The Tri-Nations thread
Discussion
It's time for the Heavyweights to start showing what they've got before the World Cup, starting with New Zealand vs South Africa on Saturday.
Looks like The All Blacks arent taking any chances, they've called up all their big guns and have a very strong experienced team coming off some good recent performances.
The Springboks are looking good too, but will really feel the loss of Fourie Du Preez, and to make matters worse De Villiers has this strange love affair with Ricky January, who I dont believe is anywhere near the level they'll need to take on the strongest side the AB's can muster.
Other than January though they'll be able to put together a quality team, but it remains to be seen how much that one weak link will unsettle their attack.
Add to that it's a NZ home game and the Springboks are up against it, this will truely show where they stand against the AB's, and if they manage to beat them will cement their position as the best team in the world.
Springbok team gets announced on Thursday, De Villiers looks like he'll be leaving Francois Steyn out of the side, so possibly Gio Aplon at FB. Not sure who'll partner Habana though as JP Peterson is injured. Also see De Villiers wanting Chilliboy in the starting side, though with John Smith no doubt being in the hooker position I cant see how he could fit him in.
I really hope The Beast gets a starting place, or early replacement spot, he's just been made officially elligable to play for the Boks and is a great impact player.
All in all I believe it'll come down to Springboks and the All Blacks, with Australia dropping into third spot pretty quickly, though with this series nothing is predictable, should be fun!!
Looks like The All Blacks arent taking any chances, they've called up all their big guns and have a very strong experienced team coming off some good recent performances.
The Springboks are looking good too, but will really feel the loss of Fourie Du Preez, and to make matters worse De Villiers has this strange love affair with Ricky January, who I dont believe is anywhere near the level they'll need to take on the strongest side the AB's can muster.
Other than January though they'll be able to put together a quality team, but it remains to be seen how much that one weak link will unsettle their attack.
Add to that it's a NZ home game and the Springboks are up against it, this will truely show where they stand against the AB's, and if they manage to beat them will cement their position as the best team in the world.
Springbok team gets announced on Thursday, De Villiers looks like he'll be leaving Francois Steyn out of the side, so possibly Gio Aplon at FB. Not sure who'll partner Habana though as JP Peterson is injured. Also see De Villiers wanting Chilliboy in the starting side, though with John Smith no doubt being in the hooker position I cant see how he could fit him in.
I really hope The Beast gets a starting place, or early replacement spot, he's just been made officially elligable to play for the Boks and is a great impact player.
All in all I believe it'll come down to Springboks and the All Blacks, with Australia dropping into third spot pretty quickly, though with this series nothing is predictable, should be fun!!
SA team should be announced thursday in the Southern Hemisphere or if were lucky wednesday night here but probably by thirsday morning in the Uk i would of thought.
It should be a good game, Australia can take the wooden spoon home with them now and leave NZ and SA to battle it out for the top spot. SA do look good but i think they need to start giving some of the younger guys some playing time as the old boys wont be around much longer than the 2012 RWC. If they get an injury or 2 it will be tatties for them i reckon. (mind you if Dan Carter gets injured who is no 10 back up for NZ - Aaron Cruden ffs!!)
I shall however stil ritually get up to watch the game just like i did the Welsh and Ireland games so hopefully SA turn up unlike the above mentioned teams.
It should be a good game, Australia can take the wooden spoon home with them now and leave NZ and SA to battle it out for the top spot. SA do look good but i think they need to start giving some of the younger guys some playing time as the old boys wont be around much longer than the 2012 RWC. If they get an injury or 2 it will be tatties for them i reckon. (mind you if Dan Carter gets injured who is no 10 back up for NZ - Aaron Cruden ffs!!)
I shall however stil ritually get up to watch the game just like i did the Welsh and Ireland games so hopefully SA turn up unlike the above mentioned teams.
DJC said:
Im going to have to get SkySports back I think.
Tri-nations
Guiness Prem & HC
Ashes
All must-see viewing over the forthcomming months. I gave it up last yr, but sod it, want it back
Only reason I got Sky was for the rugby coverage, generally very good with the exception of a few southern hemisphere domestic games that Id like to watch (they could stick them on the red button or something, especially for the amount it costs).Tri-nations
Guiness Prem & HC
Ashes
All must-see viewing over the forthcomming months. I gave it up last yr, but sod it, want it back
No other channel seems to be able to get any decent rugby coverage, with exception of 6 Nations on BBC. Sky rule the roost, and as I love my South African rugby I get to see the Currie Cup, Tri Nations, and Super 14 (15). Plus the added advantage of the Super League games, that's a game Im only just starting to appreciate, some fanstastic rugby and a crowd atmosphere that Union would struggle to match.
This years Tri Nations should be very close, New Zealand are getting pretty sick of being considered world number 1's who havent won a world cup in years, and even though they say they arent looking forward, all three teams will be using this as a feeling out process as to where they stand and who they'll be selecting come world cup time.
A lot could come down to injuries, it's a tough tournament and both teams rely heavily on individuals to get and keep the momentum going, a few key injuries on either team would put them under a lot of pressure.
I think everyone is in a state of flux to be honest.
The Boks have ruled the roost recently as they have been the only ones with a settled, solid team. The All Blacks have tried out God knows how many players over the last 3 yrs...nearly as many as England probably! The Aussies are building a new team, they have a backline established and looking to get a Pack together again but have been unlucky with injuries and that has shown up a weak pool of talent.
