This is hilarious and informative.
I think Russia (like USA and Fiji) are confused though. In Rugby Union you have to build your game around a solid pack. Interestingly all those three sides are devoting a lot of resources to their 7s game not the other way round, unless it's the IRB's doing.
XVs build Rugby Union, not 7s (ICC trying to build cricket the other way round as well - Test cricket can produce T20 & ODI players without killing the game, but T20 cricket won't build Test/ODI cricket and will kill the game entirely)! And they are confused, because the game they should have adopted is Rugby League rather, not Rugby Union. Generally, top NFL and Rugby League players are vastly superior to top Rugby Union players physically and skillwise, plus adapt easier to multiple styles of play. In the end, Russia will suffer just like the Pacific Islanders Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, whose top players are in League not Union.
Anyway it will be interesting to see how the World Cup goes. An impressive front row and locks can indirectly make the opposition's half-backs look very ordinary and cripple that side, even their fullback can be rendered non-existent.
Sides like Italy and Georgia will be loving their chances because they have those basics locked down, and a top performance on the day, by the rest of the players can carry them over the line for some surprises.
Just ask Heyneke against Japan. In desperation and confusion he even removed all of Beast, Bismark and Jannie, then Lambie and Ruan all of them just after half-time!
Like USA and Russia, Heyneke forgot the basics. He got confused and neglected to coach the struggling players. FdP and Pollard were never going improve a flopping pack. Only tactics and motivation.
Rassie has been a little bit indecisive about his front row and loose trio (I don't think anybody knows with absolute certainty what PSdT is). Excellence of Mo'unga pushes an excellent Barrett to 15. Sadly, our compromises are exactly not due to excellence.
It's 50-50 if the fixture list favours the Springboks healthwise and fitnesswise. On the one hand a loss to the ABs allows enough time to recover against Namibia before facing Italy, but there will be some major bruises after the AB's game, which will definitely force some changes and indecision. On the other hand, Italy can coast over both Namibia and Canada then have momentum, confidence and determination going into the Springboks game, knowing that an AB side that has already qualified, will field a "weakened" lazy side in their final game against them. Italy will be dangerous.
To be certain, the Boks simply have to win their first game against the ABs. Period!
agenda.ge
Good one!/cloudfront-ap-southeast-2.images.arcpublishing.com/nzme/6JQIR72MRKYH657SZTUIXTAY3E.jpg)
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