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

[Ostrayian]

I'm absolutely terrified about this game because I actually think there is a probable chance we will lose. And bowing out at the QF again would be a national tragedy.

I think as long as we can weather the storm in the first 20/30 minutes we should be able to hang in there till the end. I know the Boks pack will come out breathing fire at the start. If we manage to not get smashed then and at least achieve parity then the odds will hopefully be in our favour as the game progresses and run a few circles around and past smits for a couple easy tries. We also need sunny dry conditions, the ref to get out of bed on the right side, no wind , low barometer reading, the right lunar day, etc etc
I am so hoping PDV starts smits! That will be about 10 points guaranteed in our favour!

 

[FlukeArtist]

This one is harder to pick than a broken nose.

I would have to agree with the previous comments re Australia's forward pack.
If South Africa shut down the Aussie pack, they shut down Genia and Cooper.

If that happens its game over for Australia.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Same goes for the Boks. If they manage to neutralize Brussow and Burger, I think our chances are pretty slim. Those 2 are the leaders of the pack at the moment.

 

[Darwin]

Really looking forward to this game. I'm really not sure who I think will win: I expect South Africa will have the edge in the forwards and in the goal-kicking, but I do think there are quite a few holes in South Africa's defense that Quade Cooper may exploit. Brussow vs Pocock will be a good battle. I'll make my prediction when I've seen the lineups announced.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

vBookie Boks - Wallabies

vBookie added for the biggest clash in the quarter final and the 3rd match this year between the 2 in Green and Gold

 

[UilamOsa]

Boks for the win. On the proviso that the boks play to type.

Better forward pack. Better lineouts. Better Scrums. The games that they've played show that they have enough confidence to ground out the wins. Just need to shut down Pocock and Genia - Backline nullified. Pretty gutted about Steyn, he's worthy of a Finals and devilliers has lost his touch.

The Aussies - no so much. Must feel like ages ago when they last beat the AB's. At least they'll know what's coming and especially how Manu exposed the Boks defence. In terms of actual strategies - i'd pick Deans brilliance over PdV. It's whether or not they can implement that under the conditions. If Digby's back and playing at 100% he'll hold the fort defensively and provide some decent strike. I guess, the question is can their forwards get up for more than just 1 half of rugby? (ala Brisbane)

Rossouw over Botha. Botha's time is up. And Smit? Sorry we couldn't take him out of the Samoa game, he didn't stay on the field long enough for Sapolu to tweet him to death.

Either way, whoever wins and then possibly beats the AB's deserves the William Webb Ellis.

 

[Siva Tau]

whoever wins may not have much left for semi final.

 

[james5000]

vBookie added for the biggest clash in the quarter final and the 3rd match this year between the 2 in Green and Gold

Lol V Bookie Aussie aren't favourites. Make it fair!!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

All odds are taken from a betting website, we don't make the odds

 

[james5000]

True what site? I would expect South Africa will be backed in to favouritism with those odd's.

 

[FlukeArtist]

whoever wins may not have much left for semi final.

Or more likely; they'll be better prepared than NZ

 

[InsaneAsylum]

i'd also be more likely to go the other way and say that he winner of this will have the momentum to shock the all blacks. barring major injury of course.

 

[nik]

The weather forcast will be fine for Sunday evening. So I assume this is Advantage Australia.
I think there are a fair few gaps in the South African defensive line, they can be broken initially. But they scramble well and their try line defense is pretty good thats why they havent leaked many tries. I think Australia will break the line a few times, it depends whether they can capitilise on these opportunities. South Africa will definitely target the scrum and will have the upper hand. Lots of up and unders in windy wellington. It will be one tough game thats for sure. I think goal kicking migght just be the difference, Morne Steyn had a good goal kicking game agaisnt Wales and FIji in Wellington. Australian kickers are hot and cold even though JOC and had a near perfect kicking game against Russia. I am picking South Africa by 4

 

[austingtir]

If this young aussie side win i will be very suprised and worried for the AB's. I just think the experience is going to show in this game in windy wellington. Also if the aussie scrum gets destroyed like the ireland game I dont think they will have an answer for that.

