Tri Nations Game 4 South Africa v Australia - Saturday 13 August 2011 - 3N2011

[Blue]

Latest news is that Spies may not recover from a groin injury (the one he came back with from his honeymoon and Danie Rossouw has gastro (Susie is warming up for the World Cup
Kankowski and Ashley Johnson called up as cover.

I would love to see Johnson get a start for a Brussow / Rossouw / Johnson combination. Lots of pace to the ball with Heinrich and Ashley and they know each other well.

 

[Ruggo]

I don't rate Spies but Rossoow would be a big loss for you blokes.

 

[Riptide]

Yep, Spies is no great loss. It will be interesting to watch Brussow. He hasn't had much game time since the interpretations changed but Pocock is really going to have his hands full.

 

[Blue]

I wish Spies would be dropped.

Ashley, Duane Vermeulen and Willem Alberts all offer so much more. I'd even prefer Schalk at 8.

I think Spies is playing for his starting spot this test. Perform or I think he will be dropped when the other back rowers return.

Based on the Sydney game against the Tahs Brussow pretty much runs on and carries on. He had just returned from a whole season off before that game. Great battle between him and Pocock.

 

[Riptide]

Juan Smith is the best blindside in the game when fit. I'd rate him ahead of Kaino (and certainly the 2011 version of Elsom). The difference he made upon his return to the Bok side last year was enormous. If he's fit, and Shalk is back, with Brussow at openside then Spies will surely get the hook with Roussow the bench option.

 

[Blue]

Juan Smith is the best blindside in the game when fit. I'd rate him ahead of Kaino (and certainly the 2011 version of Elsom). The difference he made upon his return to the Bok side last year was enormous. If he's fit, and Shalk is back, with Brussow at openside then Spies will surely get the hook with Roussow the bench option.

That's logical, which with this management suggests it might not happen.

 

[Mr Doug]

At the risk of repeating myself (for the third time).....2011 RWC finals: Eng v NZ for bronze trophy, Aus v SA for "Bill"!

 

[Scotty]

Juan Smith is the best blindside in the game when fit. I'd rate him ahead of Kaino (and certainly the 2011 version of Elsom). The difference he made upon his return to the Bok side last year was enormous. If he's fit, and Shalk is back, with Brussow at openside then Spies will surely get the hook with Roussow the bench option.

Even when Elsom was at his best I don't ever remember him clearly outpointing either a ab or bok opposite number.

 

[No4918]

Side is announced tomorrow. After all the talk following Samo and Maafu inclusion to the travelling squad i'll be surprised if there are any changes to the 22 except maybe Maafu to the bench. Samo has probably just been flown over to give McCalman a wake up call. Lets face it Deans has his project players and i can't see one of them being dropped for a 35yo no matter how much most here (myself included) want it to happen.

 

[PaarlBok]

Most important appointment for the Bokke. With Butch James, Jean, Jac and Habana playing we should see immediate results.
Sport24

Boks call up defence wizard
Durban - South Africa have added Jacques Nienaber to the coaching staff ahead of two home Tri-Nations Tests and the Rugby World Cup title defence in New Zealand.

A South African Rugby Union statement said 38-year-old defence expert Nienaber had been freed by Western Province to assist the Springboks as a consultant on a short-term basis without specifying how long.

The move has been expected for some time as South Africa try to plug defensive gaps that saw the world champions concede five tries in Australia and six in New Zealand during the away leg of the Tri-Nations championship.

Nienaber has enjoyed considerable success with Western Stormers (Super 14/Super 15) and Western Province (Currie Cup) as they conceded the fewest tries in these competitions during the past two seasons.

"We all know the importance of defence at Rugby World Cup tournaments and had long planned to bring in a defence specialist," said South Africa coach Peter de Villiers.

"Jacques was on our 'wanted list' for a while and I would like to thank Western Province Rugby Union for releasing him to us on a short-term basis."

Nienaber is the second member of the Western Province backroom staff after director of coaching Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus to join De Villiers and assistant coaches Dick Muir (backs) and Gary Gold (forwards).

The Springboks begin the home leg of the Tri-Nations campaign Saturday against Australia at Kings Park here before moving west along the coast to tackle World Cup favourites New Zealand on August 20 in Port Elizabeth.

South Africa start their defence of the world title by playing Wales on September 11 in Wellington and also face Fiji, Samoa and Namibia in Group D with the top two finishers advancing to the quarter-finals.

 

[Slim 293]

Even when Elsom was at his best I don't ever remember him clearly outpointing either a ab or bok opposite number.

Elsom was one of Australia's standout players in 2008 during the Tri Nations before he went to Ireland...

 

[farva]

Elsom was one of Australia's standout players in 2008 during the Tri Nations before he went to Ireland...

I agree, back then he was arguably the best blindside going around.

I guess his move to the Brumbies was not a clever move

 

[Slim 293]

I agree, back then he was arguably the best blindside going around.

I guess his move to the Brumbies was not a clever move

He actually played pretty well for the Brumbies, it's just that people were expecting the same amount of seagulling he put in for Leinster...

But, rushing him back post HEC was not so good...

 

[fatprop]

Herald has this as the likely team

Likely Wallabies team: Kurtley Beale; James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. Res: Saia Fainga'a, Salesi Ma'afu, Matt Hodgson, Ben McCalman, Luke Burgess, Anthony Fainga'a, Lachie Turner

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ck-for-boks-20110810-1imxn.html#ixzz1Uf3gTdRf

 

[Gagger]

Juan Smith is the best blindside in the game when fit. I'd rate him ahead of Kaino (and certainly the 2011 version of Elsom). The difference he made upon his return to the Bok side last year was enormous. If he's fit, and Shalk is back, with Brussow at openside then Spies will surely get the hook with Roussow the bench option.

Agreed - connected Saffa friend has the word that Spies will no longer starting 8, Schalk is the man

 

[Reddy!]

Don't agree with Higgers at no.8 but McCalman had to go. Sharpe will be a big plus, however. I hope I see Samo appear somewhere out of the dust.

 

[Richo]

Ma'afood? Didn't we get a whole season of test match rugby last year to shoot down that particular flight of fancy? Or did he have a much better Super Rugby season than I thought?

 

[Blue]

Spies and Rossouw declared fit likely to start at 8 and 7 respectively.

Spies playing for his starting spot with Alberts and possibly Juan Smith back next week.

 

[Blue]

Agreed - connected Saffa friend has the word that Spies will no longer starting 8, Schalk is the man

I hope he is right.

People have been calling for Schulk at 8 for two years now.

 

[Ruggo]

I don't like the look of that bench on that predicted team. The lack of a lock is a worry. Before people say McCalman, if he is not having an impact as a loose forward, he isn't going to in the tight 5. Samo would make much more sense.