According to just about any pundit you can be arsed to listen to, this game is a foregone conclusion. The plucky young Wallabies are going to cause one or two moments of mild concern, but otherwise get swept aside by a near flawless, World Champion Springbok side who have beaten all comers and are ranked #1 in the world.
Guest blogger Matt from www.greenandgoldrugby.com shares his thoughts with Sharksworld.
But before we all crumble to this perceived wisdom, let me piss on those flames of adulation just a little.
- Do you remember where this same World Champ Springbok side came in the last two Tri-Nations? Dead last is where. What revolution has happened since?
- The Lions series was anything but a whitewash. Had Monye known how to fall over a line, it would have looked very friggen different.
- Anyone would be happy wooping the ABs twice – but remember, the ABs were away from home. The Wallabies had the game to belt the ABs in Auckland, and in the end lost by only 6
- A less composed Wallabies side won in Durban just last year, 27-15
Sure, a few shoulda, coulda, woulda’s, but I’m not quite buying ‘best Saffa team ever’, just yet. As Juan Cote astutely pointed out, there are weaknesses in this side, and a smart, organised side could well take advantage.
Over and above what my learned friend pointed out in his post, there’s been an uncharacteristic characteristic in this Wallaby side this year – fast starts. We’d gotten use to them clawing their way back into a match, but the side this year has come out at a belting pace. The best example being in Auckland last week, when they should have been at least 17-3 ahead after 17 minutes.
We all know how much the Boks love to get ahead, and in a stadium like Newlands with the crowd sitting right on the pitch, it’s like an injection of PCP to the marauding Saffas when the fans have something to howl about. Witness the game last Saturday. Everyone talks about the Boks being a pressure team – get ahead on the scoreboard early, and it’s like taking the lid off the cooker.
If I’ve managed to get you feeling a bit better about the Wallabies prospects – then a bucket of cold water. Despite their best efforts, the Saffa selectors have managed to unearth two gamechangers: Morne Steyn and Heinrich Brussow. A lot has already been said about their respective freakish abilities. I’d just point out that the Kiwis lived at #1 for the last five years based on a kicking 10 + talented fetcher combo. This looks spookily familiar.
Cock on the block? If the Wallabies take this, then they will by definition impress the shit out of everyone, including me. This is still a team on the rise, undercooked in competition this year, taking on a confident battle hardened unit of seasoned pros.
Gagger’s head says: Boks by 6
Tweet
An Aussie gives it to the Boks, and a Saffa gives it to Aus…
What is this world coming to?
What simple elegance in this article.
Fair comment though.
Boks have won 9 out of their last 10 tests.
They must be doing something right.
It’s interesting hearing the Aussie prespective
@Morné (Comment 1) : Maybe we give the Aussies too much credit..we are the no 1 team in the world and we playing at home against the 3rd ranked team in the world. We have only lost once in the last 7 years to the Aussies at home( with much weaker Boks teams)
Intersting on Boots & All last night when they spoke to the Aussies including Phil Kearns and they have no confidence in a Wallabie win. They don’t see too many weaknesses in the Boks team. We ( myself included ) will always find something to complain about and see faults and it’s only because we are very passionate supporters. Looking at this game from an outsiders view ( lets say an French rugby supporter )who would you put your money on…surely not the Aussies
@Morné (Comment 1) : 😆 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : The only weakness we have is when we get wingat and feel we just need to turn up – i always think of that french game at Newlands – we were lading 26-10 at the half and ended up losing 36-26….
The only we counter we have to this is Smittie – he seems level headed enough to know – we still need to perform to win
IMO the following can trip up the Boks
Fatigue..we have just come of two very hard test matches
Complacency
And my biggest fear….Brussow gets injured early in the game with no fetcher type replacement.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 6) : I agree, see my comment 6
Anybody going to Newlands tomorrow ❓ ‘COZ I AM
😎 
@Charlie (Comment 9) : I hope so , your on the bench aren’t you?
@Pokkel (Comment 10) :
@Prof. Ice (Thunder Horse) (Comment 11) : There won’t be confusion about your gender if you change your name back to Ice Babe….TT stuffed everything up with his avatar that he still hasn’t changed 😆
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Figs
Figs who?
