Official 2011 Rugby World Cup Thread

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/RugbyWorldCup2011/Louw-at-lock-for-Boks-20110913

Cape Town - The injury crisis at lock for the Springboks could force coach Peter de Villiers to play loose forward Francois Louw in the second row against Fiji in Wellington on Saturday.

With Victor Matfield already ruled out with an injured hamstring, Johann Muller in doubt after also hurting his hamstring during training on Tuesday and Bakkies Botha still struggling with an Achilles injury, De Villiers could be left with no other choice than to pick Louw at lock.

At 1.90m, Louw might be a bit too short to play there, but the 26-year-old says he is up for the challenge.

"I'll play lock any time - it will be wonderful just to take part," a smiling Louw told Die Burger newspaper at the team's hotel in Wellington.
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How good was the Canada/Tonga game??!?!!! Bloody awesome, thoroughly enjoyed that!! Game of the tournament so far for me!!!

Our injuries are a serious problem!!! Our locks are dropping like flies!!!! Big problem. Stevie G mentioned he would play Louw at lock and I didn't bother calling him out on this preposterous selection. Louw is only just good enough to make the side at flank, now you want to play him at lock.

Now I see he may just play and at lock!!!!

Not sure what the rules say but isn't it time to get some frigging locks out to NZ???!!! Mostert, Flip or Hargreaves.....??? Gees.... Malakies...

EDIT: I see they talking about starting Alberts at lock and Louw at flank. mmmmm... Could work but I'm not all that excited right now.... From going with Bekker, Matfield, Botha and Flip as our squad locks we now down to Alberts and Danie...??? Malakies...
 
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Are we allowed to bring extra players from SA? I thought we could only bring someone in if it was really serious and the other person would play no further part in the WC or was that the cricket.

Is there more cricket supporters on here or is it just me. In a test match we post more than we have this entire RWC so far.
 
phoneJunky said:
Are we allowed to bring extra players from SA? I thought we could only bring someone in if it was really serious and the other person would play no further part in the WC or was that the cricket.

Is there more cricket supporters on here or is it just me. In a test match we post more than we have this entire RWC so far.
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It might just be that in the Pool stages there isn't as much to chat about. Also the fact that most people will only see the highlights tonight does not help.

sandmanm34 said:
Ja, I think a player has to be ruled out of the tournament before he can be replaced...
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I also think that is the case. the problem is do you want Bakkies ruled out and get fresh legs here or limp through to the semis and then play him...

IIRC I said some where I feel we were going into the WC a tad light on locks....

I think I would also rather have Alberts on lock than Louw. If Juan was here he could also cover lock.
 
Devill said:
I also think that is the case. the problem is do you want Bakkies ruled out and get fresh legs here or limp through to the semis and then play him...

IIRC I said some where I feel we were going into the WC a tad light on locks....

I think I would also rather have Alberts on lock than Louw. If Juan was here he could also cover lock.
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Yeah, I been saying it from day one that we have issues with locks. (see post #14)

Willem is 1.92m tall, too short for lock although I think he would certainly handle the other fundamentals required of a lock. I would imagine him to be a good scrummager owing to his size and strength and he is mobile enough to get under the kick offs. At 119kg he is not too heavy to lift either. In the tight and the tight loose he would flourish. He loves taking the ball up on the crash so there too he would be useful. Just the lineouts where I think he would suffer but being a primary source of 1st phase ball can we afford a handicap in that department. Against Fiji, Namibia and maybe Samoa yes. Knock out stages forget about it...
 
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sandmanm34 said:
Yeah, I been saying it from day one that we have issues with locks.

Willem is 1.92m tall, too short for lock although I think he would certainly handle the other fundamentals required of a lock. I would imagine him to be a good scrummager owing to his size and strength and he is mobile enough to get under the kick offs. At 119kg he is not too heavy to lift either. In the tight and the tight loose he would flourish. He loves taking the ball up on the crash so there too he would be useful. Just the lineouts where I think he would suffer but being a primary source of 1st phase ball can we afford a handicap in that department. Against Fiji, Namibia and maybe Samoa yes. Knock out stages forget about it...
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Danie is only 1.96m tall and I fear that what while they will surely give us 200% more kick in the loose and the tight game, they might leave us lacking in cover defence as Victor / Bekker floats a bit more.

