All Blacks v Baabaas

[JJJ]

I didn't realise they were so unpopular. Are you in the UK or is this going off British Tabloids..

Going off British tabloids and the widespread attitude of posters on British rugby forums/boards. With the B&I Lions tour and its controversies (eg Justice4Bakkies, Schalk's gouging), the resentment of Bok fans' crowing over their success in 2009, PdV's media conferences and then the game vs Ireland (gouging accusations, Schalk's celebration of the try, Bekker's knee, not clapping Irish off the field), the Springboks seem to be everybody's favourite team to hate up there at the moment. Which is quite a turn-around from last year, when everyone seemed to love them as being the northern-hemisphere side of the south, with their forwards-oriented game and apparent dislike for the ELVs.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

It's just standard knocking the guys that currently rule the roost & also the contempt that northern scribers naturally develop for the opposition of the lions on a 4 yearly basis. Seems to a build a hatred into the psyche of the fans, players and coaches. Expect everything to be back to normal next year.

As a side note, isn't it seriously bad luck for the Lions that on each of the last 3 tours, they have to had to play the team that is currently ruling the roost in SH rugby? 01 - Aus, 05- AB & 09 - SA. Or is it the other way round.... the Lions tours better prepare the teams for the 3N, therefore they perform better?

 

[Newb]

pretty solid theory MR. lions teams are at least up to the level of talent of the other touring teams that time of year (french, italians, etc.) so that has to help in the preparations. but i'd say the biggest part of it is the mental concentration that teams put in against the lions. it's always a big deal so the players get used to the "big game moments" that's not equaled against the other warmup teams. plus there is usually less rotation as the focus is more on winning with a lions series so the key players get more time on the field.

 

[Scarfman]

http://www.planetrugby.com/gallery/story/0,25928,9825_5743571,00.html

Hopefully that link will go straight to the baabaas gallery on PR.

Interesting to see which guys, popped their collars..

Up & Deliberate:
Beast, Giteau, Morne

Up & "lets just get the photo done":
Matfield, Jamie Roberts, Jacque Fourie

Down:
Shalk, Rocky, Salvatore, Andy Powell, big Joe Roko and Habana

And is Jaque Fourie a goth / emo, or does he have a combover?

 

[Newb]

http://www.planetrugby.com/gallery/story/0,25928,9825_5743571,00.html

Hopefully that link will go straight to the baabaas gallery on PR.

Interesting to see which guys, popped their collars..

Up & Deliberate:
Beast, Giteau, Morne

Up & "lets just get the photo done":
Matfield, Jamie Roberts, Jacque Fourie

Down:
Shalk, Rocky, Salvatore, Andy Powell, big Joe Roko and Habana

And is Jaque Fourie a goth / emo, or does he have a combover?

that is slightly troubling. gits has a nice shiner though. and can't you picture schalk asking you to get in the back of his van to check out his stock of candy? jeez that's creepy.

 

[JJJ]

Anyone staying/getting up to watch this match? I'm pretty excited about it myself. I'm not sure what to expect, though if NZ lose it will probably be considered an upset. A lot will depend on how much fuel the saffa contingent have left in their tanks. The ABs will be desperate to keep their NH defensive record of not conceding tries intact. Should be a good one.

 

[Blue]

Why on earth would they pick Morne Steyn at 10 for the barbarians? Isn't the concept of the baa-baas all about promoting adventurous, running rugby? Morne Steyn? And, come to think of it, Nick Mallet as coach? Really?

Also I'm not sure the selectors have read the current mood of the british isles. With all the boks in the side this may well be the first time a European crowd has ever cheered for the All Blacks to win. I'm not saying these boks aren't good enough to merit a spot, they're just supremely unpopular right now. Which may well turn people off attending to support the baa-baas.

Styen did pretty well getting the backline going for the Bulls, You underestimate him. He wasn't expected to run it or pass much for the Boks. He has a very strong pass both ways.

Moot point anyway. Gits starts at 10.

PS I think the Boks are unpopular to some but you're getting carreid away there.

They didn't clap the Irish off the field? FFS does anyone do this anymore? No. I donlt think so.

The Irish won't clap them off either so it's irrelevant.

But strikes me you are in need of something to hate so go right ahead and donlt let me stop you.

 

[Gagger]

Live call going on http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/all-blacks-vs-barbarians-live-score/

 

[Lee Grant]

Was a pretty good game and MOTM Habana scored a hat trick of tries for the Baas to win. The All Blacks must be sick of him by now.

