2nd Test: South Africa v Lions

[dullonien]

Although not spectacular, Heaslip has been solid this tour. His workrate has been good, but he has lacked some go forward. Don't think you can use the 'he's playing alongside Croft' argument, Croft does his fair share around the park imo (although, can Ryan Jones use the same argument after playing alongside Powell for the last year?). Another no 8 should have been called up after Ryan Jones' no go, as competition for places is needed.

As for the Shane Williams v Fitzgerald debate, it's down to personal preference and of course some bias. Shane is a proven finisher, he hasn't had any chances to show that on tour. Fitz also hasn't had much chance to shine, but has been solid so far. My reasons for going for Shane are probably slightly biased, but he's just a pure finishing machine. Give him one man to beat after Roberts/BOD have created space and he'll do it 9/10. This test is do or die, no room for being conservative anymore. Monye has been rightly criticized for not finishing two tries, but in his defence, SA's last ditch tackling was good. He could have had the ball in the other hand for the first possible try, but usually that would have been scored. For the second, I'm not sure, he had his ball in his right hand because he'd just stepped Pietersen and didn't have time to switch the ball back over before Morne Steyn tackled him. It was still poor to have the ball knocked out so easily though, although I criticize him more for his failure to pass when there was a two man overlap.

Regarding the Shane Williams and Earls incident last night, I'm sorry Munster fans but that was Earls' fault. Earls was in the defensive line outside Shane Williams, if that was right or not, who cares, he should still know how to drift! Shane went for the tackle, which would have left Earls to tackle Demas, but for some reason Earls decided to come in and tackle an already covered player leaving the overlap on the outside. It was just a bit of inexperience from a young player who's not all that used to playing fullback.

 

[Sebastian_Chabal]

Some people have started a useless debate here ; I don't see any BIG difference that can be made by Martyn Williams or Fitzgerald or X..ect, I don't expect anything extra from these replacements. They aren't the type of players who can cause damage to the Boks. I respect everyone's opinion but I think I smell a sort of bias here; SOME want to see just their compatriot on the pitch...

 

[Daylightfire]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sebastian_Chabal @ Jun 24 2009, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Some people have started a useless debate here ; I don't see any BIG difference that can be made by Martyn Williams or Fitzgerald or X..ect, I don't expect anything extra from these replacements. They aren't the type of players who can cause damage to the Boks. I respect everyone's opinion but I think I smell a sort of bias here; SOME want to see just their compatriot on the pitch... [/b]

I see what you have done there, That would certainly supprise the Boks.

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sebastian_Chabal @ Jun 24 2009, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Some people have started a useless debate here ; I don't see any BIG difference that can be made by Martyn Williams or Fitzgerald or X..ect, I don't expect anything extra from these replacements. They aren't the type of players who can cause damage to the Boks. I respect everyone's opinion but I think I smell a sort of bias here; SOME want to see just their compatriot on the pitch... [/b]

Agree God damn it

I also hate when the topics turn into discussion who wears what kind of boots, who ran more than Somebody else, who ties his boots and how and etc.

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (IsMiseJoe @ Jun 24 2009, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Hello everyone, this is my first post on the forum!

Im in the Fitzgerald camp. Williams' best days are behind him in my opinion. If Byrne is fit then Kearney should play 11.
The team Im hoping for:
15 Byrne 14 Bowe 13 BOD 12 Roberts 11 Kearney 10 Jones 9 Phillips
8 Heaslip 7 Wallace 6 Croft 5 POC 4 Shaw 3 Jones 2 Rees 1 Jenkins
Subs: Mears, Vickery, O'Callaghan, Williams, Ellis, O'Gara, Earls
If Byrne doesn't make it.. Kearney to 15 and Fitzgerald on the wing.

Martyn Williams and O'Callaghan both to be used as impact subs
Earls and O'Gara late on
Mears and Vickery should be shot.....

The biggest blow to the Lions on this tour was Jerry Flannery's injury!![/b]

Agreed on Flannery being probably the biggest kick in the privates of an injury. I was all for the bringing Rees in for Meers thing untill this morning when I realised that besides that one performance on Saturday he has been by far the best hooker on tour so far and it would probablt be a bit rash to drop him. Though maybe Rees is still the best option seeing as you'd then have an all Welsh front row. But Rees has given away a couple of daft penalties while he's been on so it's a tough choice.

