A story of the scrumhalfs

We had three internatioal scrumhalfs on display in the last two matches of Round 14 and that must seriously be a topic of discussion on this Board.

Lets start with the best of the three - namely Aaron Smith.  He played in a badly beaten side and he did quite well under the circumstances - some deft passes was in evidence and he deserves credit for what he tried to achieve.

The other two were Genia and Hougaard.   Genia was under constant pressure and he made some mistakes like the charge down that let to a try by his opposite number and towards the end of the game he kicked a ball direcly into touch.

The poorest one of the lot was Hougaard.   He got caught in possession a number of times -  he rolled out balls in what some believe are passes and he got panalized as well.   Add to that he kicked a ball over the dead ball line and lost his side territory in the process -and then there were the missed tackles to bear in mind as well. .   Altogether a horribly poor performance and the only question is - why was he kept on th field of play for 50 minutes and not subbed earlier?

Hougaard last year was dropped from the scrummie position because he was not performing well.   He then said he ws working on his game and intends to concentrate on playing at scrummie and now he produced this?   If what he did under playing conditions favourable to his side - what is he going to ptoduce on intrnational level.The best scrummies this week were Van Zyl and Vermaak .      

Clevermike  - Aaron Smith has some extra competition this year at AB halfback. With Perenara in the mix this year after an injury kept him out of contention for AB selection last year.

Then theres Kerr Barlow .Given the success the Chiefs are experiencing. Would make sense to combine him with Cruden perhaps given they know how to win consistently.

Not forgetting Hansens sentimental favourite Wepu. The diehard may truly be on his last legs this year in the AB jumper depending on how the ABs fair against France.

Hansen the old Canterbury stalwart may also be looking at Ellis so we got scrum halves coming out our ears mate. Decisions ,decisions for Hansen but what a luxury to have so many classy halfbacks to choose from.

Eat your heart out.

Steinlager

I have my dounts about the scrummie situation - both in New Zealand and SA.  I always rated Genia highly as a crummie - but he hs had inconsistent form since his return from injury.

Insofar as the New Zealand scrummies are concerned I personally wrote last week that I prefer Perenera as scrummie for the All Blacks.  Weepu started off like a house on fire and petered out completely.  Maybe he looked good behind a forward pack who domineered against other teams.   I saw all the games and as far as I am concerend - he was not up to standard in the last four games he played in.

Kerr-Barlow leavs me stone could - I have not seen anything extra-ordinary in him when playing for the Chefs.   If i was Hansen I would pick Ellis and Perenera as my scrummies.   They are the best in New Zealand to my mind - but whether they will succeed on test level is another question. 

Hougaard is going backwards. His passing and two step passing game is bad. I cant think of another scrummie who has such a poor and slow pass.  It really beggars belief that a guy practising week in and week out delivers such a poor result. 

We have three class scrummies in Vermaak, Van Zyl and reinach with perhaps vermaaks expereince giving him the edge.

Right now Hougie is way down the pecking order. I am sorry about it but we have to face reality.

Saffex

One question - how come Beeno and I who saw the game objectiely found that Hougaard was not up to standard - and you find that he was good?   I gave a number of examples where he got caught in possession - because his service was so slow and hessitant - did that not bothr youthat those things did happen - whilst he was on the field of play?

Saffex

One question - how come Beeno and I who saw the game objectiely found that Hougaard was not up to standard - and you find that he was good?   I gave a number of examples where he got caught in possession - because his service was so slow and hessitant - did that not bothr youthat those things did happen - whilst he was on the field of play?

He had a decent game and I'm willing to put his woeful passing to lack of match readiness, hopefully we will see his passing improve but I wasn't impressed with his stupid box kick in the first half when they were on the front foot near the halfway line. But I'm all for Reinach and Van Zyl for future Bok scrummie's.

Saffex

Explanation accepted - but "it happens" not a good argument.

Saffex

Talking about prejudicial - look in the mirror - because there uyou will see a prejudicial prick.

Listen - I quoted where Hougaard was poor on Saturday.  I said he got caught in possession a number of times because he was slow in what he did.  There was not only one pass that were poor - there was at least tree of them.  His service was slow and his kicking game - other than the one that went over the deadball line - was ineffeective and handed possession over to the Highlanders

After seeing how he misfired  last year - I was hoing that he would do better this year - but there was no sign of it as yet.   Hope he improves - but if he continues like Saturday - no chance of playing successful in tests I am afraid.. 

Crap most players get caught in possession when they make a break. Hougaard's service was spot on as was his general play - confirmed by Stransky when he left the field. You are just a prejudicial prick that finds fault in players you dislike no matter what.

Take Jantjies for instance, we all know he had a good game, it took two viewings by your pathetic self to see beyond your pathetic prejudice. You are an open book