Lions Tour Thread

[PaarlBok]

Hell I am getting exciting now. Its raining cats and dogs and just hope Thomo's plane will land in a hour. Got our box tickets all ready and set for the Emergency Bokke vs Lions clash. Youngsters like Kirschner, Rose& Vermaak biggest tests of their careers and if they can get past this one they'll be in good stead whoever say what.
SARugby.com

Emerging Boks in shop window
The Springbok Test team will very much be a foregone conclusion over the next two weeks, but the Emerging Springboks have a golden opportunity to ensure their names are at the back of the national selectors' minds over the next few weeks when squads are selected for the Tri-Nations series.

The Emerging Boks will be up against the touring British & Irish Lions at Newlands on Tuesday when the tourists will try to regroup and return to their winning ways after tasting defeat in Durban last weekend.

Emerging Springboks coach Dick Muir, said the team is made up of players who are the best in the country, but who have not yet cracked a place in the national squad, and that Tuesday's clash will offer them a chance to strengthen their Springbok selection claims.

"We are going into this game with an attitude the players are the best to not have been selected for the Springboks," said Muir. "We've seen that traditionally the Emerging Springboks system has been a good channel from where future Springboks can emerge.

"Individually the players have something to prove and there's no bigger challenge than playing against the British & Irish Lions."

Apart from raising their profile, the Emerging Springboks could also contribute to the fortunes of the Springboks in the remaining two Tests.

"There is an opportunity to strike a psychological blow against the Lions as we (South Africans) are all working towards a common goal and that is for South Africa to win the Test series," said Muir.

"It will be an added bonus (for the Boks) if we are able to make it two (defeats) in a row.

"The Lions have come off winning six (matches) in a row and then slipping up in the Test where they ran the Boks quite close."

Muir said in view of the fact there will only be two Tests after Tuesday's clash, the Newlands outing could be the final tour match for some of the Lions players. There is no midweek match ahead of next week's third Test at Coca-Cola Park, in Johannesburg.

"There are Lions players who will want to prove a point, so they won't be vulnerable after the Test defeat," said Muir. "They've shown they are really proud to wear the Lions jersey
and because this match offers a few players a last chance to press their Test claims, they will be out to prove a point."

The match day conditions will decide the playing pattern of the Emerging Springboks, but Muir gave the assurance his side will try to play an attractive game in much the same way the Lions have shown in early tour matches.

"If conditions allow then we certainly want to move the ball around a bit," said Muir.

"The Lions have shown they can mix it up and with the group of players that we've got we can play a tighter game as well as a more expansive game as well."

The Emerging Boks have not had much practice time and the starting XV does not include established combinations. However, Muir felt his charges will strike up cohesion in the match. "It's nice to throw guys together and see how they blend, but I'm pleased to say it has been good to see how they've combined (at training)."

"There's a lot of synergy and excitement in the squad and South African rugby have come a long way to get rid of that element of provincialism and this bunch of players are enthusiastic."

Muir's assistant, Jerome Paarwater, said the squad had gained great confidence from working out against the Boks just over a week ago. "We spent three days with the Boks in Durban where we had a chance to oppose them in the scrums and line-out mauls," said Paarwater.

"It was good that we had live sessions against the Boks who showed they were very good.

"The Emerging Boks will also draw great confidence from the way the Boks played in the Test in Durban but we are expecting that the Lions will really be jacked up upfront this time."

Emerging Boks skipper Dewald Potgieter, said the side's loose trio was one area which offered exciting prospects and he hoped that his pack would stamp their authority on the match.

"Guys like Duane (Vermeulen) and Jean (Dysel) are big strong carriers and get around the park quite easily," said Potgieter.

"Even though the loose trio is made up of big, bulky guys we are a mobile loose trio and as the coach has said we'll keep the ball in hand and try to play a lot of rugby.

"That will be one of our strong points and especially with the forecast of wet weather it is going to be important to take care of your own ball and this will be our focus."

