It's magical for South Africans tho :D

The Lions Tests were mroe exciting though. Because they actually played with some piss and vinegar.

He isnt exactly destroying the Rugby world from Aus.

I think people need to stop sucking Deans nuts until he actualy wins a few games.

I think its amazing we lose because our coaches suck, yet when Deans loses the players didnt try hard enough. Would we be ok with Deans losing all the time if he was ABs coach? Or would all the knucle draggers be calling for his head to?

No Offense BC just really sick of all the negative BS when we lose a few. We are such bad sports.

I just think our game plan is too predictable, and they're worring too much about attacking rather than territory, kicking, and our hands. We need to start doing those right, and the gameplan doesn't currently allow for that.

I agree, but at some point you have to say the players arent implementing the game plan as well.

Surely the plan wasnt to attack from inside our own half and run the ball every time we had it. I just dont beleive a coach would use that plan against SA. And I dont believe players would follow that without question.

Were taking poor options. As isay im not a Carter fan but he is cool under pressure and takes good options. He might well have a great effect on all this.

Oh yeah, I mean we lost all over the park, I think the luxury of halfbacks is a joke, as neither cowan nor leonard have fired, and you know it's dodgy when Weepu is your best option, despite the fact Henry isn't bothered playing him.
Nonu has been quiet, mostly because the halves haven't been distributing the ball, and his kicking game isn't up to it at the moment, and I think we need that kicking game at 2nd five. Smith has been great though.

Yeah Smith is brilliant. I cant believe there are still dropkicks out there calling for him to be dropped.

Nonu could do with some bench time to show him hes not irreplacable but he hasnt looked bad. It was invitable defences would find ways to shut him down and the fact hes such a threat is often what gives Smith his room I feel.

I dont understand why Weepu is a specialist bench player yet Henry pretty much acknowledges hes the best we have at the moment.

And WTF is Joe Rockokoko and Toeava doing near an ABs jersey at all.

Sivivatu has been shit as well. Brad Thorne was totally quiet in both tests against the Boks... he's been out gunned by Botha and obviously Isaac Ross is not ready to deal with Mr. Matfield in the lineouts. Rockocoko is lost out there, not a brain in his fucking head. Nonu's been figured out.

The one thing that the NZ boys have been very good at is the scrums and they should really expose the Boks in that department. But I feel as though the Boks know that the scrum is their weakness and are prepared to deal with the consequences. But Woodcock is a great scrummager and so is Owen Franks who I think earned himself a spot in the losing efforts. A shame to lose Mealamu because Hore has been fucking terrible, it's not that I think he's a bad player, more, his confidence is just totally shot.

What shocked me was how Brussow outplayed McCaw AND George Smith. We'll see how he does on the road, but I remember watching something on Youtube about he he's been giving McCaw a run for his money even since the Super 14 this year. Spies outplayed Soia'alo (pardon the spelling :p), dunno if it was because Spies played well or Rodney was shite. Kaino is kind of just there filling space, Juan Smith is much better than him.

Also I must agree with you guys, Conrad Smith is shit hot, a massive threat, he made the Boks look retarded on that one try he scored.

Weepu should definitely be started but I feel as though his fitness is in question? He seems a little pudgey... correct me if I'm wrong?

However it's going to be a different story when the Boks are travelling. The ABs are goin to have the home field advantage and their going to be blood thirsty, and these "new improved" Boks are untested on the road. So we must wait and see.

Actually has Sivivatu even been playing because I get him confused with Big Joe all the fucking time.

Yeah, Sivivatu has been playing, and everyone thinks he's shit, but I rate him, and think he looks fucking dangerous every time he has the ball. Too bad he's a one man band at the moment.

Sivi has been pretty good IMO, always looks dangerous and breaks the first tackle but never seems to have any support lately.

I dont think Fitness is an issue for Weepu GDN, hes always been a bit pudgy but his workrate doesnt seem to drop over a full 80 at provincial and S14 level. I know International is faster paced but its the only comparison I can make.

