Wanna be more pissed...jere are a few stats from yesterday's games.

In each case I give you runs attempted/ metres made.....tackles made/tackles missed.

Kirchner  4/39..............0/1

Aplon  4/23..........3/0

JP......10/45.......7/1

Mapoe........5/53......10/0  (Mapoe was JP's direct opponent)

JJ.....6/5........7/1

de Jongh.....3/14..........9/0

Jean  7/27..........7/2

Olivier   12/10..........7/1

Basson.....1/0....2/1

Jantjies  4/4......5/1

These stats it puts the sword to every point made supporting JP, Olivier, Jantjies, JJ, Basson and Kirchner.

Jp was supposedly dominating....but never managed to beat his man once who handily outproduced him in the running department....and that man was Mapoe.

Olivier is a Bok again.....but can't crack 1 metre per run attempt.

Kirchner misses his only tackle attempt.

Was Basson even playing or.....here's the rub......cowering?

JJ also can't crack 1 metre per run......misses a flank through the outside gap to lose the game and is selected?

Jantjies the great attacking genius gains 4 metres in 4 runs!

But I'm guessing this side was selected well before those events yesterday and they never influenced things at all.....just left a sour taste in our mouths.

Mozart - I have a few observations.  First of all - facts do not impress the contributors to the Board.  Facts must be ignored like the plague - and personal likes and sislikes are the norm around here.  

Secondly - how many times did an opposing player ran within a meter from JP and he did not even attempt a tackle - the tackles counted are what he made - some with assistance from other players.   I counted at least five occassions where Pietersen should at least have amde an effort.

I have a problem with meisiekind too.   he is being let own by Steyn - who stabnd back 15 meters and apss hospital passes to Olivier and other players - result they can never get over the advantage line - and get tackled as soon as they get the ball.  Poor bugger had no chance - but that does not take away from the fact that he is harmless.

I personally think that Jamtjies can improve - but not while he plays for the Liosn or possibly in future the Eastern Province Queens.   Other provinces will hessitate to buy him - since he is not a complete flyhalf package and still may through coaching improve.   At this stage his attacking and defending record is not birlliant.

JJ has potential - but not behind the back line wreckers Steyna and Hougaard.   he should move back to the Stormers and you will see a different player.    Hougaard yesterday had a game he would prefer to forget..  

Those stats are a load of rubbish, if you went by them alone you would have to conclude de Jongh was better than JJ, when in fact de Jongh did stuff all all game bar put in a few good low tackles. JJ at least looked threatening with ball in hand.

Mapoe was good yesterday, but no better than JP, both were good.

Jean had an average game yesterday, as did Olivier

But more importantly the selection is not based on one match, its based on a seasons worth.

Dave this posting is not for you. You don't even grasp Meyer has abandoned the Brussouw size fetcher....all you get is he hasn't chosen Aplon and de Jongh. A few days ago you were ranting about him choosing Morne and Jean....that we wouldn't win against the Poms with them playing. Now he's your hero. But they are still going to play.

Take your pills for heaven sake, you are sounding schizo again.

I'm loving the Meyer way.........dont select the little guys as they are a waste of time, good on Meyer for recognising this, the man is in tune with modern times.

He should have included Brussouw, am not sure why he has not, but I'll allow him that one failing. Not sure what your major concern is as Daniel makes the perfect fetcher, he is certainly not in the squad as an 8 given Spies and Kankan are on board. Then of course there is Coetzee who has played most of his matches this season as the Sharks 6......so I dont know what your issue is?

Not so long ago, you were telling us all how Brussouw was being beaten by his opponents, you suddenly changed your tune because he is not in the squad.

How can Meyer have abandoned the Brussouw size fetcher, Daniel is smaller and Coetzee is all of 4kg's heavier than Brussouw

Dave's school of rugby continued.

Rule 19: No little guys, rugby is a game for big, strong, if not strong then fat (preferably bald) players only.

Dave - this video says you're wide of the mark again.

www.youtube.com/watch

 Yeah and?

Was I meant to be impressed and change my mind and tell Meyer to do the same?

I have never questioned Aplons talent, plenty of skill and pace.......most of that footage is CC or S15 rugby........nothing special in the test arena, where the luxuary of space is limited. My issue is his size, hell did you see how Wepner slaughtered him yesterday?

Besides Aplon is 30 odd now, we have experienced wings in JP and Habana, why have a third when its time to invest in some youngsters?

