let loose in a lolly shop and politicians now use race as a political trump card. I think those in power see rugby, which the majority of white South Africans love, as 1. another gravy train and 2. a tool for political points and 3. a button to push when they want to cause some hurt and get a bit of revenge.
I am aware that there will be many people who disagree with me (these forums can be brutal), and I could be wrong. But that’s just what I think.
Springboks display failed game plan of a failed coach
So angry BB, words cannot describe. I see Damien De Allende called a fan a loser on twitter because the guy suggested he starts passing the ball. That’s the kind of team culture we’re dealing with, led by Coach Clueless and Captain Missing in Action — I just honestly cannot watch rugby anymore. The Boks play like that and the All Blacks will put 60 points on them and you know what, it won’t change anything because it’s not about rugby or transformation, its about the politics of revenge. Plain and simple.
Springboks display failed game plan of a failed coach
Wallabies don’t need to change anything. They played well enough. The Boks would not have lived with either team last night. If you’re depressed at being a Wallabies fan, trying being a Bok fan with no hope.
Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for the Springboks?
No sure about that. Perhaps Steve is upset that the Wallabies ‘poached’ (?) Mick Byrne?
What’s got Steve Hansen's goat?
He’ll have to coach his way out of the wet paper bag first, and I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Coetzee wants Boks to find new ways to win
Yes and no, RB.
Any New Zealand player with any hopes of making the All Blacks will stay in New Zealand until all hope is gone, or they go after their international career is done. It’s a good system. The issue is that South African players are heading to the North at a very young age. I’m not sure of the Australian situation, but I would think their pool of rugby players is much smaller than South Africa and NZ? And if that’s true (fewer players to choose from) I think its remarkable that Australia still competes in the top 3 as it does. Imagine all those league players switching to union.
Too much of South African rugby is being lost to European riches
BB, where’s the glory in playing for the Springboks if, knowing that you are the best player in your position, you are not selected because of the colour of your skin? I would go overseas too.
Then there is the Rand’s value. South African sides simply cannot compete and people need to think of their families. If you know that SARU is not going to select the best of the best, and that its a bit of a lottery depending on the colour of other players in other positions, why stick around?
Then there’s the coaches. Alistair couldn’t coach his way out of a wet paper bag, how are can young ambitious players expect to develop under his tutelage? Ackermann appears to be the only coach in SA worthy his salt and we know why he didn’t get the Bok job.
In New Zealand they don’t select overseas players, but their structures are so good, as is their remuneration, that players know they have a chance if they have skill and work hard. It does;t matter what team they play for, the coach will be good enough to make something of them.
South Africa cannot currently even win a Super competition that is tilted in their favour not so much because the talent is not there, but the officials and coaches are not good enough to use that talent properly and their hands are tied by politicians when it comes to selecting players.
South African rugby is so dysfunctional, I’m surprised so many players have stuck around to be frank. I haven’t watch one game of Super rugby and I see Im not alone — the fans of leaving too and SANZAR has noticed, but they think its because South African teams are not winning. We stuck it out when South African teams weren’t winning in the past because we had hope. Now we have none.
A good blog Armand. Australian rugby is not nearly in as deep a mess as South African rugby. A bit of money, a bit of tinkering and they’ll be flying while we all live through groundhog day for now and the foreseeable future.
Too much of South African rugby is being lost to European riches
I don’t think there will be many challenges for the ABs this year Wardad. Like BB, I’ve given up on the Boks — the Boks were saved by the altitude if you ask me. Going to do something else instead.
Assessing the big Test matches of the weekend (Part 2)
I am now very strongly in favour of abandoning the Springbok emblem. Mothball it and call them the Proteas, because they are not worthy to wear the Bok. The Springbok’s time is over. I don’t want this rabble besmirching a proud history.
Ireland look to make history against Springboks
Great article Paul, well said. You forgot to mention the one-off runners, but otherwise spot on.
Springbok legacy nearing an end
Harry, you can’t always blame the coach. Politicians are forcing some selections and will continue to do so. Adrian Strauss was pathetic at as a captain — absent in action — not sure how he got picked ahead of overseas based Bismarck but maybe I’m behind because I hardly watch rugby at all anymore — to much political interference, too much meddling, too many refereeing mistakes. I haven’t watched one Super game this year, and I have no intention of doing so at all.
