SARFU never ceases to amaze me. Today it was announced that we will be playing two more test in preparation for next years world cup. Yes we are playing Scotland and Portugal after the Tri Nations so that JW can finalize his squad selection. For Springbok rugby's sake, he needs to have a pretty good idea of the squad before the Tri Nations, I mean thats why we play Super 14 isn't it?
Scotland and Portugal, respectively 9th and 21st, are not bad teams - in the B-League. But SA playing them in preparation for the World Cup is the same as Straueli's brain fart when the Springboks played the Griffons and the Falcons ahead of the previous World Cup. We want our players to play better not worse!!!
Jake here's an idea, skip those 2 tests, send the Springbok A side, if they still it exists. Pack the A side full of your over the hill 30 plus superstars that you are resurrecting (Johan Ackermann, Andre Snyman and company) and let them have a victory lap series. This way the Springboks can't lose face (God forbid we lose a match) and we have no injury worries!!!
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Jake white's experiment in catastrophe
Disaster, chaos, trauma!
Apt words to describe the Springboks end of year tour to the UK. Punted originally as an experiment by Jake White in an attempt to increase depth in the squad, it seems to just have highlighted the fact that Jake White has mad cow disease.
Where have you seen a coach in crease depth in a squad by adding a 19 year old, and then someone old enough to be his father. Taking nothing away from Francois Steyn, who performed brilliantly in all 4 of his outings on this tour - in 3 different positions, one has to wonder how much depth we will be getting out of Johan Ackerman who at 36 should have retired 6 years ago. What of the numerous young and talented locks that we have in South Africa?
Jake justified his inclusion of Ackerman in the squad as experience - experience in the old age home maybe???
And now, following the pathetic wins over a second rate English Squad and a dismal World XV, Jake White is smug and full of bravado - raving on about his injured and resting players that will make the major difference to our squad. But does Jake realise that most of these wonder players were present during our humiliating defeats by France at home, and by the Wallabies in Brisbane.
All the negatives aside, it seems Jake might be seeing the light somehow - he has eventually relented to pick an openside fetcher flank, in the form of Kabamba Floors. Maybe this is a sign that Luke Watson might get into a Springbok jersey before the World Cup next year. Although Jake still needs to fix his coaching staff issues, and maybe employ the help of our top Super 14 and Currie Cup coaches.
Apt words to describe the Springboks end of year tour to the UK. Punted originally as an experiment by Jake White in an attempt to increase depth in the squad, it seems to just have highlighted the fact that Jake White has mad cow disease.
Where have you seen a coach in crease depth in a squad by adding a 19 year old, and then someone old enough to be his father. Taking nothing away from Francois Steyn, who performed brilliantly in all 4 of his outings on this tour - in 3 different positions, one has to wonder how much depth we will be getting out of Johan Ackerman who at 36 should have retired 6 years ago. What of the numerous young and talented locks that we have in South Africa?
Jake justified his inclusion of Ackerman in the squad as experience - experience in the old age home maybe???
And now, following the pathetic wins over a second rate English Squad and a dismal World XV, Jake White is smug and full of bravado - raving on about his injured and resting players that will make the major difference to our squad. But does Jake realise that most of these wonder players were present during our humiliating defeats by France at home, and by the Wallabies in Brisbane.
All the negatives aside, it seems Jake might be seeing the light somehow - he has eventually relented to pick an openside fetcher flank, in the form of Kabamba Floors. Maybe this is a sign that Luke Watson might get into a Springbok jersey before the World Cup next year. Although Jake still needs to fix his coaching staff issues, and maybe employ the help of our top Super 14 and Currie Cup coaches.
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