Am I the only one that thought the test at Loftus over the weekend between the Springboks and Australia was actually pretty good?
Touch rugby, a joke, a sham, the Harlem Globetrotters of rugby are just some of terms used to describe the test from just about every single report I read, and where I agree that this test had one of the most insane starts I have witnessed, I reckon most people actually missed a good game of rugby on Saturday.
I am not one to attack scribes of columns when I do one myself (I leave that for the comments!), but I have been left wondering why we are not reading about how the Springboks successfully nullified the much vaunted Aussie loosies specifically David Pocock who occupied miles of column space last week – as De Villiers promised they would?
Or why are we not reading about the much improved use of substitutions in the last test which was also hugely criticized by rugby writers?
Why is no attention spent on the fact that the Springboks erased a massive lead built up by the Australians in the first 29 minutes scoring their bonus point try within that timeframe, only to be limited to 3 points in the last 50 minutes of rugby?
No mention of the massive defensive effort to keep the rampant Aussies at bay in the last 20 minutes – another point hugely criticized calling the players unfit and coaches not doing their job?
Or how about the fact that the Springboks outscored the Australians 5 tries to 4 in a type of game in which the Springboks are not rated (cast your mind back to the boring Boks columns of last year) and Australia are actually seen as experts in given how they built this from the Reds game plan which saw some degree of success this year?
How about the captaincy of John Smit, in the way he controlled the flow of the game after the first 20 minutes free-for-all in getting the balance almost perfect in deciding when to go for posts or when to go for an attacking line out in an attempt to calmly erase a massive deficit?
All I seem to read about though is how no team was interested in defending but even that is rather confusing, especially considering the Wallabies missed less tackles (14) on Saturday what the All Blacks missed in the previous week in Soweto (15). In fact, the tackle success rate (tackles made vs. tackles missed) was 85% for the Springboks, and 88% for the Wallabies. In Soweto, the All Blacks’ success rate was 82%…
More than this, two of the Australian tries came from direct individual errors on the Springbok side the likes of which you will not see often. Flip the coin and study the Springbok tries and just about every try was well constructed either from a set-move, sustained pressure in building phases in the red zone or turn-over ball which was for once used effectively and not kicked away. The only exception possibly being Steenkamp’s try which can be put down to a bad defensive error on the part of the Wallabies at the line-out but again, it was an attacking line-out close to the opposition line which put them under massive pressure.
I will leave you with this.
In 2000, a total of 109 000 people packed into Aussie Stadium to watch the All Blacks play the Wallabies. The All Blacks had a dream start scoring their first 3 tries in the opening 5 minutes of the game – after 9 minutes they led 24-0 over the Wallabies.
The Wallabies launched a counter assault however where Mortlock scored tries in the 10th and 20th minutes of the first half and with Latham and Roff scoring tries in the 28th and 32nd minutes respectively to draw level.
In the second half Justin Marshall extended the lead for the All Blacks but Jeremy Paul, 3 minutes from time put the Wallabies in the most unlikeliest of leads given the start of the test. On the 43 minute mark, the All Blacks launched their final assault resulting in a Lomu try which broke the Aussie hearts in a game which ended 39-35 in favour of New Zealand, a total of 74 points scored which included 10 tries.
The test was lauded as one of the greatest tests ever played…
Yet, last Saturday the test which almost followed an identical pattern, in which 75 points were scored including 9 tries, is labelled a joke.
I reckon some people missed a good test match over the weekend…
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I recon you’re right and you justified your article last week about the fetcher. It was a good team effort by the Boks forwards. The low point of the game was the 2 crucial errors made by Habana. Chilliboy and Butch were great when they came on. It’s just a pity Kanko didn’t get 30 minutes or so…I think he would have loved playing in that game. Hougaard was immense and a real revelation.
Why is no attention spent on the fact that the Springboks erased a massive lead built up by the Australians in the first 29 minutes scoring their bonus point try within that timeframe, only to be limited to 3 points in the last 50 minutes of rugby?
How is that for adjusting the game plan during the game to play the opposition.. I thought that was a really good effort..
I think a lot of Gautengers went to the historic test at Soccer City and it was a pity that there were so many empty seats a Loftus.
Good article Morne..
I always enjoy reading your essays..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : This was a short one in comparison 😉
Excellent read. Substitutes were great, Butch had a big influence and Chiliboy. As much as some of the peeps here might have wanted him, Kanko wasn’t needed.
@molly (Comment 6) : So are you suggesting Spies had a good game??….he was definately better than in his last couple of tests but still not my pick at 8. I recon we have 3 no8’s in SA that would do a better job than Spies.