 

[Thomond78]

"Step Inside", whatever it means, Os got the answer on Beast.
Superrugby

Os heaps praise on 'Beast'
Former Springbok loosehead legend, Os du Randt, has praised Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira following the Sharks forward's devastating performance in the scrum on Saturday in the first test against the British and Irish Lions.

"He definitely has everything it takes to become one of the great players in Bok history." Du Randt said that until recently, Mtawarira's scrum capabilities were the only truly unknown factor in his impressive arsenal.

But this has been put to bed over the weekend after his powerful performance against Lions tighthead Phil Vickery.

"Now he just has to be consistent as this will eventually determine if he does become a great player," said Du Randt.

"I don't think we have yet seen the best of the Beast. He will only in a year's time mature as a front-ranker after he has learnt enough about his opponents, but he has impressed me since last year."

"There've been times when I didn't think he scrum that well, but there are few props who in their first year are able to dominate their opponents at test level."

Du Randt said Vickery's tactic to "step inside" failed due to Mtawarira's brute scrumming power. "If you use this tactic and then come up against a strong scrummager like Beast or Andrew Sheridan, then you are going to have trouble. That is what happened to Vickery."

"The Boks clearly placed a lot of emphasis on their scrums. We (the Boks) are very proud of this facet of play (scrums) and regard them as a sign of strength. We were clearly eager to scrum well on Saturday."

Du Randt added to his praise of Mtawarira by branding the Sharks star as an excellent and efficient ball carrier.

Also, he was "not at all surprised" about the way in which Bok captain and tighthead, John Smit, stood up to the feared Welshman, Gethin Jenkins.

"I always knew John would survive and in this test we saw how much his captaincy is worth. After Smit and Heinrich Brüssow (flank) left the field, things suddenly didn't go as smoothly," said Du Randt.

Just know one thing, when Os talk, you listen. 8)

There is no such thing as a step inside from a tight-head. You're trying to get the loosehead out and away from the hooker, not closer to him. You have to get him off his hooker first.

"Tighthead steps inside" = "Loosehead stepped out and around"

What's known these days as the reverse step-out, Tony...

The thing that really annoyed me about it was this; if it's all bets off and he can lift you, fair enough. It's all bets off for both, and he has to take being dropped and/or hit early. But Bryce Lawrence didn't do that; he penalised Vickery when he hit Beast hard and early three in a row and Beast dropped the last one to milk it. Either you ref both sides; or you just let them sort it out. But you don't just ref one side, because that's not on.

I feel sorry for Vickery, because he didn't deserve to end his career like that. You won't find anyone with a bad word to say about him. Still, it happened. That Brian Moore article is a cracker, mind. Got to love Naza saying someone like Brian Moore knows nothing about scrummaging. :lmao:

Oom, sal die Oom in min of meer 'n halwe uur SMS.

 

[PaarlBok]

So the eagle has landed, got the tickets and will drive from here at 16h00. :thumb

 

[PaarlBok]

Dunno where you lot will park for the game but I usually park at the back of Prymary School Groote Schuur. They change their rugby fields at the back into one huge parking lodge with braais all over the place, cost R50 and you are about 300 meters from Newlands.

 

[naza]

[That Brian Moore article is a cracker, mind. Got to love Naza saying someone like Brian Moore knows nothing about scrummaging. :lmao:

I posted it because it supported what I was saying - I agree with Moore's piece, and it contradicted what Blue was saying about the 'english press' all agreeing Beasts' scrummaging was perfectly legal.

 

[Thomond78]

[That Brian Moore article is a cracker, mind. Got to love Naza saying someone like Brian Moore knows nothing about scrummaging. :lmao:

I posted it because it supported what I was saying - I agree with Moore's piece, and it contradicted what Blue was saying about the 'english press' all agreeing Beasts' scrummaging was perfectly legal.

Ah.

Right, sorry, Naza, my fault. I owe you a beer - to be redeemed at some hypothetical stage in the next half-century of talking shit about rugby.

 

[Cutter]

There is no such thing as a step inside from a tight-head. You're trying to get the loosehead out and away from the hooker, not closer to him. You have to get him off his hooker first.

"Tighthead steps inside" = "Loosehead stepped out and around"

What's known these days as the reverse step-out, Tony...

