JON CARDINELLI says the All Blacks will rack up 50 points this Saturday if they maintain a high level of hunger and focus.
The Wallabies would have surpassed 50 points last week had Robbie Deans not compromised their rhythm by making a series of substitutions on the hour.
Deans was wise to pull his star players from the field given that the result and bonus point were already in the bag, but this allowed the Boks to add a respectability to the scoreline that was patently undeserved.
Some see the Boks’ late flourish in Sydney as the beginning of a turnaround. Some of these deluded fools are within the Bok set-up. They’re set for a harsh reality check come Saturday when they face an All Blacks side with a point to prove.
The All Blacks cruised to a 60-14 win over Fiji without playing particularly well, and all the talk during the week has been about lifting their standards and building some momentum. A match against a weakened Bok side presents a great opportunity, but that’s not to say the All Blacks will be taking this fixture lightly.
Four top forwards have been rested for this clash, and Graham Henry has given the likes of Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Andrew Hore and Ben Franks an opportunity to prove themselves in a starting capacity. The All Blacks should pick up the win and the bonus point in Wellington, but several players are also playing for World Cup positions.
The Boks’ first-choice pack was hammered in New Zealand last year. The dirt-tracker team was smashed in Sydney last weekend, and have since made some injury-enforced changes. These Bok impostors will have no price against the All Blacks’ heavies.
The hosts will target the Bok scrum, and while the introduction of Jean Deysel will give the Boks more options at the lineout, it won’t be enough to unsettle the All Blacks’ defence. The biggest disappointment last week was at the collisions, and while Deysel will provide more grunt, that pack still lacks the cohesion and accuracy to trouble a well-drilled All Blacks’ defensive line.
The option-taking at 9 and 10 will be crucial. The All Blacks won’t field their best backline this weekend, but the momentum provided by the forwards will allow Jimmy Cowan and Dan Carter multiple attacking options. Ma’a Nonu will lend further impetus as a ball carrier in midfield, while Conrad Smith will be the biggest linebreaking threat.
That Hurricanes’ centre combination will fancy themselves against that Bok 10-12-13 defensive formation. Juan de Jongh is not a weak defender, but Morne Steyn and Adi Jacobs have shown themselves to be susceptible at the highest level.
The Boks will struggle to impose themselves with ball in hand and if their halfbacks kick poorly, the All Blacks have the counter-attack to convert poor punts into points. There will be limited attacking opportunities for the Bok back three, and the gifted Pat Lambie may also be forced to kick for territory.
The severity of the beating will depend on the management of the substitutes. Sonny Bill Williams will inject some power and creativity in the second stanza, but there is a question mark over the reserve forwards and their ability to do the same. We saw how the Wallabies’ effort flagged when Deans removed several key forwards, and Henry will want to avoid a similar problem.
It’s madness to expect a depleted dirt-tracker side to succeed where so many first-choice South African teams have failed. This Saturday’s Test will be about damage control for the Boks. They would do well to keep the world’s best attacking side under 50, and if they could deny them the four-try bonus it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Start praying.
Prediction: All Blacks by 30
All Blacks -15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Ali Williams, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
Springboks – 15 Morne Steyn, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Adi Jacobs, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Gerhard Mostert, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Dean Greyling.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Ryan Kankowski, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Wynand Olivier, 22 Odwa Ndungane.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Jantjes back in blue
13 Apr 2011
Keo.co.za brings you news from South Africa’s Super Rugby franchises.
Jantjes back in blue – Bryan Habana’s shoulder injury has warranted a recall for fullback Conrad Jantjes.
Jantjes will start at No 15 against the Lions with Gio Aplon replacing Habana on the wing. Juan de Jongh will continue at centre in place of Jean de Villiers, who is unavailable due to a groin injury.
Coach Allister Coetzee has also been forced to make a change at lock, with De Kock Steenkamp replacing the injured Rynhardt Elstadt. CJ van der Linde rotates with Brok Harris at prop.
Anton van Zyl will take Steenkamp’s place on the bench.
Stormers – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Subs: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Johann Sadie.