It was a good test. Keo.co.za is not the source of all official rugby knowledge. Nor is it the source for unbiased rugby opinion. I’ve read many peculiar things there… Many good things too. But you need to be able to spot their lemons, because they have a few.
@Pokkel (Comment 7) : Not sure Kanko offers anything different to Spies. If we had a Alberts/Vermeulen on the bench then we can talk about making a difference. But Kanko is in a very similar mould to Spies.
@Pokkel (Comment 7) : Much like Butch is very different to Steyn and Chili is different to Smit.
@rugbypedia (Comment 8) : Its not just Keo, its all the regular contributors the world over, Peter Bills included (although he’s just inflammatory).
@molly (Comment 9) : Spies and Kanko are very similar but I think Kanko has more vision on the field and run through gaps rather than trying to bulldoze over defenders like Spies.
@molly (Comment 11) :
Spiros, Bills, Louis De Villiers (from Rapport but to a lesser extent), that nut from News24, Rich…
Am I the only one that thought the test at Loftus over the weekend between the Springboks and Australia was actually pretty good?
YES !
Spies may have scored a try on on saturday, but he’s been a passenger throughout the tri-nations.He hardly ever hits rucks and you counld count all the tackles he’s made in the tri-nations on one hand.
The reason I was happy about the test match is that there seemed to be a change in tactics, with us running the ball more and this resulting in tries and us actually winning a game.
More than this, two of the Australian tries came from direct individual errors on the Springbok side the likes of which you will not see often.
Do you not mean individual errors by Habana?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 14) : 😆 The Ab’s would have been laughing in their Tui’s at the “test”.
Habana definately needs to be dropped. He’s in poor form, his confidence looks down aswell.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 17) :
Well if you want to be pedantic 3 errors.
Two by Habana and one by Hougaard.
His first kick travelling all of 5 meters gifting the Aussies possession lead to their first try a minute later.
@RuckingFun (Comment 15) :
Spies has actuallymade 57 tackles in the Tri Nations so far..
And he has hit 87 rucks so far.
Those aren’t bad stats in comparison to the rest of the players..
Im not saying he should be in the team, but those arent reasons to drop the player..
@Morné (Comment 20) :
I was being sarcastic Morne..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 22) :
Nah I actually wanted to add a 3rd one agreeing with Habs’ two.
@Morné (Comment 23) :
What do you make of Spies?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) :
Compare them to K. Read and R. Brown …Rich !
How does he compare then…look at total handles as well, may be interesting !
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 24) :
Don’t start him ? 😉
it was at least entertaining.
it looked like there was no defence first 15 min though but was fun.
@rhineshark (Comment 18) :
Not as much as the English are !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 25) :
In the process of collecting the All Black stats..
I am very interested to show up some weaknesses in the NZ game..
Will have it out by tomorrow and let you know..
I can even mail you my spreadsheet, maybe tell me where I can improve or what other stats would make it better..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 24) :
Any loosie will only be effective if the balance if the loosies are correct.
Is it any surprise that Spies started playing better when Juan Smith returned? I dont think so…
However, put a Louw or Potgieter in there and you will see the ineffective Spies of the tour.
I also think you cannot play Alberts or Vermeulen in place of Spies and keep Juan and Schalk.
For that I believe you drop Schalk, and get more speed on the flank.
Why Schalk?
Because I will built my loosie trio around Juan Smith.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 26) :
I agree with that..
No you aren’t Morne. I couldn’t get a word in edgeways last night cos of KSA, but I thought the Boks were brilliant in coming back from 14-0 down in 8 minutes.
And they only let in 3 points in the 2ND half! And they scored 5 tries! Against the world’s 3RD best team! The only guys chanting woe is me should be the poor Aussies – how would we have felt if we lost like that? 😯
@Morné (Comment 30) :
Juan Smith has been amazing since returning, he has to be the player of the home leg so far..
Interesting thoughts.. thanx..
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 25) :
Compared to Reid in Soweto Spies actually did great…
Refer to my comment on how Juan Smith allows Spies to play to his strength in a better balanced loose-trio.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) : obviously i was exaggerating, but Spies is a freak of nature, the man is huge and super fast but he never seems to make any big hits (juan smith & schalk) or make any breaks (kanko). I just don’t think he’s living up 2 his potential…
@Morné (Comment 13) : Don’t really read Rapport buy Louis is insane.Good fun
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 29) : hahahaha
Maybe leave the stats on the AB’s until they hammer Aussie bye a hundred in their last game !
@Big Fish (Comment 32) :
You were rather quiet last night for some unknown reason?!
Between Big Fish and Morne, I think we have the smartest rugby minds in South Africa on here..
