Sanjay's Rugby World

Week 7 was a frustrating week. The rugby on show was at times some of the worst I have seen in a long while. Clearly the quality of play, players and reffing has decreased. The Laws have been much talked about and are being reviewed too. On the field the Bulls had the chance to consolidate their lead and blew it, now moving back into the pack. The Sharks got the points without the panache, and the Chiefs and Islanders are creping up the log….

Picks 2/6

Blues (22) v Worrytahs (27)
The first time ever the Worrytahs have beaten the Blues at Eden park. And they did it reasonably comfortably against a Blues team that is now out of contention for the semis. They are not getting enough dominance in the forwards to unleash their backs who are now looking decidely average. There wheels have indeed fallen apart.

The Worrytahs once again continue to get the points without doing anything spectacular. They don’t have great game breakers or do anything extraordinary, but they don’t do anything really badly either. They had a bit of luck with Luke Burgess’ try, but they were definitely deserved their victory. They will now be tough to keep out of the semis.

Highlanders (36) v Bulls (12)
A must win game for the Bulls went begging. It’s amazing how we always lose the games we really should win and make the opposition look much better than they really are. We should be wiping the floor with these guys.
Unfortunately we never got any momentum, and weren’t helped starting off into the wind. The Islanders did the basics well and got their tails up. At the breakdown they were hungry. The drove us back, rucked over the ball, dominated collisions and got off their line quickly so we couldn’t get much go forward. I didn’t think we were helped by the ref, who allowed them to lie and fall over the ball. It is a concern that refs all officiate so differently, but at least he was consistent. It is up to our players to adapt and if he won’t get players out of the road we must do it and protect the ball. It’s a pity because a week ago we were so strong in this area.

I believe the loss of Stegmann was huge. He’s our only true opensider. Moving Wannenburg there was not a good move. He is fantastic as a ball carrier and is different from most SA players in that he steps well and doesn’t aim to take the collision. By using him as a fetcher we took away one of our big strengths. Dewald Potgieter has not shown himself to be at this level yet. Unfortunately our tight five got out played. Botha looked tired, and Rossouw had a good work rate, but is too innacurate. He often has poor body position going into collisions and doesn’t make the yardage you expect from a man his size. I did think Pierre Spies was outstanding though. He is the best number 8 in the world. great workrate, fantastic in open space, and gets great go forward even in the tight. His tackling is solid, there is really not a lot he can’t do. He was a shining light in a lost cause.

Our backs looked quite innocuous overall. I know the commentators thought Olivier had a good game, but he doesn’t do enough for me. He runs straight and hard but rarely busts the line. And he doesn’t set up his outsides often enough. I thought we did not play as a team in the backs.

There is now a lot of work to do on this tour. We’ll see how valuable Matfield is to the Bulls against the Crusaders. He is an inspirational leader and can give us the direction we need. And we need to utilise one mr Habana on the wing too. It is time he showed us how special he can be. C’mon boys lets show some pride. Go Bulle Go!

Crusaders (11) v Stormers (7)
What an awful game of rugby. I can’t believe these 2 teams call themselves professional rugby players, train all week, and then produce that sort of dribble on the field. I’ve never seen so many basic errors in a super rugby game. Neither team had any direction and it was only the fact the Stormers decided not to play for territory, possession or hold onto the ball when attacking that allowed the Crusaders to win the game. A better result would have been for both teams to stay in the changing sheds at half-time and put a bunch of schoolkids on the field instead! I couldn’t watch any more after the first half. Way too painful.

Rassie Erasmus is NOT the great coach that many build him up to be. He has produced nothing with a Stormers side that is filled with talent. In fact he must have to be one of the worst Super rugby coaches. Why bring in De Waal? He does nothing. He is awful, not a long-term solution, and plays rugby the way is was supposed to be played in the 70′s. What does Naqelevuki do on a consistent basis? He looks like he stands and wait for the opposition to set themselves before he jogs the ball back to them.
 Surely we have better players in SA who deserve a chance?
Vermeulen is defintely not Bok material, and why do coaches allow Januarie to distract himself by getting into scraps every week.

I was not impressed with Bobo either. twice in the first half he chipped into areas he could not win the ball back and it went straight to a Crusaders player. Why? And he produced an up and under and took the player straight out in the air. Brainless. If I was on the Stormers coaching staff i’d send him off! If you are going to up and under at least compete for the ball in the air, or put them under pressure. Players have to be accountable for producing stupid play that ends up conceding posession and puts the team under pressure again. Stormers lucky to finish in the top 10, and Crusaders will probably end up about 9th. Season over for both of them.

