[2016 Rugby Championship] Australia v South Africa (10/09/2016)

[TRF_stormer2010]

De Jongh certainly HAD a great step. Question is does he STILL have it? That and he played his best rugby at 13 and a few years back. He is no spring chicken and I also question whether a stint in 7s does in fact translate as something positive in the 15 man game. I can see how it can but I certainly don't think its a given for every player. De Jongh is no spring chicken but in a sense I like that; he has captaincy experience and it might just be what we need; a cool head in between Jantjies and Kriel/Mapoe. If nothing else I trust his defensive presence will be a step up from De Allende. While De Jongh won't make huge hits (often- he certainly has caught a few guys out when making the hit at pace) he doesn't often fall off them ala De Allende.

 

[George Ford]

I like this. Adriaanse will soften up the charges at 1st, Koch is certain to make an impact when he comes on later and things get more loose.

I have made peace with this succession plan of Strauss. At least we know Strauss will give 110% commitment on the field on any day.

PSDT's versatility is a reason why he is not starting, but very much an asset to the team. But we know what De Jager has to offer and I hope him as well as Louw will get it right this week. Very happy to see Mostert's inclusion too.

Mohoje is being given a chance to make that nr. 7 jersey his. Might be a bit out of his depth to compete for the ball with the likes of Pooper, therefore he should really focus on making strong carries and putting in big tackles. I feel the Aussies might look to pounce on us in this area of the breakdown, therefore we really need Louw to step up in this game as he is the only specialist fetcher there who is up against the best in that facet of play.

The new-look midfield combo actually excites me. I have a feeling though this change was a decision made on the part of the players really (DDA & Mapoe) giving these guys a deserved run. AC's decision to go with a versatile Hougaard over a specialist wing in Mvovo, signals his intention in wanting to be able attack a breakdown anywhere on the park with 3 7s players starting (if you add Habana too) to enable quick ball and adding a bit of pressure.

I feel though this is one game where Goosen should've been benched and Kriel should've started at fullback, but then again I'd prefer to have Kriel at 13 after-all I assumed him and DDA would've continued their partnership together this year (bygons)

 

[saulan]

I like this. Adriaanse will soften up the charges at 1st, Koch is certain to make an impact when he comes on later and things get more loose.

Koch isn't in the matchday 23, Nyakane is in his place.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Koch isn't in the matchday 23, Nyakane is in his place.

Yup. Which makes me think that AC is concerned about the breakdown area, a place where Nyakane is rather good at.

 

[George Ford]

Yup. Which makes me think that AC is concerned about the breakdown area, a place where Nyakane is rather good at.

Or its a rotational policy thing. AC loves this doing this.

 

[bazwaz]

...o boy o boy - Quadoh Cooper is starting at standoff for OZ...so a perfect opportunity for SA to unsettle the Aussie playmaker given how he struggles under pressure...not to mention how he can't tackle to save himself...loose forwards just need to smash him early on and he will fall to pieces...then just keep running at him... poor Foley will be dreading all those hospital passes...if SA is smart they will target him...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'm as confident for this game as I was for the return game against Argentina even if I feel we continue to box without both fists. Feel we have it in us to win but then we can't afford to make the same mistakes we made aganst Argentina.

 

[WaterboySA]

...o boy o boy - Quadoh Cooper is starting at standoff for OZ...so a perfect opportunity for SA to unsettle the Aussie playmaker given how he struggles under pressure...not to mention how he can't tackle to save himself...loose forwards just need to smash him early on and he will fall to pieces...then just keep running at him... poor Foley will be dreading all those hospital passes...if SA is smart they will target him...

This sounds like Jantjies........

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

6. Mumm
7. Hooper
8. Pocock

Cheika logic right there.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

This sounds like Jantjies........

Haha, that very same thought went through my mind reading that (re; Quade)

At least we probably won't see a dull game whatever happens.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Have you never heard of him before???

He is pretty decent inside centre and was Jean De Villiers' centre partner for the Stormers before De Allende came into the picture. The last 3 years he was involved with the 7's Boks, but he has played 17 games for the Springboks, and he has a very lethal side step on him.

I'm very interested to see how he goes, as he almost certainly improved his all-round skills whilst playing for the Blitzbokke.

