The Tri Nations (Rugby Union)
Discussion
What are peoples thoughts on how the Tri Nations will go down this year?
South Africa are looking pretty strong following the Lions tests, despite losing when they tried swapping key players, and have that game time as a team to build on.
One major problem is that the Currie Cup tournament starts now as well, and means all the provincial sides will be playing constantly. The Springboks will no doubt have to pull a few players from these teams as time goes on and will be getting some very worn out players. They have a tendancy to protect their best players for the Springboks but whether that is possible with their biggest local tournament on the go is doubtful and could leave them very thin in some areas.
Any injuries to key players must be a major concern, they fell apart when they didnt have their mainstay players to hold it together. One thing I hope is that they dont let that Earl Rose anywhere near the field, unless they want to give their opponents a gift, he is terrible!!
New Zealand were a little hit and miss against France, but again have the benefit of that game time as a team, and it's also given them the opportunity to make changes were they were weakest (like relegating Rokocoko to the bench). Stephen Donald is at number 10, and they have plenty depth in that area if he doesnt perform, generally bodes well for them I think.
Australia id put as the weakest of the three, though havent watched them play in a while so could be in for a shock. They have some good players but face a dog of a starting match in Eden Park, they'll be extremely lucky to start their campaign on a win. Whether they can endure the toughness of 80 minutes of rugby like we saw in the Lions tour is a big question. New Zealand and South Africa have recently learnt the hard way that you cant play 40 minutes of rugby then let things go, and will be addressing that, plus both teams are as tough as they come.
Starts tomorrow at 8:30 with NZ Australia, I am expecting NZ to come out extremely strong and try and overwhelm Australia with brutal rugby. I can see Australia having to be on the defensive for a lot of it.
My prediction is a NZ win by at least 10 points.
South Africa are looking pretty strong following the Lions tests, despite losing when they tried swapping key players, and have that game time as a team to build on.
One major problem is that the Currie Cup tournament starts now as well, and means all the provincial sides will be playing constantly. The Springboks will no doubt have to pull a few players from these teams as time goes on and will be getting some very worn out players. They have a tendancy to protect their best players for the Springboks but whether that is possible with their biggest local tournament on the go is doubtful and could leave them very thin in some areas.
Any injuries to key players must be a major concern, they fell apart when they didnt have their mainstay players to hold it together. One thing I hope is that they dont let that Earl Rose anywhere near the field, unless they want to give their opponents a gift, he is terrible!!
New Zealand were a little hit and miss against France, but again have the benefit of that game time as a team, and it's also given them the opportunity to make changes were they were weakest (like relegating Rokocoko to the bench). Stephen Donald is at number 10, and they have plenty depth in that area if he doesnt perform, generally bodes well for them I think.
Australia id put as the weakest of the three, though havent watched them play in a while so could be in for a shock. They have some good players but face a dog of a starting match in Eden Park, they'll be extremely lucky to start their campaign on a win. Whether they can endure the toughness of 80 minutes of rugby like we saw in the Lions tour is a big question. New Zealand and South Africa have recently learnt the hard way that you cant play 40 minutes of rugby then let things go, and will be addressing that, plus both teams are as tough as they come.
Starts tomorrow at 8:30 with NZ Australia, I am expecting NZ to come out extremely strong and try and overwhelm Australia with brutal rugby. I can see Australia having to be on the defensive for a lot of it.
My prediction is a NZ win by at least 10 points.
Have not seen much of the Aaussies either, so on what I have seen I would have to put it down as a Boks vs All Blacks tournament. 
Sorry, the Boks look strong on paper? Are we watching the same team?
This Bok team isnt strong at all, its not even that good. It wasnt that good at the WC and it sure as hell isnt any better now.
Its a tight knit group, with a hard headed forward unit and well lead with 2 flyers out wide, but apart from that its very 1 dimensional, lacks creativity and frankly 1 paced.
It is also appallingly managed.
The ABs should win this at a canter.
This Bok team isnt strong at all, its not even that good. It wasnt that good at the WC and it sure as hell isnt any better now.
Its a tight knit group, with a hard headed forward unit and well lead with 2 flyers out wide, but apart from that its very 1 dimensional, lacks creativity and frankly 1 paced.
It is also appallingly managed.
The ABs should win this at a canter.
I was impressed with Australia!! They created loads of oppurtunities and with a bit more game time as a team may start finishing them more successfully. Handling was a major issue.
As far as SA goes, I dont believe the All Blacks will win it at a canter, it'll be a physical and tough game that should be close fought. I actually give the win to SA in this one (though my previous prediciton of NZ winning by 10 points against Aus wasnt too accurate), NZ will be under much greater pressure than they were against Aus, and SA will finish the moves better.
I still think SA look like an emerging team, lots of potential that is just starting to flourish, and if I were to place a bet id say they'll beat NZ and Aus in the first games, with it being closer in the 2nd.
All in all im glad to see Aus push NZ hard and give them a few scares, looks like it'll be a close exciting tournament.
As far as SA goes, I dont believe the All Blacks will win it at a canter, it'll be a physical and tough game that should be close fought. I actually give the win to SA in this one (though my previous prediciton of NZ winning by 10 points against Aus wasnt too accurate), NZ will be under much greater pressure than they were against Aus, and SA will finish the moves better.
I still think SA look like an emerging team, lots of potential that is just starting to flourish, and if I were to place a bet id say they'll beat NZ and Aus in the first games, with it being closer in the 2nd.
All in all im glad to see Aus push NZ hard and give them a few scares, looks like it'll be a close exciting tournament.