I agree that they will do for the next three games but come knock out stages we will need real locks.

I am looking forwrd to seeing Lambie play. Wonder if we will rest Steyn and play butch with lambie on the bench.
 
Devill said:
Danie is only 1.96m tall and I fear that what while they will surely give us 200% more kick in the loose and the tight game, they might leave us lacking in cover defence as Victor / Bekker floats a bit more.

I agree that they will do for the next three games but come knock out stages we will need real locks.

I am looking forwrd to seeing Lambie play. Wonder if we will rest Steyn and play butch with lambie on the bench.
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At international level anything under 1.98m is too short for lock.

There lots of options in the backs. Butch can play either flyhalf or centre and Frans can play at either fullback or centre and Lambie can play at either flyhalf or fullback too. Then there's Gio who can play wing or fullback. Will Gio play in place of Brian?

EDIT: To be fair Ireland in the quarters shouldn't be too difficult to knock over either. But then AB and OZ in final, eish....
 
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OrAcLe_ThIjEi said:
http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks/habana-ruled-out-1.1137075

Habana ruled out of Fiji clash
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Although I think there is sufficient cover in the squad, the injuries are becoming a concern. We need continuity. In Habana's case, we need him to find his groove. When he's on song, the lad can be devastating.

The injuries are no doubt the cause of a long, hard and physical season with too short a resting time between year end tours and Super Rugby. I hope I am wrong.
 
Ja, I'm not as confident as I was prior to the Welsh game. That game for me was an eye opener of note. Really, we were piss poor with ball in hand. Defense was excellent considering the pressure we were under but the inability to carry the ball through more than 4 or 5 phases of play is just pathetic!!! Really, that's been a huge weakness of our game since our return to international rugby. The inability to carry the ball through multiple phases.

Some of the decision making under pressure on Sunday was also poor. I almost think Gatland got to us with his "SA don't play rugby" snipe!! We had Fourie Du Preez on a few occasions trying to run the ball out of our 22 when normally we would kick it down field. An example, that little game of catch him and Hougaard were playing inside our 22 that almost ended in disaster.

The Welsh rush defense was making us look stupid. It's a tactic we've employed very successfully in the past but we seemed unable to counter it.

Anyway, was expecting a lot more from SA and was generally terribly disappointed in that performance. We need to sharpen up and become a lot more accurate and soon... Problem is, injuries tend to disrupt the team so we could expect an even more fragmented performance going forward. Sincerely hope not but I'm really not overly confident at the mo...

Having said that Semi's are a given...
 
You know, we had 2 good performances in SA towards the end of the tri-nations. 14-9 loss to OZ and 18-5 win over AB's. I was really expecting a performance on a par with what we saw there... Perhaps the guys are pacing themselves but I'm not convinced and the injuries won't help..

Ai.. After cricket world cup who would want to commit and invest emotionally, physically, financially in the cause....????

I'm SO reluctant....
 
http://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/news/110914/Lambie_Ndungane_set_to_face_Fiji

The run of injuries could work out well in the Springboks’ favour as they weigh up their options for the starting line-up to face Fiji in Wellington on Saturday.

As coach Peter de Villiers and his fellow selectors get ready to name the side on Wednesday evening (CAT), the revamped line-up may provide some interesting sparks which could do the Boks well in the attacking department this coming weekend.

Much like in 2007 when Jean de Villiers was injured, Frans Steyn looks set to move into the inside centre berth, opening up some space for the mecurial SuperPat -- Patrick Lambie to move in at fullback.

It is a move that is highly anticipated and one which could well change the whole dynamic of the Bok attack against one of the most dangerous sides in the world in terms of the counter attack.

Fiji are excellent at using space and running with ball in hand, but the Boks' hope is to strangle their flow of ball, force the mistakes through pressure and then use the ensuing turnover ball to put the Fijians away.

It is a tried and tested formula, and one which has a new dimension if Steyn and Lambie are added to the mix.

It may also be a blueprint that may stick around longer than expected, especially as there are many out there who believe Steyn’s best position is in the midfield, while Lambie slots in better at fullback.

