Ex Supersport:
George Clancy’s clangers in Perth
Morne Steyn may have been rightly lambasted for missing touch in the final minute of the Perth test but to be honest it never should have come down to that.(As I have tried to expalin to some noted boneheads!)
Steyn has paid the price by being dropped from the Bok squad and now has fallen back in the pecking order, but for Irish referee George Clancy the future couldn’t be brighter.
Clancy was widely praised by IRB bosses for his handling of the game, despite his two clangers that virtually changed the complexion of the game.
He has been rewarded with the France v Argentina test in November as well.
While Steyn’s kick ultimately gave Australia the chance to steal the game, Clancy penalised Duane Vermeulen for a perfectly legitimate hit that cost three points.
His handling of Bryan Habana’s tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper was just as criminal, as referees and pundits alike agreed it wasn’t worth a yellow card.
Australia scored 10 points when Habana was off the field, taking the game from 23-14 and the Boks in control to 24-23 and Australia winning a nailbiter.
Considering the Boks finished the Championship three points behind New Zealand, it is worth asking how it would have shaped the remainder of the competition.
One thing is sure, while nobody could predict that a Bok victory would have taken them to the title, the loss certainly put them out of contention and handed an overwhelming advantage to the All Blacks.
Richie McCaw’s try against South Africa in Wellington
The genius of Kieran Reid and the masterful Richie McCaw combined to be the difference between the Boks and All Blacks in a massive clash in Wellington.
The Boks will still believe this is one that got away, considering how they were dominating proceedings at the end. But their own inability to score, coupled with poor options on attack cost them their chance of defying history in the end.
The difference came through the two All Black loose forwards, a move that in hindsight would be the difference in the Rugby Championship.
The Boks were down to 14 men (Was it 13!), courtesy of McCaw’s illegal smash on Francois Louw that wasn’t picked up by the match officials. (It should have stopped paly and mcaaw sent off)
Whether it would have made a difference is a moot point, as the play continued, and a perfect cross kick to Reid was collected and held just long enough for McCaw to sweep across his vision, offloading around the corner for an excellently worked try.
It was a telling moment in a game which was won by four points, one the Boks will remember for a long time.(NOTE THE REF BEING BLIND TO MCAAAWS CHEAP SHOT COST THE BOKS THE GAME)
While ou snapster was raving on about snapster more aware rugbymen were watching Pollard with very keen interest!
The arrival of Handre Pollard
For years the Boks have been searching for a flyhalf who can keep the opposition guessing, for one who doesn’t simply stay in the pocket and for one that will take the game plan forward.
Despite the criticism of throwing him at the deep end in Wellington, Pollard flourished and showed why he is so highly rated by Heyneke Meyer and his coaching staff.
The 20-year old IRB Junior Player of the year stepped up at Ellis Park, scoring twice as the Boks dominated the opening hour against the All Blacks.
Pollard has the ability to make the opposition think twice, to keep them on their toes, as he is a catalyst for their attack and has only started. (Add in the transforamtion re Hougaard and suddenly we have a dangerous half back pair)
To think that he can only get better is an understatement, and the maturity he will acquire by being backed by the management could pay off big time in next year’s Rugby World Cup.
His 19 points against the All Blacks were a massive statement of intent and the wide praise he received from both South African and New Zealand experts shows just how highly he is rated across the world.
That Clancy wasn't severely reprimanded by the IRB makes one wonder. I suppose also Nigel Owens got a rave review by the IRB clowns.
Then missing mcaaws cheap shot. None so blind as those who will not see.
Then we get messums cheap shot on Burger. Thankfully it was picked up by the TV!!
Result the CORRECT decison was made. Result kbbs crying a river!!
True RC winners - the Boks. It cannot be disputed.
