Roar Guru
Joined August 2011
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If ever there was a game that may have caused South Africans to be gracious in defeat, this was it. The Wallabies systematically destroyed…
The hysteria across the ditch has reached unprecedented levels but are Kiwis being rational? As Aaron Smith said: “It’s actually gone… it’s ridiculous how…
Rugby Union in Australia is now the subject of ridicule and derision. Matter of fact, it’s the subject of jokes in New Zealand too.…
Australian Super Rugby sides are not very good. They should not be pushing their Trans-Tasman competition so hard. Yet New Zealanders generally seem pretty…
The ‘contest’ between New Zealand and South Africa on Saturday night was not worthy. It may have been the much hyped 100th match between…
After arriving in the land Down Under cock-a-hoop and full of the joys of a Lions series victory, the Boks are now officially on…
Quade Cooper’s iconic performance on Saturday evening is more than a personal redemption story. That 80 minutes made Cooper all but un-droppable this year.…
Millwall Football Club is famous for its terrace chant “nobody likes us, we don’t care”. The Boks have taken that motto to a whole…
In what must be one of the least memorable Test series in recent memory, it is fair to say rugby was the real loser.…
The outrage that followed the red card dished out to Marika Koroibete was hardly surprising. When you hear the normally measured Andrew Mehrtens sound…
Everything is so serious nowadays. COVID vaccinations! Death from sugar! Contact sport! The risk of living is suddenly so real and so great, there…
It is a stretch to say that Australia narrowly defeated France’s third XV; it was more like its seconds. Some may point to the…
After a tough start to the Trans-Tasman competition, most Australians are conceding the next World Cup already. The record of 18 defeats over four…
Rugby needs to strike a balance between player welfare and changing the fabric of the sport. Unfortunately, right now the most important conversation relating…
There is no excuse for the performance on Saturday night. Not the weather. Not preparation. And not youth. 43-5 is a national humiliation and…
We’ve now all seen enough of Super Rugby AU to pick a Wallaby side on form. It’s impossible to know what Dave Rennie makes…
Last week, I wrote an article suggesting that Australian rugby go it alone. The need for a national club rugby competition similar to the…
Everyone has been talking about a merged Anzac Super competition next year. But will five, four or even three Australian sides be competitive and…
Michael Cheika isn’t a polarising figure. He’s detested by pretty much everyone. Yet does he really deserve to be held in such contempt –…
Saturday 24 November 2018. Australia v England. The only Wallaby Test I’d ever attended knowing Australia couldn’t win before the match even started. But…
We are absolutely kidding ourselves as rugby people to claim that match “did justice to the feature”.
A close match means nothing especially when it’s marred by 30+ penalties, dozens of handling errors and what felt like endless kicks.
It’s becoming almost impossible to defend the game which is a lot more fragile in the SH than people want to admit.
Both sides should be told the match has been voided and asked to return next week and do better. Appalling and atrocious by 1 v 2 in the world.
Boks coach bemoans 'bounce of the ball' as youngster's massive play secures All Blacks win
Spot on. Attacked the head with a head. And it was late, after the whistle at significant speed!
Given the drama over Swinton, I couldn’t believe the refs didn’t even discuss a red for Wiese.
UPDATED: Springbok CLEARED as citing dismissed for brutal Kerevi clean out
The most unbelievable thing is that the refs came very close to red carding Swinton but never once mentioned a red for Wiese.
For mine, Wiese’s was far worse, far more dangerous.
UPDATED: Springbok CLEARED as citing dismissed for brutal Kerevi clean out
I believe it’s because they’ve deemed he used his head as a weapon.
If you look at the footage. He almost consciously lines up Kerevi then lowers his head – it’s like a striking charge.
Fact the refs dismissed the red without even talking about it but considered it for Swinton is mind boggling
WATCH: Jasper Wiese cited for Kerevi clear out shocker
Absolutely!
In my opinion the Swinton tackle was a probably a penalty – contact was shoulder to shoulder, it wasn’t late or reckless. Just a simple shoulder to shoulder collision that resulted in a head clash. Penalised as he didn’t get his arms around properly.
The Wiese incident was far worse. Aimed his head and shoulder at Kerevi’s head and neck after the whistle had gone.
