Official June 2014 Tests Thread

[Mephisto_Helix]

Not impressed ......... lot of the here-because-hm-loves-us players really are in miserable shape.

 

[OGroteKoning]

That last try happened right in front of me. A thing of beauty.

So you saw both forward passes?

 

[SlowInternet]

Not impressed ......... lot of the here-because-hm-loves-us players really are in miserable shape.

Agree 100%

 

[FoXtroT]

So you saw both forward passes?

Don't think the second was forward. Clearly came out the hands backwards. First was definitely forward though.

 

[BobsLawnService]

It happened right in front of me. It was a tight but legit try. I have no idea how it looked on TV but right there as it happened it looked tight but absolutely fair.

 

[GreGorGy]

Not impressed ......... lot of the here-because-hm-loves-us players really are in miserable shape.

Well at least you watched it.

For me it was a match of regret around the way we lost Rory. I've always liked him despite the teams he played for.

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

Kockott looking a lot sharper than Pienaar.

tactically he'll run circles around Pielhaar.

IMO Pienaar was the weakest link on the field tonight....not sure how the hell he still gets picked?!

The tempo and service to the back line changed considerably once Du Preez came on.

A good win for the Boks nevertheless but as others have said, the way they were out-scrummed is very concerning. I wonder how HM plans to address this....

 

[ponder]

So could we see the Boks play a backline orientated game this season? With our tight five struggling in the scrums it might necessitate a change in game plan!!

Nah, this is HM bulls style rugby, forget about it. We are in for boring games.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

I had a thought on the impending Rugby Championship.

Both SA and NZ's squads had a big element of player loyalty to it. Coaches picking players who performed well in the past, and not necessarily on current form. In contrast with this Australia's squad only contained form players, with many incumbents shoved aside or benched. The Ozzies were by far the most impressive team over the weekend - for me, at least. The Frogs didn't really pitch, but the Wallabies dominated completely.

Could this be something to look out for come the Championship? Meyer loves picking his favourites, form player be damned.

Also noticed something else regarding structures. If you look at the no. 9, 10, 12 and 13 and who they play for during the year and who have to fit into a national structure in such a short time. Wonder what kind of impact this has?

For SA: 9 - Ulster, 10 - Stade de Francais, 12 - Sharks, 13 - Sharks.

For NZ: 9 - Highlanders, 10 - Chiefs, 12 - Blues, 13 - Hurricanes.

For Aus: 9 - Brumbies, 10 - Waratahs, 12 - Brumbies, 13 - Brumbies.

 

[Devill]

Not impressed ......... lot of the here-because-hm-loves-us players really are in miserable shape.

Jannie du Plessis
Ruan Pienaar
Morne Steyn

Alberts, JP and Beast also did not impress.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Ralepelle faces lengthy ban

Springbok Mahlatse “Chiliboy” Ralepelle faces a two year suspension after reportedly testing positive for a banned substance in France.

Ralepelle, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, was tested out of competition, with his A sample containing traces of Drostanalone, an anabolic steroid that is often used in bodybuilding.

The French daily L’equipe reported Saturday that Ralepelle was now “under investigation” and his club had been informed of the positive test.

However, it is likely to be a few weeks before a result is known, as the B-sample is likely to be tested now for confirmation at an independent laboratory before Ralepelle can be called to account for the positive sample.

The tests formed part of random tests conducted under the IRB’s anti-doping regime after Ralepelle was injured playing for his French club Toulouse. He tore knee ligaments in a game against Biarritz, an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season and also the June test series for the Springboks. They took place on 19 March, when Ralepelle was recovering from his knee operation.

Drostanalone is marketed as Masteron, and is on the IRB’s banned list of substances, with its uses leading to higher levels of testosterone in the body. It has been medically used to lower cholesterol and in the treatment of breast cancer.

Toulouse president Rene Bouscatel stated the club will presume Ralepelle innocent of “intentionally consuming the substance” unless it is proved otherwise and it may well be that it formed part of medication he was given to recover from his knee operation.

However, Drostanalone is often used by bodybuilders before competition to improve muscle harness and density.

This is also not the first time Ralepelle has been tested positive, after he and Bjorn Basson were found to have a banned substance in their system when tested after South Africa’s clash with Ireland in Dublin in 2010.

