RWC Quarter Final: Springboks - Wallabies (09-10-2011, 18:00)

[Seaton]

I think I've only had maybe one zipper on a pair of jeans in the last 5 years....it's all buttons these days.

And Velro shirts and zip up shoes.

Ah, never wear jeans, don't even own any.

Slops (flip-flops), baggies/ shorts and Aberdeen, Sharks and Scotland jerseys make up my entire wardrobe.

I'm stylin B)

My vBookie money will be on the Boks, Aussies under Deans to me have seemed the type of team that when they are down, they are really down. However it is still a coin toss.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Lots of arguments for each team to claim they have the edge all of which boils down to; 50/50 chances IMO.

Here's hoping the forwards make life difficult for the Aussies and FdP pitches up (for the 1st tim this RWC..). Not so happy with Lawrence being appointed, not that he's a bad ref but I would have prefered a NH ref with a bit more technical nouse.

 

[Black Heart]

Lawrence is a brilliant ref.... He always does what's best for New Zealand

I jest (in part). Lawrence is shocking.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

So what are the injury updates for this match? Aus and SA have to be the teams hardest hit by injury in the competition.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

ioane, beale and faingaa are availalbe
mccabe still has a sore shoulder
i think horne is still unavailable
not sure on slipper, i know he went down with something against russia

what's the news on the boks? is hooouuugaaard going to sit this one out after that head knock, what about habana's corked thigh. who will slot in for steyn?

 

[InsaneAsylum]

and you're right, it's like the southern hemisphere injury curse. aus, sa, nz, arg all ravaged by injuries

 

[JW.]

and you're right, it's like the southern hemisphere injury curse. aus, sa, nz, arg all ravaged by injuries

France have plenty of injuries, England had Sheridan sent home with Wilko and Tindal not sure if they can play vs France.

But for the Aussies Palu and Mitchell is there own bloody fault, they weren't matchfit yet, just got back from longterm injuries and pulled a hammie... What a suprise.

But yeh lots of injuries. DC taking the headlines, but F.Styen could be just as crucial for SA.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Jeez, i checked out some of the injuries. Aus have been hit badly but I have to say I feel for Argentina; their injury list looks better (on paper at least) than their actual likely line-up for the QF against NZ; Roncero, Ledesma, Leguizamon, Lobbe, Hernandez and Contepomi has been struggling as well.

For SA Steyn is out but havn't heard any news WRT Habana or Hougaard; I'm assuming that means they are likely to be available. Of bigger concern to me is our situation at lock where we havn't sent for anyone to back up Rossouw and Matfield with Alberts having to cover lock (with Bekker, Botha and Muller out). I guess they are giving Botha a chance to get fit but that's a big gamble IMO as those types of injury concerns don't just go away in a few weeks. JP Pietersen also picked up a bit of damage against Samoa but also no updates as yet. We're fooked for wings if none of these guys are fit with only Aplon being a dedicated outback without an injury cloud.

Steyn is a BIG loss for us as he filled a duel role of taking the ball up and creating some plays in the midfield (something JdV looks to have forgotten how to do) as well as bringing some solid defense and that huge boot of his to the table. My guess would be that JdV slots in but I'd prefer JdJ. Calling up Kirschner to replace Steyn hints at moving Lambie but I doubt it. Probably just back up at 15 which was F Steyn's original intended position for SA. Likely replacements IMO: Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Butch James if fit or Pat Lambie. None seem as lkely to help us as F Steyn though. Another big problem for us is FdP hasn't struck form yet; I was very confident at the start of the tournament and a lot of that confidence came from assuming FdP would be hitting his straps by now which isn't the case and though Hougaard should be available PdV isn't a coach that makes the hard decisions unless forced into it.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

i wouldn't take lambie out of fullback. in my expert amatuer opinion he's looked really good there. it's a must win game, but i think the boks are taking a risk if they rush hougard and/or habana back

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

i wouldn't take lambie out of fullback. in my expert amatuer opinion he's looked really good there. it's a must win game, but i think the boks are taking a risk if they rush hougard and/or habana back

Like you say; it's a must win game and though i'm sure these players would both gladly play with injuries I doubt it's all that bad. Habana got a dead leg and that's not something that should keep him out although it might effect his game having all that bruised tissue and this would be the 2nd time he'd be coming back from slight injury this WC. Hougaard is the one I'm worried over; he got up in a second but that said he did look very groggy. I'm hoping they only kept him off as a precaution but he might have concussion. Losing our two best backs in 1 game doesn't make me very confident. Especially considering our penchant of playing our best forwards (who aren't injured) off the bench..

 

[saffer]

If South Africa's forwards are dominant, I expect us to win. However, if we give a platform for Cooper to play, we could lose. I expect us to maintain a kicking and teritorry game. For this, we will need FDP at his best. The kicks need to be executed with accuracy and not " just kicking away possesion aimless" and allowing the aussies to run at us.

I also believe Turnover ball is going to be vital in this clash and therefore would like us ( at the right times) to commit more players to the breakdown.
My prediction for the starting 15:
1. Guthro
2. Smit
3. Jannie
4. Bakkies
5. Victor
6. Heinrich
7. Schalk
8. Pierre
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Habana ( if fit) / Aplon
12. De Villiers
13. Fourie
14. Pieterson (if Fit) / Odwa Ndugane
15. Lambie

Bench (4-3 split):
Forwards
Beast
Bismarck
Danie Rousouw
Willem Alberts
Backs
Hougaard ( covers 9 11,14,15)
Butch ( covers, 10, 12,13)
Aplon ( if he doesn''t start)


This should give us enough variation to mix it up and alter tactics as neccassary.