Reds (26) v Chiefs (50)
It was pleasing to see 2 teams try and attack and throw the ball around. The Chiefs deserved their victory and now have some much needed momentum. Full credit to the Reds though for doing their bit and being prepared to concede a few tries to get a few themselves. It is an attitude that should bring them success in the future, and something some of our super rugby teams could take note of.

Sharks (35) v Brumbies (14)
The Sharks won convincingly in the end, but they made hard work of it for 60 minutes. This is a weak Brumbies team and it showed as we dominated possession and territory initally, but could not make use of the opportunities. Steyn is not a flyhalf, and Kankowski is an average number 8. He made numerous handling errors and doesn’t do enough work in the tight, or get enough go forward.

I also think that Kockott is showing why he should never play for the Boks. Too inconsistent and too many basic errors around the base of the scrum (it doesnt help he has Kankowski there). he does produce some great runs like the one to set up JP Pietersen, but is not international class. I did think that Jacobs continues to dominate their backline and makes some great runs. And John Smit is clearly the best hooker in the country.

I still think the Sharks have to get over the advantage line more often and the forwards have to run onto the ball at a faster pace. It is no use having the Beast make 1m from a standing start. Get him running onto the ball while moving forward and make 5-10m. However they are stil handily placed and only have themselves to overcome if they want a home semi-final.

Lions (32) v Horricanes (38)
If the Lions tried to shoot themselves they’d probably miss. That is how innacurate they are. They dominated possession and territory in the first 20 minutes and should have been leading by about 20. Instead they decided not to tackle when the Horrorcanes got 2 opportunites and they found themselves 17-0 down. Credit for the way they stuck to their game plan, and fought back. But really they still butchered try after try. Not using their opportunities cost them dearly for with 15 mins to go and only being 1 point up, they should have had a comfortable lead. Instead they found themselves behind, trying to play catch-up and the pressure told.

The Horrorcanes will be happy to get an away win and are still very much in the hunt, without really having to get into second gear. The Lions produced some outstanding individual performances, J Fourie, T Clever, L Sephaka, J Labuschagne, J Vermaak, L Ludik and even D La Grange. But overall they didn’t gel enough as a team and they paid the price. They’ll be lucky to win another game this season, as once they come back from tour the wheels will be gone.

Blues v Waratahs 
Both teams have started to see their campaigns stutter and will be desperate to win, as a loss of momentum could effectively kill their chances. I am picking the Blues to have a better forward pack, and provide better go forward ball and field position. Both teams have dangerous players in their backlines, but this game will be won in the forwards. Blues by 9

Highlanders v Bulls 
A must win game for the Bulls if we are to challenge for a home semi. It is so important we win, and try and come away with the bonus point. This is a team that is self-driven, having said to themselves they weren’t up to the standard they want in Wellington. The Islanders have guts, and a few decent individuals, but if the Bulls rock up with their hard nosed attitude, the guts and determination they’ve shown all season, and a bit of nous upstairs, we’ll do this easy enough even without Matfield, Habana and Stegmann. Bulls by 13.

Crusaders v Stormers 
Both these teams are back in contention after almost appearing to be gone. The Crusaders are coming off an away wn, whilst the Stomers have had a week to acclimatise. It’s now or never for the Stormers who need at least 15 points from this tour. They have the all round capabilities, against a weak Crusaders side it’s time to deliver.
 This one’s not about what each team can do, it’s about producing the result. Stormers by 10

Reds v Chiefs 
The Chiefs have suddenly won 3 and are in semi final contention. I still think they’ll struggle in the second half of the season, but they have confidence and momentum and are playing good rugby. Their forwards have improved and their backline is dangerous. The Reds like to throw the ball around and could do anything, unfrotunately for them that is high risk and I think they’ll come up short. Chiefs by 12.

Sharks v Brumbies 
A must win game for the Sharks who will enjoy being back in Durban. Unfortunately it’s a long trip and the Brumbies have had time to get use to conditions. The Brumbies have a good record at Kings park, and beat us 2 years ago. The Sharks have to front up and produce the sort of defence they did against the Farce. Off the line quickly and in the Brumbies faces. If they do that they’ll get home even though we don’t have a general at flyhalf to control the game. Sharks by 9.