Figs the doorbell, it’s broken
@McLovin (Comment 13) : nice 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 12) :
better?? 😆
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 15) : mucho…
@McLovin (Comment 13) : 😛
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 15) : i have confusing one for you IceWman
@robdylan (Comment 16) :
Falco? 😆
That sound VERY feministic!!
@rekinek (Comment 17) :
Now THAT will really confuss the boys!! 😆
@robdylan (Comment 16) : I just send you an e-mail with an article that appeared in the Wall street journal about rugby…hilarious
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : i am always afraid when this lot talks up boks or sharks.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 15) : Looks good to me 😎
2 guys and a blond walks into a pub.
1ste guy says to the barman: Johnny Walker single
2nd guy says to the barman: Jack Daniels single
Blonde says to barman : Jenny Williams divorced
Afternoon all!
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Can we get a clue on the prizes for the compo’s?
@Rahul (Comment 24) : I’m waiting for KSA to get back online fulltime so I can discuss it with him! 🙂
How’s that for passing the buck?
@Pokkel (Comment 22) :
i will NEVER make that blonde mistake!! Being the Pub Rugby Chatter an all! 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 22) : 😀
@robdylan (Comment 25) : 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 10) : Yebo…
Every now and again rugby games are won against the flow fo the game. It happens.
But to beat this Bok side, luck aside of course, you really need to dominate the pack. And without any injuries to key personnel I just dont think the Oxxies stack up to the Bok pack.
Their are some areas where the boks are just so far in front that its not even funny. Say what you like but the Ozzies simply dont compare to the likes of Smit, Bismarck, Beast and the dream-due of bakkies and Big Vic.
The loosies stack up well and the Ozzies proabbly shade us in the backs but this game will be won in the forwards.
As I said, freak results do happen with good luck and fortuitous decisions but if the game goes according to plan the Boks should take it by 10+.
Oh, and it irks me no end when those canary-yellow wearing mofos claim the green and gold as theirs.
Especially when Orstraylia wore baby blue until the sixties!
Here’s a good read for you lot – found this arti on the Wall Street Journal a wee while back. Funny read.
Titled the toughest team in sports… which is something coming from the Yanks.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204619004574318422042017930.html
And here is something to pull at the old heart strings.
Sent shivers down my back when I watched it and made me a little misty-eyed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXDn0HydBA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.2oceansvibe.com%2F&feature=player_embedded
@VinChainSaw (Comment 30) : I have written a VERY inflammatory article for Matt’s site… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 34) : So let us see it
@VinChainSaw (Comment 31) : And it’s not even gold. 🙄
More like mustard.
@McLovin (Comment 36) :
Yes, and if they’re hellbent on using those colours then surely they should call it gold and green?
@VinChainSaw (Comment 37) : Abso-bloody-lutely. 😈
“Mr. Joubert said he suffered few long-term consequences other than a shortened finger. “I had to change my golf grip a bit,” he said.”
😆 😆 😆
I love the Mr Joubert Mr Struass Mr Wiese vibe…its like the dudes kakking in his pant 😀
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 39) :
Yeah it was bloody marvellous eh!
One of the comments on the wsj article went somehting along the lines of:
What is wrose than seeing two bull elephants in must?
Seeing two Afrikaners argue over a fence line!
Those yanks reckon we’re a bunch of hard men. Pity I cant introduce the to the finer specimens like you Sauce… 😉
Sheila wants an all over suntan but is not quite sure how to ho about it so she says to Bruce; you reckon I should go sunbathing in the nuddy in the backyard? Yeah, no worries, says Bruce, go for it. But what if the neighbours see me naked, what will they think? Bruce; that I married you for your money…..
@VinChainSaw (Comment 40) : do you work in finance??
@VinChainSaw (Comment 40) : Excellent article…
I meet enough Yanks for them to understand not all of us are bull headed 😆
@McLovin (Comment 41) : ouch 😆
Two drovers standing in a bar. One asked, “What are you up to?” “Ahh. I’m takin’ a mob of 6000 from Goondiwindi to Gympie.” “Oh yeah . . and what route are you takin’?” “Ah, prob’ly the Missus; after all, she stuck by me durin’ the drought.”