Lions’ injury woes worsen – Derrick Minnie and André Pretorius have been added to the Lions’ injury list ahead of their game against the Stormers on Saturday.
Flanker Minnie will be sidelined with a knee injury while Pretorius is likely to miss the Johanessburg clash on Saturday with a leg injury. The Lions are already without the injured fullback James Kamana (broken leg), flanker Josh Strauss and lock George Earle (both concussed).
Utility back Michael Killian is still an injury concern after picking up a hamstring injury against the Reds a fortnight ago.
Geel to front Canes – Barry Geel will start at centre for the Cheetahs against the Hurricanes this Saturday.
The Cheetahs will also be boosted by the return of wing Rayno Benjamin and hooker Adriaan Strauss. Benjamin will start while Strauss will make his comeback from the bench.
Cheetahs – 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Philip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp (c), 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Leon Karemaker, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Corné Uys.
Keo.co.za brings you news from South Africa’s Super Rugby franchises.
Jantjes back in blue – Bryan Habana’s shoulder injury has warranted a recall for fullback Conrad Jantjes.
Jantjes will start at No 15 against the Lions with Gio Aplon replacing Habana on the wing. Juan de Jongh will continue at centre in place of Jean de Villiers, who is unavailable due to a groin injury.
Coach Allister Coetzee has also been forced to make a change at lock, with De Kock Steenkamp replacing the injured Rynhardt Elstadt. CJ van der Linde rotates with Brok Harris at prop.
Anton van Zyl will take Steenkamp’s place on the bench.
Stormers – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Subs: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Johann Sadie.
Lions’ injury woes worsen – Derrick Minnie and André Pretorius have been added to the Lions’ injury list ahead of their game against the Stormers on Saturday.
Flanker Minnie will be sidelined with a knee injury while Pretorius is likely to miss the Johanessburg clash on Saturday with a leg injury. The Lions are already without the injured fullback James Kamana (broken leg), flanker Josh Strauss and lock George Earle (both concussed).
Utility back Michael Killian is still an injury concern after picking up a hamstring injury against the Reds a fortnight ago.
Geel to front Canes – Barry Geel will start at centre for the Cheetahs against the Hurricanes this Saturday.
The Cheetahs will also be boosted by the return of wing Rayno Benjamin and hooker Adriaan Strauss. Benjamin will start while Strauss will make his comeback from the bench.
Cheetahs – 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Philip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp (c), 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Leon Karemaker, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Corné Uys.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bench boys crucial in Cup Final...
RYAN VREDE writes that the substitutes will be decisive to the outcome to Saturday’s final and the Sharks have a slight edge in that department.
Coaches are renowned for peddling the rhetoric that the smallest differences are often the most telling in finals. And with the Sharks and Western Province so closely matched across most facets of play, the board riders will have a crucial role to play in determining the outcome. The Sharks’ superior quality in this regard could be an ace up their sleeve.
The Sharks’ replacements offered their side a fresh injection of physicality and intensity, particularly on defence, when it was so desperately required against the Bulls a fortnight ago. That ensured a sustained effort through 80 minutes, which was essential in repelling a team that has built a reputation for late rallies.
In Craig Burden, they have arguably the most improved hooker in South Africa. His set phase skills are sound while his appreciable pace, physicality and ability to compete at the breakdown is a massive boon. His counterpart, Hanyani Shimange, hasn’t played consistently at a high level since 2006 and can’t match the dynamism Burden, a converted winger, can offer in the final quarter.
JC Kritzinger, De Kock Steenkamp, Paul Bosch and Pieter Louw are as capable a quartet of subs as the Sharks’ Eugene van Staden, Anton Bresler, Riaan Swanepoel and Jacques Botes; although, in a final, Botes’ vast experience probably gives him the edge over the younger Louw.
WP scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage has established himself as a very competent and multi-skilled scrumhalf. Ordinarily I’d pick him to trump Rory Kockott, whose form has waned so badly that the Sharks have opted not to renew his contract. However, a back strain has curtailed Duvenage’s participation in training, and if he plays (a decision will be taken on Friday or Saturday morning according to the WP medical staff) he will do so off the back of minimal preparation and a fractured confidence. His ability to vary his play according to the match situation is crucial, and 80 minutes of the ponderous Ricky Januarie is a scenario most WP supporters would not want to envision.
