[2014 Mid-Year Test] South Africa vs Wales (1st Test)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Hey, man. Good to read you again! At least Pienaar has been benched. I am hoping in the 2nd test JdP will be as well and then against Scotland maybe we'll see Pienaar dropped out of the 23; baby steps.

Baby steps? We only have 1 year left until the RWC. The first year was all about winning to get the good ranking for the draw, the second year should have been the re-build which we partially did. Now, in the 3rd year, we're stuck with the fossils that will be too slow to actually contribute to winning something in 2015.

Matfield? WHY?!
Jannie, always starting? The guy needs a rest. I also blame Jake White, just to be clear
Morne Steyn? What does he bring to justify his selection as an overseas player?

What is the use of hiring HM, with these selections? P Divvy could have done this.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

LOL, Eze, you are even more pessimistic than I am! Let me then put my optimist's cap on and try to talk (type) some optimism into you for the sake of balance.

Baby steps? We only have 1 year left until the RWC. The first year was all about winning to get the good ranking for the draw, the second year should have been the re-build which we partially did. Now, in the 3rd year, we're stuck with the fossils that will be too slow to actually contribute to winning something in 2015.

Those fossils Botha and Matfield ran supperb supporting lines against the world XV for Botha's try. Old, maybe but they are pro athletes and seemingly have something to contribute still when- crucially- the younguns are out injured.

Matfield? WHY?!

Etzebeth, PSdT and van der Merwe all injured.

Jannie, always starting? The guy needs a rest. I also blame Jake White, just to be clear

Okay, this one frustrates the hell out of me as well. The only mitigating circumstance here is the unavaiability of Malherbe.

Morne Steyn? What does he bring to justify his selection as an overseas player?

Steyn possibly is somewhat rested while Lambie is injured and Goosen was on and off for the Cheetahs. I suppose HM didn't want to risk playing 2 rookie fly halves as he is a big fan of continuity in selection, winning games and building momentum which is probably not too bad a policy even if it frustrated the fans at times and one has to remember we are not privy too all the behind-the-scenes goings on.

What is the use of hiring HM, with these selections? P Divvy could have done this.

True HM migt be clinging to Pienaar like PdV was with Januarie but apart from selections our game has certainly developed again under Meyer's guidance whereas it actually got more and more dumbed down under PdV. The winning % is also climbing every year it has to be said while PdV arguably had a better group of players in their prime to work with. HM is also great at getting the best out of players and I imagine his selection policy is part of this. Just look at how good Habana and JdV has been under him again. Even M Steyn has at times flattered to decieve. Also we should give credit for the guys Meyer has brought in; many of whom are not featuring because of injury which we can't blame HM for. If it weren't for injury we would have seen De Allende's debut and guys like PSdT, Etzebeth, Malherbe and Arno Botha rack up a few more caps moving towards next year August.

That is about as optimistic and reasonable as I can be in one day. I need to go punch something now..

 

[TRF_heineken]

I think you all are way too critical about HM.

He has had to make some very tough choices regarding selection, and things haven't gone his way with injuries, and illnesses and so on.

You all knew even before HM was appointed, that he will pick a certain type of player, and play a certain type of gameplay. You guys also moan and bicker about the same damn things year in and year out. Which is fine by me, you have the right to do that, I do exactly the same. But HM has shown in the past that he builds a winning culture, and that he is bloody good at getting individuals to "gel" together to a cohesive unit and play their very best.

Picking the NH guys might not be a good example, but the World Cup is after all in the NH next year, and with them building up experience over there will be invaluable.

Also, we can't expect HM to keep on throwing in new guys every year. He has now more than 15 guys that has made their debut since he got the job. 15!! That's an entire starting line-up! Some has worked, and some haven't. But the focus has now shifted in building up the team into an unstoppable force for the WC. I can honestly see that with this team, with maybe a few tweaks here and there, we have a shot at winning the Rugby Championship this year.

Just chill you guys, the guy is doing his best.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Both of the last 2 posts are very accurate.

We moan about certain players and selections but we are no where close to the team and what is happening between players and coaches.
We should trust our National coach with the Boks

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Wales: Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Dan Lydiate, Aaron Shingler, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Samson Lee, Ian Evans, Josh Turnbull, Gareth Davies, James Hook, Matthew Morgan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27804689

 

[The5thOfficial]

Good luck to the guys. Dunno if that should include a "they're gonna need it" or not to be honest.. We'll see.