He's also a very good defender.

I've got a pretty poor memory, that might explain it! Also I get confused when any Saffa sportsmen isn't called de Villiers or Du Plessis

Based on 30 seconds he looks good, hell of a try there. Looks very un-Bokke though, de Allende is much more your traditional type of 12 no?

 

[Every Time Ref]

6. Mumm
7. Hooper
8. Pocock

Cheika logic right there.

That's mad, my money's unequivocally on the Boks now

 

[George Ford]

I've got a pretty poor memory, that might explain it! Also I get confused when any Saffa sportsmen isn't called de Villiers or Du Plessis

Based on 30 seconds he looks good, hell of a try there. Looks very un-Bokke though, de Allende is much more your traditional type of 12 no?

He is actually mostly played at 13, but that year (2010) he had Jaque Fourie on his outside and got licence to thrill and excelled. As Heini put it, he is a decent midfield player and I actually think inside centre is his best position even if JDJ himself prefers the other.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I've got a pretty poor memory, that might explain it! Also I get confused when any Saffa sportsmen isn't called de Villiers or Du Plessis

Based on 30 seconds he looks good, hell of a try there. Looks very un-Bokke though, de Allende is much more your traditional type of 12 no?

Well his distribution skills are better than De Allende's, but then again so was Wynand Olivier...

De Jongh will make a difference at centre, no matter if it's 12 or 13. As he possesses the skills required in either centre position. I personally think he's a better 12 than 13, so I think this weekend will perhaps show us how good he actually can be.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Well his distribution skills are better than De Allende's, but then again so was Wynand Olivier...

De Jongh will make a difference at centre, no matter if it's 12 or 13. As he possesses the skills required in either centre position. I personally think he's a better 12 than 13, so I think this weekend will perhaps show us how good he actually can be.

Love a good sidestepping, distributing centre. He's obviously quick, someone upthread said his defence is good, he sounds like the complete 12 to me, you'd think I'd remember him!

Leaves me wondering why de Allende gets so much game time, I've never been that impressed by him.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Cooper for the MotM
Japies for the win.

 

[Ospervat]

Just seen the team - can't believe they selected Mohoje. There is no way he has changed his tackling habits in 2 weeks.

Nigel Owens will have seen his last game against Argentina and will be looking out for him.

Got a feeling Boks could be playing with 14 for much of the game if not careful.

 

[Sker]

I'd like to ask white, and the south africans here, how much would your opinion change if

1) The lions would have won SR's final
2) You would have won last game against Argentina

I am asking because, at least in my book, both results had a lot to do with luck. The lions could have played a slightly stronger team against Jaguares which would guarantee them a home final.
And about the last game, i believe we played better but the scoreboard shows you paid dearly for all the kicks you missed (which you generally do not).

I might actually have had LESS hope if we had won the game against Argentina.

Losing it was a reality check, I think what disheartens most South Africans is the lack of motivation and seemingly basic skills.

 

[George Ford]

Which makes the timing of this fixture most interesting than any other, considering a loss for either side will be seen as catastrophic (if not already hailed to be there).

To put matters into perspective, the Wallabies have lost against the top 2 sides in the world whereas SA has suffered defeats to countries lower than them on the IRB rankings. And if the official rankings is anything to go by in terms of measuring current performance and taking the results into account its fair to say that the Aussies should now know where they stand in terms of the state of their rugby (if ever questioned).

However, the Boks in comparison is still to face opposition ranked higher than them and in that sense this encounter can also be seen as threading a gray area for them. It is their biggest test of the season so far and if their current performances are anything to go by, one has to tip the home-side as favorites. Although there are facets of play that can be pointed out in the Boks game where they have dominated their opposition, whereas for the Wallabies I simply can't think of anything similar.

This will only be Cheika's 2nd go at the Boks and im sure he will have learnt a few lessons from last year's last gasp victory, but a new look Bok backline might just be what they needed to get going.

One can be sure that they will fancy having a go at each other and we get to see some quality rugby for a change from BOTH sides.

 

[TheOvalBall]

6. Mumm
7. Hooper
8. Pocock

Cheika logic right there.

Ok, that's just weird man