The Rugby Championship

[Blake]

Great video from Squidge. I agree on Wille, he needs to be on the field as our primary playmaker.

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

[assfly]

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

Yes I agree. He can't have the 15 jersey indefinitely, and Willemse has really shown some progress. But I'd still like to see him coming on in the 2nd half when things are starting to break up. I see him as a potentially key member of the bomb squad, given his versatility.

I'm still yet to see a convincing performance from Gelant in a Bok jersey. I don't doubt his ability, he showed that in the URC. But given the limited opportunities he's been given and JN's preference to stick with his first choice players, I'm not sure where this leaves him. I wonder if this was also part of his decision to go play abroad.

[Sards]

Great video from Squidge. I agree on Wille, he needs to be on the field as our primary playmaker.

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

As soon as Gelant decided to leave the Stormers he was overlooked for the Springboks. He was the difference for the Stormers in the URC

[Chilli]

Maybe the reason for Marx to the bench, Thor will be our prime poacher in the first half. Then Kwagga and Marx can work in Tandem in the important 2nd half.

Yes this will be interesting to watch. Our bench looks brutal. I really hope HJ can come on and speed the game up when there are some tired legs on the field.

HJ hasn't spead up a game since his first season.
He is now as slow as Van Snail.

[OomStruisbaai]

Maybe the reason for Marx to the bench, Thor will be our prime poacher in the first half. Then Kwagga and Marx can work in Tandem in the important 2nd half.

Yes this will be interesting to watch. Our bench looks brutal. I really hope HJ can come on and speed the game up when there are some tired legs on the field.

HJ hasn't spead up a game since his first season.
He is now as slow as Van Snail.

Ja the Stormers backline was super slow all season in the URC with HJ in 9.

[OomStruisbaai]

Great video from Squidge. I agree on Wille, he needs to be on the field as our primary playmaker.

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

As soon as Gelant decided to leave the Stormers he was overlooked for the Springboks. He was the difference for the Stormers in the URC

Dunno why I reply. Gelant is at the moment in the Springbok squad.

[Sards]

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

As soon as Gelant decided to leave the Stormers he was overlooked for the Springboks. He was the difference for the Stormers in the URC

Dunno why I reply. Gelant is at the moment in the Springbok squad.

But doesn't get a chance and won't. He is head and shoulders the best and most creative 15 we have besides Willie. Just like the Bulls lighty is in the squad and won't get a chance. Although I do agree that he needs time.

[Blake]

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

Yes I agree. He can't have the 15 jersey indefinitely, and Willemse has really shown some progress. But I'd still like to see him coming on in the 2nd half when things are starting to break up. I see him as a potentially key member of the bomb squad, given his versatility.

I'm still yet to see a convincing performance from Gelant in a Bok jersey. I don't doubt his ability, he showed that in the URC. But given the limited opportunities he's been given and JN's preference to stick with his first choice players, I'm not sure where this leaves him. I wonder if this was also part of his decision to go play abroad.

I agree on Galant. His only good performance for the Boks was in the RCW match against Canada, and if I recall he was playing wing. He hasn't delivered on his URC form in his one outing against Wales; but I also don't think too much should be read into that. It was a bad match all round. The team was too green and disjointed with no established combinations anywhere on the park. He deserves another shot at 15 with the established backline around him to play off what he can create.

Regarding Willie and Willemse and who starts and who's on the bench...I think it's much of muchness. Unless he is the one that gets injured, Willlemse can shift to 10, 12 or wing as needed when Willie comes on from the bench. Willie has proven to be much more of a threat when the game opens up in the last 3rd, and more of a liability in the first half when the game is still tight and the opposition is peppering him with high balls.

[Sards]

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

Yes I agree. He can't have the 15 jersey indefinitely, and Willemse has really shown some progress. But I'd still like to see him coming on in the 2nd half when things are starting to break up. I see him as a potentially key member of the bomb squad, given his versatility.

I'm still yet to see a convincing performance from Gelant in a Bok jersey. I don't doubt his ability, he showed that in the URC. But given the limited opportunities he's been given and JN's preference to stick with his first choice players, I'm not sure where this leaves him. I wonder if this was also part of his decision to go play abroad.

I agree on Galant. His only good performance for the Boks was in the RCW match against Canada, and if I recall he was playing wing. He hasn't delivered on his URC form in his one outing against Wales; but I also don't think too much should be read into that. It was a bad match all round. The team was too green and disjointed with no established combinations anywhere on the park. He deserves another shot at 15 with the established backline around him to play off what he can create.