WP will have serious problems if flyhalf Willem de Waal is injured. His prolific goal kicking will be heavily relied on, while his tactical punting offers WP a pragmatic variation if they should opt to explore that avenue of attack. Young Lionel Cronjé was much-hyped when he first arrived from the Cheetahs, but has yet to show his aptitude.
He is undoubtedly an instinctive player, which can be advantageous in a league-phase environment, but is a liability in play-off matches where one error can be the difference between ticker tape and tears. In the experienced Andre Pretorius the Sharks have a capable goal and tactical kicker who is also adept at running the ball if the match situation so dictates, as an insurance policy.
If the result is in the balance with a quarter to go (it seldom isn’t in finals) the smart money would be on the Sharks’ bench boys to make the telling contribution.
[www.keo.co.za]
Coaches are renowned for peddling the rhetoric that the smallest differences are often the most telling in finals. And with the Sharks and Western Province so closely matched across most facets of play, the board riders will have a crucial role to play in determining the outcome. The Sharks’ superior quality in this regard could be an ace up their sleeve.
The Sharks’ replacements offered their side a fresh injection of physicality and intensity, particularly on defence, when it was so desperately required against the Bulls a fortnight ago. That ensured a sustained effort through 80 minutes, which was essential in repelling a team that has built a reputation for late rallies.
In Craig Burden, they have arguably the most improved hooker in South Africa. His set phase skills are sound while his appreciable pace, physicality and ability to compete at the breakdown is a massive boon. His counterpart, Hanyani Shimange, hasn’t played consistently at a high level since 2006 and can’t match the dynamism Burden, a converted winger, can offer in the final quarter.
JC Kritzinger, De Kock Steenkamp, Paul Bosch and Pieter Louw are as capable a quartet of subs as the Sharks’ Eugene van Staden, Anton Bresler, Riaan Swanepoel and Jacques Botes; although, in a final, Botes’ vast experience probably gives him the edge over the younger Louw.
WP scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage has established himself as a very competent and multi-skilled scrumhalf. Ordinarily I’d pick him to trump Rory Kockott, whose form has waned so badly that the Sharks have opted not to renew his contract. However, a back strain has curtailed Duvenage’s participation in training, and if he plays (a decision will be taken on Friday or Saturday morning according to the WP medical staff) he will do so off the back of minimal preparation and a fractured confidence. His ability to vary his play according to the match situation is crucial, and 80 minutes of the ponderous Ricky Januarie is a scenario most WP supporters would not want to envision.
WP will have serious problems if flyhalf Willem de Waal is injured. His prolific goal kicking will be heavily relied on, while his tactical punting offers WP a pragmatic variation if they should opt to explore that avenue of attack. Young Lionel Cronjé was much-hyped when he first arrived from the Cheetahs, but has yet to show his aptitude.
He is undoubtedly an instinctive player, which can be advantageous in a league-phase environment, but is a liability in play-off matches where one error can be the difference between ticker tape and tears. In the experienced Andre Pretorius the Sharks have a capable goal and tactical kicker who is also adept at running the ball if the match situation so dictates, as an insurance policy.
If the result is in the balance with a quarter to go (it seldom isn’t in finals) the smart money would be on the Sharks’ bench boys to make the telling contribution.
[www.keo.co.za]
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Luke Watson earns respect (Captain my Captain)
[news24]
Johannesburg – Former Springbok loose forward Luke Watson has been named as the new captain of Bath rugby club.
The former captain of the Stormers and Western Province takes over the reins from another ex-Bok, scrumhalf Michael Claassens.
Watson has made a big impact on and off the field since joining the English Premiership club.
In fact, he scored a try in his very first game when he was used as a substitute.
Before accepting the captaincy, Watson sought assurances that it carried the approval of Bath’s senior players and also Claassens.
“Michael led the team through some tough times and established a really good foundation,” Watson told rugby365.com.