The thing that really annoyed me about it was this; if it's all bets off and he can lift you, fair enough. It's all bets off for both, and he has to take being dropped and/or hit early. But Bryce Lawrence didn't do that; he penalised Vickery when he hit Beast hard and early three in a row and Beast dropped the last one to milk it. Either you ref both sides; or you just let them sort it out. But you don't just ref one side, because that's not on.

I feel sorry for Vickery, because he didn't deserve to end his career like that. You won't find anyone with a bad word to say about him. Still, it happened. That Brian Moore article is a cracker, mind. Got to love Naza saying someone like Brian Moore knows nothing about scrummaging. :lmao:

Is there the tiniest bit of irony in you saying that in the same post as suggesting someone like Os doesnt know what he is talking about?

 

[Pfitzy]

Right, sorry, Naza, my fault. I owe you a beer - to be redeemed at some hypothetical stage in the next half-century of talking shit about rugby.

Couldn't have picked two better candidates for that 8)

 

[fatprop]

First rule is that all LHPs cheat, that is their job.

Second rule is that it is the THPs job to counter the LHPs cheating and kept the scrum stable by cheating.

Third rule is that a referee will make random judgements as to who is at fault, "random" because they are both always at fault as they are both always doing something a technical referee can find fault with.

 

[Thomond78]

Right, sorry, Naza, my fault. I owe you a beer - to be redeemed at some hypothetical stage in the next half-century of talking shit about rugby.

Couldn't have picked two better candidates for that 8)

The sub tubbo shit-talker buys us both beer.

Mine's a Windhoek in SA and a Beamish in the NH; off you go.

Baie dankie, Oom - 'n uitstekkende nag. :thumb

 

[Blue]

[That Brian Moore article is a cracker, mind. Got to love Naza saying someone like Brian Moore knows nothing about scrummaging. :lmao:

I posted it because it supported what I was saying - I agree with Moore's piece, and it contradicted what Blue was saying about the 'english press' all agreeing Beasts' scrummaging was perfectly legal.

You're just being full of shit. That's not what I meant. I said the press seemed to agree that on the whole BEast outscrummed Vickery. If you read the opinions of their hacks after the game their overriding opinion was he was outscrummed and cheated a bit. Which prop doesn't?

 

[PaarlBok]

Baie dankie, Oom - 'n uitstekkende nag. :thumb

My plesier, ons maak weer so en sterkte vir Loftus. The kid slept last night with that Munster berey, telling me this morning he enjoyed that Klein Jan Irish story! :thumb

 

[PaarlBok]

To go back to the match the Bokkies played well and sure came out this one with heads high. Rose was a joke and should have been replaced by Willem earlier. The Bokkies forwards sure was top notch and stood up well against the Lions forwards. Surprisingly big crowd for a midweek winters day and to get through the normal working Slaapstad traffic a nightmare with the Ossewa but all worth while and I'll do it tomorrow again. Still de moer in for Newlands not getting a Lion test.

 

[Pfitzy]

Just watching the 2nd Test from 1997 tour - that French ref ripped the Boks right off. Dirty frog.

 

[PaarlBok]

British and Irish Lions team to play South Africa at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria on Saturday, 1400 BST:

R Kearney (Leinster and Ireland)
T Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland)
B O'Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland)
J Roberts (Cardiff Blues and Wales)
L Fitzgerald (Leinster and Ireland)
S Jones (Scarlets and Wales)
M Phillips (Ospreys and Wales)

G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues and Wales)
M Rees (Scarlets and Wales)
A Jones (Ospreys and Wales)
S Shaw (Wasps and England)
P O'Connell (Munster and Ireland, capt)
T Croft (Leicester and England)
D Wallace (Munster and Ireland)
J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland)

Replacements: R Ford (Edinburgh and Scotland), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks and England), A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales), M Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), H Ellis (Leicester and England), R O'Gara (Munster and Ireland), S Williams (Ospreys and Wales).


Not really surprise and the changes expected.

