Good to see that the boys still have the passion. When brussouw came back on with blood all over, Bismarck simply not wantinng to leave the field and Habana diving all over the place to try and make that 1 in a 100 save, I realized why I will aways support the Bokke even when they are not dominating world rugby.
On Saturday we played TEST rugby. We took all the points on offer and just kept building the lead. Habana realy looked like he wanted to play rugby again and barring him cocking up by going for the intercept try, once or twice he realy had a good game. Well done JdV and J. Fourie, J.Fourie is a general for the backline and the difference it makes is really good to see.
Our scrum dominated and will continue to do so IF smith is not picked on prop. As bad as it is to replace Bismarck with Smith, rather having Smith in at hooker will at least see our scrums stand up to any in world rugby.
Brussouw was awesome to behold, and Alberts showed that he had the speed to get to the break downs in time, unlike D. Russouw. I would however still take Russouw as cover for the lock position. Spiess had a much less "visible game" but did more dirty work and cleared and tackled.
As much as I do not like Pietersen, he had a good game barring the one missed tackle. On fullback I hope to see Lambie back in action as I feel that he provides a bit more than Gio, although I would not be sad at all to see Aplon don the no. 15 jersey.
I was also impressed to see both Bakkies and Matfield looking fit and doing their bit on attack and defence.
Fourie du Preez might not have had the best game BUT anyone that can not see how much better Morne Steyn plays when he has Fourie on his inside is blind (Steyn even kicked less and made a couple of tackles
).
Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams, Jimmy Cowan, Hosea Gear, Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg in a starting lineup for a team will only be seen as a B team if you do not really know anything about rugby.
These guys will walk into most international sides and start.
I am 95% sure we will be top of our group and that we will face the ABs there. I give us a 35-40% chance to beat them. My feeling is that the team who takes this one should play Aus in the finals and if we beat the ABs I rate our chances as 50/50 to win the WC.
Ps. if I was the picking the AB team, I would pick SBW on inside centre and Nonu on outside.
On Saturday we played TEST rugby. We took all the points on offer and just kept building the lead. Habana realy looked like he wanted to play rugby again and barring him cocking up by going for the intercept try, once or twice he realy had a good game. Well done JdV and J. Fourie, J.Fourie is a general for the backline and the difference it makes is really good to see.
Our scrum dominated and will continue to do so IF smith is not picked on prop. As bad as it is to replace Bismarck with Smith, rather having Smith in at hooker will at least see our scrums stand up to any in world rugby.
Brussouw was awesome to behold, and Alberts showed that he had the speed to get to the break downs in time, unlike D. Russouw. I would however still take Russouw as cover for the lock position. Spiess had a much less "visible game" but did more dirty work and cleared and tackled.
As much as I do not like Pietersen, he had a good game barring the one missed tackle. On fullback I hope to see Lambie back in action as I feel that he provides a bit more than Gio, although I would not be sad at all to see Aplon don the no. 15 jersey.
I was also impressed to see both Bakkies and Matfield looking fit and doing their bit on attack and defence.
Fourie du Preez might not have had the best game BUT anyone that can not see how much better Morne Steyn plays when he has Fourie on his inside is blind (Steyn even kicked less and made a couple of tackles
). Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams, Jimmy Cowan, Hosea Gear, Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg in a starting lineup for a team will only be seen as a B team if you do not really know anything about rugby.
These guys will walk into most international sides and start.
I am 95% sure we will be top of our group and that we will face the ABs there. I give us a 35-40% chance to beat them. My feeling is that the team who takes this one should play Aus in the finals and if we beat the ABs I rate our chances as 50/50 to win the WC.
Ps. if I was the picking the AB team, I would pick SBW on inside centre and Nonu on outside.
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