Given the squad my match 22 would be:
15. Lambie 14. Mvovo 13. JP 12. Frans 11. Habana 10. Jantjies 9. Hougaard 1. Beast 2. Bismark 3. Jannie 4. Flip 5. Etzebeth 6. Coetzee 7. J.Potgieter 8. Spies 16. Pienaar 17. Jean 18. JJ Engelbrecht 19. Coenie 20. Chiliboy 21. J.Kruger 22. Daniel
This side will kick some English butt
Not "will"....."would kick some butt" ...maybe, anybody with half a brain can see what this is all about. Meyer is choosing a team to play classical Bools kick and chase rugby.
Is he? We'll see, but there are selections that just do not support that kind of game. Of course the loose trio will be selected upon the unit, but even so, Brussow should be there. There seems to be a perception that he has been average; this is of course another lie that cannot be supported by any kind of facts. Besides, in a pack with more clout he will thrive, particularly putting pressure on opposition under the high ball. Joe Pietersen would add considerable power to a kick dominated game. And if he wants to play a game style that requires a high degree of accuracy then you cannot have a player like Bismarck on the field. This plodder has been diabolical all year, if the highest turnover concessions and error count don't factor into the equation, then what does? Reputation? That which has never been supported by any kind of scrutiny? This was supposed to be his big breakout from Smit's shadow. Predictably he flopped. So many issues.
Anyway, I do hope that the Boks resemble the functional style of the Bulls ball in hand. That is after all the formula he left in place and something that was retained over the last six years. Hopefully he will be able to rope in some of the assistants he wanted later on down the line, notably Nienaber.
Dave, you have a lazy touchline hugger on one wing, a useless outside centre with one of the worst defence stats around, another frail defender at 10 with no tactical acumen ala Earl Rose, a nonentity at hooker, a nervy coward at 15, far too many liabilities in one starting XV to leave me feeling any kind of confidence. Unfortunately for JP playing outside centre is more intricate than just being able to hit a gap. And certainly being made the Robert Ebersohn on test rugby is nothing to be proud of either. All very shameful given that he is far, far, far better than the loafer outside of him.
Saffex
I found some common ground with Der Aristokrat in this case. Pietersen is NOT in any real contention - because of the disaster in picking him as a center for the Sharks. With some luck he may make the bench - but that is also unlikely. Jean will be no 13
Jantjies had a reasonably good game against the Sharks and may show class in a stronger team than the Lions. However, I think Meyer would go for Steyn at flyhalf for the time being and repalce him with Goosen asap.
Hougaard - maybe not. My feeling is that Pienaar will be the starting scrummie with Hougaard on the bench.
You may be right about the forwards though.
saffex. The forwards look good, but jp at wing, and jean at centre. I like elton, but i think he needs to come off the bench, Morne has to start, Not that i rate morne, but if were going to the old fashioned skop and chase, it has to be morne, and also from and experience point.
Nope Jean has done stuff all all season, is now an old man and we dont need him out of position at 13. JP works for me. Taute would have been my 13 had he been fit and JP would have been my wing.
No way in hell would I select Morne at 10 - conservative does just not wash with me. Give me the flair and creativity of Jantjies anyday.
Saffex you can have him.
Top flyhalves in RSA at this time are:
1. Goosen
2. Grant
3. Steyn
These guys are all match winners and do not throw suicide balls to their centers as your #10 selection does.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
Wrong the kid has a great feel for the game, evidenced by that lovely chip kick. The kid is all flair and creativity and would thrive in the company of Boks.
The order is:
1. Goosen
2. Jantjies
3. Grant
4. Morne
Saffex - wrong again - the merit order of flyhalfs in SA are:-
1 Goosen
2 Lambie
3 Grant
4 Jantjies
5 Steyn
Jantjies can go ahead of Grant - but not while he plays for the Lions.
No way in hell is Grant ahead of Jantjies. Lambie is up there but we dont need him at 10, we need him at 15. Lambie is a better 10 than Grant and Morne though
One chip kick (ala Spencer) does not make an all round winner.
Just my view.
One chip kick (ala Spencer) does not make an all round winner.
Just my view.
Non entity at hooker?
Nervy coward at 15?
Please explain? Especially how you arrive at Lambie being a coward.
