Rassie (again)

[Guy Smiley]

I think the players coming through now are the most exciting talent I can remember for the Springboks... going back to the 90s at least... I hope it's used... Moodie and Am are two great talents in midfield... you have exciting wingers and a mercurial number 10..

I hope they take the strait-jacket off and set them free... I think the Boks can be even better than they were at Twickenham.. instead of living off opposition mistakes, there is so much potential to create and ruthlessly destroy... your team could be like the All Blacks of 2010 to 2015... win the world cup and go the next 5 years almost unbeatable... but you have to trust your talent... take those shackles off...

You're asking the Springboks to sacrifice their culture and play like the AB's from 2010/15. Thats what the previous coach before Rassie did and look what that gave us. When Rassie took over from Coetzee the team had no character except to be more like the AB's. Some of those players are still in the team but they're completely different people now. They are confident in their abilities, and they have direction and drive.

One of the things that makes rugby interesting is it can be played in different ways. There is no one set way to play the game. Teams can build a culture around their strengths and weaknesses.

Completely agree, it would be awful if it was just some homogenous game plan across the teams. SA have a culture and a style that adds to rugby. It makes them successful, but it can also be their weakness occasionally, which is what makes it all tick

Grandpa wasn't suggesting the Boks PLAY like the ABs of that period, he is suggesting they are restrained now in how they play and that they could be even better if they release the shackles... in the same way that AB team played with freedom.

[Chilli]

https://www.rugbydump.com/news/springbo ... world-cup/

[Slick]

You're asking the Springboks to sacrifice their culture and play like the AB's from 2010/15. Thats what the previous coach before Rassie did and look what that gave us. When Rassie took over from Coetzee the team had no character except to be more like the AB's. Some of those players are still in the team but they're completely different people now. They are confident in their abilities, and they have direction and drive.

One of the things that makes rugby interesting is it can be played in different ways. There is no one set way to play the game. Teams can build a culture around their strengths and weaknesses.

Completely agree, it would be awful if it was just some homogenous game plan across the teams. SA have a culture and a style that adds to rugby. It makes them successful, but it can also be their weakness occasionally, which is what makes it all tick

Grandpa wasn't suggesting the Boks PLAY like the ABs of that period, he is suggesting they are restrained now in how they play and that they could be even better if they release the shackles... in the same way that AB team played with freedom.

Ahh OK. Lots like I've got precious by proxy.

[PornDog]

https://www.rugbydump.com/news/springbo ... world-cup/

Matfield also backed Van Graan to take over the Boks That would be so amusing!

I'm still not sold on the idea of Nienaber to Leinster, though I have softened on it somewhat. Rassie would be a fucking disaster though. No question he has the smarts, but he has totally the wrong temperament and would end up pissing everyone off. No way could he be the quiet, unobtrusive guy in the background that gets none of the credit (and plenty of blame - at least by Ulster fans), which is what Nucifora's role is.

This is only coming from Matfield though, no other sources, so I reckon its complete horshit and probably Rassie asking him to float the idea himself.

[Tichtheid]

https://www.rugbydump.com/news/springbo ... world-cup/

Matfield also backed Van Graan to take over the Boks That would be so amusing!

I'm still not sold on the idea of Nienaber to Leinster, though I have softened on it somewhat. Rassie would be a fucking disaster though. No question he has the smarts, but he has totally the wrong temperament and would end up pissing everyone off. No way could he be the quiet, unobtrusive guy in the background that gets none of the credit (and plenty of blame - at least by Ulster fans), which is what Nucifora's role is.

This is only coming from Matfield though, no other sources, so I reckon its complete horshit and probably Rassie asking him to float the idea himself.

You have to question where such an appointment (Erasmus) would leave Leo Cullen - he's not going anywhere, is he?

[Grandpa]

You're asking the Springboks to sacrifice their culture and play like the AB's from 2010/15. Thats what the previous coach before Rassie did and look what that gave us. When Rassie took over from Coetzee the team had no character except to be more like the AB's. Some of those players are still in the team but they're completely different people now. They are confident in their abilities, and they have direction and drive.

One of the things that makes rugby interesting is it can be played in different ways. There is no one set way to play the game. Teams can build a culture around their strengths and weaknesses.

