Tri Nations: Springboks - All Blacks @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (20-8-2011, 15:05)

[FlukeArtist]

No disrespect towards the Springboks, but the ABs played all the rugby in that game.

 

[Siva Tau]

SA basically defended for whole 2nd half a huge effort. They didnt attempt any attack whatsoever but they got the points. The AB's looked disjointed at times but were a constant threat only for a dro ball or forward pass or the tremendous SA #7 to steal the ball.

I dont think Henry & Co would be displeased. The scrum needs some work but not a bad performance. I think SA still have major concerns as there performance had more than a tinge of 6 nations about it.

I too thought Toeava made some poor judgement with the ball. I dont like him at this level.

 

[Sneaki]

Bit of a random question but does anyone know when the AB's RWC squad is being named this week? Will be interesting to see what influence this match had on selections, in the back three particularly.

edit: nevermind, it's happening on Tuesday.

 

[Whitewolf]

What?

You clearly were not watching the same game as me then

Let me pondering...hmm I think we were watching the same match. Toeava is weak under the high ball, he isolates with the ball in hand, and I find he has'nt the "security" for the test match.

 

[Sneaki]

I don't agree at all with the idea that the referees did the right thing calling that forward pass. If the rules are changed in favour of being able to call a forward pass with the TMO, I can guarantee you we will end up with a grey area on how clear cut it has to be, it's the referees job to make those calls.

 

[Black Heart]

A bit of a dead rubber game really. The Boks needed the win and the All Blacks could afford to throw it. Second string or no, the All Blacks played all the rugby which will be a real worry to the Boks. They obviously lost the game at the breakdown which can be blamed on the entire foward department for a lack of support play. I don't like speaking of "what ifs" but had McCaw and Read started, the game could have been very different (and that's not including the other 6 starters)

The Bok defence was all right but it was partially glorified by how poorly the All Blacks failed to finish off their chances. I don't know if anyone can confirm the stats but I don't recall seeing more foward passes in a single game. As for the TMO dibacle - who cares? Personally I think the TMO should be given more authority to make such calls.

As for the players, Mealamu, Kaino and Dagg were the standout performers. Everyone else in the starting lineup was either average or poor. Slade had an up-down game. I thought he ran the line reasonably well in the first half but that fell apart in the second. Kicking was fairly poor.
Jimmy Cowan should have been subbed for Weepu 30 minutes into the game. How he regularly gets a start over a player 10 times more impressive than him is beyond me. He cleared so slowely that he made Ellis look lightening fast which is saying something.
SBW and Kahui were invisible. I don't know what this game has done for Kahui's chances at making the WC.
Gear and Messam were average. Thomson is no McCaw. Ali Williams still looks like a fumbling womat.
Israel Dagg, man, how good is this kid? If he keeps playing like this I'll take back my sentiments on Muliaina starting. Brilliant game!


Finally, does Justin Marshall get paid the more he talks or something? I never thought I'd say it but could somebody please, please bring Murray Mexted back?

 

[Dizzy]

it doesnt matter whether we played all the rugby, actually that makes it seem worse, we had all the attack in this game and couldn't capitalise with any points which should be a real worry for us because come world cup time, it seems the kick and hope strategy is going to take affect.

Whether we played all the rugby or not, the Boks won which means the most at the end of the day.

 

[Sam Owen]

The game was ok for me. The Boks played very well and scrambled almost anything that got past them. How good is Heinrich Brussow??...other players that I thought played good were Jean De Villiers, Bryan Habana, Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, the black guy with the afro who played in jersey no.20 and the best goal kicker in the world Morne Steyn.

The Springbok forward pack was too good on the night and really stepped up.

The 'Boks to me, try or no try, rugby or soccer, wanted it more. The ABs collectively looked like they didnt.

 

[Wally]

So help me god if South Africa manages to win another world cup by playing like that rugby union will be lost on me. I'm ******, I had 50 bucks on the Boks to win 1-12.

 

[Wally]

What do you All Black fans think of Colin Slade's performance? Absolute shocker in my opinion. Israel Dagg on the other hand was brilliant. I think if he had managed to make his comeback earlier he would be giving Mils a run for his money.

 

[nik]

From a NZ point of view, it was a good game in terms of giving the fringe players exposure to test rugby away from home. The attack and defense was awesome from the ABs IMO. It was the basics that let them down. After the first 30mins or so they lacked leadership and direction, and it was evident. Without mentioning the big 2, guys like Conrad Smith, Mills, Keiren Read, Brad Thorn were missed. I thought Colin Slade the started well but then some of the kicking let his game down. He tried too many bombs, chips and grubbers from his own 22 when they should have been pinging the South Africans back in their own 22. Thompson was all over the place, but he overcooked it and gave away the bulk of the penalties from kicking distance. He gave away 9 points?
With 20mins gone SA were up 9-0, with out much ball, this gave them the confidence to just defend their hearts out, thats why the opportunities were limited in the 2nd half. The scrum is probably the major worry from NZ point of view. None the less, I am quite happy with the performance, it is always a big ask to win in SA no matter how strong the NZ team is. SA were more desperate and it showed.

