There was terrific confusion and lack of awareness in the Bok defence with the one Tonga try. From here Moodie will shoot in on the 13 even though Andre will shift to cover him, Libbok will turn his back on the 14 and shoot in on the 10 even though Moodie has him comfortably, and Willie likewise will shoot straight in on the 10/11 as they drift outside never even looking at the unmarked 14. You have to trust your inside cover. Thoroughly bamboozled by the Tongans.
Thankfull that Libbok has finally managed to get the ball between the uprights.
Hope his new gained confidence and form will last if and when it is required in the upcoming quarters, semi and final.
Nah, Libbok needs a full season's worth of good averages before I trust him in tight games.
I'm rooting for him, but as it stands there is now way I take him ahead of Pollard.
Yup, not first time. Ireland scored a very similar try.
What is astounding is that they got 3 tries in this game when the boks only conceded 3 in their last 5 games which included that All Blacks
So now we have the Tongans much better on breaking our line than the Irish.
Just bear in mind oaks that one of those tries at least was due to us getting very adventurous trying to rack up the points.
Also remember this was not our best team on the field. In the pack we missed Bongi, Snyman and Du Toit.
I take a number of positives out of this match.
I have been critical of a somewhat passive Reunach. In this match he rolled up his sleeves.
Pollard came through with flying colors. The 100 kg fly half not only kicked the goals eetc but he also defended his channel well, and his distribution was good. He was not afraid to run at the opposition.
Another player who is often a bit lazy is Nyankane. However he was also really into this match. His efforts in the tight lose were very good and he put his body on the line defending.
Kwagga was great and may just out the Captain. However a case can be made that Kwagga is of more value as a sub. Give him 35 min at least.
Deon Fourie had a good outing. His throw ins were spot on and he was busy around the field and got a turnover or two. Van Staden also did well.
Esterhuizen had a bruising game and may have cemented a spot against France - provided we get out of the pool stage which is likely. Kriel again did well both on defence and attack. Moodie is wide awake and I was pleased his dence held up.
Williams in the wing was not put into space which was a pity.
Willie had a good game as well.
Some selection posers but I now have most of the team sorted with only a few toss up.
Lastly, the Bok pack was light by our standard 892 kg. The Tongans were 962. 70 kg heavier! Nevertbeless our small pack outscrummed them and never put a step back. Boks are as hard as nails. If we have a glass jaw and soft underbelly what does this day about Tonga or the other sides we played like Ireland or even the Wee abs. Deus is unhinged for sure.
Another Bok win, another disappointment for Deus. Deus will be pinning his hopes on a French win. If that doesn't happen our chances of making the final are good. A nightmare scenario for Deus! Mozzzz would then also be most put out. Hahahahahaha.
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Tonga was good at getting the ball to their wingers by making long passes over the umbrella rush defense.
They were a constant threat on the outside, it also seemed to happen with both Kriel and Moodie at 13.
Moodie had a very good game today, scoring a good try-albeit off a shoulder pass.
For the Leroux try, Kriel made a poor pass which Moddie snatched out of the air and changed its trajectory for LeRoux to run onto the ball and finish.