John Smit is world's best hooker

[TRF_Ezequiel]

It didn't take long for Springbok coach Peter de Villiers to make the headlines as he got chins wagging soon after arriving in New Zealand on Saturday.

The defending world champions touched down in Wellington in the early hours of Saturday to a raucous welcome from more than 200 fans but it was at their first press conference where De Villiers was on cue for a typical sound bite.

Questioned over probably the most-talked about topic in South African rugby, the Bok coach suggested that captain John Smit will be his starting hooker.

Smit has been hard-pressed to hold out a challenge for the Test hooker's jersey from Sharks team-mate Bismarck du Plessis and De Villiers has resorted to playing the veteran skipper at both loosehead and tighthead prop to accommodate both players.

But he now seems set to leave Du Plessis on the bench for South Africa's opening clash against Wales on September 11.

"John is the best hooker in world rugby at the moment so we will be very sensible when we make selections," said De Villiers.

Smit however was quick to calm things down in typically diplomatic fashion.

"The coach talking like that reminds me of my wife - she always thinks I am the most handsome guy in the world as well," Smit joked.

"Obviously I prefer hooker but in the last couple of years I've been playing wherever it's been good enough for the team.

"[Competition from other players] is part and parcel of any Springbok's career. There are always people coming up, but that just keeps you training harder and harder."

South Africa beat the All Blacks 18-5 in their final Tri-Nations clash but De Villiers said that result had no bearing on the Springboks' RWC ***le defence.

"For some people victory and defeat is everything in life, but for us, our structures that we put in place are very important, the moment is very important as it is how people will react," he said.

"But I'm very happy with the way we have built this whole thing up. For us it's about the World Cup. To come here, to enjoy New Zealand, enjoy the World Cup, enjoy the rugby and make our people proud."

source: http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7147033,00.html

Never a dull moment with our national puppet.


Man, I started crying when I read this... Both out of desperation and the hilarious loathing hahahaha

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ahahahahahahaha

 

[JW.]

Hehehehehe, J.Smit didn't believe it either. How can you say that as a coach you say you're guys are good/worldclass whatever you don't say one player is the best in the world.

 

[madflyhalf]

I think PdV was trying to convince himself, first.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

The worst thing is that he is moving to Saracens. What will happen there? Will he be picked over Schalk Brits? I am sure of it. He is, after all, the best hooker in the world.

Maybe P Divvy was talking about a different type of hooker

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's a good point
Smit is nothing compared to Brits or to Stevens/Nieto (if he fancied playing tighthead)

Proper waste of money by Saracens

 

[big ginger 8]

Ah P Divvy willl you ever learn?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

P Divvy is the biggest moron in Rugby since... ehm.... since... I don't know. He is the biggest moron in Rugby ever!

 

[big ginger 8]

Amazingly wasn't he up for coach of the year in 09.

 

[TRF_heineken]

P Divvy is the biggest moron in Rugby since... ehm.... since... I don't know. He is the biggest moron in Rugby ever!

Since Paddy O'Brien!

 

[Seaton]

Hehehehehe, J.Smit didn't believe it either. How can you say that as a coach you say you're guys are good/worldclass whatever you don't say one player is the best in the world.

Didn't Henry say a similar thing about Nonu? Maybe the difference was I think he used the word 'probably'.

One day they will make a show called 'Everyone hates P Divvie'

 

[Amobokoboko]

Now this will be some good news for the Welsh.

 

[Thingimubob]

I totally agree. Hand him that no.2 jersey...cheers.

 

[BladeMode]

 

[McTallshort]

This is all wrong, DeVilliers doesnt deserve a captain like John Smit a man who has lead SA to some of there greatest rugby moments and a top bloke to boot.

I would go as far to say that SA rugby deserves better than DeVilliers, they have won things under him because of the great talent in their team not because of this bumbling fool.

 

[erwanseb]

Jon Smit was not even first choice hooker at Clermont, he was converted to prop as a result, he might be the second best hooker but Ledesma was really much better.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Well, we have the same issue. Bismarck du Plessis is possibly the best hooker in the world. Definitely top3.

Now Smit is our captain and as a result our best front-row player is on the bench... It's quite sad actually

 

[TNT88]

John is the best hooker in world rugby at the moment so we will be very sensible when we make selections,

hahahaha! I seriously doubt he thinks this though (no sane person would). But he probably thinks that people will listen to him when he makes these comments (because the head coach of an international team speaks with some authority), and will stop hassling him over his selections . Unfortunately that only works coming from an impartial source... These comments will just add fire the flames when it comes to his weird selections.

 

[Larksea]

I bet this whole thing ****** Bismarck du Plessis off

you could see the look on his face when he was subbed off in the last game.

I think the reality is Smitt has more interest in the Bok team than the coach, so the coach is getting behind smitt.

But on the other hand Bismarck du Plessis is an awesome player and could very well be one of the biggest players in the World cup if he was given the chance.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Normally I never think this way, but I really hope Smit twists his ankle before the first match which takes 2 months to recover from