Rugby World Cup 2019

['Dale]

NZ vs Eng gonna be quite a game

 

Masterminds Eddie vs Hansen

 

Black jersey vs white jersey

 

North vs South

[dev null]

I actually think we have a better chance against the AB than England. We know their game better and if we execute accurately we can beat them. I put our odds against both at less than 50/50. We can beat them but won’t be favorites against either.

Damn lucky we only have to play one of them.

 

Yes, I concur. England have a formiddbable pack of forwards, and will match our fowards one for one, if not better some of them. And they have the Eddie Jones factor, a coach with an impeccable WC record. He certainly knows how to help his team bring home the cup.

[Vetplant]

Quite astonishing really how consistent Springbok rugby is when it comes to World Cups, in spite of the meddling by the powers that be.

 

Only once did we not make the Semis and it was when we got the All Black's in the QF.

 

I'll be happy if we make the Final, irrespective of the result then.

I'll be disappointed if we don't make the final, but I believe the boys and Rassie are doing their best with the cards in their hands.

 

Just Imagine: In two weeks time we could be level with the mighty All Black's in the amount of WC Trophies won!

[Robbie Stewart]

Faf has a worse kick than Mark Cavendish

 

I watched the pre-game chat by the Supersport panel, and Naas made a rather apt summary of Faf's kicks. Basically, he lamented that Faf stands too close to the ball as it comes out from the breakdown, and then he is forced to kick the ball straight up, rather than down-range to force the attacking team to fall back. All he manages to achieve is ensure that the Boks will go into a defensive posture again.

 

This is a strategy that might work on a minnow team, but New Zealand will run away with these gifts that quite literally get kicked straight at them, and convert them into converted tries (pun intended).

 

All I am unsure about is if the team has any form of alternative plan, since whomever replaces Faf is likely to do precisely the same damn thing.

[Robbie Stewart]

 I am loving this picture at present.

 

[eddy]

 

 

Yup, I thought Faf would go for line out kicks when we started to take some of their line out balls. Instead, some of his kicks got almost no distance and just handed them the ball. Some of our players are not very clever at adapting to changing conditions on the field.

 

But what if our strategy was aggressive defence behind the advantage line ?

 

What if long kicks down field gave them space to run the ball but box kicks ensured that (even if the got the ball) they got it under huge pressure at a field position of our choosing where we could attack the ball carrier with a marshalled defence and shut them down again?

 

I think once you have been hit by Duane or Siya or Lood or DdeA, or Am or  PSduT a dozen times because you are always going back into contact you are much less capable of playing the game you wanted.

 

Japan had the reputation of playing a fast game and as against Scotland, stretching the game across the field, running their opponents moeg. They could never do that to us as they kept getting knocked back and down. 

 

 

ps. So we gave the ball away a lot, but they did not manage to score a single try with their "mercurial running game"  and could even score a penalty after the 20 minute mark. I think our kicking game was not as k@k as people wold like to think. 

[Ed-Zulu]

But what if our strategy was aggressive defence behind the advantage line ?

 

What if long kicks down field gave them space to run the ball but box kicks ensured that (even if the got the ball) they got it under huge pressure at a field position of our choosing where we could attack the ball carrier with a marshalled defence and shut them down again?

 

I think once you have been hit by Duane or Siya or Lood or DdeA, or Am or  PSduT a dozen times because you are always going back into contact you are much less capable of playing the game you wanted.

 

Japan had the reputation of playing a fast game and as against Scotland, stretching the game across the field, running their opponents moeg. They could never do that to us as they kept getting knocked back and down. 

 

 

ps. So we gave the ball away a lot, but they did not manage to score a single try with their "mercurial running game"  and could even score a penalty after the 20 minute mark. I think our kicking game was not as k@k as people wold like to think. 

Good perspective Eddy

[IceCreamMan]

But what if our strategy was aggressive defence behind the advantage line ?

 

What if long kicks down field gave them space to run the ball but box kicks ensured that (even if the got the ball) they got it under huge pressure at a field position of our choosing where we could attack the ball carrier with a marshalled defence and shut them down again?

 

I think once you have been hit by Duane or Siya or Lood or DdeA, or Am or  PSduT a dozen times because you are always going back into contact you are much less capable of playing the game you wanted.

 

Japan had the reputation of playing a fast game and as against Scotland, stretching the game across the field, running their opponents moeg. They could never do that to us as they kept getting knocked back and down. 

