Rassie on Evan Roos omission

"You don’t have to call all these things that went our way lucky to accept they were largely out of our control and certainly not the result of genius coaching. The coaching put us in an arm wrestle in 3 successive games, at the end a few players like Snyman, Etzebeth, Ox and Pollard did enough, but only because the opposing players didn’t take their chances….not in any way because the coaching got us out of those 3 deep holes."

Some luck, might even argue extreme luck, but luck wasn't the only factor, not by a long mile...3 deep holes in a row...we had to have some luck, but the 95% had to be there first to make the 5% luck count.

"Nobody is saying it was all luck."

No, some of you are implying it's mostly luck..

Most of the Rassie fans agree that there were some luck involved...the all-luck-crowd are all in because they hate to admit that there was some exceptional preparations involved too...mostly by the coach...

You can prepare perfectly, but you can’t coach a last-minute knock-on, a missed kick, or a TMO call that goes your way. Those are the fine margins that decided all three knockout games.

Acknowledging that doesn’t take away from the achievement — it just gives an honest reflection.

It looks like you guys can’t handle any viewpoint that doesn’t praise him like he walks on water.

Rugby’s about balance — both on the field and in conversation.

Idiot

Rex, your Hereford bull (if you even have one — you lie so much it’s hard to tell) could’ve come up with a better reply than that. :)

Becs do you guys really call Biltong roadkill?? That’s not very nice:) Only good meat gets used for Biltong….

Do you like eating Biltong?

Mpuff what have I lied about you retard?

Provide the evidence or shut up

Unlike the criticism of Jake White I read on here all the time, I don’t think Dr Lucky is incompetent. He is clearly a professional and a competent forward coach. Time and again during the ‘expansive’ period I suggested we needed to get back to defense and forward dominance. Lucky pressed both those buttons.

But he is inherently very conservative, witness Roos, and he wasn’t willing to move far from his winning formula. We prevailed in 2003 and after that double win he acknowledged our strategy was outdated, criticized Schmidt for supposedly implementing it in Australia.

Schmidt, however, has improved Wallaby performance against the Lions and away against the Boks. That perhaps shows the strategy is not that outdated.

So it will be interesting to see if we are committed to Brown ball. And our tactics against the Bargies at Twickenham looked a lot like our tactics in the Oz second test.

Also Erasmus in almost 8 years at the helm, including 2020, hasn’t got any finger prints on backline tactics. It’s not his thing. That makes it hard to make a revolutionary change given the coach hasn’t got much to add. To in effect outsource coaching. A substantial loss in the second AB test might have killed it.

But credit to him for having the guts to throw all the balls in the air….few coaches would have done that given the Boks won the last 6o minutes at Eden Park. Which makes the reversion back to an arm wrestle at Twickenham, decided by a coat of paint, that much more disappointing.

Completely inaccurate that Rassie is only a forwards coach - under Rassie the only time we played a boring kicking conservative game was post Covid against the Lions given we had not played for ages

For the rest we scored as many tries in the backs as any other side out there, with as many defenders beaten or clean breaks made

Evidencec by the strike rates of our wings. Rassie is clearly an all round coach, renowned for researching opponents, tactically very astute and a very good player manager - the players love him, buy into his rugby philosophy.

Surrounded himself with trusted deputies - Neinaber, Felix Jones, Human etc. Has recognised the need to change things up and with that we have seen the introduction of Brown and Flannery

We have seen much evidence of Brown ball with subtle changes until it was fully unleashed against the Kiwi’s in NZ - but with that we saw a completely different backline who are better equipped to implement Brown ball

But unfortunately that was cut short by the injury to Fassi - where Willemse the catalyst at 12, had to move back to 15

It makes sense that when it’s a must win game we resort back to the tried and tested method - 2nd test against Oz, the second test against the Argies but that was more of a lapse as for the first 20min of the second half we looked like we would run away with the game

Until we have the right players in place on a regular basis implementing Brown ball, we will see us revert back to the old at times - it’s perfectly understandable

In a way I’m frustrated Rassie is not looking at a way to ensure Willemse stays at 12 regardless and this can only happen when there is a plausible back up to Fassi at 15

Mpower……yep, Roadkill it is :)

Well I don’t eat meat so none of that for me !

Ok Becs. Are you vegetarian or Vegan?

Vegan.

And your aunt?

Rabid meat eater…..:)

That’s interesting Becs. I myself don’t eat much Red meats… mostly chicken and Fish, lots of Veg. Also fruit.

Sometimes I will eat venison, also lean meat.

"Erasmus replied: “My friend he is a world-class player and will play many Test matches for the Boks, we just have to really good eights in Jasper [Wiese] and Kwagga [Smith], and in my opinion, they are still delivering at a higher level than Evan!! So, who to drop.? One thing is a given, he is a Test match player and will probably make it in 2027.”

The more I read this statement the more it annoys me.

1) Claims Evan is world class - but goes on EOYT with one proper 8.

