JJ a better defender than Jean

Lets forget the insignificant tests against minos Scotland, Italy, Samoa and Argentina this year. The true test defensively is against the best.....Oz and NZ provide that test.

Stats tell us that in the 4 tests played this year against these two sides, JJ was defensively better than Jean and that is a FACT. The stat will tell you two things, no inbetweens.......you either made the tackle or you missed it. 

So what do the stats say:

JJ made 23 tackles and missed 3

Jean made 22 tackles and missed 5................you do the maths

The fact is, there is no issue with JJ's defence as proved against the best sides in the game..........case closed.

As for his attacking attributes, well we don't have anything close to JJ and the Bok side is a lesser side without his attacking clout......much like it would have been had Meyer got his way and kept Willie on the bench.

The crap about JJ's defence is nothing short of BULLSHIT.....and the stats prove that.

 Not worth too much debate..One is a legend, the other is overlooked for a rusty Fourie. Clearly the coaches have seen enough to come to the conclusion that JJ is not the answer.

Jean will be asked to tackle the big boys a lot more than JJ at 13..Different positions, different roles!

JJ adds nothing but pace on attack. That is not enough to cement a place in an international team that is ranked 2 in the world. He has no feel for situation and no real touches of class. Often popping the ball forward in a brain explosion. He is not a creator, he has a poor defensive technique..Move on...

Saff, dont be so angry brother. You take it so personally. I thought the purpose of a blog was to debate?? I never attacked you personally. I added my opinion to the thread. If you thought I was wrong, no problem. Agree to disagree. You are raising your blood pressure daily on this board when you should just chill out. You are ageing and you will start having heart complications in the near future. Way too worked up.

 You really shouldn't start a thread with a statement either Saff. Its not really open for discussion is it? Always has been that way with you. What you say must go..Unfortunately, it doesnt work like that and I think everyone on this board has let you know that on one occasion or another.

Now coming back to the topic..Not really much to debate here Saff man. One is an SA great the other not even close. One has achieved much in rugby for club and country. The other has achieved nothing. One has been labelled a must in the Bok set up. The other has been labelled a poor defensive git with no attributes but pace. As I said before Dave...Do you want Forrest Gump playing at centre for the Boks. Sure the man is a running fool but not much else going on up there.

I will answer your three questions:

1. You ask, So if JJ only offers pace at 13 you thick plank, then how the hell did he manage to beat Savea and set up Willie?

Pace Dave. Pace. Thats how he got around Savea. Savea has never been a Tyson Gaye out of the blocks and JJ went around with pace. Nothing fancy. No trickery. Just pace. Same way Read went past Alberts.

2. You ask, how did he manage to step Cruden?

Cruden?? Are you serious? I think Cruden most likely stepped JJ just to get out of the way. Yes, Cruden has improved defensively but you wont see too many international 13's framing a picture of themselves stepping past Cruden. Could it not have been someone slightly more respected on defence?

3. You ask, or what the hell did pace have to do with him running through Conrad Smith?

Dave, the world knows what Conrad Smith has to offer. He is probably the best 13 in world rugby currently in terms of overall game. He is not super human. He will miss the odd tackle as human's do. I cant remember the incident you speak of but Dave, please dont look too much into an isolated incident. Do you know what I call running through someone? Barrett's championship sealing try and that Argies centre's try in Mendoza. You dont see that happening to Conrad. Not by JJ anyway. Can you not think of a time JJ sparked something out of nothing that lead to a Bok try? Or a brilliant touch that fooled a defence?

It takes me back to the question I asked you before. I have just two now...Yes or no is all I am looking for please.

1. Dave, my man, for the 3rd time. Do you think JJ is more valuable to the Boks than Jean?

2. Have you worked out how to answer your mobile phone yet?

Two pretty easy questions really. Remember, yes or no will suffice! No marks for elaborating here.

 Saffex, please dont mistake me for a guy that wants to debate rugby with you. No sir..You sir, know nothing!

I am much less interested in analysing with you than I am in your answer to 1 simple question that you keep avoiding.

Is JJ Engelbrecht more valuable to the Boks than Jean De Villiers?

Dave, answer the question!

 All that dribble above yet the man will not stick his neck out and answer a simple question.

I knew he was a yellow belly coward when he watched his phone ringing instead of answering but this takes the cake.

Dave..Is JJ more valuable to the Boks than Jean? Is JJ a better player than Jean?

As stated, we will let you off the hook with an explanation of your answer. Simple yes or no is fine. If you can not answer this, then we accept that you join the rest of us in acknowledgment that we would far rather lose JJ than Jean...