Completely agree, it would be awful if it was just some homogenous game plan across the teams. SA have a culture and a style that adds to rugby. It makes them successful, but it can also be their weakness occasionally, which is what makes it all tick

Grandpa wasn't suggesting the Boks PLAY like the ABs of that period, he is suggesting they are restrained now in how they play and that they could be even better if they release the shackles... in the same way that AB team played with freedom.

Exactly... there is a better version of themselves just waiting to destroy the world... you think they are good now? You aint seen nothing yet!

I meant SA could have a record like the All Blacks had during that period, not play like them... SA could take rugby to the next level... dominant ruthless forwards matched with powerful, but skilful and fast backs... the Boks could play like they do now...before letting rip!

I'm glad it's never happened from a NZ point of view... but for years I feared it might happen one day... we've seen glimpses of it... sneaky previews... then it disappears again... and would be good for rugby generally if they did unleash it... cause it will be like nothing we have seen before...

[Tichtheid]

Completely agree, it would be awful if it was just some homogenous game plan across the teams. SA have a culture and a style that adds to rugby. It makes them successful, but it can also be their weakness occasionally, which is what makes it all tick

Grandpa wasn't suggesting the Boks PLAY like the ABs of that period, he is suggesting they are restrained now in how they play and that they could be even better if they release the shackles... in the same way that AB team played with freedom.

Exactly... there is a better version of themselves just waiting to destroy the world... you think they are good now? You aint seen nothing yet!

I meant SA could have a record like the All Blacks had during that period, not play like them... SA could take rugby to the next level... dominant ruthless forwards matched with powerful, but skilful and fast backs... the Boks could play like they do now...before letting rip!

I'm glad it's never happened from a NZ point of view... but for years I feared it might happen one day... we've seen glimpses of it... sneaky previews... then it disappears again... and would be good for rugby generally if they did unleash it... cause it will be like nothing we have seen before...

For years I thought France would be the ones to play that game, but their packs don't seem to be quite as intimidating right now as they have been in the past.

[Grandpa]

Grandpa wasn't suggesting the Boks PLAY like the ABs of that period, he is suggesting they are restrained now in how they play and that they could be even better if they release the shackles... in the same way that AB team played with freedom.

Exactly... there is a better version of themselves just waiting to destroy the world... you think they are good now? You aint seen nothing yet!

I meant SA could have a record like the All Blacks had during that period, not play like them... SA could take rugby to the next level... dominant ruthless forwards matched with powerful, but skilful and fast backs... the Boks could play like they do now...before letting rip!

I'm glad it's never happened from a NZ point of view... but for years I feared it might happen one day... we've seen glimpses of it... sneaky previews... then it disappears again... and would be good for rugby generally if they did unleash it... cause it will be like nothing we have seen before...

For years I thought France would be the ones to play that game, but their packs don't seem to be quite as intimidating right now as they have been in the past.

France have turned into a better version of the current All Blacks... but yeah, they were probably next after the Boks of being capable of producing a super team... and they may well do, but it won't be underpinned by power... more on skill and mobility...

[OomStruisbaai]

https://x.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1718 ... 01815?s=20

[Sards]

France have turned into a better version of the current All Blacks... but yeah, they were probably next after the Boks of being capable of producing a super team... and they may well do, but it won't be underpinned by power... more on skill and mobility...

Power over skill and mobility anyday.

Boks have proven it. The world's greatest rugby player , Du Pont, looked like a deer in the headlights the last 10 minutes of the match against the boks.

[OomStruisbaai]

Grandpa disappeared. He was all over the place.

[JM2K6]

France have turned into a better version of the current All Blacks... but yeah, they were probably next after the Boks of being capable of producing a super team... and they may well do, but it won't be underpinned by power... more on skill and mobility...

Power over skill and mobility anyday.

Boks have proven it. The world's greatest rugby player , Du Pont, looked like a deer in the headlights the last 10 minutes of the match against the boks.

Dupont, by a stretch the most powerful 9 in the world who frequently physically bullies forwards? What an interesting example.

[Sandstorm]

France have turned into a better version of the current All Blacks... but yeah, they were probably next after the Boks of being capable of producing a super team... and they may well do, but it won't be underpinned by power... more on skill and mobility...

Power over skill and mobility anyday.

Boks have proven it. The world's greatest rugby player , Du Pont, looked like a deer in the headlights the last 10 minutes of the match against the boks.