Of all our little guys Aplon is the best, but its time to move on.

Am just pleased to see our national coach shares my views on little guys as I'm sure your national coach does, unless you have some 87kg centres in your AB squad?

Well if what he's done at test level is 'nothing special' I'd hate to think what a big guy like Wynard Olivier's contribution's been, a tip on great conditioner maybe...if you can justify Aplon's and Olivier's inclusion then frankly you'd be just dishonest.

 What has Aplon done at test level?

I have never called for Olivier to be included, he has always been my back-up to Jean at 12, so what the hell you on about?

How many tests has Olivier played at 12 and how much of a run has he had at test level at 12?

He is in the squad now as back-up to Frans, why - because Whitehead is injured - it makes sense.

Mvovo and Basson are back-up wings to JP and Habana, hence no Aplon who is 30 odd, it makes sense

You starting to get it?

I have a few regrets about brussouw. I have doubts as to his value in a back going backwards but not if the tight five are functioning properly - I woudl like to see him playing in a back going forwards. He is a far better player than daniels. brussouw gets stuck in and is in your face. Daniels disappears when times get hard. He is like an extra back Brussouw is a genuine forward.

I think Kan Kan is extremely lucky to get in before Ashley Johnston as well. 

 Oh yes I get it, you can flex your rules for Wynard Olivier's inclusion in the squad but not for the best little guy in SA.

What as Aplon done at test level, I can't believe you don't know.

Position: Wing (10) Fullback (6) 

Province: Western Province 

Springbok number : 816 

Test debut: 5 June, 2010 vs Wales in Cardiff, aged 27 

Last test: 22 September 2011 vs Namibia in Albany, aged 28 

Total tests : 16 

Tour matches : 1 

Total Springbok matches : 17 

Win ratio: 8-8-0 

Tours : British Isles & Ireland, 2010; RWC in New Zealand, 2011 

Honours: Award: 2010 Players' Player of the Year

CAPS 16

TRIES 5

Here's Wynand's

Position : Center (31) Wing (3) 

Club : University of Pretoria RFC 

Province : Blue Bulls (2006 ) 

Springbok number : 772 

Test debut: 10 June 2006 vs Scotland in Durban, aged 22 

Last test: 30 July 2011 vs New Zealand in Wellington aged 28 

Total tests : 34 

Tour matches: 4 

Total Springbok matches: 38 

Win ratio: 16-18-0 

Tours : Ireland & England, 2006 Ireland & Scotland, 2007 RWC in France, Wales & Scotland , 2007 Wales & England, 2007, France, Italy , Ireland & England, 2009. 

Honours : Young SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee, 2005; ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year nominee , 2008.

CAPS 34

TRIES 1

You can't use Jacques Fourie's try scoring record as evidence of his contribution at test match level if you don't do the same for Wynard...and before you use the 'how many tests did he start at 12?' argument, which is getting a little tired, how many of Aplon's tests we're started at 15 Dave?  And here's the profile of another of your picks Zane Kirchner

Position: Fullback (13) Centre (1)

Province: Blue Bulls (from 2008), Griquas (2003-2007) 

Springbok number: 804

Test debut: 4 July 2009 vs British & Irish Lions in Johannesburg aged 25

Last test: 27 November 2010 vs England in London aged 26

Total tests: 14

Tour matches: 0

Total Springbok matches: 14

Win ratio: 7-7-0

Tours: France, Italy, Ireland & England, 2009; British Isles & Ireland, 2010

CAPS 14

TRIES 1

Aplon deserved a squad spot at least, can play wing and fullback, Kirchner is a specialist 15 and Wynand can't buy a test try.  It's embarrassing that a Kiwi has to school a South African about Springbok rugby...and rugby in general.  The little guy here has stats far superior to the bigger bloke who nabbed his spot.

 You could'nt school my sister on Bok rugby. Did you not read my justification for Oliviers inclusion.....who should have been Frans's back-up 12 if not Olivier? Your problem with Olivier is you fail to take in the facts - I ask again, how many tests did he start at 12 and how many extended runs did he have at 12 in the test arena to settle.......answer these questions and you might get to the bottom of Oliviers test record. 

You, like Moz choose to look at number of tests and tries scored - with no consideration for perspective at all. 

I am happy to concede I am wrong with regards to Oliviers inclusion if you can name a better option at 12, given Whitehead is injured.

