5 problems emerged for the Boks against the Argies

Oaks one has to say the Argies coach Contepomi is top notch.

First of all the was the fact that we lost the aerial battle. Hasn't happened for a long time. What went wrong?

Secondly our reserve front row started well but lost the dominance as time went on. I suspect the dark arts were emoyed as Wilco got scrummed a few times.

Thirdly, and most importantly the half backs did not control the game to close out the game. The best fly half we have in terms of game management is the classy Pollard. This contributed to the fourth problem.

Fourthly the Bok ball carriers ran into a brick wall. Eben and Wiese were marked men and got smashed back. Only later did Wiese begin to make ground. Boks tried to run off poor ball instead of going more for territory.

Contepomi master minded quite an Argies turn around. That said the scoreboard flattered the Argies. We were 16 points better.

Fifth point. Marx was the only true fetcher. We need a new 6 to come into the picture who is a fletcher. Could Hanekom do this job?

I could add the worry that Du Toit, possibly the greatest number 7 in Rugby history, is being overplayed as is Nortje and Kolbe. However this is conjecture from afar as doubtless they are carefully monitored.

Frontline Boks need a week or two off.

Wilco lost one scrum which was a surprise - he probably got complacent as we were dominating the scrums so much

The first half was an arm wrestle as it always is. We then dominated the first 20 min of the second half where we looked like we were going to run away from them

That changed with the Kolbe poor pass - I get what he was trying to do but his execution let him down.

Manie not finding touch with that penalty kick was also piss poor

We kicked badly, it was not a day for box kicks in the howling wind. Too many kicks from Sacha were too long and ended up not being contestable

We were not great on the day but still won. The mark of a good side is winning ugly and when it counts

We need to get Willemse back at 12 on the EOYT, his best value comes from 12 not 15. We need to stick with Moodie at 13 and not resort back to the old guard at centre

If Fassi is not back then we need to find an alternative at 15 - I’d go with Jordan Hendrikse, big fan of this lad but not at 10 where the Sharks play him

Agree with you Beeno

I do think that the Argies reserve their best for the Boks. They always turn up (except in Durban 2025).

Contepomi goes about his business very quietly, but he is a master tactician. Its good to see him and Rassie fight fire with fire.

I was also amused to see our scrum go backwards when Wilco came on, but it can happen if the scrum setup isnt 100% for a particular scrum. ... remember, its an 8 man shove.

I also think that some of the playewrs just had an off day... but as i said...

A champion team finds a way to win, even when they are not on song!

Actually just thinking about it I’ve missed an obvious replacement for Fassi at 15 in his absence - the very versatile David Kriel

This guy simply has to be rewarded with a test cap - he adds value in every game he plays as he did this weekend against Leinster scoring two tries

Best suited to 12 but very comfortable at 13 and 15 plus he kicks for poles

Dave I agree with you about Kriel at full back. I also like Green.

They always turn up (except in Durban 2025).

Dave's profoundness is rubbing off on you, Chip. They always turn up, except when they don't.

Like BomBombela last year or any test in '21 or '22.

Best suited to 12 but very comfortable at 13 and 15 plus he kicks for poles

Well, he kicks at the vicinity of the poles. Roughly. Smart player, no outstanding physical attributes though.

First of all the was the fact that we lost the aerial battle. Hasn't happened for a long time. What went wrong?

In a long time? Happened just the other day against the All Blacks in the first game, I even gave a rundown of how many of our box/high kicks we lost. We recovered 2 out of 13 of our own kicks, got a scrum off another and a penalty for obstruction off one. That's a best case of 4/13 kicks that we got some advantage from.

Oh fuck off Pakie you negative prick

No outstanding physical attributes? Meaning what exactly?

Tall and lanky like Jordie Barrett but at 102kg that is pretty respectable physically

I like him Dave. Smart player, as I said - his intercept on the weekend as one example shows that he is proactive and can read play and make good decisions. Just doesn't look particularly fast or strong as a carrier. That's not a disqualification, just an impression.

At 102kg he has enough behind him to live with the rest. He is not a power player but respectable enough in that department.

As you say he is an intelligent player and the fact that he has played plenty of rugby on the wing tells me he is quick enough to play centre or fullback

He is our version of Jordie Barrett - very good player who deserves a Bok cap. If Hooker can be capped then this lad deserves the same - less physical but more rugby intelligent

Oh fuck off Pakie you negative prick

David has not rubbed off on me!

My point about Argentina is that they usually bring their A Game to Springbok encounters.

Am I wrong in stating that?

My point about Argentina is that they usually bring their A Game to Springbok encounters.

Am I wrong in stating that?

Sort of, as I said last year at Bombela and all of '21/'22 we beat them pretty easily. '23 they ran us close once. So if they usually bring their A game then it's usually well short of the mark. For me they remain a one week hit, one week miss side most of the time against most top opposition. Last year was much the same routine for them as this year in the RC: beat NZ, smashed by them next game. Beaten by Aus, smashes them next game. Beats the Boks, smashed next game.