Regarding Willie and Willemse and who starts and who's on the bench...I think it's much of muchness. Unless he is the one that gets injured, Willlemse can shift to 10, 12 or wing as needed when Willie comes on from the bench. Willie has proven to be much more of a threat when the game opens up in the last 3rd, and more of a liability in the first half when the game is still tight and the opposition is peppering him with high balls.

What a lot of kak

[Gumboot]

[handyman]

Ringing the changes. Desperate roll of the dice.

[Guy Smiley]

Too little, too late... but it'll be interesting to see what difference it makes.

[OomStruisbaai]

Ox vs Lomax. Should be worth a watch.

[Chilli]

Yes this will be interesting to watch. Our bench looks brutal. I really hope HJ can come on and speed the game up when there are some tired legs on the field.

HJ hasn't spead up a game since his first season.
He is now as slow as Van Snail.

Ja the Stormers backline was super slow all season in the URC with HJ in 9.

Who played 9 the most for the Stomps in the URC?
Godlen
De Wet
Ungerer
Or
Junkies?

[OomStruisbaai]

HJ hasn't spead up a game since his first season.
He is now as slow as Van Snail.

Ja the Stormers backline was super slow all season in the URC with HJ in 9.

Who played 9 the most for the Stomps in the URC?
Godlen
De Wet
Ungerer
Or
Junkies?

Jantjies played all the important matches. The Stormers backline was very slow in the later important stage of the tournament. The Bulls outplayed their backline. Libbok was under pressure all season. Had a terrible season.

[Sards]

All the Junkies are kak...there is a reason why they are called that

[Chilli]

Ja the Stormers backline was super slow all season in the URC with HJ in 9.

Who played 9 the most for the Stomps in the URC?
Godlen
De Wet
Ungerer
Or
Junkies?

Jantjies played all the important matches. The Stormers backline was very slow in the later important stage of the tournament. The Bulls outplayed their backline. Libbok was under pressure all season. Had a terrible season.

Eh?
Libbok was the best of the SA 10's.


Oom, please get Tannie Lorraine to not let you drink Charge Office coffee before the game.

[OomStruisbaai]

Who played 9 the most for the Stomps in the URC?
Godlen
De Wet
Ungerer
Or
Junkies?

Jantjies played all the important matches. The Stormers backline was very slow in the later important stage of the tournament. The Bulls outplayed their backline. Libbok was under pressure all season. Had a terrible season.

Eh?
Libbok was the best of the SA 10's.


Oom, please get Tannie Lorraine to not let you drink Charge Office coffee before the game.

Nah, you should ask your Mrs Lorraine to explain that a 10 get space if his 9 give him a quick service. Herschel played well towards the end but like Willemse it will take top Bok performances to change your opinion.

[OomStruisbaai]

[Grandpa]

Ox vs Lomax. Should be worth a watch.

Lomax will never be able to bend over again after this

[Chilli]

Jantjies played all the important matches. The Stormers backline was very slow in the later important stage of the tournament. The Bulls outplayed their backline. Libbok was under pressure all season. Had a terrible season.

Eh?
Libbok was the best of the SA 10's.


Oom, please get Tannie Lorraine to not let you drink Charge Office coffee before the game.

Nah, you should ask your Mrs Lorraine to explain that a 10 get space if his 9 give him a quick service. Herschel played well towards the end but like Willemse it will take top Bok performances to change your opinion.

Enough said.

[handyman]

Gotta love oom educating the youngsters on here.

[OomStruisbaai]

Eh?
Libbok was the best of the SA 10's.


Oom, please get Tannie Lorraine to not let you drink Charge Office coffee before the game.

Nah, you should ask your Mrs Lorraine to explain that a 10 get space if his 9 give him a quick service. Herschel played well towards the end but like Willemse it will take top Bok performances to change your opinion.

Enough said.

Your quote
Eh?
Libbok was the best of the SA 10's.

Fat Frans probably pass the ball to Libbok.

[OomStruisbaai]

True, but he also can't be the only player with that skillset. He can also get injured and then our attack is blunted.

Willemse and Galant need to get opportunities to develop that same playmaking and counter-attacking skill. They can both play the role (great passes, stepping skills, turn of pace) but it's slightly different in the Bok setup with different attacking shapes and structures. They'll need real-world scenarios to build their confidence and muscle memory.

Yes I agree. He can't have the 15 jersey indefinitely, and Willemse has really shown some progress. But I'd still like to see him coming on in the 2nd half when things are starting to break up. I see him as a potentially key member of the bomb squad, given his versatility.

