Official Tri-Nations 2011 Thread

[sand_man]

I was lucky enough to miss the game as I covered a school match.

From the highlights I did see it seemed like our defense was non-existant.

If that does not receive drastic attention and the Boks don't have a serious change of attitude, New Zealand will put 50 past us.

I think we will fair better against the All Blacks quite frankly. They play a similar style of hard, confrontational, direct rugby where the Ozzies always seem to out think us with their tactically astute approach.

We lost just about every one of our line outs and were out scrummed, conceded the ball on the ground and made way too many handling errors.

Defensive patterns were nowhere but partially to be expected with all the new and unfamiliar combinations although ironically the most susceptible channel was between 10 and 12 and they have played together for many seasons.

Loose forwards were MIA, Johnson, as good as he is at provincial level was totally out of his depth in this company, Danie too slow for flank although he tried like a titan for the full 80 and Stegman??? Well, were Johnson's selection is merited on the back of a solid Super 15 season, Stegman must have got the nod cause he looks a little like Brussouw and is built a bit like him, went to the same High school etc but that's were the similarities end. For the sake of continuity move Danie back to lock to cover for the injured Flip and get the Sharks loose trio of Kanko, Alberts and Daniel into the starting XV.

I doubt there will be wholesale changes, there's no point but a little tweaking here and there and we should at least be competitive.

Thing is, we were bad but there were also periods where we were pretty good. We had our fair share of possession but chose to squander it and then OZ just blitzed past our non existent defenders and in the space of 5 minutes we were 12-0 down. 15-6 at halftime and the result was hardly a forgone conclusion. Conceding a try early in the 2nd half was the deal breaker though...

Anyway more lessons being learnt. PDV may be a clown but by the end of his career he will have a masters degree in humiliation.

 

[Killer]

SA need to really up their game for the next game.

 

[iCare]

move Danie back to lock to cover for the injured Flip and get the Sharks loose trio of Kanko, Alberts and Daniel into the starting XV.

I like this option, just hope the coach uses his head and think's the same way

 

[APoc184]

I'm hoping for one thing and one thing only.

Brussow fit and ready to go. He has the power to single-handedly disrupt another team's whole gameplan.

 

[killadoob]

I'm hoping for one thing and one thing only.

Brussow fit and ready to go. He has the power to single-handedly disrupt another team's whole gameplan.

The problem with the all blacks is they like to run, if you cannot defend and make tackles brussow won't help much. We need to have good defense and make our tackles. Could easily become our heaviest defeat ever against anyone.

What is that record? What is our worst defeat?

 

[Devill]

Aussies are giving us a rugby lesson out there. Why do we look like we are so slow out there?

Yes, just bash it up the middle until you lose it.

We did not do the basics of the 10-man rugby plan we were following, which is protecting the ball.

What's even more mind boggling is guys like Keegan Daniels sits at home and kanko sits on the bench with Lambie.

Kanko is not great imo. But I agree with Lambie bringing a more fluid running style to the backline. I also think that Daniels was very unlucky to not have made the cut.

Ffs, please pass the farking ball olivier, seriously

Like I stated, he can not offload. He, more than once, drew both their centres but then failed to offload. That is just not good enough.

M_H will you please post your team that you would like to see out there as you said there are much better guys at home more than twice. I would like to hear your opinion and see if some of your thoughts are the same as mine.

 

[Devill]

The problem with the all blacks is they like to run, if you cannot defend and make tackles brussow won't help much. We need to have good defense and make our tackles. Could easily become our heaviest defeat ever against anyone.

What is that record? What is our worst defeat?

South Africa vs England 53–3 (2002)

 

[DJ...]

The problem with the all blacks is they like to run, if you cannot defend and make tackles brussow won't help much.

Saturday's encounter was lost at the breakdown, which should never be happening against the Aussies and yes, of course the atrocious defence we attempted to muster. Brussow will make a big difference if he can bring his A-game to the field like he used to before the injuries. The defence on the other hand looked like schoolboy rugby and really and truly is a case of just getting the basics right...

 

[hungrybeaver]

Bad, bad game. So frustrating to watch us play like no one knew what was going on. Our forwards lacked cohesion and the props were caught out twice on the wing against the Aussie backs and couldn't do a thing. Olivier needs to be removed from the Bok team. He NEVER passes the ball and always goes crash. FFS our backs were not used at all. The Aussies found a weak spot in the 9,10,12 area and used to to great effect. Pienaar is far to slow at distribution (wth does he wait for??) and passes to the wrong person time and time again, and Steyn's only option is to either kick or pass to Olivier, who goes crash ball. Basson is non-existent in defence. We are playing rugby that simply cannot stand up to other nations.

I laugh at how some of you think NZ will be a different game. How long do our coaches and supporters think we can continue playing crash ball rugby? We are such predictable team its not even funny. Between 9 and 10 there are like 4 forwards every damn ruck waiting to carry the ball forward and the Aussies just have to tackle because we don't run off the player like other nations. Then when the ball finally reaches the backs we have no space to run because the Aussies spread out. When the subs came on there was a change which was nice. Whether you agree with me or not, it is evident that Kanko and Lambie brought change to our play for the good. It was the first time that I saw the Aussies weren't sure what we would do with the ball. It seems the starting players all lack creativity and Steyn definitely needs a creative inside centre. I can't help but feel that the team could have had 3 pivotal changes to the starting line up that would've given a different result.

If you look at the Aussies at the ruck, Ginea gets the ball and within 5 passes its in the wings hands. With us, 5 passes after the ruck we've gone back 2m and the ball has stayed with the forwards.

