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Joined September 2017
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Bemused rugby follower. Saffa.
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I don’t wish to disrespect the awesome heritage, but this All Blacks team doesn’t have the daylight between it and the rest of the world that other AB teams established. Obvs the rest of the world has improved but I think this AB team isn’t one of their strongest. The new coaches have improved things but they lack something that marks a great team
Last chance for NZ's Rennie generation, Boks' edge of experience: Which teams are peaking on 'strong side' of the draw
Agreed, the Boks are at the TWC without a recognised kicker. After so much preparation, how could such a vital area have come unstuck? However its not all gloom and doom. On his day Libbock kicks well. If he’s having a shocker, Faf is a handy backup. And let’s not forget, Pollard may still find himself in the squad…
Last chance for NZ's Rennie generation, Boks' edge of experience: Which teams are peaking on 'strong side' of the draw
This article and the thread are filled with the tired old hedge – lets predict our worst case – South Africa – and so by the end we’re either correct or elated. South African forwards are “huge” and “brutal”. Its grudgingly conceded that the Boks have backline players of skill. Are South African forwards far bigger than those of say, France? And as for this rubbish about a 7-1 bench being against the spirit of the game. It could be argued that replacing players who are just fatigued, not injured, is also against the spirit of the game. See how ridiculous it sounds?
SPIRO ZAVOS: The best team in the tournament, not necessarily the best team, will win the 2023 RWC
Nice piece Harry. In a game where your front 5 are being beaten up, everything your back 10 do ends up looking terrible. If that team had beaten the Boks, it would have snowed that night at Loftus, not a few days later at Ellis Park. As for the RWC, all the Boks have shown is that they have great depth. But will their best team be on the park for the key games, and are they good enough for Fra/Ire? Aus may as well not go. For all rugby is supposedly a “world game”, its about 4 teams, and we all recognise that.A pity the tournament’s structure doesn’t reflect that.
Fresh meat: Loftus Versfeld smells like an abattoir. Tom Hooper and co were skewered and thrown on the braai
Rassie appears to be saying that forward domination should be enough to preserve the Japanese defence and the rush defence will blunt their attack. He may have a point. The Japanese pack will certainly be tested, and their attack will probably have slightly less time and ball than they had in previous games. Will the Japanese forwards hold firm and can the backs still do their magic in a more pressured situation? Although it’s possible, my instinct tells me that Japan will not be strong enough, either in defence or attack, at least in part due to the mental toll it has taken getting this far in the tournament. The Boks will grind them down, in as boring a fashion as possible.
Japan vs Springboks Rugby World Cup quarter-final preview and prediction
The real downside is that England weren’t really tested against a top team. They just had to show up to look brilliant. Until next week we (and they) have no ideas how good they really are. I’m exaggerating of course, because it was pressure from England that shows up the Aussie tactics for being somewhat threadbare, but it was hardly a searching examination.
Six talking points from Wallabies versus England
The beauty of rugby is the tension between structure and no structure. As an outsider with lots of respect for the Aussie style of rugby, the WBs went too far in the direction of no structure, relying too much on individual flair. That may be ok against teams that are your inferior, but against teams that are better than that you need processes that just work. Like for exiting your 22. Otherwise the pressure coming through gives you too little time to choose plays wisely and ours to much pressure on individuals to come up with something brilliant. If Australia can get that balance right, which also involves changing the team mix in favour of reliable excellent skills rather than error prone brilliance, the WBs will be in better shape. As a first step, get a coach thats consistent and methodical. Going for Cheika was always a high risk play.
Six talking points from Wallabies versus England
I know this sort of result causes much gnashing of teeth by Wb supporters. Although it’s no comfort as a Saffer I’m amazed how good your team usually is, given how low rugby union ranks in Australia. It’s not patronising! Of course things could be better, but as a team the Wbs are generally highly competitive against whoever they play, even the best. But your lack of depth makes it very difficult to be better than that. I think a lot of the comments reflect that.
Eight talking points from Bledisloe 2
As a Saffer, I understand all the recriminations about the Aussie performance. But remember this is one day cricket, and only a couple of little things (e.g. Getting Miller out in the 40s, or having one of those catches stick) and the result could have been very different. Rather than address things that went wrong, I’d just like to post a comment in admiration of Dale Steyn’s performance. From a series of horrendous injuries, and at his age, to come back and perform like he did. What a player.
Australia's top order fails again as Proteas win to clinch 2-1 series lead
I thought Wife’s defining characteristics were his ability to pass off his major stakeholders, treat his players like schoolboys and exit his contract prematurely?
Wallabies must bring the angry: Byrne
I’m not a rugby aficionado but I have noticed than when the Argentineans managing a bit of backline play in an unstructured situation, some of the interplay is magical. In particular the backs have an ability to pass with soft hands, so the ball seems to hover in wait for the receiver. A thing of beauty. I always get the feeling that they are trying hard to play against the strengths of their natural game, and therefore lose far too often.
Argentina: The perpetual rugby oddity
The are some interesting matchups but I don’t expect the Boks to be very competitive. The team is too new and they need another year to get the defensive system spot on. Add to that the weaknesses in the loose trio with Kriel out and Cassiem retained, and probably the weakest back three in several years. Expect some good early tusssles but the ABs will be too strong over the last quarter.
All Blacks name Hames, Squire against Boks
Understandably most comment are about which Wallably players to replaced, based on perceptions of their poor form. I’d be interested to hear what Wallaby fans think are the strengths and weaknesses of the Bok team, and which team they’d pick specifically for this match.
Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for the Springboks?
It felt as if Fiji got most of the 50-50 calls and a few of the 40-60 ones as well. Fiji did well up front and obvs on turnovers but I thought their ball handling wasn’t as good as it sometimes is. Australia hung in quite well, considering how they were being battered physically, but they needed a 10 who could have executed better to get a win. Quality of rugby notwithstanding, the games in this pool are great entertainment!
'Eddie got found out': Jones in spotlight as 'ferocious' Fiji leave Wallabies RWC hopes hanging by thread in 69 year first