The Jones Boy
First XV
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- Nov 16, 2013
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South Africa is a killing ground for the Boks, they slaughter teams down there and they have done for decades and decades.
The stories of what might have been abound from players and teams all over the world and they go back into previous generations.
This All Black team is tired and they have nothing left to prove, they will play this game on pride alone and that might not be enough in the rarefied air of the high veldt. A hugely successful hunting ground for the Boks, it's going to take a Herculean effort for the AB's to get up for this game away from home.
I am deeply concerned to the point where I won't be putting money on the result, waaaaay too tight to call.
All the Boks need is a good start and then look out.
Chikwa's right, if the AB's show up with anything less than total commitment then they will lose this game.
The unbroken run will come crashing down and all the joy and positivity of the year so far will carry a slight taint.
The stories of what might have been abound from players and teams all over the world and they go back into previous generations.
This All Black team is tired and they have nothing left to prove, they will play this game on pride alone and that might not be enough in the rarefied air of the high veldt. A hugely successful hunting ground for the Boks, it's going to take a Herculean effort for the AB's to get up for this game away from home.
I am deeply concerned to the point where I won't be putting money on the result, waaaaay too tight to call.
All the Boks need is a good start and then look out.
Chikwa's right, if the AB's show up with anything less than total commitment then they will lose this game.
The unbroken run will come crashing down and all the joy and positivity of the year so far will carry a slight taint.
I do however believe that they can win without doing this. They are at their best IMO when they put the opposition under immense pressure and force them into mistakes. If they target us at lineout time (Mealamu's throwing doesn't bring me confidence, and Thrush isn't Retallick), and pressurize our inside backs (with both Barrett and Fekitoa in only their 2nd test starts in these positions - in fact only Fekitoa's 2nd start in this position in professional rugby!), I think they have a strong chance of winning.