Thorne did ok IMO, but once again hes bloody lonely as far as bruisers go. And Soialo (sp?) is not in his best form. Even if he was though Spies is a monster, probably the best 8 getting around in world rugby IMO.

Kaino is very hit and miss, some days super physical and perfect back up to Thorne, other days he doesnt exist. I think they should put Read there just because hes consistent if not amazing every time. TBH the AB loose trio still has a long way to go. They look far from there imposing best and a lot of the teams performances come back to that I feel.

At the same time though I think the Boks must be credited for their performances, clinical and disciplined.

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:D

What a game!
Now that's how you play rugby. Aussie and NZ, though they were gonna win at half time, 12-3 up, pretty much equal as fuck till the last moment. Awesome. Fucking Carter is the man. So is Sivivatu, Ross, Thorne, Mccalister, they all had an awesome game too. Cowan picked it up in the 2nd half, awesome footy.

It was exciting but not awesome. Neither team played well. Both put in massive efforts but neither did anything awe inspiring.

South Africa plays boring shit rugby. That was a fucking rollercoaster. What a match.

Yeah I guess it does suck when you're losing

How have the last ten years been for you as an SA Fan?

(seeing as were gonna drag this into petty crap)

Meh I'm fine with it, but my main man James (Whom I heart dearly) is being a prick :p.

The past ten years have actually been fun, I've watched a team grow a great deal. Ups and downs, getting stuck by the ABs and wallabies, sometimes sticking it to the wallabies and ABs, I love the rivalries personally, it's what sports are all about. I stuck out watching the fucking atrocious Rudey Strauli Boks and then saw how much better (yet still developing) they became under Jake White.

However now SA is winning in James is being a suck and not acknowledging how well the Boks are playing. When Aussie and NZ were sticking it to the Boks I never complained about how Aussie and NZ played, I took my lumps and watched it, and blamed the Boks for losing. I didn't piss and moan about Aussie or NZ winning like someone is doing about the Boks.

Fact is they're playing efficient rugby, they can win without the ball and they have unbelievable defense and are superior to both the Wallabies and the ABs in the lineout and in the breakdown and under the high ball. In can all change in an instant but at the end of it I'm not gonna whinge like you boys :p

Fact remains, I enjoyed watching Aussies and NZ but they were 2 VERY vulnerable teams playing one another. There were holes all over the place in both sides. Australia was ill-disciplined, New Zealands handling and timing was fucking terrible, there was a lot of pointless fucking kicking and the lineouts were scrappy.

I will never say it was a bad game, it wasn't. I respect all those players and everyone on the field showed courage and heart. Stephen Moore showed me a hell of a lot, I gained tons of respect for him. Rocky Elsom although kind of an idiot with his bad discipline showed why he is one of the top tough guys in the game, and showed balls of steal. Mils Muliaina was fucking fantastic, Isaac Ross is developing quite well, McCaw is losing a few steps but he still is extremely courageous, as is Dan Carter who I think is pure class.

I can see this shit fairly objectively especially considering I bleed green and gold, I think it was a good game but neither team played well at all. The way I can relate it, is kind of like Griffin vs. Bonnar in the UFC when they fought for the first time. Neither guy brought their 'a' game, there wasn't top skill in that fight but it was still a brutal brawl and still blood and guts, neither guy had any skills other than hear that were impressive it was just the will to compete.

When it comes down to it right now, the Boks are better than both these teams and in saying that I realize they can totally fuck up and lose on the road, but if they play like they have (their boring shit terrible rugby that keeps winning games) they're going to keep winning. The fucked up thing is they have played nowhere close to their potential, they have not played their best and have coasted to fairly comfortable victories.

I agree, and yeah, it is nicer when you win. Boks still suck. :p

Cmon GDN thatys not fun dude :p

But seriously your right, the Boks are a step ahead, im not gonna deny that.

I just wish they would play a little more openly at times. I dont want them to turn into England.

That said winning is winning and they have done a good job of convertain back to this style of rugby after the ELVs something Aus and NZ havent done well.