 

[An Tarbh]

Hines has been ruled out of the second test after getting a ban for a week following his citing in last night's game. I doubt he would have been involved in the 22 so hardly a huge loss.

 

[Jer1cho]

I would have Keith Earls on the bench. That kid is lightning. Could be a great impact player with his pace and step! Also, i think Hook needs to feature now that he is back. He is a very useful sub to have.

On the Springbok side, i hope Jacobs gets injured at kick-off. Hopefully the ball hits him in the face and he gets bulldozed by someone...

 

[bristol-iain]

Why are people wating to put a full back on the wing? Especially when we have 4 top quality wingers.

Bowe- A shoe in, nuff said

Monye- Will pay for those 2 missed oppurtunites last week end, bench

Williams S- Nobody can deny his talent and potential to make defences look silly but whilst people poit out he hasnt scored it may be because he bareley sees the ball.

Fitzgerald- On paper Willams if superior to Luke but in reward for sheer consistency Juke starts at 11.


While we are on the subject of wingers. Habana overrated or not? I think he is well overrated.

 

[Sir Speedy]

I agree with Logo. Shane Williams shouldn't be considered. He played reasonably well yesterday, but when off form, which he is, despite the fact he's had one good game in a trillion, he's a liability.

Fitzgerald isn't that. Saved a try yesterday and set up a good position with a line break. Bowe wasn't great against the 'Boks, but everytime he came into the midfield he had them cacking themselves. Fitzgerald is a similar player. Excellent feet, and can score tries *glares at Monye*.

 

[TheBokke]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bristol-iain @ Jun 25 2009, 02:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

While we are on the subject of wingers. Habana overrated or not? I think he is well overrated.[/b]

Overrated enough to win pretty much every trophy in the game that he has been able to compete in.

 

[TheBokke]

The only time Hab's got to see the ball on Saturday was when it was coming down from the heavens with snow on it. SA have never exactly been a side that plays with a lot of width.

 

[Aeros]

I hope they kick the ball so hard it hits PdV in the face.

 

[munross]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Aeros @ Jun 24 2009, 05:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I hope they kick the ball so hard it hits PdV in the face.[/b]

:lol:

I'm sure Frans Steyn could do it with one of his way of target drop goal attempts.

They made the biggest mistake with Burger starting, he's going to give away 6 penalties in the 1st 15mins and before 20mins be sent-off with a yellow card, hope POC can slap him off the field so that they can send Brussow on

 

[Steve-o]

Can't believe this criticism for Burger coming from Bok fans.
Burger is a legend, he might be off form but he never lets SA down. I remember when he got that spinal injury, where he was out of rugby for more than a year after 2 of his vertebrae were fused; the 1st game back he had a MotM performance, against the AB's if i remember correctly.
On form Brussow definitely deserves the no.6 jersey but Burger is not a bad alternative.

 

[Aeros]

Schalk Burger is THE LEGEND, Iron Man's daddy. That's if he plays well.

 

[Steve-o]

I agree at the moment he's not the best selection, but at least Brussow is on the bench.

I'm more disappointed that Kanko is not there and that Jacobs is still starting <_<

 

[Aeros]

Let's call Suzie...

Friday night news report: Adi Jacobs have been struck down by food poisoning... Earl Rose to take his... OMG MY MIND... ITS BURNING... NOOOOOOOO......

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bristol-iain @ Jun 25 2009, 02:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

While we are on the subject of wingers. Habana overrated or not? I think he is well overrated.[/b]

I missed the Williams love/hate exchange, so I hope this one turns in to an epic twenty-reply running battle.

Are you f***ing crazy? Habana is the best f***ing winger of all time. You f***ing numpty. Typical English f***ing bias.

p.s. Brussow was very good last week - not just the try, dealt really well with pressure. Anyone guess the tactical reason for starting with Burger?

 

[ubolt]

Just to add my bit... The good news is the PDV (SA Coach) will not be taking the field and I think with Matfield (Bulls captain) Jean De Villiers (Stormers captain) John Smit (World Cup Captain) Juan Smith (Cheetahs captain) and others who have captained their perspective teams. There is enough leadership on the field to make up for that which people feel is missing with the coach.

 

[munross]

On the day Burger can single-handedly beat any team on his own, he is a great player.

He is just coming back from an injury and throwing him in at the deep end by starting him against the Lions isn't the correct decision I feel.I would rather have had him on the bench as an impact player with Brussow starting, but that is just my personal opinion...

Only time will tell if him starting was the correct decision...