I'm still yet to see a convincing performance from Gelant in a Bok jersey. I don't doubt his ability, he showed that in the URC. But given the limited opportunities he's been given and JN's preference to stick with his first choice players, I'm not sure where this leaves him. I wonder if this was also part of his decision to go play abroad.

I agree on Galant. His only good performance for the Boks was in the RCW match against Canada, and if I recall he was playing wing. He hasn't delivered on his URC form in his one outing against Wales; but I also don't think too much should be read into that. It was a bad match all round. The team was too green and disjointed with no established combinations anywhere on the park. He deserves another shot at 15 with the established backline around him to play off what he can create.

Regarding Willie and Willemse and who starts and who's on the bench...I think it's much of muchness. Unless he is the one that gets injured, Willlemse can shift to 10, 12 or wing as needed when Willie comes on from the bench. Willie has proven to be much more of a threat when the game opens up in the last 3rd, and more of a liability in the first half when the game is still tight and the opposition is peppering him with high balls.

See Gelant is in France. You are right about Willie under the high ball. Sometime the ball hop on his head but look like he improved on that.

[assfly]

Our captain

[Guy Smiley]

Watching NZ TV news for the first time in years tonight and I caught a nice human interest story about Fletcher Newell… his dad was interviewed at Christchurch Airport at 3am today after Fletcher rang him to say he was flying him over for Fletcher’s debut test. Interviews with his sisters followed and it turns out his mum died of cancer when he was 15… the family is really close and live for his rugby.

Good luck to him, it’s a nice story and the family seem really humble and grounded.

[Grandpa]

Our captain

I love that

[Grandpa]

Watching NZ TV news for the first time in years tonight and I caught a nice human interest story about Fletcher Newell… his dad was interviewed at Christchurch Airport at 3am today after Fletcher rang him to say he was flying him over for Fletcher’s debut test. Interviews with his sisters followed and it turns out his mum died of cancer when he was 15… the family is really close and live for his rugby.

Good luck to him, it’s a nice story and the family seem really humble and grounded.

Nice story. It's easy to forget the family and friends behind players. He has great potential too. Let's hope SA don't spoil his party too much!

[Gumboot]

I know it's been more through injury than deliberate selection, but I'm happy to see the long overdue regeneration of our front row.

[OomStruisbaai]

Watching NZ TV news for the first time in years tonight and I caught a nice human interest story about Fletcher Newell… his dad was interviewed at Christchurch Airport at 3am today after Fletcher rang him to say he was flying him over for Fletcher’s debut test. Interviews with his sisters followed and it turns out his mum died of cancer when he was 15… the family is really close and live for his rugby.

Good luck to him, it’s a nice story and the family seem really humble and grounded.

Nice story. It's easy to forget the family and friends behind players. He has great potential too. Let's hope SA don't spoil his party too much!

Shannon Frizzell not such a nice story.

[Deepsouth]

Watching NZ TV news for the first time in years tonight and I caught a nice human interest story about Fletcher Newell… his dad was interviewed at Christchurch Airport at 3am today after Fletcher rang him to say he was flying him over for Fletcher’s debut test. Interviews with his sisters followed and it turns out his mum died of cancer when he was 15… the family is really close and live for his rugby.

Good luck to him, it’s a nice story and the family seem really humble and grounded.

Nice story. It's easy to forget the family and friends behind players. He has great potential too. Let's hope SA don't spoil his party too much!

Shannon Frizzell not such a nice story.

Also Sevu Reece.

Spiritual guardians my arse......

[Gumboot]

Nice story. It's easy to forget the family and friends behind players. He has great potential too. Let's hope SA don't spoil his party too much!

Shannon Frizzell not such a nice story.

Also Sevu Reece.

Spiritual guardians my arse......

Amen, brother!

Talk about preaching to the converted.

[Blake]

Watching NZ TV news for the first time in years tonight and I caught a nice human interest story about Fletcher Newell… his dad was interviewed at Christchurch Airport at 3am today after Fletcher rang him to say he was flying him over for Fletcher’s debut test. Interviews with his sisters followed and it turns out his mum died of cancer when he was 15… the family is really close and live for his rugby.

Good luck to him, it’s a nice story and the family seem really humble and grounded.

Nice story. It's easy to forget the family and friends behind players. He has great potential too. Let's hope SA don't spoil his party too much!

I'm really nervous about the rematch. The Boks have traditionally not carried the favourites tag very well.
It's been shown in all our recent losses that if our opponents just handle the aerial battle well, the Bok team gets a bit rattled.
As uncharacteristically bad as the All Blacks have been of late, they still have a lot of skill, class, talent and experience in there. If the Boks arrive half-cocked and underestimating the opposition, they will get rolled.