One man's crap rugby is another man's entertaining rugby. There's no use in playing expansive rugby against teams whose defenses can handle any bit of rugby you try to play. Instead they are able to win the match without a ton of ball but purely based on defense and territory. I don't view myself as a purest or anything, but I find their tireless work at the breakdown and their undying effort in defense very entertaining. They all hit insanely hard, and now they have brussow who's been outgunning Smith and McCaw in at being a fetcher. He doesn't get penalized nearly as much as his Australasian counterparts (at least so far).

Their lineouts are un fucking believable, and Fourie Du Preez is the best scrum half in the game and his box kick is sickitating. The reason I find it entertaining is because the Boks actually efficiently execute their gameplan whereas right now, Aussie and NZ just seem lost out there, which is so strange especially from the all blacks.

Also, that try Smit set matfield up with was a thing of beauty, so it's not like they can't play expansive rugby, they are just conservative with picking their spots.

One mans conservative is another mans boring :)

But if NZ were doing it you wouldn't complain ;)

I was a prop dude, played a lot of 1st 15 at Highschool and a little rep rugby, dont get me wrong I appreciate a bit of forward argy bargy.

I just think with some of the best attacking backs in the world at there disposal they surely could run it a little more.

But I guess no ones going to change anyones opinion.

I think once again it points out how annoying NZ fans are though, if we were winning like that the rpess would be slamming the ABs for boring rugby. At least SA fans can appreciate a win is a win.

The problem with the Boks right now is they have a very defensive minded structure, they want to suffocate teams with it, so in doing that it's robbing them of being able to have good offensive spacing. Much of their strategy is the kick and chase, and I think their spacing is based on doing that as opposed to moving the ball and playing risky rugby.

I mean it's not like South Africans can't play that kind of rugby, just watch what the Bulls did to the Chiefs in the S14 finals... but what they're doing right now is working. They are able to keep calm under pressure and they have the best pack in the world (aside from scrummaging). Habana and Pieterson right now are being used for the chase as opposed to finding space and it's working... why stop it?

I said Ireland played boring rugby when they won the 6 Nations and ECG bit my head off. I thought it was a compliment :$ All that matters is winning. Smash mouth rugby is where it's at if you want to be successful. Pretty shit usually gets you nowhere (NZ failing to win World Cups, Ireland not winning a 6 Nations for years, etc). South Africa just simply tick over the points by sheer physicality and pressure, and it's amazing.

Another big win for the Boks. It'd be great to see them truly click on all cylinders though.

:( Bakkies might miss the next test, huge blow to the pack :'(

Was good to see them throw the ball about, glad to see it.

Now not to knock that but I wonder if perhaps it was because they dont see Aus as a threat, or is this a new gameplan. I somehow doubt they will adopt a similar running approach against the ABs.

Then again if they beat Aus again and secure the Tri nations they have nothing to lose, perhaps they will.

A free flowing SA backline against a free flowing (for the first time this year) AB backline would be something to behold.

Also when does everyone get off the Deans bandwagon? I see finaly a few kiwis have STFU about "make him ABs coach or we quit the country". I say fuck off then tbh.

Good win by Aussie, Boks acted like they didn't want to play tonight. Especially at scrum time. Aussies held onto possession and really took it to them.
Bring on next week!

Yeah real off day for the Springboks today. Sets next week up quite nicely. It's a long shot but at least it's still alive.

They looked tired, that Brisbane heat is notorious for visiting sides.

:cool:

www.rugbyrugby.com

The New Zealand judiciary, in the guise of a SANZAR disciplinary committee, had the last say against the victorious Springbok team of John Smit.

SANZAR Judicial Officer Paul Tully saw fit to ban Springbok centre Jaque Fourie for four weeks for a 'dangerous tackle' in the closing stages of the Boks' 32-29 Tri-Nations clinching Test victory against the All Blacks.

