French Club Games - Stade Francais vs Toulon

I had the opportunity this morning to watch the above game and was interested since two of Meyer's favourites were in the respective teams - Morne Steyn and Bakkies Botha.  

Both were not considered good enough to be in the starting line-up.   Incidentally it was an easy win by Stade Francais

Morne Steyn did everything in a determined effort to bugger up the game completely when he came on for Satde Francais - missing a penalty from virtually in front of the posts - making piss-poor passes impossible for recipients to catch and bad kicking with no positive results.   Wonder how long Stade Francais is going to even keep him on the bench - since he was bad news all round?

Bkkkies Botha came on and did a replica of his Scotland performance - very little at all.   He was only mentioned when he pushed another player around and the said player reacted and was carded.  Lucky guy - the card went to the wrong player.      

*   Botha carried the ball 9 times for a gain of 2 meters in territory in total

*   In one carry he did managed to off-load the ball once.

*   He lost possession of the ball once - representing a turnover in possession

*   He managed to make 8 tackles - but missed 4 - representing a missed tackle ratio of 33,3% 

*   He took 7 line-out balls in total

The game over the weekend Bakkies only played 25min. 

3 tackles - missed none

4 clean outs - meaning he physical removed a player off the ball, not just being a pillar.

2 carries for a total gain of 10m.

He didn't lose one ball, and didn't give away one penalty.

First explain how you see the 2 games as being the same performance.

Second, why don't you use a players last game to measure his performance?

I agree, his game against the scots were bad at best. But against the french he played much better.

And on Saturday he played even better. 

You also say in your post that he was not considered good enough to be in the starting line-up.

If you know ANYTHING about the top 14 then you will know that when teams play away games they 9/10 times rest the best players. That is why Bakkies, Wilkinson both the Armitage brothers and castrogiovanni did not start over the weekeend.

Have a look this weekend and you will see who is good enough to start in the Heineken cup.

If you don't like Bakkies then don't. But don't try and convince the rest that he is no good.

You are only showing that you are indeed not so clevermike..

Believer

I am sorry - but you have your facts all wrong.   I normally use ESPB Stats and they are as follows:-

Botha

0/0

0

0/3/6

2

0

0

1

0

4/3

1/2

0

0/0

The figures you quoted for the Scotland game is based on a combination of both the tests Botha played in - not only the Scotlkand test.   You can easily add the actions together yourself by looking at the following stats for the French test.  

Botha

0/0

0

0/0/3

0

0

0

0

1

4/1

4/0

0

0/0

Those stats were as bad as he was against the Scots, but he took one more line-out ball and missed two less tackles,  No ball carrying by a lock is absolute rubbish. 

There is to my mind no proof supporting the following statement (highlighted portion) : - 

"I agree, his game against the scots were bad at best. But against the french he played much better| "

I accept your statement as to selection - but then why did Morne not start in the

above game?   Look I do make notes about players and then check their stats afterwards - but there is no stats that I am aware if available in top 14 games.   Since there is little rugby to broadcast at present - there are a lot of repeats.   If they re-broadcast the game again - I would look again at the second half and see what he actually happened.  If the statements mad by you is confirmed I will apologize and openly admit as such.