Mains says our centres and wings are not test class

This opinion piece by Laurie Mains is so contrary to the rose colored view from the South African rugby press, it’s almost stunning. He also makes the point which I 100% agree with, that we will regress to NH standards if we go and play up there. But the main point he makes is that our centres and wings aren’t test standard. That’s a long way from Dud and Am are the world’s best….although in fairness nobody who saw Kerevi rip the Boks to shreds could still have believed that.

…

Former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains has launched a scathing attack on the Springboks, who he predicts will be no match for New Zealand in the 100th Test between the sides this coming Saturday.

Mains, who played 15 Tests for the All Blacks between 1971 and 1976 and later coached New Zealand from 1992 to 1995, has questioned whether “four or five” of the Springboks are good enough to play at the highest level, while also saying South Africa potentially breaking away from the Rugby Championship to join the Six Nations would be a huge mistake for the defending world champions.

Mains’ swipe at the Springboks comes following their two straight Test defeats by the Wallabies in Gold Coast and Brisbane, respectively.

“I think there’s four or five players in that team that simply are not up to Test level, and I think you’ll see that the All Blacks’ three-quarters will run riot against them,” Mains told Stuff on Monday.

“The centre and the two wings look simply just not good enough to be playing at that level. And, I’d have some questions over one or two of their forwards, too. It’s all very well they have big strong props, but boy, they’ve got to be mobile.

“They just don’t have the cattle the moment, the world-class players there to actually do a lot about it.

“South Africa, sure they had the Tests against the Lions but they didn’t have that really tough Super Rugby programme that brings players up to a level where you either make it or you don’t.

“It’s a bit of a war of attrition, Super Rugby, but it certainly leaves the players in really good condition.”

With the South African franchises already skipping Super Rugby to join the United Rugby Championship in Europe from this season, the 75-year-old Mains warned the Boks against following suit to go play in the Six Nations.

“That discussion will be happening in South Africa. They looked like a team that was just off the pace compared to Australia.

“They will come back harder and faster against New Zealand, but they can’t lift that much [in a week]. They won’t be able to lift it enough to give the All Blacks … assuming the All Blacks are as good as they have been, you know, I can’t see South Africa getting close to them with that team.

“I mean, in rugby today with the high skill levels and variation of tactics, and everything that goes with it, it is extremely hard for a team that is lacking in ability to compete with a team that’s got a lot of ability.”

That's an interesting read, Mozart.

I think there's a few more than just 4  players that aren't test material. 

The midfield is without a doubt substandard ... but that's not the only area that's needs attention.

Mains is being kind.

The media has been contracted to promote these quotas. 

Kolisi is some kind of rugby god according to them ... and the scary thing is is that fools like Stupid Dave swallows the nonsense they print.

Fat Rassie agreed to reform the squad. He agreed to promote unmerited black players ... to push their racist policies forward.

He is a sellout ... and he knows it ... and he doesn't care.

Sadly, guys like Comrade, BeanDip and Stupid think he's a saviour and the mere fact that there's no evidence of him even knowing the simplest of basic coaching techniques doesn't sway them.

The evidence of his incompetence is clear for all to see ... and Mains has picked up on that.

Comrade Mike and company are hanging onto the fluked WC. 

That's all they need to sing his praises. His blunders get a free pass. Over and over.

Right now Fat Rassie is sitting pretty. He is in favour of playing up north. He doesn't want to look bad against the tougher southern hemisphere teams. 

He knows his black pretenders aren't up to the task.

All of this is about him. He wants to be the hero ... but ... his little world of deception is going to crumble and he'll be exposed as the chump he is. 

Hopefully sooner than later.

It has already started with back to back losses against the useless Ozzies. 

I look forward to the weekend.

The best unbiased report I have read on the Boks - Aussie games.

He has summed it up correctly in his last paragraph.

In SA terms what he is saying is that the Springboks have more "Butt" than "Class"  and are in for a lesson in rugby unfortunately.

I am also concerned about the SA sides competing up North instead of against the Pumas, Wallabies and All Blacks.

Years back they had a Pacific Islanders team included and I would rather have them play against as opposed to England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

But on the other hand the travel is tiring and the time zones play havoc with your health/stamina unless you have a chance to recover over a period of time.

Perhaps that was one of the reasons for the switch to Northern opponents besides MONEY.

With the present situation all teams in this tournament are stationed in Oz and have no excuse to offer with travel.

So, we will just have to hope and prey that the Springboks are able to bring their "A" game to this week-ends game against the All Blacks.

Fingers crossed hoping for a miracle and to hopefully win my bet.

Vasbyt.

Kolbe is arguably the best wing in the world. Although it looks like he will not be playing against the All Blacks. 

Nkosi was exposed on defence by the Ozzies. Most of the best-attacking movements were on his side. 

I would like to see Fas si get a run. He is certainly international standard, albeit he might not have enough experience yet. 

Kolbe is very good, but he is not complete. Mapimpi is definitely ahead of him, but he is certainly up there. Fassi was defensively worse than Nkosi. Will he get better? Who knows, but I don't hold out hope as we very seldom see South African players improve. Fassi was overhyped for not really doing anything of note aside from a good catch for a try. We have a lot of defensively vulnerable backline players. Years of super rugby have diluted our sense of line integrity and key fundamentals. We now produce very generic players who can't quite fit into any position as a result. 

There was a blip in 2019 which was over embellished. We've actually struggled throughout the José reign. We do have good players, and could field a much better xv than what we are seeing. It's clear the coaching team have clutched their last straw. 

He was absolutely right. The midfield and back three are impotent against good to above average opposition. Where were our big forwards? They have been dominated in general play all season, aside from Kwagga, Wiese, Frans, van Rensburg, Marx for the most part. Our centres have been dominated, and Pollard has been outplayed all season. Our big fatty props are cumbersome when the game becomes less structured. 

Orie is useless. He does not belong at the international level. Laurie Mains must have been thinking of him when spoke about some of the players not being international standard. 

Laurie Mains meant:

1. Orie

2. Nkosi (Was terrible on defence against Australia). 

3. Delande (A cart horse performance). You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, or think.

Look at the stats I posted, our attack is very, very, very poor Unteromlett. We are not producing anything resembling world-class production. Why do you suppose that is? Mostert and Orie? Do you think at such an infantile level on all matters?