It's still the All Blacks. The Boks better be ready for a battle.

[OomStruisbaai]

Agree Blake, the favourites tag make me worried. I haven't heard about a weak All Blacks team.

[_Os_]

I'm more confident of a big Bok win than I was last week, and I was confident last week. I said then Bok fans were being bangbroek last week when there was no reason to be, it's still the same a week later.

This All Black side really isn't good, their coaching setup hasn't selected/trained/built the right type of forward pack. It's not about not having the players at all, NZ are like us, there's always the players. They've just invested into the wrong strategy and selected to that wrong strategy, I don't think many in our tight five would be selected by this All Blacks setup they don't sprint like wings and distribute like centres so they wouldn't be selected by the All Blacks. So the Boks then have an advantage in all the core tight five areas, in both the XV and bench players. I'm less critical of their backline it's an All Blacks team so any backline they have will always be a threat, but their tactical kicking from hand (planned kicks intended to win territory and be contestable for the turnover) isn't as strong as ours, they seem to be favouring size in the backline but the skill level doesn't seem to be the same standard as it was in the recent past which means they struggle against our defence (contrary to the stereotype it's always been the opposite with the Boks, the Boks always have room for the weedy fast guy that's the most skilful we have).

It's at Ellis Park where even bad Bok teams have a shot, and this is one of the better Boks teams I've seen. When this team plays well they're absolutely uncompromising in how they play the percentages and manufacture point scoring situations.

The vibe in the Bok camp seems really lekker and in the All Black camp the vibe seems terrible. You can see it on the faces of the players. Fans often ignore this aspect but it's just as crucial. This year the Boks have played two crucial must win matches (Wales 3rd test and All Blacks 1st test) and won both, it's the opposite for the All Blacks.

Losing this one would be really disappointing.

[Gumboot]

Losing this one would be really disappointing.

Relax, there's virtually no chance of that happening. This is the last time we'll see this ABs team and coaching group in its present iteration, and thank fuck for that. Time to flush the dunny and move on.

[_Os_]

This is the last time we'll see this ABs team and coaching group in its present iteration, and thank fuck for that. Time to flush the dunny and move on.

The first move would be reselecting Joe Moody (who is injured, but hasn't played much since the 2019 RWC even when he was fit) and Owen Franks. Tuipulotu also who is in the squad but doesn't play much. There'll be other uncapped players I'm unaware of, because I haven't followed domestic NZ rugby since SA teams were booted from Super Rugby.

And when you think about what type of player those guys are, you start to work out what's happening. The All Black coaching team decided the exact type of tight five player the Boks are selecting is the wrong way, and rather than being super strong in the core skills of each tight five position and investing in that type of player, they want all rounders in their squad. To reverse that means admitting their entire strategy is wrong, they cannot do that and can only keep going and hope it works out.

I reckon every Bok fan knows who Owen Franks is, and there'll be some fear/respect associated with that name. Angus Ta'avao not so much.

[Guy Smiley]

This is the last time we'll see this ABs team and coaching group in its present iteration, and thank fuck for that. Time to flush the dunny and move on.

The first move would be reselecting Joe Moody (who is injured, but hasn't played much since the 2019 RWC even when he was fit) and Owen Franks. Tuipulotu also who is in the squad but doesn't play much. There'll be other uncapped players I'm unaware of, because I haven't followed domestic NZ rugby since SA teams were booted from Super Rugby.

And when you think about what type of player those guys are, you start to work out what's happening. The All Black coaching team decided the exact type of tight five player the Boks are selecting is the wrong way, and rather than being super strong in the core skills of each tight five position and investing in that type of player, they want all rounders in their squad. To reverse that means admitting their entire strategy is wrong, they cannot do that and can only keep going and hope it works out.

I reckon every Bok fan knows who Owen Franks is, and there'll be some fear/respect associated with that name. Angus Ta'avao not so much.

The SA teams weren't booted from Super Rugby. Your guys were ramping up the talk of going north after years of hints and suggestions and Covid forced a restructure... you were already playing in Europe by then and dropping your end of an unwieldy and unpopular comp was a logical step.

Booted out is victim talk. Man up and own your part in it.

As for AB selections... I'm no fan of Foster and co, but trying to suggest that they decided that what the Boks were doing was wrong ignores the fact that the Boks were beaten in pool play by the ABs. The essential structure of the sides hasn't changed much since then, injuries aside.

