SASaffolk
Captain30,741 posts
SASaffolk Captain30,741 posts
19 Aug 2013, 15:03#7
He is a lock able to play 7, but his spot is lock. The kid has Bok written all over him. He is as good as Etzebeth and Steph du Toit were at the same age.
Won a junior world championship medal throwing the javelin for SA
19 Aug 2013, 15:33#10
He played at 7 for the Blue Bulls against Griquas on Friday evening and I would like to see him again in another game where they do not have an inexperienced ref who is hell-bent on fvcking up the game with is whistle. It was a game that could just not get going with the ref blowing it to smithereens. It looked like none of the teams where eventually sure what they could and could not do with the way that he was carrying on.
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
19 Aug 2013, 15:41#11
I see we really have an oversupply of huge locks in evidence. Very young and very strong. At this stage we have Eben Etzebeth - whom I regard as the best lock in the world at present - and coming through to the top - we have Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager and now Jacques du Plessis. With those for around I think the time of Kruger and Van der Merwe to play for the Springbok team is gone.
Both Du Toit and De Jager has had a nearly full Super 15 season and Du Plessis had one game on that level. By June next year the Springbok locks will be Etzebeth, Du Toit, De Jager and Du Plessis - 2 in the starting line-up and 1 on the bench. This really will be problematic for the opposition - especially since the AB's have lock problems already and the Wallabies cannot match them as well.
SASaffolk
Captain30,741 posts
SASaffolk Captain30,741 posts
19 Aug 2013, 15:44#12
I like the look of Paul Willemse of the Bulls and Peet Marais of the Sharks as well.
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
19 Aug 2013, 16:12#15
kingcorn
I agree with you about Du Plessis - he does need some refinement in ball skills - saw him knocking on balls in the JWC and his line out work was not always what it should have been - but he has time on his hands and good coaching can cure those minor problems.
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
19 Aug 2013, 16:23#16
I think there is still a place for a small chap like Kruger. This is a possible pack:
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Flip Flop(lh), Kruger(h), Peet Marais(3), Lood(l), Etzebeth(l), Pieter-Stephanie(f), Du Plessis(f)and Paul Willemse.(8)
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If Meyer just accepts this is the way to go we will have the tallest and heaviest pack in the history of the game.
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
19 Aug 2013, 17:05#18
Pieter Stephanie certainly looks a better option than any lock on the planet, did you know Piet du Toit is his grandfather? But he keeps running into smaller blokes and hurting himself. Let's wait till he has done something in a big match and then make a jugement. For now Kruger is giving us crisp lineout ball , straight into the hands of the scrmmie.
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
19 Aug 2013, 23:12#21
Mozart
On the sneaky attack against Du Toit again. You cannot help but be nasty when any young player comes through - now can you? It does not fit a grown-up person to carry on like you do - inventing funny names and making unsubstantiated statements.
As to Kruger - wonder by wonder - he took three times the line-out balls than he normally takes - wonder what happens to make that miracle happen. O yes - I now remember - his opposite number was injured early and was replaced by a rookie. That made a huge difference - did it not?
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
20 Aug 2013, 00:40#22
You are right HasBeen it will take another year at least with Stephanie and Lood. When the dust settles we'll see what we've got.