The fact the refs spoke about Swintons being a red and never once mentioned Wiese as a red… unbelievable. I think it shows complete and utter confusion about what is dangerous and what isn’t
WATCH: Jasper Wiese cited for Kerevi clear out shocker
Changing the point of attack used to be a given in rugby – variation is so important.
This is where I think that Cooper really was a game changer, literally. His option taking and the parts of the field he chose to attack… superb. Even a couple of deft little kicks in behind the line, suddenly the Boks were caught in two minds re how to handle Kerevi and Ikitau.
What becomes of the broken Bokke on the tour from hell?
Wholeheartedly agree with bringing Reinach in- in the games he’s played, I’ve thought he looked excellent and poses a real threat.
Also have big question marks about the environment and whether Neinaber is up to being a head coach. The most basic point is that he doesn’t seem to underestand the need for a balanced backrow. I thought it showed a total lack of rugby nous and awareness to pick Mostert and Vermuelen against the Wallabies- a lock as a 6 and an 8 (albeit a great one) coming back from injury without miles under his belt.
What becomes of the broken Bokke on the tour from hell?
As mentioned above, the other stats that are interesting are possession and territory.
It is correct that the Wallabies kicked 27 times from hand versus the Boks 28. However, the Boks had 59% of possession and 61% of territory. This suggest the Wallabies were kicking to exit their territory under pressure but that the Boks were kicking from within their own territory much more…
I totally agree with your observation about the Wallabies kicking more judiciously. Who would have thoiught you’d say that about a side led by Quade Cooper. But I do think the Boks were run ragged and therefore struggled to make it to breakdowns – the Boks have played sides with a slow tempo who attack narrowly all year.
What becomes of the broken Bokke on the tour from hell?
Gday PeterK
I had a look at your stats and you are right, there is some truth to them.
However, possession and territory are important too. According to ESPN, the Wallabies kicked 27 times from hand versus the Boks 28. However, the Boks had 59% of possession and 61% of territory.
So while the Wallabies were kicking to exit their territory under pressure, it also suggests the Boks were kicking from within their own territory much more. This accords with my recollection of the game, especially the first half, where South Africa box kicked and ‘up and undered’ from around their half way repeatedly.
That’s of course before you take into account their 59% possession whuch implies they had more opportunities to use the ball.
What becomes of the broken Bokke on the tour from hell?
Hi West, I heard the same thing.
In many ways I feel sorry for the players. Passing, especially opposed and at speed, is something that needs to be constantly implemented and drilled. I don’t think there was any possibility the Boks could just come on at half time and start attacking the line and throwing the ball around without drops, miss-passes and at times, running into eachother!
What becomes of the broken Bokke on the tour from hell?
This is spot on.
Particularly interested in whether Bok chasers are obstructions themselves- as you say, many leap from meters back a long time before the ball arrives.
That has the effect of impeding those with a realistic chance of catching the high ball which in turn causes no more than a 50:50 contest as the ball must hit the ground and the bounce could go anywhere… exactly what the Boks want.
Boks send clips to World Rugby to seek 'alignment' with refs ahead of Wallabies rematch
I think that’s right.
McMahon, Gill, even playing Pocock at 8 upset a lot of people (rightly in my opinion).
He also suffered from perceptions relating to Links departure as well as following Wilson, Smith, Waugh and Pocock. Tough acts to follow.
Still Hoops has such a huge motor and heart, you have to applaud him.
'I'm gobsmacked': Everything Rennie said on Hoops critics, JOC's key change and 'destructive' McMahon
I’m not so sure.
The Boks got opened up almost at will by Kerevi. Given that was the first time Quade has played with Kerevi, there is a heap of growth. Tupou will also likely start and wouldn’t be surprised if Kaitu’u comes in too- much bigger bodies.
With the side the Boks have gone for it signals they are going to try playing exactly the same way. I feel that’s a big mistake, not only for this week but for the ABs especially.
Huge fan of Reinach but also of van Staden and Wiese. I’d have moved Mostert to lock and started Wiese. Boks have missed a trick.
South Africa make three changes for second Wallabies showdown
Honest question, does this side just suggest the Boks feel their game plan was spot on but badly executed?
As an outsider, very surprised that Mostert starts again ahead of some of the bench guys.
And also, what about Cobus Reinach? Is he injured or something – his pace and passing was incredible and if he was allowed to run a bit and challenge around the ruck, he’d open up a lot of space.
