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South African Quadrangular Tournament

I think it's time to move on from that Samoa result now. There are no two ways about it that is was a bad effort. But there were a few mitigating factors that contributed.

Samoa were ravaged by withdrawals and could only get a 22 man squad, a couple of whom were Wits University players (who both happened to be crap btw), and only had one loose forward on the bench. To compound that, they suffered a couple of injuries in the back row which meant that their hooker ended up playing as number 8 and the prop James Johnston even had to cover as lock for a bit.

Meanwhile the Lions played with a 25 man squad and liberally freshened their team up bringing players on and off, and only 2 of their players had to play a full match whilst Samoa were getting hit by altitude effects that they weren't as accustomed to having only just arrived. Also Samoa had only arrived like a day or so before and some were jetlagged for the match travelling time zones, and weren't as a team playing against Vodacom Cup champions.

Still will go down as one of the worst scorelines they have had. And that is not to excuse some of the effort. But in reflection of the factors surrounding the match, this game really ought to have joined the other umpteen fixtures on the Lions Challenge that have been cancelled.
 
psychic duck said:
I think it's time to move on from that Samoa result now. There are no two ways about it that is was a bad effort. But there were a few mitigating factors that contributed.

Samoa were ravaged by withdrawals and could only get a 22 man squad, a couple of whom were Wits University players (who both happened to be crap btw), and only had one loose forward on the bench. To compound that, they suffered a couple of injuries in the back row which meant that their hooker ended up playing as number 8 and the prop James Johnston even had to cover as lock for a bit.

Meanwhile the Lions played with a 25 man squad and liberally freshened their team up bringing players on and off, and only 2 of their players had to play a full match whilst Samoa were getting hit by altitude effects that they weren't as accustomed to having only just arrived. Also Samoa had only arrived like a day or so before and some were jetlagged for the match travelling time zones, and weren't as a team playing against Vodacom Cup champions.

Still will go down as one of the worst scorelines they have had. And that is not to excuse some of the effort. But in reflection of the factors surrounding the match, this game really ought to have joined the other umpteen fixtures on the Lions Challenge that have been cancelled.
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This!! In fact this whole Lions Challenge has had a bit of an aroma surrounding it.

And I hope to the Samoan fans I wasn't taking the **** with that last video, I was just teasing yoe on not being able to stop watching the highlights.
 
When do we get our team vs Italy? Tomorrow (today)?
 
Seeing as the BBC is an absolute disgrace - no mention of the media coverage on this tournament, or even recognising these fixtures on their site; does anybody know any tv channels that are broadcasting this?
 
Hmm, after a little more searching, I can confirm that Scotland vs Samoa will be played on Sky Sports 2 (and SS2 HD) at 1.30pm.
 
Little Guy said:
And I hope to the Samoan fans I wasn't taking the **** with that last video, I was just teasing yoe on not being able to stop watching the highlights.
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..do you watch terrible but hilarious movies ? Like, Wiseau's The Room, or the Mega shark vs giant Octupus type crap ?? That's exactly what this is, but in Rugby form....so terrible that it's good, and naturally comes with an unhealthy, almost morbid fascination for it..
 
SA Team for Saturday:

1. Beast
2. Adriaan Strauss (vc)
3. Jannie Du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Juandre Kruger
6. Francois Louw
7. Willem Alberts
8. Pierre Spies

9. Jano Vermaak
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Jean De Villiers (c)
13. JJ Engelbrecht
14. Bryan Habana
15. Willie Le Roux

16. Chilliboy Ralepelle
17. Trevor Nyakane
18. Coenie Oosthuizen
19. Flip van der merwe
20. Arno Botha
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Pat Lambie
23. Jan Serfontein

Italy is gonna KAK!!!
 
heineken said:
SA Team for Saturday:

1. Beast
2. Adriaan Strauss (vc)
3. Jannie Du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Juandre Kruger
6. Francois Louw
7. Willem Alberts
8. Pierre Spies

9. Jano Vermaak
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Jean De Villiers (c)
13. JJ Engelbrecht
14. Bryan Habana
15. Willie Le Roux

