
"As ever, the All Blacks will be about half as good as their followers think they are, though still hardly bad. The power and pride of their collective, the magnificence of their basic skills and ability to adapt to any circumstances cannot hide the fact that a large number of their individuals on this trip would not make a Guinness Premiership club roster.
These are the words of the world renowned Steven Jones, a British journalist of the highest order. I have seen some of his columns an they are generally really good. But this one comment just typifies what a bunch of bumbling fools the Poms are. There is a huge wave of optimism around the fact that they believe the Aussies and Kiwi's are clearly very beatable. Yes, any team are beatable fella's, but I will eat my hat if either of these teams loose a game on tour. The Aussies are far more susceptible to having a bad game ( Ellis Park ) but I don't see them losing unless their forwards go walkabout again. Deans is too shrewd to let them allow one area of the game to dominate the final result. Just for the record Jones' ire for the All Blacks is well documented and almost nauseating. He just wont give them any credit.
But lets get back to the perennial hopers, The Poms. Teams have barely arrived and they are slamming them in the bin pinning their hopes on a victory for the home team. I can hear them in the pubs and along the fields all over the Mud Island, " come on chaps, be brave, give them a good thrashing "
Oh its too much for me.
If the Boks can play a simple game and allow themselves to settle into a pattern they can win well, minded they must concentrate for the full 80 minutes. Something we have a real problem with on tours. Subduing the Welsh passion is crucial, don't let the cat out of the bag sort of thing. I feel Ruan Pienaar has huge potential but like Frans Steyn they are pone to brain fades and panic sets in. Pienaar must allow the pressure to be handled by the team, collectively. He is a bit individual at 10 and this poses his greatest problem. Watch Carter, he dictates the game, but seldom allows the pressure of situations to force him into taking contact. Rather kick or pass. Running on your own creates panic. I always say, let the situation present itself, don't go looking for the situation. Meaning, if there is a gap take it, the rest is self explanatory.
Enjoy the rugger, Come on the South...