New Zealand Herald rugby writer back to Boks to win at Eden Park

Boks to win at Eden Park for the first time since 1937.

'The All Blacks' remarkable record at Eden Park will fall on Saturday', Rattue writes. 'Call it a hunch, call it madness, but there is a cocky, fresh-looking Springbok pack heading this way while the All Blacks' exertions against the muscular Argentines have taken petrol out of their tank.'

He adds: It's a dangerous business betting against the All Blacks and especially at Eden Park, where they are unbeaten for nearly 20 years. But there comes a time when that danger becomes too attractive. The Boks look primed, and Auckland's changing demographics will afford them major support.'

Rattue's full column

Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images

 and here I was thinking you were referring to that South African TV Commentator and future Springbok Coach Justin Marshall!

 

I was not impressed at all by the scrumming of the All Blacks and called it crinkle paper. They were pushed back too many times by the Pumas. There is one consolation though and that is the fact that Own Franks - by some distance their best prop was not playing on Saturday. They have no hooker of any real consequence inn their team. Their other problem is with their midfield (center) combination. Conrad Smith played very well in the Sydney test and since then disintegrated completely. Saili - is to my mind very average if one looks at his Super 15 performances and Nonu is the same - if not worse. Lastly taking into accouint his brilliant performances last year - the most disappointing player this year at full back is Israel Dagg. Given space he is a great runner with the ball - but his defence borders on the ridiculous - it really is poor and he got bumped off far too often. The advantages the AB's have is in their loose trio and inside backs, as well as on the wing. The problem is that if we look at the Dunedin test last year - he was penalty prone and although he contributed to one try in the game - for the rest he was not all that good. I am a great believer in Luatua - but one wonders who the AB's will come up with to replace McCaw. However, it is likely to be Cane - a good player - but nothing special. Can the Springboks beat them? I am not sure about that one. It depends on a lot of factors - all must be entirely in their favour for them to succeed. If Franks is not fit to play and Morne can reduce the aimless kicking completely - it would help. If Pienaar stops his ridiculous box kicks placing all his forwards off side - it would help as well. The Aussies largely kept the Springboks at bay for 60 minutes and then gave away tries basically through poor defence - will the Springboks be lucky in that respect as well?

 Rat--tue always tries to increaser readership but taking controverail (some might say absurd) positions :)

Clevermike: check out Players of the Week on the other thread. They picked  some players you were not so keen on.