I don't think there can be any quarrel with the backs, apart from JP replacing Willie. Has JP shown enough in the past few seasons to replace a player who was an attacking phenom in the RC? Maybe not but the reason Willie got the axe may very well have been his suicidal interception attempt at the half....he whizzes through the frame like a bolt of green lightning. Poor judgement. Contrast that with JP's fabulous defence over the years, including a possible RWC saving touchline tackle against Fiji. I don't necessarily agree with Meyer, but I see his logic.
In the pack the two choices to be made were at tighthead and at lock. At tighthead the choice was between a prop (Coenie) we know can't scrum at tighthead and another prop (Malherbe) who probably can't scrum at tighthead. I would have sent an SOS for BJ Botha...this thing could hurt us.
At lock, such is my disdain for Flip Flop, I would have started the green Stephanie ahead of him. I also believe Stephanie balances the pack better with his pace and athleticism. We have plenty of grunt with Vermeulen and Alberts among the loosies. But of course the safe choice might have been Bakkies.
As far as the bench is concerned, it's so bad, let's hope we dont need these chaps....Willie, Strauss and Stephanie excepted. We certainly don't need Coenie. Kolisi does a few good things but he is so inconsistent and often disengaged. Pienaar is a huge step down on F du Preez. And JJ can't figure out the mission, as we saw in the AB half time try, when the last thing he should have made possible was a turnover.
So I see a team that inherently leaves one more comfortable, but we have lost our most creative attacking player to bench duties. We have a huge question mark at tighthead....and with Flip Flop and Bismarck will undoubtedly concede penalties. I just hope we don't have to watch one of these worthies in the box again.
As for the bench, it leaves a lot to be desired...only Willie, Strauss and Stephanie should have planned appearances.