Lions v Horricanes 
The Lions showed that they can produce the mental application to win. The Horrorcanes have a long trip and i;m picking the Lions to outlast them on the highveld in a big upset. Earl Rose and Jacque Fourie and playing well and need to control the backs, whilst Grobbelaar is leading the loosies well and winning valuable turnovers. Lions by 6

Week 6 was probably as good it could get for the SA teams. The Bulls produced a magnificent display, the Sharks gutsed out a win, the Lions got lucky and then 3 upset results all worked in our favour. Only the Cheaters let SA down, but that ain’t anything new…

Picks 3/6

Horricanes (14) v Bulls (19)
The Bulls remain unbeaten. And what a great effort it was. This was a game marred by the ref. Matt Goddard you are a fish. Bugger off and stop ruining the game. The hybrid ELV’s are not helping, the game is more complex and not producing decent rugby. I have an issue with them devaluing the set pieces and taking away the traditional foundations of the game. At the moment it seems some refs are hell bent on not allowing the ddefending player any rights to the ball, even if they’re on their feet.

Whilst I thought the ref was atrocious both ways, the Bulls wore the brunt of the bad calls. But like a champion team they rose above it. They played for 50 minutes with 14 men, and the tight five as a whole were simply superb. Bakkies Botha was simply a collosus in the tight, leading by example and marshalling the troops to stop wave after wave of Horrorcanes attacks. And Steyn was simply the general of the army who called all the right shots.

The Bulls try in the second half was outstanding. It was the best worked move I have seen all year, and shows how easy it can be when you play with confidence and run straight and hard.
The Bulls now move to Dunedin in a must win game against the Islanders. I fugure we then only need to win 1 more game out of 3 on the road to set ourselves up for a great position when they get back to Pretoria. Go Bulle!

Islanders (32) v Cheaters (8)
The Cheaters were actually ahead at halftime, but finally stuck to their game plan to get the loss. The Islanders were the lucky team this week that were allowed to get back their confidence and run with the ball against a team that tries to bore the opposition to death. This sorry excuse for a Cheaters team now get to return home and lose in front of their home crowd.

Chiefs (63) v Blues (34)
Whilst I expected the Blues to win, I knew that historically the Chiefs often upset them. Once again they showed greater enthusiasm and desire to upset a Blues team that really nneded to win this game. From a SA perspective it was an ideal result. Why can’t the Chiefs play this way each week?
Their defence was great, and so to their ability to run the ball and get over the gain line. This in turn helped their set pieces which improved greatly, and they looked an all round class team. IThankfully it doesn’t usually last long.

Worrytahs (13) v Crusaders (17)
A fairly big upset here, and a loss of the Worrytahs impressive home record. They haven’t played that well this season and now they have some tough games to come. Their lack of depth has been exposed, and the Crusaders showed what desperation and commitment is required week in and week out. They are still hanging in there just.

Farce (10) v Sharks (22)
The Sharks were the hungrier of these 2 teams and although they lacked field position and territory, their hunger in defence allowed them to keep the Farce out, and capitalise on turnovers to score 3 good tries. Frans Styen was still extremely unconvincing at flyhalf, and Kockott showes why i’d never pick hom for the Boks. too many basic errors, and poor decision making. Adi Jacobs still provides most of the spark to create things in the backline, and Daniel, Botes and Smit provide most of the go forward. This is a team that is hanging in there with a lot of luck, without Pienaar and Deysel they’ll need more of it as they must really make the most of their great draw with 6 home games. The Farce once again bombed out at home, although O’Connor looks a good player.

Lions (25) v Brumbies (17)
An important result in the bigger scheme of things, it is so important for the Lions to help out the other SA teams. Again it shows that commitment and a desire to win are so crucial every week. A throughly deserved win.

Week 7 sees must win games for the Bulls and Sharks to consolidate and set themselves up for home semis. Go Bulle Go…

Horricanes v Bulls 
A massive loss for the Bulls losing captain courageous, Victor Matfield. Also a slightly strange decision to only fly in 2 days before the game. However with a 5 week long tour, that could yet prove to be a masterstroke. Frans Ludicrous actually spoke intelligently when he said that there is nothing more they can do this week, and that they simply have to be prepared mentally. With insight such as that, i’m hoping they can become a SA rugby team to actually play intelligently, use thier brains, and show how easy winning away from home can actually be. The Horrorcanes are unpredicatbale, but if you starve them of good quality first phase ball, they can become quite ordinary. Whilst i’m not confident, i;m picking/hoping the Bulls by 8.

Islanders v Cheaters 
A game of the no hopers. Cheaters can’t win away from home, even against a pathetic Islanders team. Islanders by any margin, for the Cheaters sure ain’t gonna win.