The current Saffer lineup wont win another WC, the backline is too limited. Ive said this many times over the last few yrs and nothing has changed. The Lions exposed it time and again and I think it will be something NZ in particular look to attack and exploit.
So, its all flux and everything to play for, as ever though I love watching the Bok Pack play, its proper rugby.
The Boks have ruled the roost recently as they have been the only ones with a settled, solid team. The All Blacks have tried out God knows how many players over the last 3 yrs...nearly as many as England probably! The Aussies are building a new team, they have a backline established and looking to get a Pack together again but have been unlucky with injuries and that has shown up a weak pool of talent.
The current Saffer lineup wont win another WC, the backline is too limited. Ive said this many times over the last few yrs and nothing has changed. The Lions exposed it time and again and I think it will be something NZ in particular look to attack and exploit.
So, its all flux and everything to play for, as ever though I love watching the Bok Pack play, its proper rugby.
Teams
Springboks:
15 Zane Kirchner,14 Jean de Villiers,13 Jaque Fourie,12 Wynand Olivier,11 Bryan Habana,10 Morne Steyn,9 Ricky Januarie,8 Pierre Spies,7 Francois Louw,6 Schalk Burger,5 Victor Matfield,4 Bakkies Botha,3 Jannie du Plessis,2 John Smit (capt) 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle,17 BJ Botha,18 Andries Bekker,19 Danie Rossouw,20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon
New Zealand:
15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Richard Kahui
Springboks:
15 Zane Kirchner,14 Jean de Villiers,13 Jaque Fourie,12 Wynand Olivier,11 Bryan Habana,10 Morne Steyn,9 Ricky Januarie,8 Pierre Spies,7 Francois Louw,6 Schalk Burger,5 Victor Matfield,4 Bakkies Botha,3 Jannie du Plessis,2 John Smit (capt) 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle,17 BJ Botha,18 Andries Bekker,19 Danie Rossouw,20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon
New Zealand:
15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Richard Kahui
Thanks, those are two massively strong teams, both have made some good picks there with excellent reserves benches (apart from Butch James!! he hasnt shone, they shouldve given one of the guys playing well provisionally a shot instead), Ill give Januarie the benefit of the doubt as his last few performances were okay, he just doesnt have the explosive passes of DuPreez, and Id have prefered Pienaar to start.
Cant wait, and as both teams have been playing internationals recently it should remove the whole "feeling out" period we normally see, straight into the thick of things for these two.
Cant wait, and as both teams have been playing internationals recently it should remove the whole "feeling out" period we normally see, straight into the thick of things for these two.
Edited by Tokoloshe on Thursday 8th July 09:24
I'm dissapointed about the Janurie decision but I too will give him some credit after some recent performances and James on the bench? one of the best rugby players in the world in his time. maybe they know something we dont? Come back maybe? So glad Bakkies has made a full recovery, I dread to think who's going to be his replacement once he throws in the towel!
Looking at the teams it's set to be a fantastic game!
I will however, feel a little guilty cracking open a cold one at 8 in the morning....
Looking at the teams it's set to be a fantastic game!
I will however, feel a little guilty cracking open a cold one at 8 in the morning....
Jimmlepap said:
I'm dissapointed about the Janurie decision but I too will give him some credit after some recent performances and James on the bench? one of the best rugby players in the world in his time. maybe they know something we dont? Come back maybe? So glad Bakkies has made a full recovery, I dread to think who's going to be his replacement once he throws in the towel!
Looking at the teams it's set to be a fantastic game!
I will however, feel a little guilty cracking open a cold one at 8 in the morning....
Bakkies and Matfield will be very hard to replace, though they have Flip VDM and Danie Roussouw (though he is about the same age as Bakkies and Matfield), plus Andries Bekker has been improving a lot recently, could be the man to step up.Looking at the teams it's set to be a fantastic game!
I will however, feel a little guilty cracking open a cold one at 8 in the morning....
Ill be doing a full breakfast, eggs, bacon, and mushrooms in a roll, with a cup of tea
but no beer, if I had a beer at that time Id be asleep by 10!!As for Butch james, he was really good but Im not sure how well he meshes with the current team, he seems to play quite disjointed, and perhaps after a long injury layoff needs some time playing smaller games to find his feet again.
Januarie will be under huge pressure, almost feel sorry for the guy, they'll be targetting him if he hesitates for even a second, all the pressure will be applied on what NZ must see as a possible weak link, hope he performs.
Just read this great quote from Victor Matfield speaking before the test tommorow.
"We know what kind of All Black animal we must deal with on Saturday and the challenge is for us to get into the same zone as them because, let's face it, it is going to be war out there. This will be an awesome Test match."
"We know what kind of All Black animal we must deal with on Saturday and the challenge is for us to get into the same zone as them because, let's face it, it is going to be war out there. This will be an awesome Test match."
Pints said:
I unfortunately didn't watch the match but was Bakkies' card deserved? Do you think we'd have stood a better chance overall with him on the field during those 10min?
It was a professional foul, could well have halted a try in doing so. Officials had missed a nasty bit of play by him earliar on in the game, but no doubt saw it and would have taken it into account in the yellow.Bakkies Botha = Nasty cocksocket.
I thought the all blacks outplayed the south Africans in the first half but had forgot to turn up in th first 20 mins of the 2nd half then it was all one way traffic. What a fast paced game it was, so much different to watching northern hemisphere rugby! I also don't think the SA team was as fit as the all blacks either. If you heard John smit in his interview at the end he knew they hadn't played well but they will bounce back next week.
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