Oz boys Elsom and Gits played well and centres Jamie Roberts and Jaque Fourie were bloody hard to stop.

I thought the Kiwi commentators would stop moaning because it wasn't a test match but it was not to be.

I thought the Kiwi dirt trackers did OK but the couldn't counter the sudden incursions of class players and the intercept try by Habana before half time was a killer for them - in hindsight.

 

[Gagger]

Fuck - what did they have to moan about?

It was a reminder, if we needed one, that D. Carter is what stands between the ABs and the abyss.

 

[Spook]

Gagger, that would be fine; were it not for the case that I am an NH rugby tragic, and I, and one of my Saffie mates in London, are not going to this game in London next weekend, but are, instead, driving to Swansea to watch Munster playing the Ospreys at the Library. It'll probably be a better game.

But if I saw Jackal's team up against the ABs, we'd scratch and go to Twickenham instead.

n=1, and i think the Munster bit might be a clue....

So the organisers of the BaaBaas and the money men of Twickenham are farking idiots and would get a much better crowd and TV deal with a team like Jackle describes?

I think they're just lazy, and, regrettably, it's been proven that people will trudge to Twickenham to watch any old shite. But in the Os-Munster game, you've POC, DOC, TOL, JdV, Howlett, Mafi, Tommy Bowe, Hook (snigger...), Ricky Januarie, AWJ, Ryan Jones, all in the squads for a game that means something between two teams who genuinely dislike each other. Even were I not a Munster fan, I'd be tempted to watch the ML one first, and wouldn't be making my way out to that ghastly kip. If I'm going to be going halfway to Wales to get to Twickenham as is, I might as well finish the trip...

Looks like you got it completely wrong again. Oh well.

 

[barbarian]

Thought that was a sensational game, reffed well and the good guys won. A lot of players showed their class- Matfield, Smith, Burger, Elsom, FdP, Giteau, Roberts, Fourie, Habana. No-one from the Baabaas really had a shocker, but I thought Mitchell was average. Also, WP Nel had a barnstormer and will surely not be uncapped for much longer.

Great way to finish the year, in great spirit too (except for that fucktstick Cowan).

 

[Pfitzy]

(except for that fucktstick Cowan).

Another tautology?

 

[JJJ]

Great game, though somewhat depressing to see how much a winger with Habana's pace would suit the Aussie gameplan. Probably a bit depressing for him too to see how easy it would be to play for a team who gave him the ball in a bit of space instead of making him fetch it. Regardless of british moaning about the good ole days when the Barbarians were basically home lions fixtures, I think the tradition was upheld admirably. Attacking rugby and really warming to see so many players who have been bitter enemies for most of their careers working together and celebrating the win.

Seeing Gits coming good at this stage and out of a gold jersey was salt in the wound though. I'm sure brumbies supporters won't mind too much.

 

[spectator]

It was a good game wasn't it? Like the ref's handling of the match and was actually surprised at how well the Barbarians jelled. Thought Gits looked good at 10. Wonder if it was anything to do with having hard running centres to feed?

And gee..George Smith is a legend.

 

[Aussie D]

It was a good game wasn't it? Like the ref's handling of the match and was actually surprised at how well the Barbarians jelled. Thought Gits looked good at 10. Wonder if it was anything to do with having hard running centres to feed?

And gee..George Smith is a legend.

Or the fact that the match had no pressure? remember he does perform well against the minnows it is only when in a high pressure gamr that he doesn't seem to live up to the hype.

 

[chief]

Yeah that french ref had a good game, as did George Smith. Sensational work, and well Habana it really makes you wonder what SA could have been on this tour had they given him more ball and made him a productive player within their team.

 

[Inconceivable]

George Smith was awesome (again). When Burger smashed McAllister back at the end, Smith was so quick onto the ball I didn't even see him. Only when the ref blew the penalty did I realise what had happened.

 

[Gagger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtOEGJNKpHw

 

[cheezel]

Great game, I'm glad I stayed up for it. It's not until they're playing for a team you're going for, do you realise how good most of the Sth Africans are. Pretty much everyone played well, mitchell wasn't great but did alright in the end. Cowan has continued the long tradition for me hating all black halfbacks, that guy is a wanker.

After the few weeks of british commentators, it was very hard to listen to the kiwis on Fox.