Habana out....Hougaard in?

With the sad loss of Habana, probably through the domestic tests, who plays Bok left wing? Hopefully not Mvovo who freezes in big  games and was held up with an open line by the Cat. None of the newbies look ready, although Sergeal Petersen  is a competitor. Nor the oldies....Petersen caught NDungane as if he was planted yesterday. And Basson himself is an injury a week guy.

The logical move is to put Hougaard back on the wing where he has played his best rugby. After yesterday it's going to be hard for Vermaak to be dropped....and Basson is missing. So it's easy to slot Hougaard back in at wing for the Bools....preparing him for the Bok season.

This guy at his best plays a terrier like game.....always better when he can be aggressive. That's not always true at 9...where the mental game seems to be baffling him.

 Moz - seems most likely. Also wouldn't be surprised if they consider JDV out there if/when Juan DeJong comes back strong.

Hougaard was way out of form last year, nothing like the form he was in 2011 and before. 

Paul Jordaan is perhaps the fastest backline player in South Africa at the moment, or at least one of the fastest. 

He is playing outside center for the Sharks, but actualy has more experience at flyhalf and inside center. 

We will have to see how the players do as the season progresses. I think the smart money will be on Hougaard, but lets see how Rhule does this season, so far he hasnt shown me anything in super rugby, but time will tell.

I still believe that Jordaan will be the bok 13 in the near future. He hasnt really done much to improve his chances(these past few weeks), but that said, neither did Jean or Frans Steyn.

So lets see. I also believe that if Hougaard really concentrates on his own game, he has the potential to be a great 9. At the moment he just lacks confidence.

Mozart

On form thus far the choice scrummie was Pretorius followed by Vermaak  - with Hougaard somewhere in place no 3 or even 4.  

As far as I am concerned Hougaard was out of form at wing when he played in that position last year and showed nothing.   The ultimate selection of wings and centers are still going to be determined what happened in the next 8 rounds of the Super 15 games.   What at this stage is certain is that Steyn is out of place at 12 and that is killing the Sharks backline play.   On Saturday for example - when Steyn was gone - Jordaan showed immediatly his better side.   I guess that Bosman is soon going to take over from Steyn at 12 and after him Whitehead will move into that position.   On present form the inside center is likely to be De Allende.

After De Jongh's poor performances at 13 in the tests last year - he is not an option at 13 - and in my opinion the present form shows that De Villiers will play in that position or move back to 12 - which lead to a number of other options at wing.

The likely choice will be between a number of players - and Hougaard is not likely to be one of those - especially since he really showed nothing when he played there in 2012.   To my mind it is too early to start talking about selections  - so lets wait and see what happens in the succeeding rounds.

Th only thing that is an absoute certainty is that Francois Steyn is on the way out of the Sharks team and he may even be out this coming weekend - after three dismal performances thus far this year.   The excuse could be that they are rotating players - but I think he has really shown he does not fit into any attacking backline play.    They may try him out at full back - but his lack of speed and his tendency to crashball - may ultimately count against  him in that position as well.

I dissagree regarding Sarel Pretorius, yes he was good against the Highlanders but id not make any tackles due to the loosies that were in great shape and form. Sarel was poor against the Chiefs. I still rate Van Zyl higher than him.

I reckon the scrumhalf position for the Boks is wide open and someone needs to grab it!!!

No Hougaard will be the Bok 9, with Habana out the options are Mvovo, Rhule, Mapoe, v/d Heever and Jordaan

I have doubts about Hougaard being the Bok 9 unless something changes. Wonder if ludeke will drop Vermaak?

I would give jordaan a shot at wing. He has the pace and also the head. Good skills

Van der heever now has a chance to stake a claim as he will start for the Stormers over the next 10 weeks. Nice big fast winger who has also a good step and boot.

Vermaak was poor for the Bulls, too indecisive at times, getting caught in possession. If Hougaard is fit, he will return to the starting spot at 9 for the Bulls and should make the Bok 9 spot his own. He should never has lost it in the first place - one of Meyer's many poor calls last year.