I have choosen to start with John Smit as I feel his leadership qualities are underestimated. I think he will get the guys to stick to the game plan and ensure that we keep our strutures.

A key battle to look out for will be Brussow and Poccock.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah, I agree the breakdowns are key as that is where Ireland won; the breakdown and at the scrum. That said both Pocock and Moore are back so we face an infinitely sterner challenge than the Aus vs Ireland match might suggest. That is why I'd drop Smit to the bench and go with Bismarck who adds what we lose in Spies and Matfield ITO presence at the ruck. Though Rossouw has been great so far Bakkies just has more presence in that area as well; that's if he puts in a performance that we know he is capable of and plays the ball and not the man.

My prefered 22 to face Aus would look more like

1 Steenkamp
2 Bismarck d P
3 Jannie d P
4 Bakkies
5 Matfield
6 Brussow
7 Alberts
8 Burger
9 FdP
10 Steyn
11 Hougaard
12 De Jongh
13 Fourie
14 Pietersen
15 Lambie

16 Beast
17 Smit
18 Rossouw
19 Louw
20 Pienaar (halves)
21 JdV (center)
22 Aplon (outbacks)

Really missing F Steyn right now..

I leave out Habana and Spies as they have been weak links against Aus in recetn matches and their weaknesses in defense put us under perssure; so too Smit.

 

[saffer]

Yeah, I agree the breakdowns are key as that is where Ireland won; the breakdown and at the scrum. That said both Pocock and Moore are back so we face an infinitely sterner challenge than the Aus vs Ireland match might suggest. That is why I'd drop Smit to the bench and go with Bismarck who adds what we lose in Spies and Matfield ITO presence at the ruck. Though Rossouw has been great so far Bakkies just has more presence in that area as well; that's if he puts in a performance that we know he is capable of and plays the ball and not the man.

My prefered 22 to face Aus would look more like

1 Steenkamp
2 Bismarck d P
3 Jannie d P
4 Bakkies
5 Matfield
6 Brussow
7 Alberts
8 Burger
9 FdP
10 Steyn
11 Hougaard
12 De Jongh
13 Fourie
14 Pietersen
15 Lambie

16 Beast
17 Smit
18 Rossouw
19 Louw
20 Pienaar (halves)
21 JdV (center)
22 Aplon (outbacks)

Really missing F Steyn right now..

I leave out Habana and Spies as they have been weak links against Aus in recetn matches and their weaknesses in defense put us under perssure; so too Smit.

I think our bench must be able to make an impact. if you look at the backs, I can only see Aplon coming of the bench and giving us something different. I think Smit leadership is going to be absolutely vital in setting the tempo in the initial stages. I also feel that Hougie is the perfect super sub. his impact from 60 minutes would immense. same with Bismarch. I wouldn't play schalk at 8 either. He's doing a brilliant job at 7 and I wouldn't change his position. maybe get someone like Alberts at 8 if you concerned Spies will go missing.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think our bench must be able to make an impact. if you look at the backs, I can only see Aplon coming of the bench and giving us something different. I think Smit leadership is going to be absolutely vital in setting the tempo in the initial stages. I also feel that Hougie is the perfect super sub. his impact from 60 minutes would immense. same with Bismarch. I wouldn't play schalk at 8 either. He's doing a brilliant job at 7 and I wouldn't change his position. maybe get someone like Alberts at 8 if you concerned Spies will go missing.

I'm not convinced. I'd rather have the better players make their impact on the field and build up a lead to put pressure on the opposition. Also not convinced about Smit being this fairy tale leader and at times he has seemed rather impudent towards the referee's and has simply let us down as a player on too many occasions. Also I don't think the Aus bench is anything to worry about apart from the possible impact of Higginbotham.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Here we go... My preferred 22:

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Schalk Burger
8. Willem Alberts
9. Fourie du Preez
10.Morne Steyn
11.Francois Hougaard
12.Patrick Lambie
13.Jaque Fourie
14.JP Pietersen
15.Gio Aplon

16.John Smit
17.Gurthro Steenkamp
18.Danie Rossouw
19.Pierre Spies
20.Ruan Pienaar
21.Juan de Jongh
22.Butch James


I think this will be our best bet. Lambie at 12 will be a revelation, Aplon is a good defensive force with his speed and kicking abilities, Hougaard over Habana of course, Alberts to take over from Spies and of course the world's best hooker starting.

Oh well, it will turn out to be something like this:


2. John Smit
8. Pierre Spies
11.Bryan Habana
12.Jean de Villiers
15.Butch James

 

[Draggs]

Aplon at fullback is a massive weakness. He has pace and a decent boot but lacks the positioning and tackling needed of a fullback.
I still think Steenkamp is a better loosehead than Mtawarira, but given Mtawarira's player time over Steenkamp, he should start.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Mtawarira or Steenkamp... *** for tat. Doesn't matter who plays. Just like the choice between Bakkies and Rossouw.

I put Aplon at full-back because I want to see Lambie at inside-center. Otherwise we can always put Butch there. Or Lambie full-back with de Jongh next to Fourie

 

[Draggs]

I'd love to see Lambie given a run as an inside back. To be honest, Aplon is a better choice than Kirchner.
Steenkamp seems to be a stronger scrummager than Mtawarira, and I just enjoy seeing Gurthro score.

 

[Ostrayian]

If the Australian forwards don't turn up they lose. Simple as that.

Quoted for truth.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

If the Australian forwards don't turn up they lose. Simple as that.

If the Aussie forwards don't turn up, we'll have uncontested scrums