Quoting overlander (Reply 121): I was a little disapointed with the result against France yesterday, but if you are going to experiment now is the time, |
Exactly hence the ABs line-up against the Boks, which was basically a trial match to give a chance for some of the fringe players to stake their claim for a place in the squad.
This may sound a bit strange but I think the ABs took more out of the the match than the Boks did (after all to quote Peter DeVilliers, the result was not as important as the performance).
An experimental side giving some newish and returning from injury players valuable match practice in a competitive match. The opportunity to try out some tactical changes against a top side was also useful. I think the sqaud selection issue for the ABs coaches will be a lot clearer now. Positives? The general dominance of possession and territory, the dazzling form of Israel Dagg - no questions there about his match fitness and the general way the ABs were able to break the Boks line. In addition the Boks were prevented from even coming close to scoring a try. Negatives? Some naiveity at the breakdown in the face of much expected gamesmanship by the Boks pack, rest assured the return of McCaw, Thorn and Read, and to the starting line up, Ben Franks should ensure a more 'streetwise' pack less likely to give up the cheap points that were lost at the weekend. Colin Slade's performance, a bit ropey to say the least, perhaps the occasion got to him a bit, I hope he will be all the better for the experience as I know he can and will play much better than this. SBW again failed to deliver on the big stage, I can see him failing to make the squad, turning his back on
NZ and heading over the Tasman for this much rumoured move to the Waratahs...they are welcome to him.
By contrast the Springboks with a full strength team showed that they were very one dimensional, relied on predictable and unimaginative tactics and utterly failed to come even remotely near to scoring a try. That is pitiful in a home test against a largely experimental side. They will not be able to rely on kicking their way out of trouble come the sharp end of RWC this time around. They have serious vulnerability at full back and the frequency of which the ABs were able to break the Boks line should raise alarm bells. If the Boks' coaching staff aren't concerned about that, they should be.