Autumn Internationals

Poite then proceeded to live up his reputation again and stick Strauss, which was a rubbish call! His officiating was just utter shite throughout, especially at the breakdowns.

So good that he sidesteps himself out of the ball. Don't get me wrong, I like him and think he adds some flair to an otherwise stale backline, but just so ever too often he tries a little too hard and then fails spectacularly.

This was the shock result of the weekend for me. Scotland has been horrible the whole year and the Argies have been better than ever beating the Aussies etc etc, and then this blowout.

They struggled in the scrums, but were good at the breakdown, especially in the first half. It changed a little in the second after Schalk Burger was introduced because Mohoje contributed nothing at the breakdowns.


I thought Wales were unlucky to lose to the Aussies. That intercept try was a killer and was an unnecessary risk taken by the Welsh. I reckon they will be a dark horse come the WC next year.


Italy also impressed me against Samoa. I didn't tip them to win, but yet they prevailed after showing some proper grit against a much more physical team. I will sing the praises of Sergio Parisse ALL DAY LONG! He is an absolute star, unfortunately stuck in what was historically a struggling team.
____________________________________________________________


Rant on the Boks: I am going to single out 6 people here -


1. Francois Hougaard: Someone please shoot the cunt in the face!
2. Teboho Mohoje: Should NEVER have started over Burger. Stole 1 lineout and carried 2 or 3 times in the entire first half, but contributed NOTHING in the loose and allowed the Irish to get quick, clean ball and disrupt our own.
3+4. Jean De Villiers together with Handre Pollard: JdV was strong in defence whereas Pollard made several blotches, but their biggest fail was with ball distribution and not being able to get the backline going at all. If Pollard didn't kick it away, JdV ran it dead at first receiver. Habana probably caught a cold out on the wing and didn't receive the ball ONCE from a Bok backline move in the entire half.
5. Cornal Hendricks: Very good attacking player, but doesn't fit the bill for the type of rugby we should have been expecting in the NH. Pietersen is MUCH better defensively, both 1 on 1 and back talking, and also better under the high ball, where we struggled a bit. Not Hendricks' fault though, just a bad selection.
6. Bismarck Du Plessis: Contributed heavily at scrum time to help dominate the Irish scrum, and was solid with his line out throws, but those brain explosions he had when giving away those penalties!!!


I reckon we will see several changes for the game against England where we frankly have to pick a defensive team and live off scraps, like the way we did in the final of the 2007 RWC against the same opposition.


Critical selections for this weekend:


2. Adriaan Strauss: He is more mobile than Bismarck and makes more tackles and gets down to more rucks. Will be crucial in helping the Boks slow down English ball.
7. Schalk Burger: Same as above, and just being a general pain in the ass for the English.
9. Anyone except Hougaard!!!!!!!!!!
10. Patrick Lambie: He is a much better defender than Pollard and is also a better marshal of the game with superior tactical kicking. Probably not as much attacking flair, but is no slouch either should he get the opportunity. Goal kicking probably also slightly better than Pollard's.
14. JP Pietersen: Will be picked for his defensive capabilities, both tackling and fielding high balls. His cross defence will also be crucial.