“It’s a big honour and privilege, but at the same time a major responsibility to take over the captaincy. I spoke to Steve (Meehan, head coach) and Michael for a long time before we announced the decision because I wanted to make sure that everyone was happy. The interests of the team comes before that of individuals.”
Meehan confirmed this and said that Bath’s players appreciated their opinions being taken on board first.
“When you pick a captain, you have to consider a number of factors. As far as I’m concerned, Luke got a tick behind his name in every area. When you are new at a club you have to train hard and play even harder to earn the respect of your team-mates. I believe Luke succeeded in that,” he said.
Watson will have the luxury of being surrounded by senior players such as Claassens, Danny Grewcock and David Flatman.
Luke Watson earns respect (Captain my Captain)
[news24]
Johannesburg – Former Springbok loose forward Luke Watson has been named as the new captain of Bath rugby club.
The former captain of the Stormers and Western Province takes over the reins from another ex-Bok, scrumhalf Michael Claassens.
Watson has made a big impact on and off the field since joining the English Premiership club.
In fact, he scored a try in his very first game when he was used as a substitute.
Before accepting the captaincy, Watson sought assurances that it carried the approval of Bath’s senior players and also Claassens.
“Michael led the team through some tough times and established a really good foundation,” Watson told rugby365.com.
“It’s a big honour and privilege, but at the same time a major responsibility to take over the captaincy. I spoke to Steve (Meehan, head coach) and Michael for a long time before we announced the decision because I wanted to make sure that everyone was happy. The interests of the team comes before that of individuals.”
Meehan confirmed this and said that Bath’s players appreciated their opinions being taken on board first.
“When you pick a captain, you have to consider a number of factors. As far as I’m concerned, Luke got a tick behind his name in every area. When you are new at a club you have to train hard and play even harder to earn the respect of your team-mates. I believe Luke succeeded in that,” he said.
Watson will have the luxury of being surrounded by senior players such as Claassens, Danny Grewcock and David Flatman.
Johannesburg – Former Springbok loose forward Luke Watson has been named as the new captain of Bath rugby club.
The former captain of the Stormers and Western Province takes over the reins from another ex-Bok, scrumhalf Michael Claassens.
Watson has made a big impact on and off the field since joining the English Premiership club.
In fact, he scored a try in his very first game when he was used as a substitute.
Before accepting the captaincy, Watson sought assurances that it carried the approval of Bath’s senior players and also Claassens.
“Michael led the team through some tough times and established a really good foundation,” Watson told rugby365.com.
“It’s a big honour and privilege, but at the same time a major responsibility to take over the captaincy. I spoke to Steve (Meehan, head coach) and Michael for a long time before we announced the decision because I wanted to make sure that everyone was happy. The interests of the team comes before that of individuals.”
Meehan confirmed this and said that Bath’s players appreciated their opinions being taken on board first.
“When you pick a captain, you have to consider a number of factors. As far as I’m concerned, Luke got a tick behind his name in every area. When you are new at a club you have to train hard and play even harder to earn the respect of your team-mates. I believe Luke succeeded in that,” he said.
Watson will have the luxury of being surrounded by senior players such as Claassens, Danny Grewcock and David Flatman.
WP bolstered for 'tough' game
by Gavin Rich 03/08/2010, 07:41 [supersport]
Western Province have reached a phase of the season that can be described as considerably tougher than what has gone before, so it will be considered excellent timing for them that three stalwarts are expected to return this weekend.
WP travel to Kimberley to play Griquas at a venue where the hosts are hard to beat and have been unbeaten so far this season at the start of a five match sequence that also includes a home match against the Bulls the following week, a trip to Durban to play the dangerous Sharks before going straight into the second round with matches against the Cheetahs (home) and Lions (away).
It is a five-week sequence that will make or break WP’s impressive challenge, so coach Allister Coetzee was understandably pleased after Monday’s training session that Francois Louw has joined fellow Springboks Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh in the selection mix. And first choice scrumhalf is also back, as is loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw.
Back-up hooker Deon Fourie also returns after taking a blow to the head against the Leopards, while lock De Kock Steenkamp is making his way back after an absence forced by a knee ligament injury. The only setback for Province was the confirmation that JC Kritzinger, the back-up utility prop, will be out for two to four weeks with a hamstring injury.