Then both players had the performance-enhancing drug methylhexanamine in their system, but where both cleared by the South African Rugby Union after it was found that the stimulant was in a supplement given to the players in the warm-up before the game. The same supplement had been used before by the Boks and other teams, but its ingredients were apparently different in Ireland to the versions used in South Africa.

The club has declined any further comment until they know more, with team manager Guy Noves telling AFP that they currently “do not wish to speak on the subject.”

Ralepelle could not be contacted for comment and it is unclear if he has returned to France or is still continuing his rehabilitation in South Africa.

 

[Noob-Noob]

IMO Pienaar was the weakest link on the field tonight....not sure how the hell he still gets picked?!

The tempo and service to the back line changed considerably once Du Preez came on.

A good win for the Boks nevertheless but as others have said, the way they were out-scrummed is very concerning. I wonder how HM plans to address this....

+1
Pienaar has been the weakest link for a considerable amount of time now, Rory should be our number 2 scrumhalf with Fourie starting.
Think Beast, Jannie and Bismark underestimated the World 15, that and probably being tired. Hopefully they will up their game this week. Connie did good when he came on.
The Steyn/Pieterson combination also did not really impress, Mvovo also looked much more dangerous than Hendricks. Willie Le Roux and Habana had a good game, Victor, Bakkies and Flo also gave it their all.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Cell C Sharks centre Frans Steyn has been released from the Springbok training squad – at his own request.

Frans Steyn was released from the Springbok squad at his own request on Tuesday and will not appear in Saturday’s match against Wales at Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban.
The player advised SARU officials that that he did not wish to be considered for the Castle Lager Incoming series.

Something rotten in the state of Denmark or purely looking out for his injuries ...... tough call.

Link to article - http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2014/06/10/frans-quits-bok-squad/

 

[OrbitalDawn]

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/news/140610/Boks_rocked_by_Steyns_withdrawal

SARU quoted Steyn as saying that he enjoyed a good relationship with Heyneke Meyer and the rest of the Springbok team, but wanted to take time out to consider his international future. The SARU release stressed that Steyn had not retired from international rugby but was just taking a break.

It is likely that the withdrawal will be shrouded in mystery for some time, as SARU chief executive Jurie Roux said Steyn had asked for privacy and that the team management would refrain from speculating on the reasons for his decision to make himself unavailable or his likely return.

Hmm... Surely if it was only resting/repairing the knee he would have just said so? And if he's playing for the Sharks it can't be the knee...

 

[OrbitalDawn]

I see there are rumours that it's about money...

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

Hmm... Surely if it was only resting/repairing the knee he would have just said so? And if he's playing for the Sharks it can't be the knee...

Agreed. If he was planning on resting the knee he wouldn't be available for the Sharks either.

I suspect something else is up that he would prefer not to disclose.
Either way I'm a big fan of his so I'm pretty bummed that he's out of the Bok squad.

 

[Devill]

Here it is it seems:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Steyn-SARU-in-money-dispute-20140611

Cape Town - A dispute over money appears to be the reason behind Frans Steyn's decision to pull out of the Springbok squad.

Steyn, 27, shocked the rugby fraternity on Tuesday when he pulled of out the Boks' Incoming Series in June.

Steyn - who is expected to take up a contract in Japan at the end of the Super Rugby season - said that he wished for time to reflect on his Springbok future.

According to the Volksblad website, Steyn is upset about a promise the South African Rugby Union (SARU) made to him when he returned from French club, Racing Metro, to play for the Sharks in 2012.

 

[Badprop_za]

Seeing the comments on News24 pertaining to the money issue. I understand that it is for short period and it is their job. BUT, talking to youngsters still in school, there dream is to play for the Boks. Not to play for the Boks so that I can make more money. Call them naive or not aware or whatever.

As much as I am a fan of Frans, this is not the 1st time that he withdraws from the Bok set-up. The timing for me is an issue.

The reality is that we are in the Pro-era and cash is king!

As with any injury, a youngster gets an opportunity presuming that Serfontein is going to start. Pity de Allende is injured!

 

[APoc184]

BOKS:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp

Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lwazi Mvovo

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Is Jannie really the best prop we currently have?

Dirty player, weak tackler, doesn't do much with ball in hand... Is he that strong in the scrum?