Wales: Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Dan Lydiate, Aaron Shingler, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Samson Lee, Ian Evans, Josh Turnbull, Gareth Davies, James Hook, Matthew Morgan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27804689

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Wales: Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Dan Lydiate, Aaron Shingler, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Samson Lee, Ian Evans, Josh Turnbull, Gareth Davies, James Hook, Matthew Morgan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27804689

That looks like a very competitive team. I was under the impression Wales was facing massive injury depletions. TBH though in SA, I still fancy SA as favorites- though Durban is generally not as good for us as the highveld it has to be said.

 

[Draggs]

So I take it the Rhodri to tighthead thing is over then...
Not sure what nipper offers from the bench. Hook can cover 10/12/13/15 to a higher level. I'd have gone for Cory Allen or Jordan Williams. Jordan would allow actual wing coverage if needed, if one goes down, or we need to move North to centre. Futhermore, it would also allow Liam Williams to move out wide if they so desired. XV looks about first choice, save for 7 and 15. Williams should do the job, but not sure how well Shingler will work with this backrow; he is a unique flanker, but not really an openside.

 

[SomeOke]

Looks to be a pretty dangerous Welsh team, not to many areas of concern there, I'd go with a narrow victory to SA but it could go either way. Should be a great match, hope young Serf can handle Roberts.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9347471,00.html

Paul Jordaan and *gulp* Wynand Olivier called up to the Springbok squad to replace the ill Juan de Jongh and mysterious Frans Steyn. I don't understand, why not go for Danie Gerber?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Jordaan is not a bad choice.

 

[Big Ewis]

ooh, Adam Jones vs. Gurthro ?...hhmmm...I think SA really should've started Beast to counter the big boy straight up (or attempt to).

Sorry to see Wales don't have their Toulonnais...you know, Leigh Halfpenny. But the rest of that backline is meaty, just the way Gatland likes it. Can Biggar and Phillips give in a really good shift. Don't really know Aaron Shingler, but Lydiate better show a ton more than he has in the 6N. Nice second row there with AWJ bearing the captaincy, and of course good front row, although Hibbard is missing I see.

South Africa, no surprises besides the older guys picking up a starting role: Habana still starting on the wing, the second row reminiscent of the 2007 world championship and again Steenkamp at LH. So that Hendricks guy is sort of the new Pieterson I guess and JP himself plays at center ??...I thought SA was loaded with good centers, nobody but a specialist winger to cover for present injury ? Wtf is it with coaches playing centers and wingers out of position this summer ??

 

[TRF_heineken]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9347471,00.html

Paul Jordaan and *gulp* Wynand Olivier called up to the Springbok squad to replace the ill Juan de Jongh and mysterious Frans Steyn. I don't understand, why not go for Danie Gerber?

Who's left? Maybe Alwyn Hollenbach? Stokkies Hanekom?

Not really any other proper centres to choose from, and Wynand is already a springbok, so it's just to serve cover if anyone else gets injured.

There's also an article on Sport24 regarding Frans Steyn's decision to be unavailable. Something about third party sponsorship deals.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

My reference to Danie Gerber was just a poor attempt at humor.

Big E, JPP has played at 13 on numerous occasions actuually and SA does at the moment have good options for the centers but;

Jan Serfontein - starting so there's that at least
Jean de Villiers - injured
Jaque Fourie - injured
Frans Steyn - having his period so is ceremonially unclean and has had the decency to make himself unavailable
Damian de Allende - injured
Juan de Jongh - ill
JJ Engelbrecht - in dire form so rightly not picked

So that's 5 first chouce players unavailable and 1 just in terrible form. That's quite a crisis in the midfield for us and we are handling more ably than most teams would IMO.

 

[Big Ewis]

well thanks dude. You sure know South Africa's situation for a darn spaghetti eater...

 

[ratsapprentice]

Bokkestreet Broers

 

[Big Ewis]

lol, magnificent.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Bokkestreet Broers

Those 5 guys alone is a frightful sight... On a rugby field...

Should be called the Bashbrothers

 

[Big Ewis]

Those 5 guys alone is a frightful sight... On a rugby field...

Should be called the Bashbrothers

no no. The (Order of the) Rape Brethren.

 

[Jaguares]

Boks by 12 points