Tuipolutu is a waste of space in a test side. He's played one decent game in the national jersey for all his selections. Retallick is still a beast and out injured. Whitelock is coming to the end of his career but still delivers. Barrett is a hard lock while Vaa'i and Lord have been in the team already but perhaps not enough yet, injuries permitting.

Foster is a poor selector who doesn't allow for consistent combinations...but his stubborn refusal to commit more players to the ruck is a carry over from the Hansen days and that's where we've been getting beaten. Blasted off the ball... then when we do get it our halves combination of Smith and Barrett have no idea of how to steer a game tactically and aimless kicking is the result.

[_Os_]

The SA teams weren't booted from Super Rugby. Your guys were ramping up the talk of going north after years of hints and suggestions and Covid forced a restructure... you were already playing in Europe by then and dropping your end of an unwieldy and unpopular comp was a logical step.

Booted out is victim talk. Man up and own your part in it.

The new NZRU leadership didn't want us and used Covid as an excuse to get rid of us.

As for AB selections... I'm no fan of Foster and co, but trying to suggest that they decided that what the Boks were doing was wrong ignores the fact that the Boks were beaten in pool play by the ABs. The essential structure of the sides hasn't changed much since then, injuries aside.

Tuipolutu is a waste of space in a test side. He's played one decent game in the national jersey for all his selections. Retallick is still a beast and out injured. Whitelock is coming to the end of his career but still delivers. Barrett is a hard lock while Vaa'i and Lord have been in the team already but perhaps not enough yet, injuries permitting.

Foster is a poor selector who doesn't allow for consistent combinations...but his stubborn refusal to commit more players to the ruck is a carry over from the Hansen days and that's where we've been getting beaten. Blasted off the ball... then when we do get it our halves combination of Smith and Barrett have no idea of how to steer a game tactically and aimless kicking is the result.

The 2019 RWC pool game is an interesting point to start from. The strategy of each side hasn't changed much since then, but the players have. In the 23 in that game the All Blacks had: Ben Smith, SBW, Kieran Read, Crotty. There were a lot more of the players from the Henry/Hansen and McCaw/Carter teams. Foster takes over after that RWC and there's holes to fill as players retire, so how he (and Hansen before him) selected the squad players below the starters matters more. For the Boks it was the second season of Rassie/Nienaber, they had already won/drawn/lost against the All Blacks from 3 matches (2 NZ and 1 in SA) before that match, they were building on not much before they became the Bok coaching team. The only Boks with 50 or more caps in the 23 for the RWC pool match were: Beast, Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willie le Roux, Francois Louw (and Frans Steyn but he was on the bench and unused). Both sides have developed since then and become more what they were in that RWC. I think something has gone a bit wrong if Tuipolutu was the bench lock for the 2019 RWC pool match and was the All Black with the most time off the bench in that match then basically disappears, Owen Franks is dropped before that RWC and is still disappeared, and somehow Angus Ta'avao becomes the starting tighthead in Nelspruit then is dropped entirely for Ellis Park.

I think maybe you guys have got a bit too clever, selecting a tight five isn't that difficult just select the guys that do the basic core skills of the position the best, and the bigger and fitter they are probably the better they are. Then just keep selecting them, and maybe they end up an all time great or maybe they don't and just end up dominating the basics. In SA and NZ it's really not hard finding these players for a coaching team that knows the sport. Not convinced you guys are selecting your Nyakanes/Malherbes/Kochs/Mbonambis/Kitshoffs, it appears you've dismissed them the same way the Boks are dismissed as "low skilled".

[Guy Smiley]

We keep telling you guys we have a dumb coach.

Poor selections and poor tactics. No ideas.

He named Sam Cane his captain months out from the first test he coached, committing himself to a guy who is fading fast as a player and never really inspired as a captain. That means he has to compromise and play the nation's best 7 at 8. Our brightest hope at 6 is Ethan Blackadder, out for the season with a serious injury, I think a torn pectoral muscle from memory. Dalton Papali'i brings grunt but he's hurt as well. Cullen Grace is a serious prospect for the 8 jersey for thenext two RWC cycles but Foster won't look at him.

You look at the tight five and see a shortfall. I look at our back row and see... nothing.

The sooner Foster is sacked the better... and most of my fellow Kiwis won't agree with me here but I see his coaching tenure as a continuation of the rot that started under Hansen... an over rated coach who failed to implement a successful regeneration after the retirements of a golden generation of players. A reminder of Hansen's hubris... he selected Jerome Kaino at lock for a test against Ireland and we suffered our first loss to them in that game.

too clever? nah... too bloody dumb.