 

 

ps. So we gave the ball away a lot, but they did not manage to score a single try with their "mercurial running game"  and could even score a penalty after the 20 minute mark. I think our kicking game was not as k@k as people wold like to think. 

 

I agree with this.

 

In the first half I thought the was it forward was it not forward passes kept japan on the front foot and gave them that stat of possession of 81% after around 20 minutes but gradually they were worn down. Given their strategy at previous games it must of been disheartening for them to turn around all the time.

 

Superbru I had at 29 points in favour of the boks.

[Vetplant]

People need to remember the game plan for Sunday was to beat Japan...nothing else.

 

We are the first team in the 2019 World Cup to beat Japan.

 

Allot of teams are employing the box kick, it is more a symptom of the current rules of the game and the structures that teams have built around those rules than Faf deciding he wants to kick allot.

 

Lets see what game-plan Rassie brings to the Wales game and how effective that is, then we judge him on that.

 

For now, job done thus far.

[Gen]

People need to remember the game plan for Sunday was to beat Japan...nothing else.

 

We are the first team in the 2019 World Cup to beat Japan.

 

Allot of teams are employing the box kick, it is more a symptom of the current rules of the game and the structures that teams have built around those rules than Faf deciding he wants to kick allot.

 

Lets see what game-plan Rassie brings to the Wales game and how effective that is, then we judge him on that.

 

For now, job done thus far.

Sure.. but I doubt all those handling errors were part of the plan.. those kind of errors early in the game against a better team will cost dearly.. so much so that there wont be a comeback in the second half because the game could be lost by half time..

[babse]

Hahaha 

 

Knock out rugby. We likely to box kick even more now for the "territory" gain 

 

Japan are a seriously well coached team. Watched them closely yesterday. I think they are too going to try and expose our rush defense (Like NZ did) specially on the blind side and wing areas. All depends on their execution.

 

We definelty need to play flouw or kwagga. I think Siya has been average at best since his return. We need to slow their ball down. 

 

I think this game is going to be a lot closer than expected.

 

[Vetplant]

Sure.. but I doubt all those handling errors were part of the plan.. those kind of errors early in the game against a better team will cost dearly.. so much so that there wont be a comeback in the second half because the game could be lost by half time..

At his level, that responsibility falls squarely on the players. Rassie is not supposed to teach you how to catch and pass (Here's looking at you Willie)

 

Agreed, that error count will put us out of the contest against NZ.

['Dale]

Daai doosskop is oraait. 

 

It must be accurate, a variable tactic and not, very importantly, not lead to a possible charge down try opportunity.

It must give the chaser 60-40 chance of catching the ball and creating an attacking opportunity, while the defending team's catcher is under pressure with a charging body lining him up.

 

It's a long week to the semi-finals. Met eish.

[babse]

But what if our strategy was aggressive defence behind the advantage line ?

 

What if long kicks down field gave them space to run the ball but box kicks ensured that (even if the got the ball) they got it under huge pressure at a field position of our choosing where we could attack the ball carrier with a marshalled defence and shut them down again?

 

I think once you have been hit by Duane or Siya or Lood or DdeA, or Am or  PSduT a dozen times because you are always going back into contact you are much less capable of playing the game you wanted.

 

Japan had the reputation of playing a fast game and as against Scotland, stretching the game across the field, running their opponents moeg. They could never do that to us as they kept getting knocked back and down. 

 

 

ps. So we gave the ball away a lot, but they did not manage to score a single try with their "mercurial running game"  and could even score a penalty after the 20 minute mark. I think our kicking game was not as k@k as people wold like to think. 

i hear you...

 

and probably agree that it was all part of the plan for this game. I still believe his execution more often yesterday was very poor. Will be interested to analyse those 17+ box kicks from him and what resulted in terms of territory after giving possession away. 

 

Once we settled, we were always going to kill the game off. We were smashing them in contact. Even willie put in a massive hit (probably his only decent contribution in the game).

 

looking forward to wales, not the biggest Gatland fan.

[IceCreamMan]

Faf I thought had a good game and he is a clever scrumhalf, albeit some of the kicks were squandered. Some of his moves were brilliant I thought.

[Patchelicious]

Faf I thought had a good game and he is a clever scrumhalf, albeit some of the kicks were squandered. Some of his moves were brilliant I thought.

Agreed. He is way more effective with the ball in hand. If Rassie wants him to kick, then he needs to practice those kicks. And butter fingers needs to practice his catching.