“It’s really good to have all those guys back, particularly as Griquas have been tough opponents for us in Kimberley over the past two seasons,” said Coetzee.
“We lost to a last-minute penalty in 2008 and we again lost by one point last year, so we are eager not to make the same mistake again. We have a lot of respect for Griquas, who are strong in most areas and have been playing well this season. They also have a couple of former WP players that will add to their motivation to beat us.”
Coetzee said that the standard of coaching in the smaller unions had improved considerably over the years, with the Pumas, beaten 54-13 by WP last week in Cape Town, being an example of a team that you have to work hard against to score tries.
“The teams are preparing well, they are all doing a lot of analysis of their opponents, and each week you get hit with something you might not have expected. You have to work harder to score tries against teams like the Pumas than you might have had to in the past, so I was pleased with our seven tries against them last week.
“But Griquas are a step up, and Dawie Theron has done a great job over the past few seasons. They have stated their intention of ending the season unbeaten at home, so there is no question we will be underestimating them. This is a big game for us, Griquas are in a strong position on the log, just like we are.”
Coetzee said that he was looking forward to seeing how Louw, who returns to training on Tuesday after missing Monday’s practice with flu, will combine with namesake Pieter Louw and impressive No 8 Duane Vermeulen in Kimberley.
This means young Rynhardt Elstadt will miss out on the Griquas game after playing in the previous four games, but like the other young players at WP, he remains a big part of the Province plans. Also a big part of the WP plans is Nick Koster. The former schoolboy sensation has been making his way back into rugby through the WP under-21 side, but is now fast regaining his confidence and conditioning.
“I think Nick is ready to play Currie Cup rugby again and he will soon be in the selection mix,” said Coetzee.
The coach did not say whether Koster would be on the bench in Kimberley, but he does present Coetzee with an interesting dilemma over where to play him when he does make his reappearance at senior level. He is specialising again at No 8, but Vermeulen is probably unlucky not to be the Springbok No 8, so if Koster plays in the foreseeable future, it might have to be at flank.
And then he would have to challenge the hard-working Louw duo (no relation to each other), not to mention Schalk Burger when he returns for a possible play-off game and next year’s Super 15.
Western Province have reached a phase of the season that can be described as considerably tougher than what has gone before, so it will be considered excellent timing for them that three stalwarts are expected to return this weekend.
WP travel to Kimberley to play Griquas at a venue where the hosts are hard to beat and have been unbeaten so far this season at the start of a five match sequence that also includes a home match against the Bulls the following week, a trip to Durban to play the dangerous Sharks before going straight into the second round with matches against the Cheetahs (home) and Lions (away).
It is a five-week sequence that will make or break WP’s impressive challenge, so coach Allister Coetzee was understandably pleased after Monday’s training session that Francois Louw has joined fellow Springboks Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh in the selection mix. And first choice scrumhalf is also back, as is loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw.
Back-up hooker Deon Fourie also returns after taking a blow to the head against the Leopards, while lock De Kock Steenkamp is making his way back after an absence forced by a knee ligament injury. The only setback for Province was the confirmation that JC Kritzinger, the back-up utility prop, will be out for two to four weeks with a hamstring injury.
“It’s really good to have all those guys back, particularly as Griquas have been tough opponents for us in Kimberley over the past two seasons,” said Coetzee.
“We lost to a last-minute penalty in 2008 and we again lost by one point last year, so we are eager not to make the same mistake again. We have a lot of respect for Griquas, who are strong in most areas and have been playing well this season. They also have a couple of former WP players that will add to their motivation to beat us.”
Coetzee said that the standard of coaching in the smaller unions had improved considerably over the years, with the Pumas, beaten 54-13 by WP last week in Cape Town, being an example of a team that you have to work hard against to score tries.
“The teams are preparing well, they are all doing a lot of analysis of their opponents, and each week you get hit with something you might not have expected. You have to work harder to score tries against teams like the Pumas than you might have had to in the past, so I was pleased with our seven tries against them last week.
