FootyTips - by SocialCommentator

The Springboks have finally registered a win over a ragged All Blacks side who were more content to play a seven a side style game 21-20 in Rustenburg. The sad thing was the abundance of empty seats in the stadium, which is not the usual host of international test matches. They missed witnessing a close match, where the Springboks dominated the lineouts, and were handed the game single handedly by All Black Number Eight Rodney So'ioalo who should've been subbed.

The All Black lineouts were shaky under pressure from Matfield, but So'ioalo's mentality must been under scrutiny. The abrasive Number Eight threw a slow motion pass which Bryan Habana intercepted to take the Springboks into the lead which they only relinquisned before halftime. The damage from So'ioalo caused a try to be disallowed in the first half when So'ioalo obstructed Jean De Villiers when Andrew Hore went over to score. This was a huge blow as the All Blacks threatened all First Half and thanks to So'ioalo, were only level 13 all.

The Second Half was even with heaps of breaks being made, but poor final passes or fumbles at the break down cost the All Blacks especially. It seemed they were more content on spreading the ball, while Pretorius gave some much needed territory for the Springboks who were more conservative.

A final defining moment two minutes from time occurred when So'ioalo blew over from Matfield and from the side of a ruck to give the Boks a shot at goal from the All Blacks twenty two.

I would have to say that despite having this recent success, play like that shown by So'ioalo has and will continue to harm the All Blacks World Cup chances. In the last World Cup it wasn't the hectic rugby that won, it was percentages. The Mortlock intercept of Spencer's pass in 2003 semi final showed that.

The Mentality of many ALl Black sides is questionnable. When the going gets tough the smart get winning!

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Great Players Have to Put Up With It!

August 29th 2006 23:16

The recent targeting of All Black superstar flanker Richie McCaw has fuelled fire on the debate of treatment and targeting of star players. How much should these guys have to put up with? It is surely a sign of the true quality of the All Blacks skipper who takes the hits on the chin and nose and doesn't complain, but the management must be worried that one of the many cheap shots which are aimed at McCaw will hit him and have the potential to ruin his career.

Cheap shots on great players is nothing out of the ordinary. A certain Andrew "Joey" Johns has been targeted for years. It should be considered a compliment to be targeted in such a way, because the opposition must see you as a threat.

It is a matter of realising that the targeting of a player, provides less attention for his team mates and more room for them to flourish. It is the same with when Jonah Lomu was at his best, Bunce, Wlison and Cullen all thrived with extra space.

This play is often foul like the Tuqiri incident or the O'Driscoll injury from the Lions tour last year! Should such dirty play be allowed? It seems funny that Tuqiri is banned yet New Zealand see absolutely no benefit from it.

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The Rugby Union Season is Too Long!

August 28th 2006 23:36

The Tri Nations still has two games left and I am already sick of it. When the Rupert Murdoch run Sky Television got the rights to the professional game it was exciting and fresh. Then everyone became too greedy and we are left with an expanded Super 14 and Tri Nations, not to mention Currie Cup and the new but expanded Air New Zealand Cup. Add to this the end of year tour to the Northern Hemisphere and Domestic Tests, and these players are nothing more than pawns used for our viewing, betting and general entertainment. Rugby is becoming so increasingly physical that the careers of the modern player is dwindling. matches are becoming mundaine as the players are turning out for another day at the office. If the powers that be thought that expanding the Tri Nations would mean Australia would beat the All Blacks at least once, then it has backfired by meaning that the Wallabies have gone down over and over. At least the Wallabies can still finish ahead of South Africa.

It will be interesting to see next year with the All Black coaches wanting most of the frontline superstars to sit out much of the Super 14, how this goes down with those trying to make the money. It must be done for the long term benefit of the teams. The World Cup is the pinnacle and even if it means reduced ticket sales for the Super 14 it is surely worth it for the cup to return.

FootyTips - by SocialCommentator

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Tri Nations

Great Players Have to Put Up With It!

The Rugby Union Season is Too Long!

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