We beat them by 48 points to 7 in Nelspruit last year. A bigger margin than our 67 to 30 victory this year.

Argentina used to have the toughest loosehead in the game and a scrum. They are now playing with a scrum that holds for about 2 seconds. It’s a massive liability affecting their tactical choices. Can you play an edgy passing game if, when you do drop the ball, there’s a scrum and a penalty for your opponent,

Oh what utter shit, their weak scrum is not preventing them from excelling in all other departments of their game.

Fuck me your rugby knowledge is seriously flawed

Wake the fuck up

It’s too subtle for you Dave, remember you have a very low IQ.

You know nothing about my IQ Moffie

Judging by your take on rugby over the years and that I have schooled you over the years leaves me questioning your IQ - there is fuck all that is intelligent about an old man who is too stupid to acknowledge how great our coach is for a start

You have to be fucking stupid discrediting the best coach we have ever had or one of the best players we have ever had

Is that a sign of intelligence old man?

Pakie

Ok I have gone back and looked at results since 2020.

I apologise... I dont know why I always felt like they ran us close.

Apparently I am wrong.

Non the less, they have really come a long way.

Proper improvements over the past 10 years, which is testament to their latest WR Rankings.

No worries Chip, it's just conversation :)

Actually you could argue they peaked in 2007 when they reached the WC semi and were ranked third in the world.

Always kick a man when he is down

The Argies today are a far better side than they have ever been

Play a great attacking brand of rugby with some real world beaters on board like Matera, Kramer, Gonzales, Creve, Montoya, Albornoz etc

But they aren’t ranked 3rd in the world……once again ignorant bluster

Are you stupid enough to say the Argies back then were better than today’s side - bwhaaahaaaa

You are fucking seriously stupid

Current World Rugby Rankings:

South Africa

New Zealand

Ireland

‘France

England

Argentina

Australia

Game.set and match

So based on that you are saying that Argie side was better than the current one?

This should be entertaining

I’m saying nothing….those are World rankings based on performance. They beat Scotland, Ireland and France in the WC.

Wow IQ man :)

Problem is - Ireland, France and Scotland back then were nowhere near as strong as they are now

Is it starting to sink in yet?

France was ranked 4 and beat the ABs in the WC. Rankings are mathematical, Argentina was a better team in 2007 by results.

Beating one side here and there does not define a side over an extended period

France back then were nowhere near as good as they are now and the same applies to Argentina - even more so than France

Even you know this but you are so desperate to make a point based on partial evidence with reality playing no part at all

Well don’t ever quote our number 1ranking again, if you don’t believe the rankings. Argentina had a fine team back then and probably the best scrum in the game… now the worst among top teams

The Argies back then were nowhere near as good as they are now

Their scrum might have been better as scrummagers but that’s where it ends

Every other aspect of their game including players and achievements over a period of time is better now than it was then and that’s a fact - it’s not even close

Back then the Argies over an extended period were seen as a second tier side

Overview

In 2007, the Argentina national rugby team, known as Los Pumas, achieved their best-ever result by finishing third place in the Rugby World Cup, held in France. Their historic campaign included an opening night win against host France, winning their pool, defeating Scotland in the quarter-finals, and ultimately losing to eventual champions South Africa in the semi-finals before beating France again in the bronze medal match to claim third place.

Key moments of the 2007 Rugby World Cup:

1. Opening Night Upset:Argentina defeated the host nation France 17-12 in the tournament's opening match, setting the tone for their successful run.
2. Pool Dominance:Los Pumas topped Pool D by winning all their matches, including victories over Georgia, Namibia, and a crucial win over Ireland, which eliminated the Irish from the tournament.
3. Knockout Stage:In the quarter-finals, Argentina beat Scotland to advance to the semi-finals.
4. Semi-Final Loss:They lost to the eventual tournament winners, South Africa, in a match that saw South Africa defeat them 37-13.
5. Bronze Medal Win:Argentina secured third place by defeating France for the second time in the tournament, winning the bronze medal match.

Significance of the 2007 Tournament:

1. This third-place finish marked Argentina's highest-ever position in the Rugby World Cup and led to their eventual inclusion in the prestigious Tri Nations (now The Rugby Championship).
2. The team's performance was characterized by a strong defensive game plan and passionate play, showcasing the skill of key players such as Juan Martín Hernández and Felipe Contepomi.

Yeah and…..

You figure it out sunshine….or just stop when the one measure used to rank teams is telling you that you are losing yet another argument.

Moffie you have never won an argument with me and never will as I know more about the game than you ever will

What that Argie side did in a WC does not define them as a side over an extended period of time

Do you not get that?

Every aspect of the current side, bar scrumming is better than that side by some distance in fact

Give up man you are being slaughtered.

You are so fucking stupid - you are like a small child repeating the same stat that tells us fuck all

Are you saying that what the Argies did in that WC defined them as a side over say a 6 year period huh?