From a SA point, well they will be pleased with the win. They defended pretty well, it was not All Blacks fault for not taking their chances, SA scrambled well and disrupted the play to bring is errors at crucial times. However their attack is a worry. All Blacks had about 3-4 opportunities to score tries but only took 1. SA created NONE. The backs were blunt, but even the forwards couldnt power over when they got close to the line, but were driven back.

All in all, in test rugby its all about taking your chances. SA did and thats why they won.

 

[nik]

This is slightly off topic and maybe controversial. I hope I dont offend anyone when I talk about the following.

Ive heard about SBW practicing Islam and right now he is doing fasting for a month for Ramadan. This means he is not meant to eat or drink between dawn and dusk.

My question is, was he fasting on game day? Its hard to imagine not going through any fluids in a game.

 

[TNT88]

Interesting question. I think there are exemptions during ramadan though, that sporting professionals can take advantage of. Obviously it is up to them whether they take advantage of it or not. I find it hard to believe someone would play test match rugby without water though.

 

[Steveskiez7]

Disappointed with the lack of playing time Cory Jane got. I seriously hope Gear is not the starting winger, he has shown to be such a passenger in the team of late.
Heinrich Brussow has got to be the best fetcher in the game, if he doesn't steal the ball he either significantly disrupts or slows down the ruck. Spies definitely looked better last week but still showed how destructive he can be.

Has anyone mentioned how great the Boks scrum was? It was immense I think with 1. Beast 2. Bismarck 3. Jannie they could have one of the top scrummaging tight 3 in the World. John Smit seriously is such a liability to this team and it was frustrating to see him come on with 20 minutes to go.. couldn't imagine how Bismarck felt.

 

[nik]

Also I agree with suggestion earlier by Ozmansho?
Let Slade run the show again, atleast for one of the halves and then let Carter control the other. We still need to test these players at the highest level. I would also leave out McCaw. Back 3 of Mills, Toeava and Dagg or Sivi. Give these guys another shot, SBW, Kahui. Get someone like Matt Todd. Let Jarrod Hoeata start.

This maybe a longshot, but I would like to see Cruden start next week, with Slade on the bench. He has been in sublime form in ITM cup. However ITM cup is not yard stick for test rugby. He can still carry momentum over to the All Blacks and run the show there.

 

[Sam Owen]

This maybe a longshot, but I would like to see Cruden start next week, with Slade on the bench. He has been in sublime form in ITM cup.

What about Piri Weepu?...he didnt let anyone down at first five. I thought he made impact of the bench.

Slade needs more game time at international level. I'd pick him to start again in the next game.

How could I forget to give the 'Bok scrum credit, they were a real force.

Hmm..who was it that said the 'Boks was going to get ripped to pieces?..lol

 

[Sneaki]

Also I agree with suggestion earlier by Ozmansho?
Let Slade run the show again, atleast for one of the halves and then let Carter control the other. We still need to test these players at the highest level. I would also leave out McCaw. Back 3 of Mills, Toeava and Dagg or Sivi. Give these guys another shot, SBW, Kahui. Get someone like Matt Todd. Let Jarrod Hoeata start.

This maybe a longshot, but I would like to see Cruden start next week, with Slade on the bench. He has been in sublime form in ITM cup. However ITM cup is not yard stick for test rugby. He can still carry momentum over to the All Blacks and run the show there.

It's too late to try anything like that, the RWC squad's being named on Tuesday.

 

[Dizzy]

i always thought cruden should've been picked, especially when slade played a couple halves of super rugby all year, then to be picked for the all blacks??? you'd think only someone of Carter/McCaws calibre would be able to accomplish that

 

[kaftka]

I would like to see Slade start next week as well, with Weepu taking a little pressure off at halfback. Weepu is a great reader of the game, there were a few instances when he came on where he just held up a bit, or played a little flatter/straighter/tighter when the Saffas were floating for an intercept/hospital ball. Something that Slade really needs to focus on his vision at this level. Bit tough when the ruck ball is being disrupted as much as it was, well done to the South Africans for that, but he is not a great reader of those situations at this level for some reason. He looks sublime at domestic level..

Also, Weepu talks a lot.. I really mean a lot. Playing inside of Slade, he should be able to provide a bit of guidance I feel, not strictly his job, but Slade needs to pick up a bit of confidence in his ability. Having cool headed readers around him will prevent him from forcing a few things. They looked quite laboured at times. Having Conrad out there would help in this aspect as well.

Thought Dagg was great. He is a very loose player at times, which is exciting, but can be quite dangerous. With a little more game time, he will be the best fullback in the world come the end of the world cup.

I think Jane should have started ahead of Gear. He has been going through the motions of late, and not looking anywhere near confident enough at this level. He should have been left at ITM cup for the first half of the Tri Nations at least. He does take a while to get into his stride at times. Very good player, but has been absent of late.

Boks were very efficient and did what they had to do to win, but no more. Frustrating to watch to be honest.

 

[Dizzy]

very frustrating to watch, especially at 3 in the morning