Has Stephanie Been Dropped?

The breakdown was bad against Ireland, even taking into consideration the Irish ruck play is very good. 

We saw Stephanie lumbering around from ruck to ruck, while also getting in the way in backline attacks (that is usually Deland's role) - and looked far of the pace. 

If Wiese is starting at 8, Vermuelen at 7 and Kolisi at 6 - this could be the starting combination against France. 

=Why play Vermuelen out of position?
=Why is Kolisi even playing, if most of the team are B-team players?

It seems Rassnaber is trying to build a combination in the backrow.

Hopefully.

PSDT has had good games this season, but without Marx and Vermulen, the ruck play is not good enough. The back row needs a fetcher. Starting Vermeulen is a must.

Did anyone else notice that Vermuelen was sitting next to Rassie in the coach's box, versus Ireland? They were seen speaking in-depth as if Vermuelen was one of the coaches.

I think Kolisi has been hyped up far too long. Really poor captain. Duanne normally does the talking. He can only play one half and when he does, he is normally a ruck inspector or camp out on the side lines. He doesn't like contact and even moaned during an interview having to do a koppe stamp with Eben. He is quick for a forward and he can break tackles when he runs onto smaller backs. But you never see him hit rucks it secure the ball, neither do you see him make big tackles by himself. It is always part of 2 on 1 tackles. Also, the bundy break was his fault as he was supposed to cover that channel. 

I was hoping with Kolisi doing his knee we would get a proper fetcher. 

For me, when the forwards dominate. Kolisi looks brilliant. So I fall for it and think he is in great form. But then a game that counts like against Ireland. He is a no show and leaves after 40 min.

Your captain should be the last player coming off the field. I didn't like John Smit but that guy an engine on him

I fully agree King, and someone with a 50 minute battery has no place in my team. But we are stuck with him till retirement or injury. 

They got it wrong, PSTD should have been cultivated as a lock as he was when he played for the Sharks and built and strengthen in that position. He stole b alls in the lineout then, even against experienced Matfield. That's a fact.

Steph's very best showing was his performance in the Kiwi loss, but it was a rather average showing in a team performance that was flaccid for 80 minutes. Steph hasn't been good this year, and his performance against Ireland merely showcased what has become staple aspects of his Mr Bean-esque career. He was never very good at lock or flank. Forget the number on the jersey, the duties around the field have not been good. Consistently terrible defence, poor attack, exceedingly poor ability to read play, there never was anything there. As Damian is at centre, Steph has been in the forwards. It's quite remarkable how they mirror one another. 

I do agree that Steph has had a good season. Just the breakdown was a concern without Marx and Vermuelen to control proceedings. We cant go into a test with 3 ball carriers in the backrow, someone needs to compete on the deck. 

What is his role….ball carrier? A more toothless ball carrier is hard to imagine.

Dud Toit is a lock….unfortunately there are better locks, so they invented this role for him. But if that’s the kind of running you want, give the ball to any of the tight forwards ….they can scarcely do  worse.  Low metres, no tackles beaten, no offloads, lots of ball conceded to the opponent.

In your dreams….he regularly racks up a metre a run unless by accident he gets the ball in space. With his long legs he simply can’t break tackles.

Hilarious to see these two loons at work. 

They both made the biggest blunder ever when trashing Rassie, Du Toit and the Boks who went on to with coach of the year, player of the year and team of the year. 

Name me a blunder in terms of rugby Judgement than this. It doesn't exist. 

Allende also got very favorable views but they of course trashed him as well.

Now it's reached the point where the Boks have a glass jaw and a soft under belly and Rassie is the worst coach ever.

The resentment and bitterness has led them to become completely unhinged with no sign of recovery. 

So bad is it both are hoping that the  Boks get kicked out of the RWC. They see this as some sort of redemption.

So don't expect any sense from these two nutjob. Their cred is shot and they are now known for their incredible bias. Bwahahahahahaha. 

Sorry Plum, we did not lose this game because of Allende and Kriel. 

Bear in mind the superb defence of these two centers. Would Esterhuizen and Moodie have been as good. 

Esterhuizen is no better than Allende. Moodie is better on attack than Kriel but Kriel is tbe better defender. There are pros and cons. 

Anyhow Esterhuizen and Moodie have a chance to to shine against Tonga. 

I personally would like to see Mpimpi before Arendse. I don't like two tiny wings. 

I see some oaks complaining about Williams on tbe wing. Well he could be the fastest player we have. It's by no means a crazy choice. He and Moodie are very quick. If they defend very well who knows what might happen in terms of selection going forward. 

Players have to seize their chances. Esterhuizen didn't. Now he has another chance.

I am not clinging to Allende and Kriel for dear life. I am concerned about how good fefensivemy they are and so far can't see anything much where Esterhuizen is better. Moodie is the guy who 8 hope can temove any doubts. He is a brlliantly creative player. 

I have not been impressed by Reunach. His work rate  has not been good. He has the pace but doesn't assert himself enough. He could drop out of the match 23 if he continues to not give 100 percent. 

Beeno...We don't know if AE and Moodie would have performed better.

What we do know is this...

Kriel fluffed and easy try by chucking the ball into Kolisi's face when Kolisi was there to clean out for him.

DDA dropped a regulation catch that could easily have resulted in a try...at the very least a good amount of territory if he just caught it.

DDA failed to clean out in front of our posts when he was right there. He literally watched us get turned over...my memory of it was wrong though as it didn't result in a penalty. But this is the type of thing DDA does...he just freezes, and doesn't know what to do.

Watch it at 0.25 speed...you can literally see him being totally confused. He then stands there...puts a h and on the ruck...not helping at all...takes ages and then kinda wanders off to the side as though he's now gonna defend. Why is he not getting in there? He sees it's only one player getting the better of us...and does nothing. It defies every rugby instinct players should have in that moment.

Watch this video from the 01:11 minute mark.

Steph will probably start against France. However, if he is not having a good game, I think he will be subbed shortly after half time