 

[donmcdazzle]

The weather is meant to clear up for sunday after a shocking week so that's good news for the aussies. I'm interested to see if the boks keep using Fourie to race out of the line and try to cut the backline off. Quade Cooper seems to love attacking staggered defensive lines so I don't think it'd be the wisest SA tactic to keep trying the umbrella defence.. We shall see.

I predict the boks to bomb/chase, and try to attack the Wallabies set piece.

Would rather the Wallabies win this one to be honest, prefer their style of play. Never thought I'd be cheering the aussies but there you are!

 

[BladeMode]

Is Hougie fit?

 

[ExcaLiBuR]

Australia has every single player ready for the Quarter final. We have 2 replacements that are just as good as who left us. Barnes is finally back and better than ever. SA have injuries, and aus has beaten them in Durban after many yrs, tri-nation champs, super 15 champs, and have beaten SA the last 3 or 4 times in a row.

I say Aussies will win it and vs NZ in semi final, England will play Ireland in the semi final. England know how to beat Ireland, even tho I dont want them to they will, then NZ without Dan Carter, and such an easy test againist Argentina, aussies on a high from beating SA. Aus vs England final, then If Aus fix scrum Aus win if scrum is bad England win.

 

[UilamOsa]

Australia has every single player ready for the Quarter final. We have 2 replacements that are just as good as who left us. Barnes is finally back and better than ever. SA have injuries, and aus has beaten them in Durban after many yrs, tri-nation champs, super 15 champs, and have beaten SA the last 3 or 4 times in a row.

I say Aussies will win it and vs NZ in semi final, England will play Ireland in the semi final. England know how to beat Ireland, even tho I dont want them to they will, then NZ without Dan Carter, and such an easy test againist Argentina, aussies on a high from beating SA. Aus vs England final, then If Aus fix scrum Aus win if scrum is bad England win.

I love your optimism.

The forecast is for good weather, it'll be the stock standard windy Wellington so whether or not Cooper can handle the wind from Fullback will be an issue.

In order to pass South Africa despite your team being ready, you at least have to pass their scrum test, their lineout test and their forwards test. If they can at least pass these tests - they deserve front foot ball. The refereeing at the moment seems to back the more dominant scrum so that may be an issue, and the Aussie forwards are smart enough to come up with some plays that'll confuse Matfield & co. But for 80 minutes? As long as Pocock's not injured then you're in with a chance...Good Luck.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I take the odds from Bwin, and according to them, Australia is the favourite. Like Olyy said, we don't make up odds, we use the odds provided to us by the betting sites

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

The weather is meant to clear up for sunday after a shocking week so that's good news for the aussies. I'm interested to see if the boks keep using Fourie to race out of the line and try to cut the backline off. Quade Cooper seems to love attacking staggered defensive lines so I don't think it'd be the wisest SA tactic to keep trying the umbrella defence.. We shall see.

I predict the boks to bomb/chase, and try to attack the Wallabies set piece.

Would rather the Wallabies win this one to be honest, prefer their style of play. Never thought I'd be cheering the aussies but there you are!

That's something I'm worried about and Samoa beating our defense that easily was a blessing in disguise IMO if we can mangae to sort it out intime. Also our defense consultant is the sme guy that is responsible for the Stormers' defense and we (Stormers) have struggled against Aus sides (much more than the NZ sides) the last 2 years so if that translates to the international stage we might be in spot of bother. That, injuries to key SA guys (although some might still be available..) Pocock and recent results is why I think Aus are legit favourites. I'm just hoping FdP gets back to some semblence of form in this game, the forwards play with max intensity for the full 80 and whoever replaces Steyn at 12 keeps up the creative side of things.

It will probably come down to who is the most accurate in execution.

Australia has every single player ready for the Quarter final. We have 2 replacements that are just as good as who left us. Barnes is finally back and better than ever. SA have injuries, and aus has beaten them in Durban after many yrs, tri-nation champs, super 15 champs, and have beaten SA the last 3 or 4 times in a row.

I say Aussies will win it and vs NZ in semi final, England will play Ireland in the semi final. England know how to beat Ireland, even tho I dont want them to they will, then NZ without Dan Carter, and such an easy test againist Argentina, aussies on a high from beating SA. Aus vs England final, then If Aus fix scrum Aus win if scrum is bad England win.

I also see Aus as favourites but this is a WC and don't get too far ahead of the pack now ;P