Its time the coaching staff swallow their pride and make changes at half time if players are not performing. Start Mcloud. Start with a different inside centre (one that can tackle) and hell, even change the flyhalf. I promise you the All Blacks will run directly at our 9, 10 & 12 and if we do not make changes at those critical positions I fear a scoring record will be broken. Leaving under-performing players on the field that are crucial to ball distribution is simply not the way to go if we expect to be competitive.

 

[Devill]

Its time the coaching staff swallow their pride and make changes at half time if players are not performing. Start Mcloud. Start with a different inside centre (one that can tackle) and hell, even change the flyhalf. I promise you the All Blacks will run directly at our 9, 10 & 12 and if we do not make changes at those critical positions I fear a scoring record will be broken. Leaving under-performing players on the field that are crucial to ball distribution is simply not the way to go if we expect to be competitive.

No thank you. I would rather have chilliboy in at scrumhalf. pienaar was bad but what I have seen of Mcloud, he will not perform better.
I agree with the Lambie / Steyn switch. I would also like to see John smit not in the starting lineup. He missed two crucial tackles on saturday and he was not making ANY impact in the loose

As much as it pains me to say I would rather have adi jocobs on than Olivier...

I would not be surprised if we perform better against the ABs. On saturday you could see the combinations were untried. Yes we also had one of the worste days on defence possible and the wings did not see the ball much, but there were some positives.

1) Scrums were really not bad if you think that we had two props that have not had much test rugby between them and that the rest of the forwards barring Danie and John were all youngsters.
2) Lambie showed that he can be a general and that there is an alternative to steyn.
3) There were moments of good play that should have been converted into points if not for a couple of basic mistakes.
4) A team with their backs against the wall with very little to lose is a beast of a different colour / creed / make-up. Hopefully this brings out the best in the boks.

 

[APoc184]

If we are going to tackle like that we might as well fly Sarel Pretorius(who according to the selectors: "Was found wanting on defense") over there and at least have some type of exciting play in the backline.

I just checked highlights again and our defensive structures were nowhere from what I saw. The players seemed to panic each time the Ozzies broke the line or spread it wide.

 

[Devill]

If we are going to tackle like that we might as well fly Sarel Pretorius(who according to the selectors: "Was found wanting on defense") over there and at least have some type of exciting play in the backline.

I just checked highlights again and our defensive structures were nowhere from what I saw. The players seemed to panic each time the Ozzies broke the line or spread it wide.

No orginized cover defence while using an almost rush defence style is going to get you a spanking from a team like Aus atm...

I really hope Lambie starts this coming saturday. Also it would be great to see Brussouw fit and ready... although I doubt he will be.

Ps Haha I agree with the comment about Sarel Pretorius. Think of what he and lambie could do between the to of them if both fire on the day

 

[waynegohl]

I had no idea that there were any Springbok games being played as I don't watch tv much or listen to the local radio stations so I missed the weekends game. Is next weeks game being showed on any of the SABC channels?.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Devill - soz, just saw your post now.

Seeing as I'm not really in 'rugby mode' anymore (where I know the names of players from all our teams) I can't really comment much name wise who would be more suitable. From my team, the Sharks, I would say:

Burden instead of Smit
Keegan instead of Steggman
Lambie instead of Steyn


Likewise for the other provinces, there are better 'fringe' players than what we are playing with now. Bulls and Province have some liteys that could have gone on this tour. I mean, if it's not really for anything, why not give them a go at it, right.

 

[Devill]

I had no idea that there were any Springbok games being played as I don't watch tv much or listen to the local radio stations so I missed the weekends game. Is next weeks game being showed on any of the SABC channels?.

No idea about tv, but I am sure RSG or someone will broadcast it on radio

Devill - soz, just saw your post now.

Seeing as I'm not really in 'rugby mode' anymore (where I know the names of players from all our teams) I can't really comment much name wise who would be more suitable. From my team, the Sharks, I would say:

Burden instead of Smit
Keegan instead of Steggman
Lambie instead of Steyn


Likewise for the other provinces, there are better 'fringe' players than what we are playing with now. Bulls and Province have some liteys that could have gone on this tour. I mean, if it's not really for anything, why not give them a go at it, right.

Jip also feel like they have overlooked a couple of possible future "giants" for this tour.
But another lesson that we learned from Saturday's game was that experience change a lot of things.

 

[waynegohl]

Thanks Devill.

 

[DJ...]

But another lesson that we learned from Saturday's game was that experience change a lot of things.

Yeah, just look at John Smit...

John is looking dreadful and I cringe at the thought of him being our first choice front-rower at either hooker or prop. Francois Pienaar is also very experienced. Heck, let's see what he's up to over September...

 

[Devill]

Yeah, just look at John Smit...

John is looking dreadful and I cringe at the thought of him being our first choice front-rower at either hooker or prop. Francois Pienaar is also very experienced. Heck, let's see what he's up to over September...

Haha you know what I mean.

If we had Juan Smith, Victor Matfield (Neither of which will be "the best" in their position) etc etc there the aussies would not have trampled us. Also why the fsck we did not kick for a better position from one or two of the penalties in our favour is beyond me.

not the biggest Bismarck fan but he is a good player and should bring a lot more to the game than John.

 

[GreGorGy]

Looks like they are gonna give that poofter lambie a start.

(ONLY JOKING M_H - just thought I'd rattle a cage or two)

 

[Devill]

Looks like they are gonna give that poofter lambie a start.

(ONLY JOKING M_H - just thought I'd rattle a cage or two)

Lol! Sure he wont do worse than morne, even if hy looks a lot like dolly!