Dupont, by a stretch the most powerful 9 in the world who frequently physically bullies forwards? What an interesting example.

I guess it takes 10 minutes of Rugby with a busted face to forever tarnish the reputation of a fantastic player such as Dupont.
Or something. I don't like to go too deep inside's Sard's head to figure out where the good sense might be buried.

[Tichtheid]

Power over skill and mobility anyday.

Boks have proven it. The world's greatest rugby player , Du Pont, looked like a deer in the headlights the last 10 minutes of the match against the boks.

Dupont, by a stretch the most powerful 9 in the world who frequently physically bullies forwards? What an interesting example.

I guess it takes 10 minutes of Rugby with a busted face to forever tarnish the reputation of a fantastic player such as Dupont.
Or something. I don't like to go too deep inside's Sard's head to figure out where the good sense might be buried.

Dupont looked exhausted at the very end of that game, rather than looking like a deer in the headlights - who knew coming back from a very serious injury in a ridiculously short time would take it out of you?

[OomStruisbaai]

Boks defense had a few stars struggling with it.

[Sards]

France have turned into a better version of the current All Blacks... but yeah, they were probably next after the Boks of being capable of producing a super team... and they may well do, but it won't be underpinned by power... more on skill and mobility...

Power over skill and mobility anyday.

Boks have proven it. The world's greatest rugby player , Du Pont, looked like a deer in the headlights the last 10 minutes of the match against the boks.

Dupont, by a stretch the most powerful 9 in the world who frequently physically bullies forwards? What an interesting example.

That's why I used him. He really looked like he had run out of ideas. Was running into his own players. Yes. A busted face will always be a consideration. He gave all for 70 and then just ran out of ideas how to penetrate the boks. He's a great player make no mistake. The brutally of the boks defense was just too much

[topofthemoon]

Power over skill and mobility anyday.

Boks have proven it. The world's greatest rugby player , Du Pont, looked like a deer in the headlights the last 10 minutes of the match against the boks.

Dupont, by a stretch the most powerful 9 in the world who frequently physically bullies forwards? What an interesting example.

That's why I used him. He really looked like he had run out of ideas. Was running into his own players. Yes. A busted face will always be a consideration. He gave all for 70 and then just ran out of ideas how to penetrate the boks. He's a great player make no mistake. The brutally of the boks defense was just too much

He didn't run out of ideas, he was absolutely knackered and should have been subbed.

[Sards]

I guess it takes 10 minutes of Rugby with a busted face to forever tarnish the reputation of a fantastic player such as Dupont.
Or something. I don't like to go too deep inside's Sard's head to figure out where the good sense might be buried.

You really do seem to be talking through your arse lately. Who said his reputation was tarnished. Did anyone suggest that. Only in your head .

[Sards]

He didn't run out of ideas, he was absolutely knackered and should have been subbed.

I think the brutality of the Springboks defense had something to do with that. I was at Rassies launch as Springboks coach. He said then that he wants the Springboks to physically dominate rugby. He kept his word. 2 RWCs later.
The discussion was skill and mobility over physicality. We all know who the winner has been. As much as everyone may not like it.

[Grandpa]

He didn't run out of ideas, he was absolutely knackered and should have been subbed.

I think the brutality of the Springboks defense had something to do with that. I was at Rassies launch as Springboks coach. He said then that he wants the Springboks to physically dominate rugby. He kept his word. 2 RWCs later.
The discussion was skill and mobility over physicality. We all know who the winner has been. As much as everyone may not like it.

Well skill and mobility is the winner if you are looking at the long term... otherwise The Springboks would be the winningest team in the world and not the All Blacks? Since professionalism you lose two matches to every one you win against NZ... which shouldn't happen... it should be 50-50 at worst. Even since the last world cup, the Boks have a worse performance record than Foster's poorly performing All Blacks... SA should be nigh unbeatable... all the time...

SA could and should be a lot, lot better in my view if they were both destroyers and creators as well... and there is no reason why they couldn't be... they have the talent. We've seen it on and off in recent years. We didn't really see it in the World Cup though as they went back to what works for them... low risk power rugby. But what if SA had lost any of those three knockout games.. which they easily could have. Maybe long term that might have been best... because now you have won, will anything change? Or will your winning percentage stay the same? Justifying general under-performing, by world cup success alone? That's a risky business....