South Africa make three changes for second Wallabies showdown
They were pretty much penalized off the park against the Wallabies…
And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it happened during a faster game against an opponent who didn’t kick the ball back to them. Similar to Finn Russels 60 minutes in the 3rd test.
I don’t know if you have Pollards kick/ run/ pass stats against the Wallabies. Ok, 90% was an exaggeration but it must be close to 50/40/10?
Why I don't understand the Springboks hate
Biltong unfortunately we disagree on this.
For me, passing and running with the ball are fundamentals just like scrums and lineouts.
Nobody is asking SA to change its rugby DNA. But I think many supporters all around the world feel SA has abandoned them.
This Bok team (certainly not all) is cynical. They don’t hold the ball, at all. They kick it away 90% of the time and contest it questionably by throwing bodies into the air who have limited chances of catching it. And that’s before all the waterboys and water girls enter the field of play to assist with kit malfunctions at every stoppage- it’s like watching NFL but slower.
The irony is that Pollard has so many more strings to his now. You have a 9 on the bench who poses all sorts of questions. And at least 2 or 3 back rowers on the bench who could replace Mostert and give you guys plan B.
Why I don't understand the Springboks hate
I’m a big Wilson fan but at test level he’s been shown to be a little light on/ too small. If you look at him next to Vermuelen, Billy Vunipola etc he’s just too small.
I think he’s still growing into his body and needs to put on a stone to have the sort of impact we need from him.
Why Rennie will pull the trigger on O'Connor at 15
The one thing that may get in the way of this plan is JOC’s injury history.
I’m not so sure it can be called ‘chronic’ yet but you are right to raise it.
Why Rennie will pull the trigger on O'Connor at 15
Absolutely – in many ways SBW played the role that Kerevi is filling now.
Why Rennie will pull the trigger on O'Connor at 15
Yeah the jury is out on Petaia for me.
He’s obviously had a lot of injuries which hasn’t helped him settle.
But when he has played he seems to force passes, pass badly and take some fairly dubious options.
Until he fixes that, I don’t see him anywhere else than on the wing.
Why Rennie will pull the trigger on O'Connor at 15
I’m an Aussie with a Zimbabwean father who lived in London for 12 years and played in the US and Argentina for a season a piece.
I have never seen Kiwis, Australians, Englishman and Irishman United in such a way against an issue- the consensus is that the Boks play a style (if you can call it that) which is cynical and erodes the values of the game (on and off the field).
This is different to an Englishman loving a scrum reset or South Africans picking massive packs who maul and strangle a game. Scrums and mauls have a place in an 80 minute game and always will.
Why I don't understand the Springboks hate
It’s not about ‘perceptions’ and it’s certainly not anti-South African.
The greatest test I ever watched was the second Lions test in 2009. Spectacular rugby from both sides. JDV, Habana… pleasures to watch.
The fact is this Bok team is playing a style of rugby that makes Naas Botha look like David Campese. It’s not just a kick chase and box kicking extravaganza but 80 minutes that turns into 110 with shoe laces, studs and socks malfunctioning. Water boys and trainers on and off on and off.
The Rassie video and the “nobody likes us but we don’t care” attitude has made it all worse. Winning is everything apparently… until you don’t win and then you have nothing but a cynical game plan with no Plan B.
The Boks have a responsibility to the game, it’s heritage and traditions like every other team. They just don’t seem to get that.
Why I don't understand the Springboks hate
I think JOC must be considered for 15 now, especially with say Kerevi and Paisami in the centres.
Keep Kellaway on a wing and then Pataia and Hodge on the bench covering 10-15.
REACTION: Everything Rennie said after beating Boks, including verdict on Quade's RWC chances
It’s spot on. Satire but accurate.
The thing that gets me about THIS South African team is they just don’t care- either about the game, the rugby public or officials. Winning is everything apparently.
They had this loss coming. And when they kicked the ball to a team that didn’t kick it back, they had no Plan B. Poorly coached, arrogant, unapologetic, and unless they adapt quickly, the Kiwis will thump them (the whole rugby world wants to see it).
MATCH REPORT: 'He's a big game player. He said I've got it and he nailed it'
It was no more than the pressure against the Lions or the Wallsbies.
The Boks basically played exactly the same and remarkably the All Blacks found a way to drop and turn over more balls than were kicked to them. Worst AB performance in 15 years.
Boks coach bemoans 'bounce of the ball' as youngster's massive play secures All Blacks win