And then some few from KSA and the UK.. 😎
@Morné (Comment 34) :
Have another look ! 😯
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 37) :
I actually think that game is going to be close..
NZ have nothing to play for..
@Morné (Comment 34) : The stats might support Spies but it doesn’t show his effectiveness at the tackle point or when attanding a ruck(and I use the word ‘attending’ because he doesn’t effectivly ‘hit’ very many rucks)
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 39) :
Reid
Tackles made: 10
Missed: 4
Spies
Tackles made: 11
Missed: 1
Reid
Ball Carries: 7
Line Breaks: 1
Gain line success: 50%
Spies
Carries: 11
Line Breaks: 1
Gain line success: 57%
Read
Rucks attended: 30
Spies: 23
Read
Penalties conceded: 3
Handling errors: 1
Spies
Penatlies conceded: 1
Handling errors: 0
Double checked…
Reid in Soweto:
Tackles made – 10
Tackles missed – 4
Line breaks – 1
Handle Count – 19
Handle errors – 1
Rucks:
Attack – 25
Defence – 5
@Morné (Comment 42) :
….. and total handles ?
You beat me to it Morne..
@Pokkel (Comment 41) : Agreed, he’s been a passenger
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 44) :
Handles:
Reid – 19
Spies – 9
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 43) :
Interesting
Spies just doesn’t handle it enough really does he …nor does he hit enough offensive rucks really at the end of the day.
With Read not going so well in Seweto…!
Handles: Read 19 Spies 9 …and Rucks: Read 25 Spies 13
…all said and done stats aside, he just doesn’t work hard enough for a forward.
Maybe he could be a viable replacement for Habana ?
……after all they did it with Lomu (he was just as lazy)?
…..right need to pack, great to chat Morne ….nice read !
I only got to watch the game last night AFTER reading a lot of opinions on the game from the various rugby websites. I noticed a lot of the same things Morne: Smitties leadership, Vic’s tormenting of the Aussie lineouts, the defence in the second half (not a single other website mentioned that we only let 3 points through), great use of the bench, the killer instinct in the final minutes, Chilliboy showing Pocock how it’s done… the list goes on.
There were some poor individual showings I thought. I expected more from Frans Steyn and Habana in particular. They’re better than this. Spies had a much improved game. Hope to see him build on that.
Juan Smith’s try was a thing of beauty.
Great artilce Morne! Put into words what I was feeling. I am not one for try fests BUT, really the Bokke displayed awesome character coming back from a 28:0 deficit to finish off leading by 13 points.
So hurts to say this – but weldone to PDV for FINALLY not having mindless substitutions…I think this is the first time that Rickie has stayed on the bench!
Our backline is in serious need of decent coaching – SABC commentator Pieter Hendriks, said it right – it doesnt matter which players you change out if the coaching doesnt change, it wont make a difference. No one in the backline is looking treatening.
Weldone Frans on scoring a try in his first game back – the last 20 minutes showed that he had worked most of the cobwebs out – hopefully PDV lets him start again this week and I am sure we will see a much better performance.
@vanmartin (Comment 50) : “Juan Smith’s try was a thing of beauty”
IMO It was a huge motivational factor in our boys minds and hearts.
I still don’t think eather of these teams are even close to good enough to beat NZ at this moment and maybe that’s why people saw it as a joke. It was much improved, but you can’t really praise the Boks or Aussies after just one performance. I’ll reserve my judgement till after the next test, the Aussie/NZ test and the EOYT. One game is nothing to get excited about, but I would also not have labelled it a sham or a joke. That’s just not on. It was an exciting game to watch, had a little to many errors from both sides and lacked the pressure and intensity of most test matches, but it was not a joke.
Great article, and you’re right, we are already seeing some improvements from the Boks and that is good.
because morne it doesn’t serve the agendas of the useless journalists that write reams of column space with the sole purpose of discrediting de villiers.
The same thing happened in ’08 after the boks lost to aus in durban and pdv and victor were booed by the crowd. The next week the boks put 50 points on the wallabies! The media even then failed to credit the coach on the loose trio that nullufied phil waugh, elsom & paul (with george smith replacing waugh)
the mantra then was that the game was a dead rubber hence the aussies took their foot off the gas.
Not to say pdv is beyong criticism – oh trust me is is far from it – but most of these journos are doom merchants
Bokke Team for Bloem Test:
South Africa:
15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (capt), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp
Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Juan de Jongh, Gio Aplon
@Megatron (Comment 55) : Good point
@Megatron (Comment 55) :
The B&I Lions series also springs to mind. One would think we lost the damn series the way the media carried on!!
@Megatron (Comment 55) : That was the nicest post ever by Mega 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 59) :
Which proves he isnt a troll all the time nuh!! 😆
@wpw (Comment 58) :
Might have…..had one eye infringer gone for the season !