2) Claims Evan is world class - but doesn't consider that he could cover the side of the scrum...the way Kolisi covers 8. Doesn't even want the supposedly world class player as part of the squad, a squad that is known for including long term prospects in it over long periods to acclimatise them to the "Bok way". Apparently Roos isn't even good enough for that!? If he isn't, then who is? Oh, right, the 21 year old prop that nobody has ever heard of. He can be included. He won't see game time but let's include him...but for sure let's leave this "world class" player who is in his prime at home.

3) The workload expected from Wiese is unacceptable - why does the 8 position seem to be immune to rotation? Wiese has started every single game that he has been fit and available for this year(after coming back from a neck injury). So what, we're gonna start Kwagga at 8 against Japan and Italy. Excellent, I'm sure the veteran will learn sooooo much from that. What happened to giving younger guys a chance, Rasman? I guess that doesn't apply to positions where the candidate next in line to be given some time is someone that you don't like.

4) The jab about 2027 is basically a snide way of saying he'll get in when I say so and it doesn't matter how well he performs until then - "Your career depends on me, not you." Imagine being Roos, playing like he is playing at the moment, and then hearing the coach say it'll be two years before you get in. Even if that's Rassie's plan, why say it out loud when all it does is serve as a gut punch to the player? The inclusion of that time frame was intentional. It's a jab, directly at Roos and his dad.

As mentioned, I find his "100% war" attitude enduring even if I think he could play smarter with what he does, and I believe he'll find more success that way.

...but now, seeing how he's basically being victimised by Rassie, I want Evan to win MOTM in every single game he plays.

Hanekom is coming back, and we already know Rassie, like the rest of us, rates him.

...where does that leave Roos?

Well, very obviously, in the camp of never being picked while Rasman is boss. It doesn't matter that he's a better loosie than Kolisi and PSDT. A spot at flank won't be found for him and there will always be some reason for not having him with the squad.

Somebody needs to explain the logic to me;

You pick a guy to be in the alignment camp. You put him on standby. Everything happens that should see him selected, you don't. He goes back his club and plays his socks off. You still don't pick him and you instead rely on having a single proper 8 in your side, on a tour where you're playing two of the best sides in the world.

Evan should pack his bags, piss off to France and earn big bucks there. His style of play will be lapped up by the French. He'll be working in much more professional conditions and be better looked after than he is in SA.

Playing for the Boks is first prize but ripping it up in Europe, getting massive exposure and retiring rich isn't a very distant second.

Yep, the evidence suggests a big Dislike of Roos….almost to the point of a Fuck You, not while I’m the coach…..

Dr.Lucky is the only so called Genius, that is simultaneously a Poephol:)

It's gonna turn nasty now M.

Roos is gonna keep playing very well and the public are gonna get even more behind him than they already are.

We'll see how Rassie responds, but I wouldn't be surprised if stuff kicks off

Yep, the evidence suggests a big Dislike of Roos….almost to the point of a Fuck You, not while I’m the coach…..

Agreed, my thoughts as well. I'm not sure what he's got against Roos, it's madness, almost like his in denial about the kid's amazing ability.

Even more weird when you think that the kid would waltz into any of top national sides in the world.

None of this makes sense - it’s literally bullshit

Telling us Kwagga is an 8 when we all know he has never succeeded starting at 8. He will then say Kolisi is an 8 if need be, which is bullshit.

You choose a squad of 36 to play 5 tests and you only select one specialist 8 in Wiese.

You have Roos knocking down the door and he can’t make the squad. Rassie’s response was who should he drop to include Roos - what crap, 36 could easily have been 37, in fact given there are 5 tests and 3 are easy he should have taken 40 players

You have the Roos situation at one end and then the selection of Zac Porthen at the other. The 21 year old has done nothing to merit selection given he has literally started one game for the Stormers. Then you also have the return of BJ Dixon to the squad - he is only just back from injury and been at best solid. Nothing compared to the form Roos has shown.

Rassie is fucking up when it comes to the non selection of Roos - he deserves all the heat thrown at him over this - it’s piss poor

Sometime a player just doesn't fit in the environment and for all we know, there may be issues with some of the more senior players which is why Rassie says there will be a place for Roos later.

As much as the Boks like to try give the impression that theyre all one big happy squad there will be cliques. There always are.

Yes, X...let's hope this gets sorted soon.

Any reason for that, Mpower ? Just don’t like it or is it for health reasons ?

I like a steak now and then…. But it always feels like lead in my tummy. I feel better after lean meats…..can’t handle a lot of fat.

And yes it’s a healthier lifestyle…..you are what you eat :) Hope you well otherwise Becs, enjoy your Weekend.

I’m liking this Aunt …Becs please give her my best.

Mpower…..well, good to know you eat what suits you :)

Yeah, I’m ok thanks. How are you doing ?

Mozart…..I will do. She’s a good sort :)

I’m ok to Becs, thanks.

Good to hear :)

Why '27 ... who's to say he won't have an outstanding '26 ?