16. Chilliboy Ralepelle
17. Trevor Nyakane
18. Coenie Oosthuizen
19. Flip van der merwe
20. Arno Botha
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Pat Lambie
23. Jan Serfontein

Italy is gonna KAK!!!
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Le Roux at 15! I creamed my pant. Really love this squad considering injuries. Some players on the bench that might be very effective against tired legs as well. I really hope Le Roux takes his chance. So too Engelbrecht and if they come on, Botha and Serfontein. Imagine this group with some experience and the unlucky guys coming into the fold in place of some of the lingerers end of this year or this time next year! Our backrow not in superhot form mind you but I expect Alberts and Louw to pick up where they left off in Green last year.
 
yes very happy in general apart from Jannie at prop - hope he doesn't trip someone whilst walking to the next ruck
 
Indications are that we will be trying to a constructive game if you listen to what HM has said and indicates with selections. That's very good news if it turns out that way as our game can use an extra dimension. Just hope we keep it up against stiffer opposition and not go all super-conservative again.
 
Pieter Steph Du Toit has withdrawn from the squad due to injury and will see a specialist. Franco van der Merwe has taken his place in the squad.

Man, I like that team for many reasons. The Props, with the 23 man squads, the props play less time and can go off and return. So Jannie can scrum hard an then retire and let Coenie take over.

Hookers, not really much to be said other than class!

Locks, strong in lineouts, and good carriers and cleaners.

Backrow, hope to see Spies gain some more confidence and have blinder alongside flouw and Bonecrusher. Arno on the ench, can cover all 3 positions.

Very happy with Jano getting his well deserved chance. Pairing with Morne will help him a lot.

Centres, I hope they pass, which I think they will.

Back 3!!! Explosive!!!
 
Nothing really to add. Hot team, everything that needs to be said has been said. Any minor ****les with the team are understandable.
Should crush the italians :).
 
Trevor Nyakane; NyAkane. Free State loosehead prop that is quite woelig. A bit of a bolter TBF but with JdP, L Adriaanse and Oosthuizen all providing cover for tighthead a spot for an out-and-out loosehed is on the cards. Other looseheads can feel unlucky but... ..well at least its not klap-happy Greyling.
 
stormer2010 said:
Trevor Nyakane; NyAkane. Free State loosehead prop that is quite woelig. A bit of a bolter TBF but with JdP, L Adriaanse and Oosthuizen all providing cover for tighthead a spot for an out-and-out loosehed is on the cards. Other looseheads can feel unlucky but... ..well at least its not klap-happy Greyling.
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Cheers - nice to hear a bit of info straight from the horse's mouth. Was he talked of as a potential Bok during the season? I hadn't even heard of him before 2013, especially not in Bok circles...
 
Invictus said:
Cheers - nice to hear a bit of info straight from the horse's mouth. Was he talked of as a potential Bok during the season? I hadn't even heard of him before 2013, especially not in Bok circles...
Click to expand...
Can't say that I've heard his name (or that of team mate Adriaanse in the extended squad) bandied about TBH. With the 'ex-pat' props probably oonly standing a chance if we're in their neck of the woods there was always going to be place for back-up to the current incumbents of Beast, JdP (who should be moving on IMO) and Oosthuizen. Malherbe is being groomed but is injured. Greyling has fallen out of favour in a massive way after his shot at McCaw. I think everyone was expecting someone from the ranks of Werner Kruger, Wiehan Herbst or- since we probably need to look at loose-heads- Steven Kitshoff or JC Janse van Rensburg (Lions captain but I suppose being out of SR doesn't help his cause). I had high hopes for Marcel van der Merwe (currently at the Bulls after having a super Currie cup season with the Free State) before the start of the SR season but he has been out injured since the start. I believe there will be some who would say Nyakane is there because of the color of his skin (I know HM is getting a lot of pressure from the sports minister on the racial make-up of the team) but I won't be too quick to jump on that band-wagon and am willing to give the guys a chance as they are mobile and get through a lot of work for the Cheetahs.
 
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