Slowest wingers in the URC. Slowest fullback in the URC. That backline is a crime against humanity. Where are the coloured wingers? Cape Town is the hotbed of coloured rugby and the best we can do is Galant and Zas? Where the fuck are the players? I hate watching this team and now we have a new joker on the scene named Vernon Paulo. Which clown thought he was any good?
Lets up the ante and pick our most dangerous backline.
9.MvdB
10.Manie
11.Hooker
12.Willemse
13.Moodie
14.KLA
15.SFM
Who's with me?
I’m worried. Last week I thought we were very unlucky and looked the stronger team. Today we were hanging on. I’m sensing a pattern. If that game was 3 minutes longer we would’ve lost that game. We used to be masters of the last quarter but NZ are finishing games stronger than us. Our bench is not providing the impact it used to. Our scrum is neutralised. Every time we kick a box kick my heart is in my mouth because you know NZ is going to counter and we are in trouble.
Yes this is a bit knee jerk but they are improving and I’m not sure we are. I’m hoping NZ is doing an Australia. Aus came here last year and looked like the next team to beat but have fallen on their faces. NZ could just be a team where everything is clicking and are brimming with confidence. Their attack is scary atm.
I haven’t seen it once this year. The only attacking we are doing is scrumming and mauling. Where is the soft skills, set plays and ingenuity he is supposed to bring? Is he being ignored because he is leaving for NZ next year? There has to be more to this team than just the physical stuff. We have a very talented backline. Is it too much to ask to see Kolbe in a bit of space? To see Willemse given a chance to see him step a few defenders? Something needs to change. NOW!
My Team
1.Ox
2.Marx
3.TDT
4.Eben
5.Nortje
6.PDV
7.PSDT
8.Wiese
9.Williams
Manie
Hooker
De Allende
Kriel
Kolbe
Willemse
JHW
Brannas
Porthen
Wiese
Van Staden
Reinach
SFM
Esterhuizen
This is the team I think Rassie will pick NOT the team that I would pick.
I think everyone picks themselves in the starting 15. Manie vs Sacha? I'm always going to back SFM because he can win this game by himself if he comes off on Saturday but our best performances against the ABs was with Manie at 10. I think Manie is a better TACTICAL kicker than Sacha when it comes to high balls. 50/50 decision that will depend on the game plan. Hooker vs Arendse? I prefer Hooker. Bigger, stronger and almost as good under the high ball. He had a very good game against NZ last year. The AB's will try and run it and having one physical winger might be the better option.
Bench I'm going for a 5/3 split. More options. The game will be high paced and you will want some mobile forwards on the bench. I'm going for Rassie to try some mind fuck selection. Does anyone think that Rassie might go with Brannas as the replacement hooker and JHW and Porthen as the props? That would be a very very mobile front row that can get around the park when the game gets loose. Wilco and Steenekamp are by far the stronger scrummagers but this might not be the game for them. Again this is not what I would do but I think this is what Rassie might do.
Some left field decisions here but what do you think Rassie will do? NOT, who you will pick.
Why Why does this team do this? Is this a tactic? It must be. The Stormers play quick rugby and look dangerous 20 metres from the try line but EVERY time 5 metres out the ball gets slowed down and we start this dumb fuk tactic of doing this pick and go. And every bloody time after a few phases one of the forwards fuks up. It drives me up the wall. Absolutely sick of this. Also Gelant needs to be put in front of a firing squad.
Just read on the main Rugby forum about two schoolboy players with Scottish ancestry that is looking like they might declare for Scotland. My question is, should players like this with dual nationalities be picked to play representative rugby in SA? (Craven Week, SA Schools, SA u19 etc). Ireland and Scotland seem to be setting up camp in SA scouring the country with any player having some tenuous link to them. Why should we give these players exposure and the gift of coming through the SA Rugby system only for them to turn their back and play overseas? These players are taking up space of deserving players who actually want to play for South Africa. Josh Neil is another. I saw a clip of him after playing for the SA u19 team how proud he was playing for SA to only a year later declare for Ireland. Scotland is truly pathetic. Their whole rugby system seems to be built on the back of ex South African players and coaches.
Anyone with Irish or Scottish link should not be allowed to play in the South African rugby system!