It's not like SA won every knockout game by 15 points and blew all the other teams off the map... but I think they could have... and might well do in the future... but it won't be by power alone... with the momentum your forwards produce your talented backs could destroy teams... SA should be the winningest team in the world... stop enjoying being underdogs and living off world cups alone... be great. Be the greatest... don't be afraid...

[Uncle fester]

He didn't run out of ideas, he was absolutely knackered and should have been subbed.

I think the brutality of the Springboks defense had something to do with that. I was at Rassies launch as Springboks coach. He said then that he wants the Springboks to physically dominate rugby. He kept his word. 2 RWCs later.
The discussion was skill and mobility over physicality. We all know who the winner has been. As much as everyone may not like it.

Well skill and mobility is the winner if you are looking at the long term... otherwise The Springboks would be the winningest team in the world and not the All Blacks? Since professionalism you lose two matches to every one you win against NZ... which shouldn't happen... it should be 50-50 at worst. Even since the last world cup, the Boks have a worse performance record than Foster's poorly performing All Blacks... SA should be nigh unbeatable... all the time...

SA could and should be a lot, lot better in my view if they were both destroyers and creators as well... and there is no reason why they couldn't be... they have the talent. We've seen it on and off in recent years. We didn't really see it in the World Cup though as they went back to what works for them... low risk power rugby. But what if SA had lost any of those three knockout games.. which they easily could have. Maybe long term that might have been best... because now you have won, will anything change? Or will your winning percentage stay the same? Justifying general under-performing, by world cup success alone? That's a risky business....

It's not like SA won every knockout game by 15 points and blew all the other teams off the map... but I think they could have... and might well do in the future... but it won't be by power alone... with the momentum your forwards produce your talented backs could destroy teams... SA should be the winningest team in the world... stop enjoying being underdogs and living off world cups alone... be great. Be the greatest... don't be afraid...

That's a dumb line of reasoning. If anybody should understand the importance of peaking for world cups and not in between (after Ireland), it's keewees who lived through 1991 to 2007.

[Grandpa]

I think the brutality of the Springboks defense had something to do with that. I was at Rassies launch as Springboks coach. He said then that he wants the Springboks to physically dominate rugby. He kept his word. 2 RWCs later.
The discussion was skill and mobility over physicality. We all know who the winner has been. As much as everyone may not like it.

Well skill and mobility is the winner if you are looking at the long term... otherwise The Springboks would be the winningest team in the world and not the All Blacks? Since professionalism you lose two matches to every one you win against NZ... which shouldn't happen... it should be 50-50 at worst. Even since the last world cup, the Boks have a worse performance record than Foster's poorly performing All Blacks... SA should be nigh unbeatable... all the time...

SA could and should be a lot, lot better in my view if they were both destroyers and creators as well... and there is no reason why they couldn't be... they have the talent. We've seen it on and off in recent years. We didn't really see it in the World Cup though as they went back to what works for them... low risk power rugby. But what if SA had lost any of those three knockout games.. which they easily could have. Maybe long term that might have been best... because now you have won, will anything change? Or will your winning percentage stay the same? Justifying general under-performing, by world cup success alone? That's a risky business....

It's not like SA won every knockout game by 15 points and blew all the other teams off the map... but I think they could have... and might well do in the future... but it won't be by power alone... with the momentum your forwards produce your talented backs could destroy teams... SA should be the winningest team in the world... stop enjoying being underdogs and living off world cups alone... be great. Be the greatest... don't be afraid...

That's a dumb line of reasoning. If anybody should understand the importance of peaking for world cups and not in between (after Ireland), it's keewees who lived through 1991 to 2007.

eh? Think you miss the point.... I'm talking about how SA could be even better than they already are... imagine if they ever moved out of 4th gear into 5th and 6th... their ceiling is so high...

[OomStruisbaai]

Well skill and mobility is the winner if you are looking at the long term... otherwise The Springboks would be the winningest team in the world and not the All Blacks? Since professionalism you lose two matches to every one you win against NZ... which shouldn't happen... it should be 50-50 at worst. Even since the last world cup, the Boks have a worse performance record than Foster's poorly performing All Blacks... SA should be nigh unbeatable... all the time...

