Southern Hemisphere Squads?

[GalwayCanuck5]

Thanks Tank. Anyone else got an opinion on the Boks?

 

[BjR]

Agree with:

Donald is a better choice than Cruden, at least in the short run. If these teams are as realistic as possible then Donald should also be in, as he is in real life.


Yeeahh Bro! Ok, Donald played pretty poorly in Honk Kong. But come on, 96% Goal kicking in the Air NZ Cup.
Also, he can break the line unexpectedly, can make extraordinarily tackles when needed, can do some awesome tactical kicks, and of course, he set up Ellis's try last night.

As you'll see I have both players with the same ratings - I think Weepu is a better finisher, have them play one half each.

 

[Black Heart]

Yeeahh Bro! Ok, Donald played pretty poorly in Honk Kong.

That has to be the biggest understatement of the last 10 years.

96% Goal kicking in the Air NZ Cup.
Also, he can break the line unexpectedly, can make extraordinarily tackles when needed, can do some awesome tactical kicks,

And yet he can't reproduce any of this at test level. It's pointless compairing what he can do at provincial rugby with international rugby.

he set up Ellis's try last night.

This has to be about the only thing he's done in an All Black jersey. Even his games last year in Carter's absence we worse than the Hong Kong test.

 

[BjR]

Well, you're right. But I guess he HAS potential, despite what we've seen so far. I think if he gets a few more positive kiwis behind him, armchair critics he's used to, he could go far. Although, I wonder if Slade could look good filling Dan's shoes. Or do you reckon Cruden would be better?

 

[Black Heart]

Well, you're right. But I guess he HAS potential, despite what we've seen so far. I think if he gets a few more positive kiwis behind him, armchair critics he's used to, he could go far. Although, I wonder if Slade could look good filling Dan's shoes. Or do you reckon Cruden would be better?

Slade is leagues ahead of Cruden in his technical play. Cruden's more of a running flyhalf.

Donald has had 21 tests and pretty much every one of them have been embarassments to some degree or another. He shouldn't be in the side, especially with Slade looking so good.

 

[BjR]

Well I do agree but : Donald's first 20 or so games for Waikato we embarrassments too - He couldn't fill the shoes of David Hill, and then BAM he got better, handled pressure better, kicked better... Im hoping he can do the same for the abs.

 

[Amobokoboko]

This is the team I would pick. Keeping in mind that some of these players arn't in this years touring squad nor will some people agree with who I've got.

1. Tony Woodcock 85
2. Kevin Mealamu 89
3. Owen Franks 84
4. Brad Thorn 86
5. Ali Williams 85
6. Jerome Kaino 83
7. Richie McCaw 97
8. Kieran Read 83
9. Piri Weepu 86
10. Daniel Carter 95
11. Hosea Gear 81
12. Ma'a Nonu 87
13. Conrad Smith 87
14. Cory Jane 83
15. Mils Muliaina 92

16. Andrew Hore 84
17. Ben Franks 80
18. Sam Whitelock 81
19. Liam Messam 81
20. Alby Mattewson 83
21. Colin Slade 79
22. Sonny Bill Williams 88


23. Hikawera Elliot 82
24. John Afoa 82
25. Tom Donnelly 85
26. Daniel Braid 81
27. Jimmy Cowan 82
28. Aaron Cruden 78
29. Rene Ranger 84
30. Israel Dagg 85

Why do you rate Donnely higher as Whitelock if you only put him on 25?

 

[Amobokoboko]

Well I do agree but : Donald's first 20 or so games for Waikato we embarrassments too - He couldn't fill the shoes of David Hill, and then BAM he got better, handled pressure better, kicked better... Im hoping he can do the same for the abs.

The only difference here is that there are more talented guys in the AB squad that can play that position.
I reckon Ted can give someone a couple of changes but if you don't stick up to the expectations it's just normal that somebody else gets a fair chance.
Best example I can come up with is Roks vs Gear.

 

[GalwayCanuck5]

Sorry if I sound like a pain in the ass but could you all post teams? Feel free to offer your opinion on players etc. But please post a team before hand. Thanks.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'll contribute my views on a possible Springbok squad (I'm including Bryan Habana even though he has been trying waaaaaaaaayyy to hard to score tries for WP and break the record for most tries for SA where he is currently tied with Joost van der Westhuizen. That said, he needs to get dropped for the AI's and get his form back in the S15);

1 Guthro Steenkamp 82
2 Bismarck du Plessis 90
3 Jannie du Plessis 80
4 Bakkies Botha 80
5 Victor Matfield 90
6 Heinrich Brussouw 85
7 Juan Smith 88
8 Willem Alberts 82

9 Fourie du Preez 92
10 Morne Steyn 80
11 Bryan Habana (LOL, currently 45 but I have faith)
12 Juan de Jongh 82
13 Jacque Fourie 85
14 Bjorn Basson 80
15 Gio Aplon 80

16 Tendai Mtawarira 80
17 Tiaan Liebenberg 82
18 Andries Bekker 85
19 Schalk Burger 82
20 Francois Hougaard 82
21 Patrick Lambie 80
22 Jean de Villiers 80

