Official June 2014 Tests Thread

[OGroteKoning]

After dismantling the Bulls I thought Marnitz Boshoff had played his way into the Bok squad. Maybe Meyer was upset that he took his beloved Bulls to task?

Can't wait to see the Pienaar-Steyn combo again, should be exciting.

Sarcasm?

 

[thestaggy]

Sarcasm?

Very much so.

 

[OGroteKoning]

Very much so.

Nailed it again! I am getting better at this!

 

[OrbitalDawn]

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/news/140602/Nicks_World_XV_squad_confirmed

World XV Squad:

Backs: Drew Mitchell, James O'Connor, Hosea Gear, Wynand Olivier, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Francois Trinh Duc, Matthew Giteau, Rory Kockott, Jimmy Cowan.

Forwards: Alexandre Lapandry, Roger Wilson, Steffon Armitage, Mamuka Gorgodze, Iosefa Tekori, Alistair Hargreaves, Juandré Kruger, Andrew Hore, Craig Burden, Sona Taumalolo, Julian Redelinghuys, Carl Hayman, Schalk Ferreira.

 

[APoc184]

Marnitz Boshoff called up because De Allende is out injured.

 

[MickeyD]

Marnitz Boshoff called up because De Allende is out injured.

Feel bad for DdA - on form and good season so far... but great for MB!!! Well deserved.

 

[APoc184]

Agree.

I will be honest. A year ago I thought DdA was the most overrated player in Cape Town. He has worked extremely hard and playing amazing rugby this year.

/eats humble pie

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Agreed with both of you. Really think DdA deserved a spot. Very resourceful player. Should have been there in place of JJ Engelbrecht.

 

[OGroteKoning]

Agree.

I will be honest. A year ago I thought DdA was the most overrated player in Cape Town. He has worked extremely hard and playing amazing rugby this year.

/eats humble pie

Indeed... He came along at the rate of knots. I predict him to be one of the SA greats of the future. But he needs the right guidance and although I hate saying this, perhaps he should move to the Sharks to train under White.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Wallabies Squad:

Backs: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Nick Cummins, Bernard Foley, Nic White.

Forwards: Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (c), James Slipper.

Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Pek Cowan, Paddy Ryan, James Horwill, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe.

McKenzie is former Reds coach but there are only 3 Reds players in the squad. Says something about picking on form...

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Also, how do you guys feel about coaches playing players outside their recognised or perhaps preferred positions?

Toomua is fly-half for the Brumbies, yet plays centre for the Wallabies. Adam Ashley-Cooper plays centre for the Waratahs, yet plays on the wing for the Wallabies.

I guess it depends on the player and how adaptable they are, and whether they're recognised utility players, but on one hand it seems odd to play someone in a different position after they've been playing in a different one for the whole year (and which he was picked on).

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Marnitz Boshoff called up because De Allende is out injured.

MB should have been there from the start. Shocking that he was left out and Steyn, who warmed the bench a few times for his French team, got an auto in.

 

[APoc184]

MB should have been there from the start. Shocking that he was left out and Steyn, who warmed the bench a few times for his French team, got an auto in.

Personally I would have left out Goosen. Apart from that one good game against the Hurricanes he didn't do anything to warrant a recall to the Boks.

And Heyneke can't claim that he was picked because he is familiar with the Bok setup. Because then he totally contradicts himself by calling up Callie Visagie instead of somebody like Chilliboy.

 

[GreGorGy]

JOHANNESBURG - South African Rugby Union (SARU) has announced that Victor Matfield will captain the Springboks in the Incoming Series this month in the absence of the injured Jean de Villiers – and he will lead them out for the first time since his return to rugby in Saturday’s match against the World XV at Newlands.

Sanity prevails. (GreGorGy ducks )

 

[APoc184]

I'm not unhappy with that. Nobody else to really fill the boots with Strauss banned and De Villiers injured.

Bismarck was a candidate but only has himself to blame. His little off the ball tricks and tantrums obviously cost him.

I thought Flo would be a candidate too but apparently wasn't even considered.

 

[Devill]

Personally I would have left out Goosen. Apart from that one good game against the Hurricanes he didn't do anything to warrant a recall to the Boks.

And Heyneke can't claim that he was picked because he is familiar with the Bok setup. Because then he totally contradicts himself by calling up Callie Visagie instead of somebody like Chilliboy.

I also do not understand why Visagie is there (although I am pretty sure he will only be carrying the luggage). My greatest concern is at scrumhalf, for if Fourie is injured we are stuck with Hougaard and Pienaar (I rate hougaard higher, but only marginally ie 2/10 instead of 0/10).

I also hope that HM has seen Jannie du Plessis for the useless walking waste of space he is on a rugby field.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

I also do not understand why Visagie is there (although I am pretty sure he will only be carrying the luggage). My greatest concern is at scrumhalf, for if Fourie is injured we are stuck with Hougaard and Pienaar (I rate hougaard higher, but only marginally ie 2/10 instead of 0/10).

I also hope that HM has seen Jannie du Plessis for the useless walking waste of space he is on a rugby field.

^ this.

I really think Reinach (or Kockott) deserve a shot ahead of either Hougaard or Pienaar. Kockott can kick, too.

 

[Devill]

^ this.

I really think Reinach (or Kockott) deserve a shot ahead of either Hougaard or Pienaar. Kockott can kick, too.

I think Kockott gave HM and SA rugby the finger. IIRC he is eligible for France soon.

 

[APoc184]

I think Kockott gave HM and SA rugby the finger. IIRC he is eligible for France soon.

Don't really blame him. He has been playing awesome rugby the past 2 years and was overlooked every time.

 

[ponder]

Pensioner it is then, so we are gonna see bulls style rugby on this tour i suspect.