Chiefs v Blues 
The Chiefs have historically played well against the Blues, and often set about derailing the Blues campaign. Whilst they are at home, i’m picking the Blues to win because they have a better forward pack led by Mealamu and should be able to control the game better with quality posession. Blues by 7.

Worrytahs v Crusaders 
A tough game to call. Crusaders are now getting desperate. In Sydney, the Worrytahs should have enough passion to edge home in a battle of medicority. Worrytahs by 5.

Farce v Sharks 
The Farce did well on their recent road trip, and the Sharks have seen their campaign stutter significantly. I’m picking a desperate Sharks side to end their Australasian bogey and pick up 4 points. Sharks by 10

Lions v Brumbies 
The Lions are in disarray. Nothing new here. Off field distractions won;t help this side, and if they’re lucky they’ll get a bonus point. Brumbies by 10.

Week 5 could have blown the log apart, but instead it saw some upset results and a traffic jag around the middle of the log, threatening to make this one of the most evenly contested competitions yet.

Picks 4/6

Blues (46) v Cheaters (12)
The Cheaters are an embarrasmment. They have less chance of winning away from home than SANZAR have of agreeing on a 15th super rugby team. Unfortunately it gifts their opposition 5 points, this time the Blues were the lucky recipients.

Brumbies (21) v Worrytahs (11)
I manged to pick this one based on the fact that the Worrytahs have been winning but playing very poorly. Eventually their luck ran out. The Brumbies had to win at home and will be glad to be back in the race.

Crusaders (23) v Farce (23)
A surprising result that really makes it hard for the Crusaders from here on in. I think their title hopes have gone, although the more upsets there are, the more it helps them. The Farce are a team that surprises all the time, when they are expected to lose watch out, they just can’t win the ones they need.

Islanders (10) v Chiefs (14)
2 teams that are really struggling, but still staying ahead of the bottom place SA teams! The Chiefs were lucky to get out of this one towards the end.

Reds (25) v Sharks (13)
This was a golden opportunity for the torunament favourites to place themselves in a great position with some breathing space at the top of the log. Instead it was a diabolical performance that has questioned their credentials. I hope the week on the Gold Coast was not spent partying, because I just can’t understand how they could play so poorly.

Losing Pienaar was a massive blow, because I think he has been fantastic. He’s not flashy, he just gets the job done. Steyn on the other hand is the most over-rated played in SA. He’s not a flyhalf. He spends too long getting his kick away and doesn’t cope with the lack of space at flyhalf. His dropping of elementary passes was inexcusable, but he can’t handle the pressure. He does some wonderful things, eg the 2 drop goals against Australia, the solo try against Italy, but he is not consistent enough for top level rugby. One can’t keep playing based on reputation.

The pack was just as bad, no one other than Smit consistently does their job. Lineouts weren’t great, and there was no go forward. If you are playing 2 lightweight flankers, you need your number 8 and locks to provide go-forward. Kankowski just not provide that. He is fine running the ball in open play when he has someone like Deysel creatig space for him. But when there is no space or there are presure scrums, he doesn’t get over the advantage line to help his team out. He has the bulk, so i’m not sure what stops him. Hunger and determination to get stuck in I think.

The Sharks have only won 1 out of their last 15 games in Australia. They have to change that this weekend in Perth or they face a tough battle to even make the semis, let alone get their home semi they so desperately seek. Without Pienaar, I fear for their chances.

Stormers (56) v Lions (18)
Every year we see the Stormers struggle in the beginning and then start to win around the middle stages of the competition, before finally leaving their run too late to make the semis. Whilst the same pattern has develped here, I am not sure they’ll be able to get enough points on the road this time. They played well and did everything required to beat a Lions team that is embarrassing. Where is Loffies so called 3 year plan that we are supposed tobe witnessing? 3 year plan my ass! I think he’ll be gone by the end of the super 14, just like the Lions chances in this competition.

Week 6 sees my unbeaten Bulls on the road in a tour that is going to be tough. Go Bulle Go…

Week 4 brought a couple of major upsets, and then some fairly predictable results.
The Sharks made it 2 from 2 in New Zealand to set themselves up nicely if they can repeat their form and win 1 or 2 in Australia.

