Saturday, July 24, 2010

First mobile blog - Pre-kickoff australia vs south africa

Right. Since I have no time anymore, I'm trying something new. Micro-blog snippets via mobile.

It's minutes to go before the third tri-nations test of 2010 against australia.

We've had to endure three weeks of hell. Two pathetic efforts against a much improved all blacks team.

All credit to the all blacks. They look a different team from last year. The soaring springboks seem to have inspired them to lift their intensity. It seems true that new zealand loves nothing more than a real challenge against the old enemy.

What a pity the boks failed to show the same spirit in attacking the number one irb spot. Instead they lacked intensity - nowhere more evident than their missed tackle stats.

But let's also highlight the form of some passengers: januarie, spies and smit are completely off.

De villiers only knows why januarie has sniffed a bok place. His service is atrocious and his tactical kicking worse.

Spies maybe the most over-rated bok in history. Yes his pace and athleticism are impressive. But he DOES disappear in tight games. And not only is his missed tackle count is alarming: he misses the crucial tackles.

Smit is still the best choice as captain. Although schalk must rate as up and coming based on the s14 stormers performance. But smit is overweight and missing tackles as a result.

Anyway, the game about to start. Key issue today is the crazy selection of kankowski on the flank. Why they dropped louw only the coaching staff know. Replacing spies would have been much better.

The other issue is the defensive alignment. It's been terrible. And more and more I believe muir's poor coaching performance is evident.

Let's hope the boks step up today.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

My rugby dream

If only...

The top Super format was the Super 10. Super rugby should be a short, intense, strength-verus-strength reward for the best teams from each of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. I think a format of the best 3 from each country plus the winner of a playoff each year between the 4th best from each country would do wonders in destroying any complacency that might exist amongst the stragglers.

Imagine: on the results of last year's Currie Cup, the Bulls, Cheetahs and Stormers would respresent SA - the Sharks would have to play off against the 4th best from the New Zealnd NPC and the Ausssie - oh I forgot the Aussies don't have a domestic competition. Imagine the pressure in Australia to create a viable doemstic competition? Imagine the rewards for the Cheetahs for being third in the Currie Cup?

Less Super Rugby would also free up our overplayed top players. It would make 9 Super games all the more special. And imagine space in the South African TV calendar for a club competition along the lines of the revolutionary Varsity Cup.

What of space for the Southern Kings? I believe making the Super 14 more exclusive and fixing a tiered Currie Cup would be the answer. A plan must be made - leaving such a vast geographical part of our country out of rugby is crazy. While Griquas are amazing for their giant killing stature, players from that region could feed Free State. A franchise system that ensures development happens and feeding happens across our country is key.

While I might be right and the above might be the answer, the regional governance structures make realising this the equivilent of turkeys voting for Christmas.

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