The Aus backs were impressive, but then they usually are. The Aus forwards though were pretty rubbish. NZ looked good across the pitch, a little rusty maybe, but their angles and ability to strike from anywhere were definately intact.
SA will have to produce one hell of a forward effort to live with NZ, because their back division is playing 3rd XV rugby compared to them.
SA will have to produce one hell of a forward effort to live with NZ, because their back division is playing 3rd XV rugby compared to them.
The SA backs can be a little hit and miss, but they've got a very solid team togetehr and players of a serious calibre, check out this for a side:
Springbok squad - Forwards: Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), John Smit (Sharks), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls).
Backs: Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Adi Jacobs (Sharks), Ricky Januarie (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Sharks), Morné Steyn (Blue Bulls).
If the backs are on form they comprise some of the best in the world.
Im looking forward to what should be one of the toughest games this year, NZ and SA will fight tooth and nail (and hopefully minus any eye gouges) for the victory, and I still see SA taking it.
Springbok squad - Forwards: Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), John Smit (Sharks), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls).
Backs: Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Adi Jacobs (Sharks), Ricky Januarie (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Sharks), Morné Steyn (Blue Bulls).
If the backs are on form they comprise some of the best in the world.
Im looking forward to what should be one of the toughest games this year, NZ and SA will fight tooth and nail (and hopefully minus any eye gouges) for the victory, and I still see SA taking it.
Edited by Tokoloshe on Monday 20th July 16:19
What a game!! One of the best games Ive seen in ages, and this weekends encounter will be even tougher as NZ will be fired up after that loss.
If NZ's handling had been better they would've given SA a clsoer run, but SA won that through physical dominance and will, this is going to be one hell of a Tri Nations.
If NZ's handling had been better they would've given SA a clsoer run, but SA won that through physical dominance and will, this is going to be one hell of a Tri Nations.
Massive forward effort by the Boks, they forced NZ to make a lot of mistakes and NZ didnt help themslevs with a few hands in the ruck etc, but it was out of desperation to try and contain the Boks.
Only thing id like to see the Boks do is start to try a few different plays, I dont think JP Peterson saw the ball once, and Habana was mostly active chasing the high ball and in defense, the wings didnt get much attacking opportunities at all.
There were times I was watching thinking they have their whole line to use, yet they didnt try anything adventurous and stuck to piling into defense and trying to plough forward.
It's the modern game I know, but they definitely (IMO) missed some brillaint attacking opportunities by not using the line to get it out to the wings, then ploughing, and repeating.
As things stand my money would be on the Boks winning every game they play in this series, they've got some incredibly impressive and powerful players and only a few things to improve on, only change id make is to Ruan Pienaar, his poor kicking meant it made the game a lot closer than it needed to be, get Morne Steyn on there for the full game!!
Only thing id like to see the Boks do is start to try a few different plays, I dont think JP Peterson saw the ball once, and Habana was mostly active chasing the high ball and in defense, the wings didnt get much attacking opportunities at all.
There were times I was watching thinking they have their whole line to use, yet they didnt try anything adventurous and stuck to piling into defense and trying to plough forward.
It's the modern game I know, but they definitely (IMO) missed some brillaint attacking opportunities by not using the line to get it out to the wings, then ploughing, and repeating.
As things stand my money would be on the Boks winning every game they play in this series, they've got some incredibly impressive and powerful players and only a few things to improve on, only change id make is to Ruan Pienaar, his poor kicking meant it made the game a lot closer than it needed to be, get Morne Steyn on there for the full game!!
Well thats what I have been saying about this Boks team for the last year or so. There isnt much to the team apart from a good forward unit, 2 flyers out wide and a bit boot at the back. It is a very old fashioned Bok team and outlook (how ironic from a new "black" coach) and as the Lions showed if you can match them up front you can take them apart out wide.
If Johnson starts putting a solid tradional England Pack together, i.e. gets rid of Borthwick, then the Boks will meet a team who will match them up front and outplay them out wide. If the Aussies put a decent forward unit together then God help them because the Aus backs will run them ragged.
If Johnson starts putting a solid tradional England Pack together, i.e. gets rid of Borthwick, then the Boks will meet a team who will match them up front and outplay them out wide. If the Aussies put a decent forward unit together then God help them because the Aus backs will run them ragged.
DJC said:
Well thats what I have been saying about this Boks team for the last year or so. There isnt much to the team apart from a good forward unit, 2 flyers out wide and a bit boot at the back. It is a very old fashioned Bok team and outlook (how ironic from a new "black" coach) and as the Lions showed if you can match them up front you can take them apart out wide.
If Johnson starts putting a solid tradional England Pack together, i.e. gets rid of Borthwick, then the Boks will meet a team who will match them up front and outplay them out wide. If the Aussies put a decent forward unit together then God help them because the Aus backs will run them ragged.
I think you are not doing the bok team justice, it is an old fashion bok team, as Jake White built a team to take advantage of the springboks traditional strengths upfront, De villiers has not changed that formula substantially. You are forgetting some of the beautiful 1st phase tries this team has scored, against England, against the Lions etc. If Johnson starts putting a solid tradional England Pack together, i.e. gets rid of Borthwick, then the Boks will meet a team who will match them up front and outplay them out wide. If the Aussies put a decent forward unit together then God help them because the Aus backs will run them ragged.
The main strength is in the pack, but the back line is none to shabby either. Fourie du Preez, Ruaan Pienaar, Jacque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers, these are not talentless players by any measure.
Edited by Traveller on Tuesday 28th July 13:39
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff