Tri-Nations Game 2 All Blacks V Springboks - 2011

[disco]

I suppose the biggest headache for Graham Henry & co is who is left out.

I think the forward pack against Fiji was pretty much full strength other than Reid & Thorn to come back in. As for the backs it's a pretty tough choice when it comes to selecting the centre pairing, wings & halfback.

I think Weepu is the more dangerous attacking halfback but Jimmy "Hi five" Cowan is a much better defender & definitely has a more punchable face which may have a Springbok red carded at some stage.

SBW would be the starting inside centre if super 15 form means anything but then his partner in crime Fruen isn't in the squad so the tried & tested pair of Smith & Nonu may get the nod.

As for the Bokke I think Patrick Lambie should be starting fullback & move Aplon to the wing with Basson missing out.

My Prediction: AB's by 21

 

[light]

After the Fiji clash one thing become very clear about the AB's. Smith is going to be 13 no matter what and Crockett needs to be starting. Aside from that, I couldn't care less who they pick and I hope they underestimate the Boks and get beaten. Boks by 5.

FWIW I doubt the AB's will pick a full strength team, expect some firepower from the bench though.
1. Franks, 2. Mealamu, 3. Crockett
4. Thorne, 5. Whitelock
6. Thomson, 7. McCaw (C), 8. Kaino
9. Weepu, 10. Carter
12. Nonu, 13. Smith
11. Guildford, 15. Muliaina, 14. Dagg

Bench
Woodcock, Hore, Hoeta, Reid, Cowan, Slade, SBW.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Crockett only plays loosehead prop.

 

[Blue]

Damage control for the Boks. BIG time.

Lambie should start at ten, not 15.

Oosthuizen should start as well. Flip vdM is injured so Danei and Hargreaves in the locks,

Olivier should be dropped ad should Mvovo.

This team will still suck and will get 50 put on them.

 

[Set piece magic]

i've always wondered whats so good about olivier... seems slow and let's down defense all the time. Reds ran circles around (was it him?) and dipenaar in round 9.

 

[Utility Back]

To the bok supporters, like blue/parl
interested to hear your opinion on the team the boks have sent over? Are you pissed that PDV might be sacrificing the tri-nations or happy some players are being rested for the world cup? Robbie Deans last week was accused of cheapening the Wallas jersey, do you feel any similar? Just curious is all.

 

[tigerland12]

I saw Henriech Brussouw in the stands, would he be fit to play?

 

[Blue]

Not sure about Brussow but one would assume if he is still here on tour he will play. Who the fuck knows with these clowns in charge? The story changes like the wind.

Utility Back:

Both Paarl and I and a few other Saffas have made our thoughts known on numerous threads. Of course not happy but it's not just the leaving behind of the 10 or 12 fit boks (because 10 of the 22 listed as injured are genuinely injured). Paarl on the other hand was all for resting the top players.

There is also the case of some very dodgy selections.

Most of all it's once again the case of this coaching team being shown up. As soon as the top flight players are not in form or injured, this Bok team falls to pieces. The evidence is there in the team's poor performance of late.

So no, not happy. The ten or so fit guys should have been on tour, even if most of them started only one of the two tests and filled the bench.

PS and John Smit is a disgrace. How he can look at himself in the mirror beats me. Classic case of not knowing when it's time to let it go.

 

[ChargerWA]

Boks started to look dangerous when Lambie came on, they need him to play 10. Morne's place kicking isn't as valuable either because Lambie can do that too.

 

[GC]

Bokke gunna get thrashed. Only time the looked good last night is when we had 2 at 15, 6 at 11, 3 at 8 etc. Can't see them being any better against the ABs.

 

[Gnostic]

Being reported that both starting Locks from last night are now injured and with return to Saffaland. That would mean Russow and ?? in the second row?

I agree with Charger, they need to start Lambie at 10. Steyn offers nothing except an accurate boot and his defence has been average at best this year even with the Bulls IMO. I do not think the Bok have the team on tour to play the field position game, especially given the news about their locks, so they will need to attack and that means Lambie at 10.

 

[qwerty51]

ABs by 53.

 

[Blue]

ABs by 53.

Complete nonsense.

51.

 

[antipodean]

Did any of you actually see how poor the All Blacks were against Fiji?

 

[ChargerWA]

It was an ugly stop start game, not helped by the reffing. I would hardly say the AB's were poor though.

 

[Gnostic]

I thought Fji were actually pretty good. Fast and skillful in the backs as always, but they surprised me with their application in the forwards. They are becoming a much more complete 15 man Rugby side instead of 15 a side Rugby 7s.

 

[Mank]

Both Paarl and I and a few other Saffas have made our thoughts known on numerous threads. Of course not happy but it's not just the leaving behind of the 10 or 12 fit boks (because 10 of the 22 listed as injured are genuinely injured). Paarl on the other hand was all for resting the top players.

There is also the case of some very dodgy selections.

Most of all it's once again the case of this coaching team being shown up. As soon as the top flight players are not in form or injured, this Bok team falls to pieces. The evidence is there in the team's poor performance of late.

So no, not happy. The ten or so fit guys should have been on tour, even if most of them started only one of the two tests and filled the bench.

I agree with this. I am in favour of resting players because burnout is very real with the current rugby calendar. I was timidly optimistic that the Boks had a chance if they could overcome the psychological issue of being a "2nd" team. It seems they can't, and I have no idea what the coaches are doing to earn their money.

PS and John Smit is a disgrace. How he can look at himself in the mirror beats me. Classic case of not knowing when it's time to let it go.

I don't agree with this. Smit was probably in the top half of the player ratings, and despite what some people say actually got through a lot of work. Far worse performances by many other players. Do you have any specifics in mind, I have the game recorded and would be interested to have a look again if you can point out the failings.

 

[da_grubster]

With regards the opening post, the AB's top pack is quite different to the one started on Friday night.

The top pack would be Woody, Mealamu, O franks, Thorn, Whitelock, McCaw, Reid, Kaino. So I think that would 6 changes from friday's side? Having said that, Woody is injured anyway and you don't lose anything with Crockett and the form he is in. Not sure about who will partner Thorn either; Williams is still some way off his best from old but obviously has a lot of experience.

Not sure whether they rest a few crusaders still or give their best side a run. would be good to have the best side to have some game time before the big match at Eden Park

 

[Riptide]

With regards the opening post, the AB's top pack is quite different to the one started on Friday night.

The top pack would be Woody, Mealamu, O franks, Thorn, Whitelock, McCaw, Reid, Kaino. So I think that would 6 changes from friday's side? Having said that, Woody is injured anyway and you don't lose anything with Crockett and the form he is in. Not sure about who will partner Thorn either; Williams is still some way off his best from old but obviously has a lot of experience.

Not sure whether they rest a few crusaders still or give their best side a run. would be good to have the best side to have some game time before the big match at Eden Park

Agree about your starting forward pack. Is there any point in bringing the Crusaders back in yet given how poor this Bok side is?

Williams living off his form of 4 yrs ago and Henry's manlove for him. May not be enough time for Boric to show fitness and form as the moonboot only came off last week, but then I'd be inclined to say the same about Woodcock. It seems Woodcock will get the nod over Crockett if fit given his experience and there is probably only room for one of them in the squad and both are specialist looseheads, and Ben will sit as cover for both starting tight and looseheads with Afoa as injury cover for all of them.

With Sivi having one starting wing spot locked down, who gets the right wing? Gear is a left wing, Jane is on the outs (surprising given that his aerial game is better than anyone in the squad), Guildford looks like he doesnt have it for the very top level even with his workrate. That leaves Dagg and Toeava, both who have been injured most of the season.

 

[Blue]

I don't agree with this. Smit was probably in the top half of the player ratings, and despite what some people say actually got through a lot of work. Far worse performances by many other players. Do you have any specifics in mind, I have the game recorded and would be interested to have a look again if you can point out the failings.

Smit has lost any bit of dynamism he ever had. He is late to the breakdown because cardiovascularly he struggles.

He barely ever carries because he is almost never in position onm attack or defense. I watched some of the training last week and I was shocked how fat and slow he looks.

He's just anonymous and the role of the modern hooker requires a guy who is much quicket and more dynamic. No not every hooker needs to rush around like Brits but jeez at least get there.

I admire people's love for Smit but I suspect too many are being taken in by the "Captain oh my Captain" rhethoric.

He looks fat and slow and plays fat and slow. Twice in cover defesnse when the Waalabies scored he was jogging behind the backline. I actually hit rewind becuase I couldn't believe how laboured he looked. In one instance when Ruan Pienaar flipped an inside pass into thin air it was because he though Smit was there but he was too fast and had left him behind.

It is costing us, and will cost us even more. Bismarck should be the starting hooker with Brits on the bench. That would have been how they lined up in any other country. Why someone hasnlt had a quiet word with John beats me.

My wife never watches rugby and five minutes into the game on Saturday night she asked me if Smit is supposed to look like, in her words. a fat boy chasing the ice cream van.

PS Chilliboy actually made a solid impace off the bench and looked to me like he did more in ten minutes than Smit ins a whole game. Except for the pie he chucked.