I-am sure that against the Japanese two of our loosies - Du Toit and Kolisi has tht epace and endurance to keep up with the game. Louw and Vermeulen will be liabilities against the fast paced Japanese,
The other player that should against the Japanese in particular must never be in the 23 is Steyn - the Japanese will run circles around him. Willemse on the other hand is a must against the Japanese,
If we want Tight 5 dominance - we will need Etzebeth, De Jager and Snyman as locks. Please not physical deficient Mostert,
I was just fishing to see what the village idiots come up with? LMAO
I do not hate anybody -
Jpn played very well - super fast hadns and accurate passing... they did the little things really well - ie attention to detail.
What they lack in size made up for in tenacity...
Their coach has done an excellent job with them... Jamie Joseph is world class.
The defensive pattern was relentless... Onsaying this though wouldnt be surprised that they peaked in that game.. I really cant see them getting past SA...
I did predict before the world cup that some of the Northern Hemisphere teams would not be used to the fast pitches and warm weather.
They play a slower game in the mud bath Isles- at least until they change rugby to a summer sport and even have synthetic pitches.
With you on that Mozart and I have no bias either way - Saffas should win fairly comfortably...
I dont think Japan forward pack can endure a Saffa onslaught... and those speedy wingers had the game of their lives... definitely wont be repeated... full stop.
I like how this abstract, particularly the final line, perfectly describes the rugby strengths and issues that Japan have.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1939289
Well I suppose most rugby fans would go along with his observations of the conventional.
However I have a gut feel that these 1/4's won't go the way the majority expects...they often do.
Mike will remember in 2007 in France...SA and Eng in Final...nobody saw that one coming and when SA "just" had to beat a side that they had beaten by 30 points just a few weeks before...it was a forgone conclusion...or was it? Certainly not...it was too close for that.
But the biggest factor that has been overlooked (certainly from what appears on this forum) is the huge mental and psychological aspect. Japan playing in Japan on rugby's biggest stage. Japan is a very different beast...we have already seen it and no it was not flukes or luck etc, etc.
Plum that article is interesting...japanese folk have very sharp, astute and strong mental ability...very advanced.
Saffas on the otherhand might be physical big and tough and outwardly intimidating but are often lacking in mental strengths...not only rugby but just look at cricket as well. Great talent sometimes but often folds when needed most.
The Boks will totally mansham them in every department.
When you say British what do you mean more than half of LONDONISTAN is foreign. So which "British children were tested?
The" Japs" having beaten Ireland are a respected opponent but we should put them away.
WalesFrance also are no pushovers. The idea Boks have easy route to final is over the top.
beeno Saffas got the easiest route the finals of any contender... ireland / england / kiwis / saffas are the top teams... wales making up the numbers...
I think fact that Saffas play Japan instead of ireland mkes for the easiest run of any of the above contenders...
Winner of wales / france will be worthy adversary but not like kiwis or poms or irish... or dare i say the aussies...
Re Mental fragility Sebastian - I do agree the saffas have suffered this over the years but seem to have enough winners in this team... ie etzebeth / pollard / snyman / big red headed prop guy...
having spent years in japan and doing busines with them - they are tireless workers and great technicians and probably practice passing 10x more than any other team but they dont have the creativity - granted kiwi coach done excellent job with them i think saffas have too muc class all over the park..... and that said they lack size to match it with saffas at set piece.. ....
They have heart but wont play another game like tht pool match i 100% guarantee it......or 99.99999% guarantee it...
the hooker was all heart... he played for rebels... had a george smith style about him... could have been the dreadlocks...