With Habana out, the wing spot is wide open. Mvovo has been the best wing so far this S15 - but Rhule, Mapoe, v/d Heever and Jordaan have a whole season yet to stake their claim.

I'd far rather have Hougaard than Mvovo. And I'd far rather have Pienaar than Hougaard at 9.......granted Pienaar hardly sets the world on fire.......but he can make decisions.

if meyer picks pienaar, why wouldnt he pick habana???

IMO habana will still be the Boks left wing for 2013.

In my view Habana is still our best wing...I'm assuming his injury takes him out of the 4N.

There is no way Hougaard must ever be wasted on the wing again. Hougaard is a must for the Bok 9 spot, Pienaar after his poor EOYT should no longer be considered. We have some good youngsters coming through in Reinach, Groom and v/Zyl.

Our best Bok wing is JP these days, he is far more threatening than Habana. Habana might have had one more year in him but that may now be history.

Now Dave I disagree with just about everything you say.

Firstly for Hougaard to be wasted on the wing, he would have to be better at scrumhalf....and he's not. The best games Hougaard has played for the Boks, including the RWC pool match against Wales have been on the wing and from the bench. That says something about the player...he is more effective without the pressure of playing to a plan.

Pienaar was not poor on the YE tour....this was the take on Hougaard and Pienaar in the Irish test:

"Francois Hougaard – 4/10

No comment, absolutely no comment…

Ruan Pienaar – 8/10

He was the key in the Springbok comeback. He proved on Saturday that there is a reason why he was regarded as one of the best scrumhalves in Europe, that reason is Polar Bears. Like a Polar Bear, Ruan looks cute and cuddly and people underestimate his ability, even judge him. Some even call him names like Henry Honiball’s son. But then, when the situation presents itself, Ruan proves he could be the most ruthless scrumhalf in South Africa, and you should never forget that."

These other kids like Reinach, Groom and van Zyl are light years behind Pienaar.

Next your take on the wings......JP may LOOK  more threatening .....but when last did he do diddly. Not that he is incapable of doing something great, he has the physical talent, but so rarely do mind and body connect. In the meantime Habana just keeps making huge contributions, in spite the fact that you keep saying he is done....as you are now doing again.

The fact is young Sergeal Petersen looked more likely to make things happen, than JP last weekend.

Hougaard is a "look at me" type player. Nothing wrong with that but we can not have that in a position that requires you to make decisions. Hougaard's decision is always to run. He likes to use his pace and his step and score tries. He wants to have a crack with ball in hand there is nothing wrong with that.

At 9, he needs to be a lot more decisive and the wrong decisions can often impact very heavily on the rest of the team. He doesn't need that pressure. He is not good under that pressure. My opinion is he will never be a top class scrummy ala Genia, Gregan, Fourie Du Preez, Joost and co as he does not handle pressure like they do and his skillset is best suited out wide in space. Hougaard relishes playing in space. At 9, space is far more limited than wing and he is no good there. He does not have a great game from the base of a ruck. His box kicks are hit and miss and his clearances are often laboured. He is not a good link between forwards and backs and my opinion is that he should specialise on the wing!

Just express himself in space and not have too much pressure on his shoulders!

Pienaar was at best average against Ireland, poor against Scotland and very poor against England. Hougaard has proved this S15 that he has the best service of the SA players playing in the S15, once he finds his attacking zip, we will have the Hougaard of old back. Sadly an injury is standing in the way of that.

He is completely wasted on the wing and thankfully will not be wasted there again.

JP was on fire last year and easily our best wing, he was the best wing in the game last year. He has been flat this season.

 Then why was Habana player of the year?

Disagree intensely. Hougaard has not had the best service of all the scrummies. Vermaaks game against the Blues and when he replaced Hougaard against Force was better. They brought Hougaard on against the Blues. Not sure why when the man is "struggling with injury" and there was no need to risk him. Clearly fit enough to play. Vermaak was not "out on his feet" or anything. The man has hardly played this year so he definately had a full 80 in him.