23 Wian du Preez 80
24 Adriaan Strauss 82
25 Flip van der Merwe 82
26 Danie Rossouw 85
27 Dewald Potgieter 82
28 Ruan Pienaar 80
29 Francois Steyn 80
30 Lwazi Mvovo 80

Guys who might feature in real life: Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, John Smit, Chiliboy Ralepelle (who gifted the Welsh 2 line-outs at the end), Butch James, Zane Kirschner, Wynand Olivier, CJ van der Linde

Who I wouldn't mind seeing in the squad but have not listed: Conrad Jantjes (looked to be getting back his stride but lacks a bit of pace and needs gametime in the S15), Gerhard van der Heever, Coenie Oosthuizen, Louis Ludik

 

[Black Heart]

Why do you rate Donnely higher as Whitelock if you only put him on 25?

My msitake. Whitelock deserves his spot over Donolley atm with the way he's playing.

 

[Tank94]

I'll contribute my views on a possible Springbok squad (I'm including Bryan Habana even though he has been trying waaaaaaaaayyy to hard to score tries for WP and break the record for most tries for SA where he is currently tied with Joost van der Westhuizen. That said, he needs to get dropped for the AI's and get his form back in the S15);

1 Guthro Steenkamp 82
2 Bismarck du Plessis 90
3 Jannie du Plessis 80
4 Bakkies Botha 80
5 Victor Matfield 90
6 Heinrich Brussouw 85
7 Juan Smith 88
8 Willem Alberts 82

9 Fourie du Preez 92
10 Morne Steyn 80
11 Bryan Habana (LOL, currently 45 but I have faith)
12 Juan de Jongh 82
13 Jacque Fourie 85
14 Bjorn Basson 80
15 Gio Aplon 80

16 Tendai Mtawarira 80
17 Tiaan Liebenberg 82
18 Andries Bekker 85
19 Schalk Burger 82
20 Francois Hougaard 82
21 Patrick Lambie 80
22 Jean de Villiers 80

23 Wian du Preez 80
24 Adriaan Strauss 82
25 Flip van der Merwe 82
26 Danie Rossouw 85
27 Dewald Potgieter 82
28 Ruan Pienaar 80
29 Francois Steyn 80
30 Lwazi Mvovo 80

Guys who might feature in real life: Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, John Smit, Chiliboy Ralepelle (who gifted the Welsh 2 line-outs at the end), Butch James, Zane Kirschner, Wynand Olivier, CJ van der Linde

Who I wouldn't mind seeing in the squad but have not listed: Conrad Jantjes (looked to be getting back his stride but lacks a bit of pace and needs gametime in the S15), Gerhard van der Heever, Coenie Oosthuizen, Louis Ludik

How can you say Juan de Jongh is better than Jean De Villiers?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Maybe because de Jongh is younger, faster, more athletic?

 

[Tank94]

That may be true.(it is true)
Jean de Villiers is huge. mor experienced and has proven homself time and time again for the boks.

But come 2011 world cup who would you start?
i still think de Jongh should be in the team just as a sub.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I think by then de Jongh will get picked over JdV

 

[Tank94]

doubt it

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

We'll see. The way de Jongh has developed lately is astonishing. It's still another year for the World Cup. Maybe he can replace miss. Fourie

 

[Tank94]

You might be right. Im a stormers supporter so honestly if either one of them make starter ill be happy

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I pick JdJ ahead of JdV because he is faster, has a better step and hand-off as well as a better defensive game. Also makes about triple the amount of line-breaks JdV makes these days and offers more diversity; Fourie and de Villiers are too similarly built and of the two I prefer Fourie. Just my opinion though.

As for Alberts, I am very impressed with this guy and have been ever since I saw him run out for the Lions against WP the first time (where he played a huge game at no.8). That said, Burger has a shitload to offer the team and is the perfect sub IMO as he can cover all 3 backrow positions. I'm not a huge fan of Spies though and feel there is still a role for a specialist fetcher so my 1st choice line-up would look like: 6)Brussouw, 7)Smith, 8)Alberts, 20)Burger.

 

[Fran Zicari]

Ok, I go with The Pumas

1 Rodrigo Roncero 91
2 Mario Ledesma 82
3 Martin Scelzo 83
4 Patricio Albacete 92
5 Mariano Galarza 79
6 Alejandro Campos 83
7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon 86
8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe 91
9 Nicolas Vergallo 83
10 Juan Martin Hernandez 96
11 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino 82
12 Felipe Contepomi 93
13 Gonzalo Tiesi 83
14 Lucas Borges 84
15 Martin Rodriguez Gurruchaga 89

16 Marcos Ayerza 81
17 Agustin Crevy 83
18 Manuel Carizza 80
19 Genaro Fessia 86
20 Miguel de Achaval 82
21 Santiago Fernandez 85
22 Horacio Agulla 82

23 Alberto Vernet Basualdo 79
24 Santiago Guzman 73
25 Mariano Galarza 76
26 Leonardo Senatore 72
27 Alfredo Lalanne 79
28 Marcelo Bosch 85
29 Gonzalo Camacho 79
30 Benjamin Urdapilleta 78