assfly wrote: Mon Jul 17, 2023 5:48 am
My thoughts on the Bok game.
1. Completely blitzed in the first 20. We looked completely shocked by it. I said earlier last week that one of our biggest risks in this match was the cobwebs surrounding some of our players, but I didn't quite expect that. It was particularly noticeable from our Japan and UK based players.
2. Willemse is not a 10. He is a wonderful player, and I'd like to see him at 12 or 15 more, but he is 100% not a flyhalf. We may have well have started with Willie at 10, the amount of times he took the ball in that channel.
3. We really miss Kolisi. Not a good outing from Kwagga either, but at least Marco van Staden is big enough to make an impact at the breakdown, Kwagga was totally missing in action.
4. I don't know what is going on with our lineout. Did we even compete for a single AB ball? We have so many good jumpers in the team, it's crazy we didn't put them under pressure.
5. Am needs to wake up. He wasn't great for the $harks when he came back from injury, and he isn't looking much better. Our defensive play was a total embarrassment, which is normally his strength.
6. If Williams can sort out his box-kicking, he could be the starting 9 at the world cup.
I think you will find Kwagga was one of the busiest bok forwards on Saturday bud. Made around 15 tackles I think, scored a try for good measure to. Whilst I agree Marco had a good game the week before, I am definitely seeing some recency bias from a lot of bok supporters. One good game does not make you a permanent starter. Also, playing against a pretty shyte Aus in SA versus playing high flying NZ in NZ is not exactly apples with apples. Another example is Andre Esterhuizen, who again had an outstanding game against Aus, should apparently be starting ahead of DDA. One game does not earn you that right. Everybody seems to forget how crap his been in the Bok jersey. Don't get me wrong, if he can repeat that performance consistently when given the chance, then I'd prefer him. He has a better passing game and isn't as one dimensional as DDA. Following on from the same train of thought, I'm not worried about Am, he's too much class not to hit his straps soon.
As for Damian Willemse at 10. Agree 110%. That's Rassie and Nienaber's fault. Pollard will resolve that issue when he returns, with Manie as backup.
I like Williams too, I really do. He's got speed to burn as well. Got a bright future ahead of him.