Picks 4/6

Chiefs (31) v Farce (13)
The Chiefs picked up their first win of the season and look to be improving as the competiton is progressing. Unfortunately the best they can hope for is a mid table finish. The Farce will be disappointed, but they lack the depth to challenge week in week out

Worrytahs (15) v Reds (11)
Games between these 2 always have plenty of needle about them. The war if words in the week preceding helped to fire up both teams, it’s a pity the quality of play didn’t match their mouths. The Reds were almost able to pull it off, but the Worrytahs were able to play badly and still win, which is what all good teams do. They simply keep producing the results even if their performances aren’t  that good.

Horrorcanes (29) v Cheaters (12)
A 17 point gap was probably a good result for a Cheaters team that lacks class, quality and direction. Why would they rest Bosman when we was supposed to be their flyhalf for the season. How is he supposed to grow in the position if after 3 games they go back to Potgieter? Stop gap measures don’t work, a broader picture must be looked at. The Horrorcanes now look to be serious contenders after a poor first couple of weeks.

Blues (31) v Sharks (35)
Game of the week. I have said for the last 10 years, rugby was meant to be played during the day when conditions are at their best, not at night for tv audiences and those
 who stay up past my bedtime! To see a crowd of 22000 was fantastic.

The Sharks absorbed much early pressure and on the counter attack were superb. Adi Jacobs was my man of the match and is suck a silky runner, and puts others into space. It is ridiculous that so many coaches have ignored him for so long. Frans Steyn on the other hand doesn’t appear to do that much. Why don’t we make better use of his long range kicking and take the pressure off Pienaar. Pienaar meanwhile is thriving at flyhalf. It is a lesson that in SA we need to put our best players in the key positions. Flyhalf has been our biggest weakness since Stransky.

In the forwards, the pack as a whole played great. The flanks, Daniel and Botes may be small but they punched well above their weight. I still don’t see why Kankowski is rated so highly. He goes missing in tight games and is terrible at the base of the scrum. Spies is light years better. Even Watson is better than Kankowski.

The only criticism was we never finished the job. We needed to play for territory in the last 20 mins, instead we put ourselves under pressure. The bonus point we allowed for the Blues may yet be important at the end of the season…

Islanders (6) v Crusaders (10)
What a drab game. The lowest scoring game in the history of super rugby. It certainly means the Cheaters are likely to finish bottom of the table, and puts immense pressure on the Crusaders who I now think won’t make the semis. Actually a good result for SA.

Bulls (14) v Stormers (10)

The Stormers came to play boring rugby. It is not their strength and you won’t beat the Bulls that way. The scoreline was close, but the Bulls always had grasp of the game.
Matfield was awesome when he came on. He controls play well and adds that missing dimension to the Bulls. They missed a few try scoring opportunities, but their bye alllows them to freshen up and plan their tour well. They really need to win 3 out of 5.
The Stormers meanwhile are in disarray. Plan A didn’t work in the first 3 games, and now the belief is gone and they don’t know what to do. I suggest start planning for next year…

Chiefs v Farce
The Farce upset the apple cart and got a win away from home last week. Whilst they will be bouyed by the result, and are a more formidable team away from home, I can’t see them winning two in a row against a team that was much improved last week. As bad as the Chiefs can be, they never come last and usually by this stage of the tournament are starting to win the odd game. I’m picking the Chiefs by 8.

Worrytahs v Reds
The Worrytahs don’t often lose at home and have an impressive string of undefeated results at the SFS. The Reds are an average side but the fact they will be confident after their first victory, coupled with their helter skelter running style of play against a conservative dour side may cause the biggest upset of the season. I’m picking the Reds by 6.

Horrorcanes v Cheaters
The one threatens to get ugly! The men from Bloemfontein should go home now. Their only prayer now that the inspiration Juan Smith has gone, is that some of their 10 changes come off against a Horrorcanes team on of their poor days. The Horrorcanes had a great game last week, and as they blow hot and old, the Cheaters may just catch them out. I’m picking the Horrorcanes by a bonus point and at least 15.

Blues v Sharks
The Sharks are well placed thus far and although the loss of Jean Deysel is immense, they have cover and are now acclimitised. The Blues however have had to travel back from Capetown, and may run out of gas in the second half. The battle of the forward packs will be huge, but the bench is where it may count with the Sharks able to call up the likes of the Beast and John Smit. Sharks by 10.

Islanders v Crusaders
The House of Shame is not the formidable venue it used to be. The Crusaders will be keen to bounce back after their loss last week, so i’m picking them to win by 12-15.