@Pokkel (Comment 35) : i think I may have pissed him off… he’s busy editing out all te swear words before posting it 🙂
Eight Words with two Meanings
1. THINGY (thing-ee) n.
Female…… Any part under a car’s hood.
Male….. The strap fastener on a woman’s bra.
2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.
Female…. Fully opening up one’s self emotionally to another.
Male…. Batting without a cup.
3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female… The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one’s partner.
Male… Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys.
4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n.
Female…. A desire to get married and raise a family.
Male…… Trying not to hit on other women while out with this one.
5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female…. A good movie, concert, play or book.
Male…… Anything that can be done while drinking beer.
6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female…. An embarrassing byproduct of indigestion.
Male…… A source of entertainment, self-___expression, male bonding.
7 MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female…… The greatest ___expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male.. Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it.
8. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female…. A device for changing from one TV channel to another.
Male… A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes.
Hopefully the anthems get played in the correct order this week.
Okay
I have Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Griquas for the weekend..
Poms are 72-5
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 49) : :thumbs up:
Make that 72-6
And poor Sam the Koala bear had to be put down. 😥
@McLovin (Comment 47) :
Good day mate!!!
@McLovin (Comment 50) : 😯
@McLovin (Comment 53) : Was that the one that was burnt?
@Pokkel (Comment 42) :
Ja for my sins I ended up working in Private Equity… in the middle of the recession of a lifetime.
@wpw (Comment 54) :
@Rahul (Comment 55) :
Hey!!! FL is open till 15h00 – so get ur butt over there and play!! 😉
@Rahul (Comment 56) : Yip.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 49) : I had WP to end Griekwas unbeaten run, but now De waal is croked! 👿
@McLovin (Comment 60) : Crap… my mom is going to be in tears again!
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 59) : Thanks Iceman
@Rahul (Comment 62) : I almost cried…. 😉
Why is it that pubs won’t serve me if I’m drunk, but McDonalds
continue serving them fat f***ers?
Is De Waal crocked?? 😯
There is a God!!! 😈
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 61) :
hey Mads…even WITH him – I’d still go with Kwas on this one.. 😉
@Rahul (Comment 65) :
@McLovin (Comment 64) : 😆 almost? you have no heart! 😉
If they let Jack do it his way the show would just be 12.
@wpw (Comment 66) : 😯 😯
Who is gonna go into my FL now?
@Rahul (Comment 65) :
I’ll ask next time the delivery guy drops our dinner off. 😆
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 49) : i put a draw between Bully & Oranges – wonder what are the chances of that happening
7 out of every 22 sailors are Pi-Rates.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 72) : 😆
@McLovin (Comment 74) : 😆
@rekinek (Comment 73) : You been watching ESPN classic?
@McLovin (Comment 48) :
HUH? Did they screw it up last week?
@McLovin (Comment 74) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 76) : Ja swaer, they had ours first… 👿
But it didn’t seem to matter. 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 77) : you ok to do match thread for Kwas WP?
@Rahul (Comment 75) : didn’t you tell me to 😆
@McLovin (Comment 78) :
I presume that is a bad omen in your books?
My Dad use to believe that if the team who puts the first penalty point on the board whould win.. 🙄 Untill today I still see if that one is true averytime I watch a game! 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 76) : they played SA’s first – tried to make ABs to feel like at home. Perhaps that is why they played like SBs in Durban last year
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 81) : Opposite at Newalnds – my old man was always convinced if the Oppo got the first 3 points we would win.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 81) : Have to admit I was a bit worried…. 🙂
@wpw (Comment 66) : I take it you don’t like him? He has a neck injury looks like he will be out for at least two months although your lot do not whant to confirm the length of time he will be off. So have I made your day?
