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…
Man for man, 1-8, which Springbok is more mobile than his opposite Australian or Kiwi opposite number?
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
I don’t agree that the Boks have the mobility in the pack that the Wallabies and New Zealand (or even Argentina) have.
The Boks are very obvious about their desire to slow the game, especially at set pieces. They pick packs to strangle their opposition in tight and packs that do that are necessarily less mobile.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
100% agree.
The Wallabies can’t attack through narrow channels but they must earn the opportunity to go wide.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
I think this is a really important comment.
We all know that the Boks have players like Kolbe (when not injured) who can really open a game up. Pollard is certainly not just an up and under 10 and Faf is not just a box kicking 9.
If this Bok team can find a balance in they way they play, well they might win the whole thing. But do I see that balance being found… not so sure.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
Think this is right.
We all know what Quade wasn’t. The question is what is he now.
Bottom line, he won’t win this game on his own. But just have a feeling that McDermott and Kerevi on either side of him is a good combination. Also think it may reslly help Banks.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
The 2011 semi against probably the greatest side ever to play rugby?
McCaw and Carter absolute champions of the game and classy to boot … unlike certain supporters.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
My feeling is that this Bok team is too one dimensional. It has been effective so far but they haven’t shown the ability to mix it up and think outside the box like Smit, Matfield and JDV.
Bigger is a good 10 but not the type of 10 to beat SA. Finn Russell showed where to attack and there’s no doubt Mounga will as well. Can Cooper?
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
Absolutely.
Quade won’t be able to do everything himself. Space opening up for him will require Tate, Kerevi and Banks playing their parts, keeping the Boks guessing.
Most important is the forwards need to get at least close to parity. BPA, Arnold and McMahon… you’d love all 3 for this game. But I do like the bench. Have a feeling Kaitu’u is about the make a name for himself.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
A fair comment.
Lolesio has not had an ideal introduction to test rugby.
Pollard came in behind Morne Steyn with very experienced 9s and 12s around him. Carter warmed the seat for Barrett and Mounga. Farrell in England is holding the place for the prodigious Marcus Smith.
That said, Lolesio really has shown the gap between super and test rugby.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
An interesting post and certainly some excellent points regarding the structured attack of successful Wallabies teams in the 90s.
That said, I’m not sure you can say the Boks do the basics well. They execute the kick chase and box kick and compete like granite stones. But there isn’t much running or passing with the ball- the basics the game was built on.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered
I agree. The Boks will be more nervous than they were yesterday.
So much depends on the Wallaby pack getting at least close to parity but I imagine Cooper will try run the Boks ragged.
'There's no panic': Every word Rennie said about Quade's secret audition, Hoops milestone, Banks decision
Will Cooper help the Wallabies win? I really don’t know.
But I’m certain the Boks are more nervous than they were yesterday.
Well done Dave Rennie for taking a chance. To be honest, I’d rather the Wallabies lost throwing caution to the wind than winning the way the Boks do anyway.
Quade's quest: 'I've lost things in my life. Had people removed. Being a better man is my focus now'
Oh get over it.
Cooper has copped more from Kiwis than just about anyone else which includes Richard Lowe and Boks who decided to bite people.
Time to move on.
Quade's quest: 'I've lost things in my life. Had people removed. Being a better man is my focus now'
For 45 mins they were the better side. Then implosion.
Lolesio throwing 3 intercepts in two weeks and some terrible open field kicking. Terrible.
Start JOC, Toomua, Quade, Hodge and send Lolesio back to club rugby for a year.
Wallabies' interesting tactic to stare down the haka before Bledisloe 2
Exactly, I look at the Wallaby side of 2015 and they were a very good side that probably would have beaten all teams today.
That Kiwi team between 2011-2015 was the best I’ve seen ahead of the Wallabies of 1999-2003, the Boks of 2007-2009 and England in2002/2003. Probably in that order.
Dave Rennie clarifies Andrew Kellaway's All Blacks 'losing their aura' comments
Personally I think they have lost a little bit…
And that’s understandable. Any side that loses Mealamu, McCaw, Kaino, Reid, Carter, Nonu, Smith… you could go on.
This current All Black side does not have the air of invincibility that the team from say 2009 to 2019 had.
Dave Rennie clarifies Andrew Kellaway's All Blacks 'losing their aura' comments
A very interesting comment.
Since the early 70s springbok teams have played with the country on their shoulders and the world on their backs. Has this stifled innovation, creativity and risk taking?
It’s almost as if Rassie won the RWC, avoided the Rugby Championship last year and then considered winning the series more important than just winning a series.
Springboks win series but rugby loses
That in itself is interesting.
Why are the Boks unable to bring Kolbe into the game? Pollard has a great passing game too. Even with a 12 like De Villiers they struggled to find the wings.
Is it schoolboy, provincial, age group?
The cattle to play a more attractive style are there but so often it reverts to safety first. And as the game changes I think that will hurt SA.
Springboks win series but rugby loses
Would be interesting to see the ball in play figures as well as a breakdown of kicks (ie how many were 50:50 up and unders.
Also I think you’ve pulled stats from test 2 in 2021? Do you have the same available for the 3rd test?
Springboks win series but rugby loses
Well there are plenty of South African commentators including ex Bok coaches and Super Rugby coaches sounding the alarm.
South Africa does have a ‘unique’ way of viewing itself but I guess when you have internal voices saying the same thing…
Springboks win series but rugby loses
I hope it doesn’t.
The article references some key figures in SA rugby with the same questions and concerns. Bok fans hopefully will see those comments and think thoughtfully about the game in SA.
Springboks win series but rugby loses
It’s a fair comment.
I’ve said the 2nd test in 2009 was for me, the greatest of all Lions test, maybe the best of all tests full stop.
Burger was criticized after that test and rightly so. Botha was criticized after that test, wrongly.
But that test produced some wonderful attacking rugby, the kicking did not dominate it and was multi faceted unlike the up and under 50/50 stuff in 2021.
To answer your question, I’ve never been a fan of the Naas Botha, Jannie de Beer, Morne Steyn driven game plans. But 2021 was particularly difficult to watch.
I do think Bok rugby let’s itself down as some of its great moments were when the likes of Small, Fourie, Habana and Kolbe are allowed to play.
Springboks win series but rugby loses
Certainly the refs didn’t clamp down but they were pretty cowed by the end of the tour!
As I said in the article, Erasmus and the Boks brains trust came into the series knowing exactly what they were going to do- the premeditated murder of watchable rugby.
Gatland is worthy or criticism no doubt. But he picked 3 sides and every time we saw the same up and under ‘bomb squad’ tactics and paint drying speed from SA
Springboks win series but rugby loses
Did it crush perceptions?
I think not.
'That makes him dangerous': Cooper's selection is not what the Boks ordered