Sarel Pretorius had better service this past weekend than Hougaard all year too. In terms of what a scrummie does, Hougaard is not top 3 in SA at the moment. Anyway, its up to the Bulls to realise that Vermaak is better for the team at 9. Hougaard to bench and cover 9 and wing. He is an impact player. End of story! Too many chances to prove his worth. Not taken any of them particularly well. I dont think the Bulls would have been as clinical against the Blues if Vermaak was not controlling things around the base.

 Wrong again Boklogic. Why can you not see that Hougaard is the best attacking 9 in the country. Ok his kicking is not great and neither is his passing but everything else is pure class.

Fattex.....the "everything else" has to be defence and running. But Hougaard has made 11 tackles in two games and gained a total of 22 metres in 11 runs. How can that possibly be "pure class"?

Like the new handle by the way!

Fattex..You are way too good at this impersonation thing ;-) Exactly like the real thing.

You wouldn't be able to tell us exactly what level you played rugby at that Hennie Le Roux got to damage your shoulder because apparently, you are "way too good" to even tie your boot laces with premier division clubs in NZL ;-)

 Boklog, once again you have displayed your rugby ignorance. I am now more than ever convinced you know stuff all about the game. 

Hougaard's service has been the best of all the SA 9's. Sarel has the worst service of all the 9 in the whole of the S15. The Tahs woke up to this fact last year, the Cheetahs will wake up to this fact eventually. v/Zyl is a better 9 than Sarel

Man you know stuff all about rugby - FACT

Hougaards service has been awesome - quick, sharp and accurate - hence Morne's revival. Vermaak was poor on the weekend - as the commentators said, he was too indecisive - wake up you ignorant clown

You right Dave, Van Zyl is better than Pretorius in my opinion too but that shows how far down the pecking order Hougaard should actually be. Im not interested in the Waratahs. All that is plain to see is Pretorius gets far better results at 9 than Hougaard. Before he left the Cheetahs for the Tahs, he was top try scorer for the year. He looks to be heading that way again if he keeps it up. What has Hougaard done?

You right about Vermaak too. So right that he keeps Hougaard on the bench for the second week in a row. Really "indecisive" there hey fat shit? Fact is the Bulls looked better against the Blues than the Force thanks to Vermaak. Please dont pin Morne's "revival" on Hougaard. Thats a laugh. Morne has always had it in him. Somewhere along the way, he has lost it. He is now leaving for greener pastures and he has nothing to lose. He is just playing the game that got him recognised. Maybe a little too late but good on him.

Cheetahs have not "woken up" to this fact for some years now fat man. Last I checked, Sarel has been a regular for them over the past few years.

You take things out of context. Commentators may have said at one point in the game that Vermaak was a little indecisive during that play but definately not overall. Commentators also said that Labuschagne has been a "mountain" but you dont really believe he is a mountain? Or do you Dave?

As I have said, I worry little about stats and talk. I watch the games for myself. I judge players on what I see them do. Hence the reason I earmarked Labuschagne and how righ was I? You are yet to earmark anyone of substance. I called that early on just by watching the man. Not what commentators say. They just seem to be backing me up of late!

Lets hear you talk of Hougaards "injury" now..Ha ha I called it Dave. Wallow in it bru!!

I know stuff all about rugby..ha ha really hurts coming from you Dave..Ha ha prick!

 Yip Stringbean, you know stuff all about rugby and thats a certainty. Hougaard is not fit, if he was fit and Vermaak was preferred over him, Hougaard would be starting on the wing for the Bulls you dumbass. 

They would not be playing a fullback on debut at wing, if Hougaard was fit - wake up you stupid TWAT

Hougaard is the best 9 in the country, just like Frans is the best 12 in the country. Come the Championship, both will be playing in those positions for the Boks you ignorant halfwit

Have to disagree there.....Hougaard and Steyn might not even be in the 22. By the way, when last did Steyn make a kick over the halfway.  His one attempt last week was woefully short......the man has lost his mojo.