There was no leadership on the field on Saturday. None.
Also the days of having high expectations of the Springboks are gone. We’re a top five side now at best, along with all the others, and I think we have to accept all future results in that context.
There’s the All Blacks and daylight and then the rest of the crowd, including the Boks. Nobody, is going to come close to challenging All Black ascendancy possibly for years to come. I predict they will win their fourth title in four years, at a trot.
One Test in, Coetzee is already on the cliff
Rest in peace, Jonah – thank you for inspiring a generation.
SPIRO: Farewell Jonah Lomu, forever young
I don’t often agree with Spiro because I know he doesn’t like South Africans, but for once I think he is spot on with this analysis. The Springboks simply did not deserve to win that game, and with HM set to continue his tenure I don’t see much changing.
The S15 or whatever it’s called next year is a joke, a glorified Currie Cup. The Bok record against the All Blacks is so bad now it no longer deserves to be called a great rivalry. Unless you’re an All Black fan there really isn’t much to look forward to anymore. A word to the All Blacks — who will win this World Cup – In the words of Plutarch, talking about Alexander: ‘When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer.’
Guess that’s the end of rugby for me. I’m going to go find something else to enjoy. Cheers everyone.
SPIRO: All Blacks dare to be great, Springboks play to win
Peximis, youre a credit to graceless winners everywhere.
Well done and well deserved All Blacks
All Blacks defeat South Africa 20-18 to book place in World Cup final
I don’t expect the Boks to win either, but there’s always hope — HM will have been targeting this game for years.
Rugby World Cup semi-final preview: South Africa vs New Zealand
Thor will play a vital role Armand. Just you wait and see! 🙂
Rugby Ragnarok has finally come for Heyneke Meyer and the Springboks
I agree Andrew that we take rugby too personally.
When what happened on the field can ruin your day or week, it’s possibly gone too far. For example, every time somebody mentions the Japan result I feel embarrassed. Will we ever hear the end of it? On that note, a Kiwi friend said to me if that had happened to the All Blacks he probably would have “topped” himself — and he looked serious! Naturally he wouldn’t have, but it does demonstrate how much of ourselves we invest in something we personally actually have no control over. It brings out the ugly in people too..
Now, on a perfectly distasteful note… have you heard the joke about the RWC 5th and 6th place playoffs?
It’s called The Six Nations 🙂
Rugby care factor? Unreasonably high
No Utah, I did not label the whole nation up themselves. My father is certainly not up himself. I was referring to the Irish fans (the followers of rugby). Stop reading into things and responding with sweeping statements that have nothing to do with what was said.
What a difference one or two key players make
choke–tackle, weren’t we going to chat further on Monday about how the Irish and Welsh were going to win at a trot?
No easy way to a Rugby World Cup final
Crystal Rage there were a number of dubious decisions that favoured the Scots as well. Swings and roundabouts. I would be interested to hear the opinion of others who thought the Scottish try scored under the poles from the ruck was from an offside position? Wasn’t he supposed to be behind the last feet before he could pick the ball up?
The Scots were right! World Rugby confirm Joubert got it wrong
Bryce Lawrence copped the same after the 2011 cup CA3ZAR, from South Africans, which effectively ended his career. I was furious with him, but I didn’t want to see his career come to a stop over it – referees are only humans, they make mistakes. Joubert will be censored, as he should be — he made a few mistakes, many of which favoured Scotland too – so swings and roundabouts. Unfortunately personal attacks are also a very human behaviour and social media just magnifies the trouble. They couldn’t pay me enough to be a referee I tell you. Good news for Joubert is that the SH hemisphere nations like him, so his ‘local’ career is not in danger but if I were him I would avoid a few northern hemisphere appointments for a while.
What a difference one or two key players make
I thought the Springbok jersey was already in the hands of whiners and moaners e.g De Allende abusing fans on Twitter for daring to question is passing skills, or more accurately, lack thereof.
Springboks display failed game plan of a failed coach