Bulls v Stormers
The great North/South derby is one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes each year. Unfortunately for the Boys from the Cape, the Men from Pretoria will win comfortably. No Schalk Burger is not as big a loss as it is made out to be, for he hasn’t done anything special so far. The loss of Habana for the Bulls opens the door for us to see what talent the young Gerhard van den Heever has to offer, whilst the return of Matfield will be inspirational for a Bulls team gaining in confidence under the ELV’s. The Bulls by 12.

Brumbies and Lions have a bye

Week 3 of Super 14 for me is always a crucial week in separating the Men from the boys. It generally produces a pecking order that is often hard to change dramatically. What it has highlighted is who the contenders are going to be.

The Sharks and Bulls look like semi final material, and the augers well for South Africa. Disappointingly my pre season prediction has been shot, which I always knew would depend on the way they started, but the Stormers for my mind will definitely not win it, and will struggle to make the top 6.

From Australia the Worrytahs are never a great team, but they will continue to produce their dour rugby that gets them enough points to possibly make the semis. I still think they may lose games against the harder opposition, but they can’t be discounted. The 3 other Aussie teams will all struggle to make the top 6.

The Kiwi teams are the most interesting. They aren’t and won’t dominate like previous seasons, but the Horrorcanes and Crusaders will still be tough. I think those 2 will have their chances to be semi-finalists. The Chiefs and Islanders will definitely be in the bottom half of the draw, and the Blues will prboably be around 6-8 in the final standings.

So I see 4 semi-finalists coming from the Bulls, Sharks, Worrytahs, Horrorcanes and Crusaders. I’m hoping for a couple of South African home semis, and a Sharks v Bulls final would be my ideal scenario!
I’m also picking the Cheaters to come dead last, with the Islanders, Chiefs and Lions to be keeping them company…

Crusaders v Hurricanes
The upset of the week. As I have mentioned I don’t think there is a lot separating the 2, but away from Home the Horrorcanes simply showed more passion and determination to get the log points on the night. What it does is to ensure the Crusaders will have to work hard to make the semis and may not have the luxury of home ground advantage as they have had in the past, if they make it.

Waratahs v Highlanders
The Islanders were never going to really test the Worrytahs, who achieved their mission and got the bonus point. The fact that the rugby was unattractive, and the bonus point was only sealed towards the end of the game does not really matter, for the Worrytahs are never going to dominate their opponents.

Chiefs v Sharks
A must win game for the Sharks, and they should tremendous heart, courage and skill to win this one. Their defence was magnificent and saved their bacon. But that’s what champions teams do. Unfortunately losing Jean Deysel will be a massive blow, but their is enough class to be able to cover for it.
Like the Stormers, the Chiefs never seem to start the season well. 0 from 3 effectively kills their chances.

Brumbies v Farce
Another major upset. Away from home the Farce seem to be a better side. The Brumbies have started off fairly well and actually have quite a few decent players, so this result may come back to haunt them.

Lions v Bulls
Condititions weren’t great for a clash that always used to be collossal. Unfortunately the Lions simply aren’t the team they used to through the 90′s and this was never really in doubt. The Bulls started off well and after a great try to Pierre Spies, took their foot off the accelerator as they have a lead that was never going to be seriosuly threatened. No bonus point, but the job was done.

Stormers v Blues
The major disappointment of the round for me. The Stormers suck. Too much talk, not enough action, and lack of grey matter being applied. You must play for possession and territory, then use your chances. Stomers don’t know how to do that.
Every season since 1999 they have started badly, and lose home games they really have to win. The players need to suffer consequences. Some of their Springboks should be dropped from the Springboks, and more Bulls and Sharks should be rewarded.

I don’t think Schalk Burger is the same player at Super 14 level. Too innacurate. Doesn’t win enough turnovers, and doesn’t have a presence.
Jantjies has never done anything extraordinary at Super 14 level, so why would he at test level. Rather reward a super consistent player like Terblanche.
And for god’s sake get some players who can scrum, and win lineouts consistently!

Reds v Cheetahs
I think it was great to have a day game. Not many agree with me, but rugby was meant to be played in sunlight as far as I am concerned. We want to see attractive running rugby so why not play in the best conditions of the day (the reason is money! They think that audiences want to watch games at night. But I believe they will watch during the day…the experience of making a day out of a rugby game is what it’s truly about. And the fans will respond to that in my opinion. I certainly don’t want to watch late at night when I want to go to bed…ok my bedtime is early, but do you get my point!)

The only problem is that the Cheaters suck! They are never going to win away from home, so they may as well have spread the ball around and really gone for it. As much as I hope they do for the rest of the tour, the conservative men from Bloemfontein won’t do that. Do they really think they will win a game? Who are they kidding!