Spot on Morne. I think if the Boks had been in Black and the Aussies had been in green, our very ‘own’ scribes would be lauding the way they played. Really pisses me off this negative, naysayer attitude that proliferates the papers.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 61) : the great thing is that the judicial officer said the ‘infringer’ didn’t gouge… 😀 and ruled on a lesser sentence.
@Pokkel (Comment 59) : clearly you haven’t been following my posts 😉
@Megatron (Comment 63) :
….. handy that !
@Megatron (Comment 64) :
Get ready for Sonny Bill this weekend….
…that will get you back into your old mood ! 😆 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 66) : 🙂
Talk about that. Where is the ITP preview.? I am going with the novel idea of making my picks exactly as per your preview.
That way I have someone else to blame if it goes horribly wrong. 🙂
@Just a Fan (Comment 51) :
Well done Frans for scoring a try?!
My blind grandmother could have scored that try..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) :
Nice.. Thats one way to cover your arse..
The only thing with HH getting the GSp, everybody is going to follow him, and it will either be a case of everybody getting a win point, or nobody!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) :
Nice idea cellar dweller ! 😆
The ITM Cup Preview comes out midday SA Time every Wednesday !
Looking at it people would be crazy to pick against the guy in 8th !
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 69) :
Apparently he really knows what he is doing…..NOT ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 71) :
Do you put the fixtures up and throw a dart at it?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 72) :
I did but i’m a bit like your blind grandmother when it comes to sorting out the results !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 73) :
Haha.. nice.. Im hoping for a good weekend all round..
I need to jump a certain New Zealander to take my place atop the Tri Nations Pool..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 74) :
I think i’ll back the Aussies ! lol
…..as if i would throw my lead away like that…. i’m sure i can have you doubting yourself come Saturday…..go the Wallabies
…..can’t believe i just said that……in fact i take it back ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 73) :
I have gone through the stats for NZ and comparing it to SA is quite embarrasing
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 75) :
I just need to figure out the little bonus points.. Its always such a gamble!! Hoping for the best though.. May the best man win..
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 66) :
So Sonny Bill is playing this weekend? Did he enjoy his ski trip?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 78) :
Did you see that….he got apparently in so much trouble.
….played Millions to play Rugby for the NZRFU, but can’t because he has fragile knee and hamstring issues.
…… so he decides to go skiing.
However quickly got on the park last week and was awesome by all accounts. Surely will play this weekend, not on TV here unfortunately. 🙄
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 79) :
I am really looking forward to seeing this bloke play..
I hope he gets on the EOYT so we can all scout him out..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 80) :
You won’t be disappointed….he is an absolute beast,
…..he is the sort of guy that makes you clearly understand why we just watch the game !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 81) :
Looking forward to it!
I kinda get excited about young new talent coming through..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 82) :
….. gay !
….that with your stat’s addiction , you’re so sad ! 😉
….stop distracting me , i’m packing ! 😕
@HH
Sad you say? I’d say I’m pretty content..
Now go pack damnit!!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 81) : There is only one Beast… SBW is a machine.
@lostfish (Comment 85) :
Good call….. like it ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 70) :
You say cellar dweller I say Bottom feeder. Pretty much the same thing. 😳 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 87) :
😉
Like my efforts in the Currie Cup …the only people below me are those not bothering to pick ! 😳
Looking forward to the Podcast !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 89) :
Hehehehe.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 90) :
😆
Counties-Manukau vs Tasman in Pukekohe
Referee: Kane McBride
Canterbury vs Bay of Plenty in Christchurch
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Manawatu vs Wellington in Palmerston North
Referee: Vinny Munro
Assistant referees: Chris Rooney , Chris Jansen
Television match official: Sean Edwards
Northland vs Southland in Whangarei
Referee: Matthew Stanish
North Harbour vs Waikato in North Shore City
Referee: Shane McDermott
Assistant referees: Glenn Newman, Luke Prangley
Television match official: James Slater
Auckland vs Taranaki in Auckland,
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant referees: Matthew Stanish, Steve Salton
Television match official: Chris Morgan
Otago vs Hawke’s Bay in Dunedin
Referee: James McPhail
Chris Rooney was at the Bangkok 7s with me. Great ref great guy.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 92) :
Is it true that when a try is scored the ref/assist ref must be within the 22m line at least !
I was just thinking….that if this Leavea lad gets an intercept, he may be under pressure !
@KSA Shark © (Comment 92) :
Fixtures wise !
The first one, the last one, and the middle one, are the hardest to call !
……. 4/7 Looms large ! 😳