Yeah, he is so "injured" that he got 15 mins last weekend. Awesome way to treat an "injured" player you dumb fuck.

They probably not playing Hougaard on the wing as they want him to specialise at 9 but he is not good enough to start. Doesn't mean he is not going to specialise. Plenty specialist 9's warm the bench. Ask Kockett and co...

Jurgen has obviously shown enough to get a chance. Why play Hougaard "out of position" when Mapoe and Basson are still gona return?? They cant play scrumhalf fatness!

Hougaard is fit enough to play. Thats a fact. He is just specialising at 9 and is not good enough to play at the moment. That is the long and short of it. Guaranteed!! I am not worried about your stories. You are a proven know-fuck-all and believe everything you read.

Answer me this Dave...Why did he make it on to the park last week if he was not fit? Vermaak is an 80min player. The game was being well controlled by the Bulls. Why would you risk an man who is "injured?" Use your head you IGNORANT TWAT!!

snapster and rooitwit a request please. Could you both please up your game. At the moment you are operating at the level of complete twats. A move up to operating at the level of a twat woud be most welcome by all long suffering posters here!

Thanks.

As for Bongi please go easy on this ss mole. He is very nervous and its our duty as a caring community to nurse him back to mental and emotional health. It is clear to an experienced and insightful observer that he is highly traumatised by something.

Thanks.

Boklog, dont be a stupid idiot all your life. The Bulls website informed us that Hougaard, Chiliboy and Werner Kruger had injuries and would not start. All 3 had game time last week off the bench, none of them are fit enough to start matches all 3 are Boks, so if Ludeke was selecting his best side and had no injuries, Hougaard, Chiliboy and Kruger would start you stupid ignorant twat.

Vermaak has not played much rugby, the Bulls have a bench, Hougaard was one of the last to come off the bench for a reason, Vermaak was done.

The Bulls are playing historically the best side in the comp this weekend, Ludeke would want to select his best side - if Hougaard, Kruger and Chiliboy were 100% fit they would be starting. One certainty is that if Hougaard was fit and they had no wings available as the currently find themselves, Hougaard would be starting on the wing and Visser would not be - FACT

Keep your ignorance shining bright, its comical

Saffex

I admire your loyalty insupporting players - but am afraid it sometimes  is not really supported by facts. 

Hougaard was ordinary in the first two rounds of the competuition- showed nothing and did the minimum expected from a scrummy - giving the impression that he was not really something special like you want us believe that he is.   That being said - he was not in the startibng line up against the Blue - becaue of an "injury".   However - since he was brought from the bench and played for 15 minutes - there are immediate question marks about the so-called "injury"  - was it real or only used as a pretext to get him out of the team.

This coming week we have another case where Hougaard has been benched.  Niggles (minor injuries) do not take 14 days to clear up in  the case of fit athletes - so was the "injury" the reason for him not being in the starting line - up.  I think there are still problems with his decisionmaking and reading of the game and it counts against him - believe me. 

And Mike, that is another predictable ignorant post from yourself, I did not even read it all as I cant be asked.

All I am saying is that you have to be stupid to conclude that Ludeke would leave Hougaard out of the starting 15, be it at 9 or wing if he was fully fit. Especially considering they are playing the Crusaders away and he would want to go into that match with his best and most experienced side.

Only a knowledgeable rugby brain would conclude that, much like they would know that you do not hand a kid his debut out of position on the wing against a side like the Crusaders when you have a fully fit Bok, who last played his tests as a wing.

Hougaard is carrying an injury, just like Chiliboy and Werner Kruger are - its obvious to those who know their rugby. The Bulls only have 24 players on tour to choose from as Basson and Mapoe are injured.

Saffex

We will see what happens during the rest of the series - I think you may be mistaken.