SA could and should be a lot, lot better in my view if they were both destroyers and creators as well... and there is no reason why they couldn't be... they have the talent. We've seen it on and off in recent years. We didn't really see it in the World Cup though as they went back to what works for them... low risk power rugby. But what if SA had lost any of those three knockout games.. which they easily could have. Maybe long term that might have been best... because now you have won, will anything change? Or will your winning percentage stay the same? Justifying general under-performing, by world cup success alone? That's a risky business....

It's not like SA won every knockout game by 15 points and blew all the other teams off the map... but I think they could have... and might well do in the future... but it won't be by power alone... with the momentum your forwards produce your talented backs could destroy teams... SA should be the winningest team in the world... stop enjoying being underdogs and living off world cups alone... be great. Be the greatest... don't be afraid...

That's a dumb line of reasoning. If anybody should understand the importance of peaking for world cups and not in between (after Ireland), it's keewees who lived through 1991 to 2007.

eh? Think you miss the point.... I'm talking about how SA could be even better than they already are... imagine if they ever moved out of 4th gear into 5th and 6th... their ceiling is so high...

I think you missed the best match in the quarter final against France. That first half had the best rugby I ever saw from the Springboks inthe WC. Both teams lay the marker down with attacking rugby right there.

[Grandpa]

That's a dumb line of reasoning. If anybody should understand the importance of peaking for world cups and not in between (after Ireland), it's keewees who lived through 1991 to 2007.

eh? Think you miss the point.... I'm talking about how SA could be even better than they already are... imagine if they ever moved out of 4th gear into 5th and 6th... their ceiling is so high...

I think you missed the best match in the quarter final against France. That first half had the best rugby I ever saw from the Springboks inthe WC. Both teams lay the marker down with attacking rugby right there.

France certainly did. SA were forced into it... they weren't the initiators... it was still reactive, spoiling rugby... feeding off opposition mistakes... you guys don't realise how much better SA could get... it's like watching Usain Bolt running with his arms tied behind his back... if they are ever untied the rest of the world is fucked...

[OomStruisbaai]

eh? Think you miss the point.... I'm talking about how SA could be even better than they already are... imagine if they ever moved out of 4th gear into 5th and 6th... their ceiling is so high...

I think you missed the best match in the quarter final against France. That first half had the best rugby I ever saw from the Springboks inthe WC. Both teams lay the marker down with attacking rugby right there.

France certainly did. SA were forced into it... they weren't the initiators... it was still reactive, spoiling rugby... feeding off opposition mistakes... you guys don't realise how much better SA could get... it's like watching Usain Bolt running with his arms tied behind his back... if they are ever untied the rest of the world is fucked...

We played attacking rugby since last year EYT, it was only a once off in the final for obvious reason and having Pollard who is born for this. Manie Libbok have only lost once in a Bok jersey,

[Grandpa]

I think you missed the best match in the quarter final against France. That first half had the best rugby I ever saw from the Springboks inthe WC. Both teams lay the marker down with attacking rugby right there.

France certainly did. SA were forced into it... they weren't the initiators... it was still reactive, spoiling rugby... feeding off opposition mistakes... you guys don't realise how much better SA could get... it's like watching Usain Bolt running with his arms tied behind his back... if they are ever untied the rest of the world is fucked...

We played attacking rugby since last year EYT, it was only a once off in the final for obvious reason and having Pollard who is born for this. Manie Libbok have only lost once in a Bok jersey,

I'd like to see Libbock, Moodie, Am, Kolbe, KLA, and Willemse playing together more often... DDA and Kriel are great defensively, but attack wise... never gonna happen with those two there...

[OomStruisbaai]

France certainly did. SA were forced into it... they weren't the initiators... it was still reactive, spoiling rugby... feeding off opposition mistakes... you guys don't realise how much better SA could get... it's like watching Usain Bolt running with his arms tied behind his back... if they are ever untied the rest of the world is fucked...

We played attacking rugby since last year EYT, it was only a once off in the final for obvious reason and having Pollard who is born for this. Manie Libbok have only lost once in a Bok jersey,

I'd like to see Libbock, Moodie, Am, Kolbe, KLA, and Willemse playing together more often... DDA and Kriel are great defensively, but attack wise... never gonna happen with those two there...

You will get your wish next year. Pretty sure