South Africa

Carpelone says...

Voice

Spot on. He should start finding the right combination in every department.

Front row, I think we are ok once BdP is back, Janie is a penalty machine.

Second row. I agree with Bekker, he never delivers when it matters. Etzebeth, Kruger and Bresler are all ok and can develop soon nicely.

Back row. The issue here is that our back row men need to be fit. Agree with Albers at 8 (Smith when he is fit again), with Brussouw at 6 and Schalk at 7 (with Coetzee we are a bit lighter).

Halbacks. The Bulls combo is not working at this level. Hougaard box kicking is not accurate enough compared to FdP. This is the biggest headache. Any thoughts?

Centers. Steyn and JdV do not go well together. JdV is no outside center. Choose one and find a proper 13 (I am not convinced that JdJ is up to this task). If you choose de Villiers, you may field Stey at fullback.

Back three. JP Pietersen, Habana (Hougaard) and Lambie/Steyn/Pienaar/everyone but Kirchner at fullback.

Posted 08:23 28th August 2012

Voice says...

Always good reading all the comments - if only we were the coach!! I think HM is going to learn like every Bok coach- the hard way! The SA public, as great as we think our rugby knowlege is, most of us are fans and not supporters, hero to zero in no time flat! Its the toughest job in the world, puts in a Stormer and he plays bad the Bulls fans have a go, puts in a Sharks player and the Cheetah fans go mad??!!

I think we must understand that we lost nearly 400 test caps when the big 5 left (even though most of them were not has good as they used to be) but there is no substitute for experience period. Our most capped player Habanna and he got subbed on the weekend. I think we have some great players from all the franchises but it is finding the right combo`s, we lost the best lock paring in the world, the best #9, one of the best centres and the most successful rugby captains of all time - who have the AB`s lost? I chatted with Jean dV after the PE test and trust me, he knows the pressure is on and is equally as frustrated as we are but we must support them.

HM needs to make decisions - who is the best 9 & 10 combo, who is going to slot into 15 permanently and then what is the best lose forward combo. I think it is time for HM to throw caution to the wind and bring in Goosen, play Lambie at FB, bring back Brussouw, get rid of Bekker and play Kruger, turn Alberts into a proper 8 - my thoughts. Cannot wait to Bissie and JP back!

Posted 15:38 27th August 2012

Carpelone says...

It is not just back row.

Without BdP, the front row is average (what about bringing in Schalck Britz).

2nd row. As even himself admitted, Bekker is no Victor. Drop him. He is a useless penalty machine. Bring in Kruger and Bresler. Etzebeth will be a Bok for the next 10 years.

Half backs. What can be said more? Pienaar / Lambie or Goosen shold be there.

Centers. Steyn Juan de Jongh. Jean de Villier is no more the same player who we knew.

Back three. Habana, Le Roux Hougaard.

Posted 09:34 27th August 2012

ben7 says...

Bring in Brussow! Coetzee and Alberts are amazing players so they must stay at least until Burger returns. Should be 6. Brussow 7. Alberts 8. Coetzee ( i think he would make a great number 8)

The majority of our backs are USELESS! Morne Steyn, Jean De Villiers and Kirchner are boring and one dimensional. Replace them with Goosen, Juan De Jongh and Lambie and put Hougaard at 14 with Pienaar at 9

PROBLEM SORTED

Oh and get rid of Flip VDM and Potgeiter.

Posted 07:12 27th August 2012

Lankanallblack says...

Hahaha!!!! those who were screaming for PDV's head what ya say now????? at least he had the sense to play Heinrich Brussow.

Posted 05:57 27th August 2012

Ruggernaut says...

Funny how we all were rooting for change when we demanded the axing of Peter de Villiers...and I wonder what has changed?? Meyer's inability to materialize a new game plan when it is obvious the 2008 Blue Bulls game plan is not working anymore, is simple proof of the lack of initiative which is dictating the way South African teams play. We are sitting with one of the deepest, most talented pool of players in the world, yet we are unable to utilize it because we refuse to refrain from predictable tactics...I am utterly dumbstruck.

Posted 20:20 26th August 2012