22 Sept 2014, 03:22#2
I have put a few Pacific Pesos on the Wobs just quietly .....
sharkbok
Captain23,294 posts
sharkbokCaptain23,294 posts
22 Sept 2014, 04:01#3
I would like Argentina to deliver a really powerful performance with their forwards and dominate the All Blacks. This is the only way it is going to be a close match. Hopefully the pitch is wet and slow as this will favour Argentina with the best scrum in the tournament.
I dont think Australia have much of a chance. Their backs are not going to get enough ball. As long as Adrian Strauss is starting our lineouts and scrums should be good. That should give us a platform to get our game going. Our backs allways play better at home as well. Pollard at home should get the backline going, he just needs to work on combining with Leroux.
I am not sure why the Boks allways play the All Blacks on the highveld. Would be better to play them at sea level with a slower pitch.
22 Sept 2014, 04:08#4
All Blacks without Cruden will struggle to win the next couple of tests.....will be South Africa 's best chance to end the ABs unbeaten record...big mistake leaving Cruden at home....how fken dopey is Hansen????..
sharkbok
Captain23,294 posts
sharkbokCaptain23,294 posts
22 Sept 2014, 04:16#5
Brycy I do not realise that All Blacks will be without Cruden. Why is Cruden being left behind, is he injured?
Given that Mother Nonu is also injured it is the most unsettled All Blacks side in ages. F* atoe is green at international level.
Ben Smith might make a good flyhalf, as might Willie LeRoux. They are similar type of players.
Although Barrett has had some of his best games against the Boks, albeit it off the bench as an impact player.
sharkbok
Captain23,294 posts
sharkbokCaptain23,294 posts
22 Sept 2014, 04:23#6
A just read that he missed the plane to Argentina. LMAO! Zac Guilford would be proud
22 Sept 2014, 04:30#7
Sharkbok, have you seen the ABs results at sea level in SA? Then you'll realise why the Boks want to play them only on the Highveld!!
sharkbok
Captain23,294 posts
sharkbokCaptain23,294 posts
22 Sept 2014, 04:37#8
Moola I am pretty sure that a hard fast pitch suits New Zealand better due to your guys having better passing skills in the backline.
In the most recent game in New Zealand their was only 4 points in it. I reckon if the pitch was dry and fast in the last match, the All Blacks would have won by a higher score.
On a slower pitch the Boks can turn it more into trench warfare and use our strong ball carriers in the forwards. Not that the All Blacks do not have strong ball carriers either, but mauling and pick and carries are a strength of the Boks
22 Sept 2014, 04:38#9
...I'd be very happy if I was a Bok supporter...Cruden missed a curfew so they've dropped him for two tests...at the risk to the unbeaten record of 20 tests....unbeaten record against the Pumas and also risk losing to SA...bit over the top but I think the one eyed Cantab Hansen wants to give Sladey a crack ahead of the RWC...
sharkbok
Captain23,294 posts
sharkbokCaptain23,294 posts
22 Sept 2014, 04:46#10
I say the All Blacks are about 10% better than the Boks at the moment, and the Boks are about 10% better than the Wallabies. The Wallabies are probably about 5% better than England and Wales.
The change in the midfield by the All Blacks could give the Boks the advantage. Changing a flyhalf and inside centre at the same time is a drastic change.
22 Sept 2014, 04:50#11
...well there were some NZ commentators calling for an AB loss before the RWC...they may get their wish..
22 Sept 2014, 06:01#12
Nah Brycy , ABS still look the goods with Barrett starting and Sladie on the bench .No probs Bob ...just teasin' the wee bok fans is all.If they hadnt punished Cruds we would no doubt have people accusing the ABS of rule breaking or cheating or some such nonsense that has nothing to do with anyone other than then ABS management .
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
22 Sept 2014, 08:34#13
Brycy
Cruden went to pieces in the Wellington test - especially the second half and that is a fact. Cruden under pressure is not a nice sight to see. I think Cruden looks good with ball in hand - but he is not really a good defender and under pressure - he is not all that good.
Barrett is the same type of player - I have seen him caving in under pressure as well. I like the much more reliable Slade as the first hoice flyhalf after Carter.
The poor chap has a drinking problem - he should consult with Guildford and O'Connor. They would advise him how to really get to the bottom of the bottle.
I think that -
* the Springboks will beat the Aussies with relative ease - provided Meyer does not bugger up the team selection (say by 15 points); and
* the All Blacks will beat Argentina - but it may be a close call depending on which rgentina team starts - I would say the All Blacks by 9 points.
22 Sept 2014, 08:46#14
Well Clevermike under pressure Barrat really put the Boks to the sword last year diddnt he. All flyhalves when under pressure, dont hv time and space and struggle, not just specific to Cruden. Crudens just one player. SA well also be playing an green International Ten Pollard, so no point of difference their. I would be more worried if we lost a Richie or a Read, or a coles, or a retilluck.
22 Sept 2014, 09:21#16
Brycy it had nothing to do with biast to Canterbury players lol. It was because Cruden broke curfew. Fair call from Hanson, they have strict guidelines on alcahol consumption. Slade and Taylor are in because they are used to the systems, and they are prooven .
22 Sept 2014, 09:29#18
Yea I know ..there all expendable...that's why if we lose the RWC Hansen should be immediately replaced with Dave Rennie...haha
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
22 Sept 2014, 11:56#19
ABS vs Argies - A scrap of all scraps. Actually looking forward to that game more than the Boks game. The Argies are looking so much better these days and i feel that if they can be a nuisance at the breakdown then they have the creativity in their back line to cause any team in world rugby serious problems.
Commonwealth allegiances aside i think it's safe to say that they are winning us over more and more with every game they play. It's phenomenal to think what underdogs they were some years ago and where they are today. I am totally up for including them in the super 15, though i have no idea what that means as regards logistics etc.
18 - 16 to the ABS (Close i know but i got a feeling)
Boks vs Oz. I think the Boks will dominate all facets...until Bizzie comes on. I predict Oz to get a try or two against the run of play. Gonna predict Willie to be MOTM and to score two tries.
Boks to win 28 -12.
22 Sept 2014, 12:05#20
Plum, I also like the idea of the Argies being included in Super Rugby. MAybe they should just base their Team in SA, ala Pampas. It will also even out the travel burden on all the sides a little.
NZ to beat Arg by 20. The Argies have the least depth and as a result will have the biggest fatigue burden.
SA to Beat Aus by 7