Just think tthey have it all wrong, staying in Cape Town till tomorrow. The weather has been bad and sure outside practise not this week. Pretoria maybe cold on match day but it will be hot rugby on display.

Hope Thomo survive it.

 

[the gambler]

I have to admit I haven't read any reports or articles since the first test. Therefore I take it byrne's injury was serious. Out for game 3 as well?

Was Fitzgerald on the wing ahead of Williams and Monye expected? Big challenge for someone many didn't want in the original squad. Personally I like him but I have strong Leinster connections so maybe a little biased.

Hope for the lions sake they don't lose Roberts or BOD early.

 

[Hugonaut]

Was Fitzgerald on the wing ahead of Williams and Monye expected? Big challenge for someone many didn't want in the original squad. Personally I like him but I have strong Leinster connections so maybe a little biased.

Apparently Lee Byrne has broken his thumb and is now out for the remainder of the tour.

"Lee Byrne has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions' last two Tests against South Africa because of injury.

The Wales full-back limped out of the first Test 26-21 loss in Durban with a recurrence of a previous foot problem, but then hurt his hand in training.

A scan on Wednesday revealed damage to Byrne's left thumb and it is that injury that has ended his tour early.

"To be ruled out of the tour at this stage with just two matches left is devastating," Byrne said.

"I am very disappointed that I got injured in training and that my tour is over.

"I was recovering from my foot injury and was taking part in training when I hurt my thumb in a freak accident."

Think that Fitz was in most people's initial Lions squad, although everyone had Williams as the starter. Monye has had fewer international caps than any other winger on the tour [apart from Earls, who at the moment is very much a utility back, and hasn't started a game as winger], and in fairness to him earned his place in the first test through good performances in the provincial games. However, a couple of high profile botched opportunities – both of them mitigated by excellent Bok defending, in my opinion – has coloured a lot of people's opinion of him retrospectively.

 

[Blue]

Was Fitzgerald on the wing ahead of Williams and Monye expected? Big challenge for someone many didn't want in the original squad. Personally I like him but I have strong Leinster connections so maybe a little biased.

Apparently Lee Byrne has broken his thumb and is now out for the remainder of the tour.

"Lee Byrne has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions' last two Tests against South Africa because of injury.

The Wales full-back limped out of the first Test 26-21 loss in Durban with a recurrence of a previous foot problem, but then hurt his hand in training.

A scan on Wednesday revealed damage to Byrne's left thumb and it is that injury that has ended his tour early.

"To be ruled out of the tour at this stage with just two matches left is devastating," Byrne said.

"I am very disappointed that I got injured in training and that my tour is over.

"I was recovering from my foot injury and was taking part in training when I hurt my thumb in a freak accident."

Think that Fitz was in most people's initial Lions squad, although everyone had Williams as the starter. Monye has had fewer international caps than any other winger on the tour [apart from Earls, who at the moment is very much a utility back, and hasn't started a game as winger], and in fairness to him earned his place in the first test through good performances in the provincial games. However, a couple of high profile botched opportunities – both of them mitigated by excellent Bok defending, in my opinion – has coloured a lot of people's opinion of him retrospectively.

Monye has caused trouble for the defense much more than any other Lions winger. Silly dropping him.

Rees is a surprise but they don't really have much else.

Think O'Callaghan is the most unlucky player. Shaw will look to get in the Bok's faces no doubt.

This match is of huge significance for Matfield and Botha. I suspect it will be the last time they play a test in front of a home Bulls crowd (only reason they are still around is becuase of the Lions.) Spies is due a big game. The midfield defense will be better, and the physicality at the breakdown improves with Burger. Scrums will probably be even this time.

Lions will come hard but I think the Bok defense will hold better this time and we won't see stupid substitutions handing the edge to the Lions again.

Boks by 10 to 15 after a shitfight for the first hour.

 

[PaarlBok]

I dont like Monye, was hoping someone can just flatten him big time. My wing will be Shane Williams, have big respect for the oukie.

Dunno Blue, hoping we play with the same speed and passion the Brutes show in the S14 final.

 

[Jatz]

Is Burger the dumbest man in international rugby?