We could rule the world!!!

Love the optimism blackwolf - may it come to pass !

I can't remember looking forward to a Tri-Nations / Rugby Championship as much as this year.

Boks with some exciting quality newcomers and should have some old guard also back from injury and/or hitting form (Bismarck / Vermuelen / Alberts)

Aussies will have a galvanized, battle-ready squad after the Lions series

ABs coming off a fantastic year but have enough challenges in some positions to give their opponents reason to think they are beatable.

Argies will be improved after their inaugural year and another year under the influence of Henry. I expect them to take out the England team in the June tests who will be missing their Lions players.

:oD

Funny az blackwolf.

Wanna hear another joke?

Quade Cooper.

I do not see what there is to get excited about? Must be Sharks and Bulls supporters 

My thoughts too blackwolf but some things need to happen. Firstly get rid of all quotas re players and coaches and select only on merit, secondly smarten up on tactics and attack play. Thirdly get rid of bent kiwi refs - the most important of the three.

Do these three things and we will rule world rugby as we used to for so many decades. I think we all know this is true.

To answer your question Poly  I put it to you the Bok backline coach is Ricardo Loubscher. He was the bulle Vodacom Cup backline coach. The Bulle Super 15 backline coach is Pieter "Slapchips" Rossouw. Now why would Meyer get in Loubscher? What Meyer should have done is get in the best guy whether he be a Saffa or not. Why didnt he? Is he such an idiot tha the plucks an unknown out of Vodacom level coaching.

Another case in point was Alistair Coetzee. Why was he plaucked out of obscurity to be the Bok backline coach. Any wonder the Bok backlnes underperfrom? What did Coetzee achieve as Bok backline coach - zip - Eddie Jones saved the day for us. Coetzee then on the basis of non performance gets appointed to be Stomers coach. Backline coaching is his speciality - how good have the Stormers backline been.

This and certain of Meyers selections make me think there is even today still a quota system operating.

Guys must earn their stripes. Guys lik eJP, Habana, Beast have been fin eBoks but too many seelcted havent.

Ou PDV's selection was a total disgrace. Hoskins admitted he was not the best man for the job but that other (IE race ) issues held sway re his appointment.

It is essential for rugby and the country as a whole that the merit principle, that is accepted everywhere in the world but here, is reinstated.

End of Story

First we need to rule the S15, and that's not happening. Yes I know it's all the incompetent coaches and we have the best talent in the Known Universe. But I just have the pesky feeling I've seen this movie before and Muad' Dib isn't Muad' Dib!

Moz an honest question to you.

Do you really believe the Sharks and Stormers are inferior teams to the Cheetahs taking into account injuries and refs

Same question re the bulle.

Personally, I believe they would have been our two strongest sides apart from huge injury lists (36 player out in total). If I am right then our conference would have had the best results - just like last year.

By the way you may be interested to know Alan Solomons rates Lubaschagne.

No I don't believe the Cheetahs have better talent, but they appear to have way better coaching. The handling of the Cheetahs tight forwards is the best in the S15. But then I dont think NZ coaching is that hot either. With a level coaching playing field, my guess is we have approximate talent parity at national level, albeit the Aussie ranks are a bit thinner. Dreams of ruling  the world have usually ended badly.