Of course, the Boks can always decide to field Juan de Jongh, who certainly would not be out of his depth in the position in the midfield, and would slot in easily alongside Jaque Fourie. Gio Aplon can also come in at fullback, but if Steyn isn’t in the midfield, you can be sure he will be at the back covering the fullback position.

It is also one that will be defensively based. There is no doubt the Boks know just how dangerous the Fijians can be and therefore will go with a more defensive-minded backline rather than out and out attack.

With this in mind, the loss of Bryan Habana will probably mean that Odwa Ndungane, and not Francois Hougaard is drafted into the backline as he is seen as a better defensive player.

There will be some debate on this, but it may well be because Hougaard is seen as the more versatile player, and therefore will do better on the bench than on the wing and offer the Boks more options in terms of the make-up of their bench.

Interestingly enough, if the practice sessions this week are anything to go by, it will be the same bench that saved South Africa’s blushes that will not be rewarded with starting line-up spots against the South Sea islanders.

With Victor Matfield out, John Smit is set to start at captain again, meaning the fire and brimstone of Bismarck du Plessis is likely to be confined to a reserve role for another week.

Danie Rossouw is likely to continue at lock, and may well be joined by Bakkies Botha in a revamped second row that will add a load of physicality to the contest.

But at the same time, if the Boks decide to go in without a recognised five lock, mainly because of the new injury worry to Johann Muller, whose availability team officials have described as “touch and go”.

This also means that Willem Alberts will be on the bench to cover the lock position, especially if Muller is ruled unfit to play in any role at all.
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sandmanm34 said:
You know, we had 2 good performances in SA towards the end of the tri-nations. 14-9 loss to OZ and 18-5 win over AB's. I was really expecting a performance on a par with what we saw there... Perhaps the guys are pacing themselves but I'm not convinced and the injuries won't help..

Ai.. After cricket world cup who would want to commit and invest emotionally, physically, financially in the cause....????

I'm SO reluctant....
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Haha, Sandman I agree, but at least the boks have won it twice... I think like england in 2007, we will surprise. I really hope that lambie gets a start and that bissie gets more time. I also would rather see alberts tested at lock sooner rather than later. Imo i would have butch at 10, de jong at 12 and frans at 13 for this game. I really feel that with the space de jong creates steyn could power his way through and the off load to aplon / lambie in support. Well that all works in my head against a weaker deffensive side like fiji. :o
 
Not sure it makes sense to play Frans at inside centre when you already have a centre pair who are comfortable playing together in Juan and Jacque. Frans at fullback. Morne has to start too. God forbid it's a tight game, you going to leave the best goal kicker in the world out? Didn't think so... The loose trio picks itself, no brainer. Pierre will relish and thrive in the extra space afforded him by a less organized Fijian defense. I would start with Gio on the left wing. We need his flare on attack and despite his diminutive demeanor he is very capable on defense and familiar with Nienabers defensive requirements... Lock remains an area of concern. The only officially fit lock left it Danie and like Victor and Bakkies he too is running on fumes. At 1.96m we better avoid lineouts especially if his lock partner Bakkies isn't fit and we forced to play the 1.92 Willem Alberts at 5... Locks could very well be our downfall this world cup... We down to 3rd and 4th choice...
 
Devill said:
Haha, Sandman I agree, but at least the boks have won it twice... I think like england in 2007, we will surprise. I really hope that lambie gets a start and that bissie gets more time. I also would rather see alberts tested at lock sooner rather than later. Imo i would have butch at 10, de jong at 12 and frans at 13 for this game. I really feel that with the space de jong creates steyn could power his way through and the off load to aplon / lambie in support. Well that all works in my head against a weaker deffensive side like fiji. :o
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Gees boet that's a lot of changes in the back line. Risky!!

Bismarck has been immense lately, agreed. Must be disconcerting for John, all the negativity around his selection. I wonder how much actually gets to him.

Albert's at 5 would be interesting.

Lambie at 15 agreed.

Look, I don't think this Fijian side is as organized or competent as in 2007 so whoever starts we should roll them reasonably comfortably. Get the balance of the team right and select close to full strength and we should win by 25-30. Take a few risks ala the Devill route and 7-8.
 
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