Same with Aplon - Mvovo and Basson are better options as back-up wings as they represent the future, they are young, Aplon is old. Why select an old man as your back-up wing, when you have youngsters?

Answer these questions and we can move on intead of yiu blowing hot air

I see goal posts shifting and excuse making, try scoring record is a metric you yourself use in your arguments, but when it's used against you you for Wynand Olivier...well what you come up with is laughable.

In the Bok squad you have:

F Steyn - preferred position inside centre

JDV - preferred position inside centre

The Myth Olivier - Inside centre

JP Peiterson - Wing and supposedly outside centre

JJ Englebrecht - Outside Centre and wing

I see no need to have 3 players covering inside centre, the AB's haven't - you can't tell me Olivier is a utility?  If anything I think you're exposed at outside centre, Olivier would drop out and JDJ would come in for me, (cue small guys can't play international rugby rant despite being proved wrong again in the last 24 hours).

Damn Dave - I'll start charging you for these schoolings soon.

 Problem is poohie, Meyer has already said Jean is going to play 13, so regardless of where he prefers playing he is down as a 13, with JJ as the back-up. JP is down as a wing, who could cover 13, these are Meyers words.

So bright spark Frans is the 12, with Olivier the back-up. Not moving the goal posts at all, just persepctive on Olivier which you refuse to accept.

Am with Meyer all the way - there is no place for little de Jongh, why bother with someone who cant impose himself in a dominant Stormers side, what the hell would he do at test level. Imagine him against the 110kg Tuilagi - would be a bloody laugh

 Really?? You're with Meyer on no JDJ, but not with Meyer on Morne Starting or JDV starting - seems you can't have your cake and eat it too, F Steyn can cover both centre spots, so can JDV, there is no need for a 2nd rate specialist inside centre who imposes himself less than a 'lighweight' stormer.  You're a fan of merit selections, in that case there's no way WO should be in this squad.

that's £5 Dave, I'll send you my swiss bank account details - are you still at dave.s@iknowfarkallaboutrugby.com?

 Crap, Olivier is a merit selection and has been good this S15......had Whitehead been fit, I would have had him as my back-up 12.

What are the chances I would be 100% happy with Meyers selections. I take comfort in the fact that Morne will never last once Goosen returns and the Jean experiment at 13 will not last long. Meyer wants these 2 to start with, its an experience thing - it will all change.

You know where you can stick your £5.......provide something of substance and insightful and I'll happily send you some coins

 Where I can stick the £5?? Does it have anything to do with your sister?

My last word, just saw this on planet-rugby:

"How a country can produce as many quality centres as S.A and then continuously pick Wynand Olivier is beyond me...."

Couldn't agree more.

 Well poohie you just dont grasp it do you? Whitehead is injured, hence Olivier is in as the back-up 12......many of us, Meyer included, rate Olivier - its all good as far as I am concerned

 But Meyer rates Morne and JDV and you don't so you can't use 'HM know's best' as an argument mate, otherwise you'll have to accept that Morne is currently best for the Springbok flyhalf position.

How stupid are you, no seriously?

So I have to agree with every selection Meyer makes or his take on players. I cant agree with him on Olivier or disagree with him on Morne.

For the record, I have always been a huge Jean fan, in my opinion the best 12 the Boks has had - but he is past it - time to move on - get it?

 Then we have the most telling stat of them all:

If your a Bull player,form goes out the window,you'll get picked in anycase.

 And Olivier is moving on right?  Wrong..that's another £5 Dave, I'll put the money towards a new place for your sister, her hair is clogging up the drains at my place. 

 Does that make you feel all manly talking about my sister?

What part of Whitehead is injured hence the need for Olivier do you not get?

Did I say I would select Olivier?

...ok question from sitting bull...How many of these SA players are like Wepu and  Ali Williams in respect to still being picked cause they're on contract to the rugby union and not necessarily best picks.... It's called good business practice i think...wait until their contract expires and then bring in the new talent...the ABs can probably get away with it against ireland and maybe if we give these suspect players enough rope they'll hang themselves..

 Sitting bull I get your point but if that was the case I doubt a player like Brussouw would have been left out of the squad.

In Meyers squad, the following need to move on:

Kirchner, Basson, Habana, Jean, Olivier, Morne, Vermaak, Franco v/d Merwe, Alberts and Kankan