If you do these three things, the Boks look vulnerable.
@Pakie Yes, I was thinking that too originally, but left it out. I was thinking about the long skip pass to beat the umbrella defence.
@Saffolk we squandered minutes by playing into traffic and chipping into touch instead of using the ample space and numbers wide of the contact. Lots of ifs - if Aus just kicked a deep clearance into the stands from that last lineout instead of trying to pick and go for time the Boks would only have had time for one more try and it would have been game over anyway.
Sure it's hard to take the loss but I won't be hitting the panic button, my wish is for Rassie to make a thorough clean out of the deadwood in his squad. If Oz had beaten a Bok team who had regulars like Kolbe, Kurt Lee, Williams and Willemse then I'd be deeply concerned. Then for a bit of spice....add Hanekom and RG to the starting line up.
Nah no panic, but let's hope it's the end of the pointless experimentation with players who have already been weighed and found wanting, especially those at the end of their careers. And maybe also of the arrogance that we can push three world beating sides onto the park.
@Pakie Well said especially this bit And maybe also of the arrogance that we can push three world beating sides onto the park.
I don't think Rassie has ever said he thinks his third string would beat all comers or that is what he wanted to achieve. Your third stringers are guys who can hold up an end and let the main oaks win the test. Having 3 players in each position is an ideal position as injuries can play havoc with a team. Third stringers get to know the Bok set, calls and strategies etc.
I don't think a second string Bok side would beat NZ either. They would however beat mid level teams and give your front line players a break. nobody can have the first an second best side in the world.
Still a lot of rugby to play this year. Lets see who are the last team standing.
Nope, Rassie hasn't said that nor would he. The fans, though, is a different story.