Fourie appeared before Tully at a hearing held in Hamilton on Sunday, after being cited by Citing Commissioner Scott Nowland for a tackle in breach of law 10.4 (i), on All Blacks player Ma'a Nonu in the 70th minute of the match.

Tully rejected Fourie's plea that the tackle was 'reckless' rather than 'intentional' and should be viewed at the lower end of the penalty scale.

"There was a reckless lifting tackle which was clearly dangerous and placed the player in a vulnerable position when he landed on his neck and shoulder," Tully said in his judgment after viewing video evidence.

Fourie indicated that for recovery reasons he would not be available for South Africa's Currie Cup competition next week and the suspension would begin the following week - from September 26/27.

He has thus been suspended up to, and including, 19 October.

The ban comes in the wake of the enormous outcry in South Africa about the gross inconsistencies in these judicial hearings, especially when New Zealand and Australian teams and officials are involved.

It resulted in protest action by the Springboks in the final Test against the British and Irish Lions, when they wore white armbands with the words 'Justice 4' - in support of Springbok lock Bakkies Botha, who had a two-week ban slapped on him for clearing out a ruck.

The South African Rugby Union, Bok captain John Smit and the players were all fined by the IRB for their actions.

But it did serve to highlight the fact that there is some truth in the suggestion by the world's top-ranked team that their are unfairly being targeted.

This will also be borne out by the fact that none of the All Black players were cited for some of the disgraceful behaviour they were guilty of.

All Black wing Joe Rokocoko was penalised - but not carded or cited - for an air tackle on a Springbok, which caused injury. The Kiwi clearly had no intention of going for the ball and the South African player also landed dangerously on his head.

New Zealand No.8 Kieran Read was penalised - but again not carded or cited - for a late shoulder charge on a Springbok, long after the whistle had gone.

While there may be some argument that neither player heard the whistle, and thus continued playing, Read's illegal actions - which also falls in the law 10.4 (i), category - certainly warranted further action, as he too caused harm to the Bok player.

However, hiding behind the tags 'SANZAR' and 'independent', the judiciary cited and banned only Fourie.

No doubt, there will be another outcry about this inconsistency

The whole game was like that though, continuous off the ball shit from both sides.

It was scrappy, tough and confrontational. Hes probably been a little hard done by but the tackle did look bad, especialy in slow mo when you see his knee on Nonus face. Rockoko was a bit of nothing i reckon, no malice just bad timing.

Reed is another story, silly, and he probably should have been at least sited.

Was interesting to see the ABs take it to the Boks at the breakdown, hell I would say the ABs won the breakdown. Just goes to show how important a bit of kicking can be, my god what a boot on Steyn.

Well done to the Boks on winning the Tri Nations.

The ABs were the better team at the breakdown for the majority of the match, while the Boks were the better team at the breakdown when it really counted, if that makes sense.

Was nice to see Jon Smit get his revenge on Mr. Thorne via smashing the shit out of him.

It kind of does, but if anything that game showed the importance of a superboot in your team. Even when your on the backfoot you can tick up points and thats important.

The thing is, SA have 2 super boots, I fail to see how in all of New Zealand they can't match. This is the fucking all blacks for christ's sake. Last I checked it's the same team that has Dan Carter, who is not exactly a slouch with the boot. Problem is, the big dumb island boys (see: Sivivatu and Rockococo) get confused as shit under the high ball. They don't know what to do when they don't have an opposition who isn't at all afraid of them. I think they are both class players, but jesus they don't have brains, and they don't have the nerves.

Not a fan of Rockoko, Sivi is ok but very hot and cold. I dont understand how Corey Jane gets left on the bench, hes such a good player who has an eye for a gap on the outside and is an even better fullback.

As for kickers it kind of goes in Cycles, teams have great kickers and then go through bad patches with less kickers. And lets be honest Francois Steyn is something else, I dont think I have ever seen someone line up a 60 Metre conversion with no wind in NZ and hit it.

The Boks are just a great team atm, they have all the components. In fact they are where the ABs usualy are 2 years out from a world cup, im not sure thats a good thing for them come cup time.