“But Griquas are a step up, and Dawie Theron has done a great job over the past few seasons. They have stated their intention of ending the season unbeaten at home, so there is no question we will be underestimating them. This is a big game for us, Griquas are in a strong position on the log, just like we are.”
Coetzee said that he was looking forward to seeing how Louw, who returns to training on Tuesday after missing Monday’s practice with flu, will combine with namesake Pieter Louw and impressive No 8 Duane Vermeulen in Kimberley.
This means young Rynhardt Elstadt will miss out on the Griquas game after playing in the previous four games, but like the other young players at WP, he remains a big part of the Province plans. Also a big part of the WP plans is Nick Koster. The former schoolboy sensation has been making his way back into rugby through the WP under-21 side, but is now fast regaining his confidence and conditioning.
“I think Nick is ready to play Currie Cup rugby again and he will soon be in the selection mix,” said Coetzee.
The coach did not say whether Koster would be on the bench in Kimberley, but he does present Coetzee with an interesting dilemma over where to play him when he does make his reappearance at senior level. He is specialising again at No 8, but Vermeulen is probably unlucky not to be the Springbok No 8, so if Koster plays in the foreseeable future, it might have to be at flank.
And then he would have to challenge the hard-working Louw duo (no relation to each other), not to mention Schalk Burger when he returns for a possible play-off game and next year’s Super 15.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
McCaw admits operating outside laws
by Hendrik Cronjé 28/07/2010, 23:40
Richie McCaw admitted on Wednesday that he had operated outside the laws of the game against the Springboks on several occasions, but said that it’s all part of rugby.
The All Black captain was penalised five times against the Springboks in Wellington according to website ruggastats.com. This infuriated coach Peter de Villiers and a number of his senior players.
Irishman Alain Rolland was the referee who failed to punish McCaw with a yellow card for his transgressions at the breakdown and will again be the referee when the Boks play the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on August 28.
“I made a few mistakes. I think the important thing is to know what you will get away with. But I undoubtedly made mistakes,” said McCaw.
He says he will continue playing his way as long as it does not place pressure on the team.
McCaw also admitted prior to Saturday’s Tri-Nations test against the Wallabies in Melbourne that he was fortunate not to concede more penalties in Wellington.
He said he would be wary of South African referee Craig Joubert in the weekend’s match against Australia.
McCaw and his counterpart from the Wallabies, David Pocock, nevertheless showed that there is still place for fetching flanks in the mould of Heinrich Brüssow in test rugby irrespective of law changes.
Brüssow looks set to be available to join the Boks on their end-of-season tour to Europe.
McCaw also noted that Pocock had frustrated the Boks a lot at the breakdowns.
“He had a big impact there. The Springboks were also not as accurate as they would have liked to be,” said McCaw.
Pocock was penalised three times according to ruggastats.com.
Richie McCaw admitted on Wednesday that he had operated outside the laws of the game against the Springboks on several occasions, but said that it’s all part of rugby.
The All Black captain was penalised five times against the Springboks in Wellington according to website ruggastats.com. This infuriated coach Peter de Villiers and a number of his senior players.
Irishman Alain Rolland was the referee who failed to punish McCaw with a yellow card for his transgressions at the breakdown and will again be the referee when the Boks play the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on August 28.
“I made a few mistakes. I think the important thing is to know what you will get away with. But I undoubtedly made mistakes,” said McCaw.
He says he will continue playing his way as long as it does not place pressure on the team.
McCaw also admitted prior to Saturday’s Tri-Nations test against the Wallabies in Melbourne that he was fortunate not to concede more penalties in Wellington.
He said he would be wary of South African referee Craig Joubert in the weekend’s match against Australia.
McCaw and his counterpart from the Wallabies, David Pocock, nevertheless showed that there is still place for fetching flanks in the mould of Heinrich Brüssow in test rugby irrespective of law changes.
Brüssow looks set to be available to join the Boks on their end-of-season tour to Europe.
McCaw also noted that Pocock had frustrated the Boks a lot at the breakdowns.
“He had a big impact there. The Springboks were also not as accurate as they would have liked to be,” said McCaw.
Pocock was penalised three times according to ruggastats.com.
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