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 67) : I was using WP as the upset of the weekend! I just hope its not the Sharks with the Upset, still haven’t got over the Cheetah’s match 😕
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 83) :
I mighthave it the opposite way around…my Dad is a Province supporter after all…could it be a thing of the good ol days?? 😉
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 85) :
Geeshlike-it Girl – dont Jinx it now!! 😯 😆
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 85) : What do you mean by WP as an upset of the week? that they upset the Logleaders Griquas or that they will be upset – not so clear nowadays
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 81) : Its the same at home we always say first penalty loses, happens every time.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 87) : i see the nic is more feminine now 😀
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 86) : Your old man sounds like he has his head screwed on right….what happened to you? 😆
@rekinek (Comment 88) : Sorry sorry, Grikwas are top of the log and unbeaten the upset would have come with with WP beating them. 😳 Its a Friday after a long week!!!!
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 87) : Nope, I only jinx it if I wax lyrical about our team and say they are going to win with plenty! Refuse to do that.
@robdylan (Comment 79) : Who is doing the Sharks game thread!!!!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 92) : funny thing is your team seldom wins by plenty…
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 92) : 😉
i already did it – picked by sth like +20. Pity we can’t watch it – i really like Rugga on Fridays.
Eng 92-7
@quota (Comment 94) : Well if you support the newly relegated Valke I can see why you would be all bitter and twisted 👿 They may not win by plenty but they stil WIN more often than not 😉
@quota (Comment 94) : neither is your
are you a real valke supporter or just mocking ?
@quota (Comment 94) : They might if they played 1st div
@rekinek (Comment 95) : I sent such a snotty letter to SS, threatening to cancel my subscription! I look forward to Fridays and Saturday for the Rugby!!! More specifically for the Sharks and SB! And now these bufoons to whom I waste R600 hard earned rands only show one CC game a weekend! And this week they really rubbed me up the wrong way by not televising the Sharks! Damn we are playing against the newly promoted Leapards after all, give us a chance to see what they have to offer! I wonder whether they will televise the Lions Vs Sharks next weekend 😈
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 100) : If your team name doesn’t start with Vodacom you wont be on TV!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 89) :
I dunno so much, hey!! 😆
@quota (Comment 90) :
Thanks – glad you approve!! 😉
@quota (Comment 94) :
👿 but then again…your team seldom wins…full stop! 😈
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 91) :
I seemed to got all his brains when I was born!! 😆
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 100) : maybe it’s all conspiracy to make us slowly loose interest in CC – so that once Marinos finally trades it away there will not be a national uprising.
@Rahul (Comment 101) : Funny I noticed that, maybe we should send our complaints to the Competition complaints board!!!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 104) :
Or Maybe Mr Price should start a TV Channel!!
@rekinek (Comment 103) : My son brought that up last night, and I really do not think that you and him are too far off the marck! The Sharks site/Rugby365 spoke to John Mitchell and he said he was bored as he can only go so long without rugby and as Oz has no domestic comp, he had to come all this way to get some rugby! It will really be sad if our CC is compromised on SANSAR’s altar! Its a pity SARU and NZRU are managed by backboneless amobae that could not stand against a man with one solitary bone in his back! (Probably borrowed from a sheep) 👿
WP 10 Griekwas 7 – WP got a penalty try 😐
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 107) :
There’s a thread up for the game, Hun!!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 104) : will sign !
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 105) : will watch !
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 106) : now that my brain started spinning i thought about another explanation – maybe they want to force people to come and watch games.
@rekinek (Comment 110) : How is some poor sod from Durbs meant to get to a game on a friday evening to watch a game in Rustenburg – On a Saturday I would agree but on a Friday its really difficult for the working lot in SA.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 108) : 😳 I saw too late, I will surely wake up some time today
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 111) : I meant in general. Also in Sharks case there are plenty of supporters all over SA – the Joburg crowd could easily go.
you guys can read my arti here: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/a-saffa-writes/
@robdylan (Comment 113) : great stuff ❗
@rekinek (Comment 114) : though I wouldn’t say that you are usually more balanced in your views
@rekinek (Comment 115) : hmph
@rekinek (Comment 110) : The only reason the CC is not being shown because of the 3N – normal service will return next week.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 117) : what an explanation is this ? the CC games are all on Fridays. I know that you need to lay massive number of cables but surely you can start on Sat morning and let’s face it it is just one more game to be televised not 10.
@robdylan (Comment 116) : uhmmm 😉