Chiefs vs Kings a nice test of the Saffex theory

To me young Petersen, hardly a giant looked like the most dangerous player on the park. One would wish for a bit of extra bulk....hell if he was just 5% bigger, he'd have been a certain great. Still size does have it's consequences and watching him on the tackle....it was a bit of a sukkel. But one doesn't seem to get that eagerness and instant response from a bigger player. And unlike the Mvovos and Nokwes, Petersen is not afraid to get involved.

This game was largely determined in mid field where the Chiefs were so much more physical. It seemed the small Kings backs just couldn't retain the ball.....which I suppose vindicates the Dave doctrine to some extent. Things were made worse by the fact that the Kings didn't close down midfield space....contact was well on their side of the advantage line.

There is no doubt one needs power in the midfield. The trick is to get explosiveness as well. My own theory is, you can have one smaller wing....like Petersen. And your outside centre doesn't have to be a power player, rather a secure open field tackler......but a physical 12 is essential.

To the point that there is no space in modern rugby....Cruden conjured up space with brilliant wrap around moves....and slower running, allowing gaps to open up. It was delightful stuff. On the other side Catrikilis looked meat and potatoes, but incredibly honest and sound, could the difference just be coaching?

Cruden is a gem of a player....this is the guy Goosen should study.

I surmise that Saffex is either sitting in the Heathlands in Suffolk ,or the Bell, or the Brickmaker Arms or the Kesgrove Social Centre (actually I doubt it because they have quizz shows and obviously sterio-type dik lawyers avoid such places because of fragile cojones) watching Sky Sports and getting homesick, feeling guilty he has left his rainbow paradise and being disloyal to his brilliant boks.

He is happy that the Canes whipped the Highlanders and particularly that the C Tahs beat the W Tahs. but is worried that both Francois's will not prove everybody wrong.

I for one am a Francois Steyn supporter but I agree he has got to jack himself up...but I think when the Sharks get it together this will fall into place. Goosen beating Lambie...lets just wait for this because none of us really knows...but "Silky Hands" is not as good as Dimitri Cat... Frans Hougaard as well is better at wing than scrumhalf...

Well lets just see what he says after his babblelas has worn off...lol.

Ja lots of imponderables. To me Steyn is just so physically different to where he started in RWC2007, and he seems so toothless. But, hey, maybe something will click. 

 Mozzie, I rate Cruden more than underway salesman Dan the man Carter!

I do like the Chiefs model and you are so right, Cruden with that simple loop around, creates space, but then again e has players to work with, something Goosen will not have with the Cheetahs.

There is something so appealing about young Petersen, he is lightening quick and one expects something to happen whenever the ball is in his vacinity. Given he is built like Jason Robinson and has a low centre of gravity, this will give him an advantage over other small players. Whether he can make the next level, only time will tell but sadly the size thing might just win that battle. But I hope there is a place for a Petersen at test level, for he is exciting to watch

For me both centres need to be physical, your 12 more so than your 13. Inside centre needs strength and good hands, outside centre needs strength and speed. Both need good feet.

Very impressed with Perersen.

But even more impressed with the defeat of the ANC Queens.