 So the man was fit and able to play 15 mins against the Blues (who let me remind you, beat the Crusaders by 5 tries to 0) and Ludeke started Vermaak against them and now you tell us he would switch Vermaak with Hougaard ..Ha ha  you are fucked in the head TWAT!! Believe me, Hougaard is not injured. You dont risk an injured player for 15 mins in a game where you are basically in control! Hougaard is fit and well, simply not good enough. Vermaak is better! FACT!!

Save us your bullshit Saff, the minute the Bulls reached "the big games" Hougaard was given the boot faster than you when you undress in front of a chick! Live with it Saffex..Your boys are struggling..Much like you when it comes to knowledge of the game..Struggling..Why dont you go on to tell us how much better Coetzee has been than Labuschagne..Or how our best wing (Habana) is now past it because he is injured. Your'e a joke. 

Hougaard has not looked like a player who is at peace with himself for a long time....I wonder if he is a happy camper off the field. What can't be denied is, he has shown no form since 2011.

 Look you ignorant twats. Hougaard provides the best service in South Africa even though this passing skills are not very good for a scrumhalf. His kicking is not great either and also gets charged down more often than any other scrumhalf in the SuperXV. He is a class act I like the way he moves. I am the definitive authority on this board about rugby. Twats, idiots, fools, total fools, total idiots, total twats. "^&*&*^"*(&^*.........

Stringbean, Hougaard was on the field for 10min and would not have been on the bench if he could not play at all. Are you too stupid to differentiate between a player being 100% and able to start a game and a player being 90% and playing off the bench.

Are you so ignorant that you will have us believe that all 22 match day S15 rugby players are at all times100% fit? And you are dumb enough to tell us that you play quite a high level of rugby - man for a knowledgeable rugby man you really do know stuff all.

When Hougaard is 100% fit he will start ahead of Vermaak, just like Chiliboy will start ahead of Willie Wepner and Werner Kruger will start ahead of Frik Kirsten. Next you will be telling me Chiliboy is not injured and that the average Willie Wepner is a better player.

Coetzee is better than Labascagne. Dont get me wrong I rate Labascagne but he is no match for Coetzee. Labascagne was great last weekend but no better than anyone else the two weeks preceding that.

Moz, Hougaard has played well in his first two games for the Bulls, we have not seen his creativity, but that will come with time. As for the off field stuff, I guess the Oscar attachment is playing a part as there was talk that Hougaard was withdrawing from the first Bulls match this season, but then that was denied and he played - who knows - but other than that his game was good in particular his service to Morne.

 A back strain, calf strain even at times a knee tweak, players are not fit, they may play. Not ankle strains. Ankles take a lot of stress and pressure and if you further damage them by playing on it, it could mean lengthy time on the sidelines. 

The fact the bought Hougaard on when the didnt need him was proof that they had nothing to worry about. Why is he not starting this week if he was "90%% last week? Please Dave, you believe what you want to and we will believe the truth and reality. Vermaak has been better for the Bulls. Hougaard has been his usual, average self. Nothing more, nothing less. He is best used as a sub on the wing. Given 15 to 20 mins to express himself.

He reminds me of a jack of all trades. Can play many positions, just not great in any one of them. Lets move past this man now search for an able replacement for Fourie Du Preez. Same as Frans Steyn. 2 seasons of shit from him now. Couple more games and then its time to move on and invest in another player to take over the massive boots of Jean De Villiers. Stop promoting these players to us. We are watching them. We can see with our own eyes..I think you forget that!

 Stringbean, I'll believe the Bulls website for a start, Hougaard is not starting for the same reason Chiliboy and Werner Kruger are not starting.

The Bulls site said Hougaard had a ankle strain, am I now meant to take an igorant bafoons take on Hougaards status over what their website said about him. What would the Bulls website hope to achieve by lying about Hougaards injury you complete and utter idiot?

How stupid are you.........but effectively telling us the Bulls website is lying is really taking the piss - wake up dragqueen