Of course getting the win was great but will it influence matters negatively going forward.
Lets face facts the win was based on a dominant tight five. The Cheetahs were very poor defensively missing 13 tackles by half time alone. Those raving about the Stormers backs need a reality check. Eg would Senatla have scored those two tries (a) without help of a dominant scrum or (b) against top class defence. The answer is obviously no.
As Mallet and the esteemed Beeno have repeatedly warned the oaks, this backline will not feature against top sides.
But it gets more serious. Kolisi had to drive the ball over the line against a Cheetah back and failed. He then along with Carr couldnt stop a Cheetahs player near the line and got rolled over. We need Burger and Rhodes back. We cannot afford not to dominate at forward and these two show pony forwards are not the answer for big games. Perish the thought either of them make the Bok RWC squad!!!!
I hope the Lions will give ou Alistair a wake up call never mind top down under opponents. However the lesson has been given again and again and again. Jake of course undrstood matters and one just have to look at his 2007 RWC winning backline.
The win against the Cheetahs has to be taken with a pinch of salt. I mean how good are the Cheetahs backs when it comes to defence. I mean Rhule, Bommejies, Seargel Pietersen, Van der Spuy, collectively are pathetic. Naka mistakenly didnt start with Benjamin and of course they greatly miss Sadie.
Poor Cheetahs loosing Marcel, Strauss, Labbers, Van Zyl to the rapacious parasitic bulle. Loosing Van Der Walt overseas. Then having Coenie, Loodt, Brussouw and Sai
die out. What chance did that fine coach Naka have?
When assessing matters like the Stormers win and the performance of Naka as coach one has to take in to account context.
We then move on to the clangers made by certain poster. Those criticising Allende were again left with mountains of egg. Those who have written off Malherbe ditto. Those criting Koch ditto.
I note in passing ou sharkboks clanger about our bigger backs not being able to step.
Well really!! The following do. Allende, Jean, Vorster, Odendaal, JJ, Hanekom, Serfontein, Combrinck (99kg). Frans Steyn had a brillaint step before his knees gave way.
He have abundant backline talent but unfortunately the coaches of our major franchises are poor.
The biggest egg is reserved for the oaks thinking we cant play running rugby. The nobody Lions have given lie to that comprehensively. The need for a dominant tight five (matfiled has to go) and a balanced loose trio is paramount. Kriel is forcing way in. Comprehensively outplaying Hooper. We can afford one small loosie and Kriel looks to be the guy.
