E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us

Mailbox: 30-28

Tuesday 15th July 2008

Thomson and Januarie: Plenty of cat-and-mouse between the two

30-28, what a game! It's taken us a couple of days to catch our breath following that memorable Tri-Nations encounter that has left a lot of passionate rugby fans with plenty to say...

We may have been off the mark a wee bit with our prediction, but if it's any consolation, our man Danny Stephens has had his e-mail flooded by you kind people telling him so and is eating his humble pie as we speak. Well, actually, it's a chicken and mushroom pie, but close enough!

Good to see the "pretty" boys getting a whooping. They are seriously overrated and over marketed and it is about time that the All Blacks are put in their place. Lets face it, in reality they only just scraped in above all the teams they considered rugby "minnows" at the World Cup, so it is about time the New Zealand public awaken to reality.

- Luke

The victory, I think, brought in closure on a couple of things: the manner of refereeing in the previous game, the fact that the Boks deserves to be number one on the IRB standings.

- Mike (A very proud Saffa)

I felt is was a well deserved win. I did think that NZ were actually better in the second half but that one mistake in defence around the breakdown cost them the game.

As a NZ fan this is not all that concerning though. Lets count the players not in the game that really would have or could have been if not for outside rules and injuries: McCaw, Jack, Williams, Kelleher, Rokocoko, Hayman, Collins, McAlister. May be time to revisit the oversees policy on players. These boys are head and shoulders above the current crop.

As is though it was a great game of give and take. A better ref would help in the future.

- M. Glynn (Chicago)

Ricky Januarie produced a marvelous try!
Go Boks go!!!

- Ugo

As disappointing the taste is after an All Black loss, (and this was a tough one) I perhaps think that a draw would have been more fitting.
Nevertheless, South Africa defended brilliantly and despite the wealth of possession the All Blacks had were unable to find the knock-out punch.

As an All Black fan seeing our talent being drained alarmingly, I do become more and more envious of not having talent like Matfield, Januarie and Habana on our side. I do think the All Blacks should be given a pat on the back. With all the hoopla about South Africa not winning in NZ in a decade, it's easy to forget this was a brutal game and NZ coming in under resourced and losing the important Williams so early on meant no matter what happened it was going to be an uphill battle. I hope they get recognition as well after all the whinging and whining that was made about the team. So long 30 game home streak, it may have ended but was ended by a worthy foe.

- James Chellingworth (Brisbane, Australia)

Congratulations to the Springboks on a famous victory. I thought we were going to get out of jail thanks to Carter and the Lauaki try, but the inexperience of our pack and Januarie's persistence around the fringes finally told. The NZ media were like dogs around a bone this week, but as with the last time, we relied on Carisbrook's history to win us a Test match, the talk was cheap.

- Grubb

A whistle-happy ref helped the Boks win. Even with calls against the Boks, he had to take time to explain in detail his reasoning therefore taking away the advantage of the AB's trying to lift the tempo and allowing the Boks to organise their defence.

- Ruz

Last week Graham Henry made a comment after the game. He said, I thought they are supposed to be the world champions. Well Graham, guess what!!! Once the All Blacks have been called on their usual professional foul play, they seem to fall apart. I'm not saying they are not a great team or rugby nation, but they most definitely know how to bend the rules more than most. Just look at guys like Richie McCaw, Sean Fitzpatrick and Colin Meads, great players, but forever abusing the rules and getting away with it.

The Boks on the other hand have probably always had the more naturally gifted and athletic players over their New Zealand counterparts, but not the smartest. This seems to stem from their arrogance of their big bruising Afrikaner forwards not realising that it takes brains to win, not brawn. South Africa is finally learning that if you want to win Test matches away from home, you have to run the ball these days. You have to take a chance and use all the space provided. New Zealand can play the most sublime beautiful running rugby, but so can South Africa, they just don't do it often enough.

Fact: When the Boks came back into international rugby in 1992/3, they had beaten every rugby nation on earth more than those other nations had beaten them. This included New Zealand. Since then, New Zealand has truly overtaken them. This is due to superior coaching and a much more expansive and attacking game-plan. Basically, they have been smarter. As an outsider, I still believe South Africa has the most talent, I just hope they start coaching like Robbie Deans and Graham Henry and continue along the lines of attacking running rugby.

Go the Boks!!! Good to see you wipe the smile of the faces of those Kiwis who think it is their right to win. Kiwis, they are the world champs and don't you forget it. Hope you don't choke again in 2011.

- Chris (Perth)

Congratulations to the Boks for finally ending their drought on Kiwi soil. Having said that, if the world champions couldn't beat an All Black side with so many defections to Europe over the off season now, they were never going to.

One has to wonder, was this the most inexperienced All Black side to be on the park since the infamous 1986 'Baby Blacks'? Victor Matfield alone must have had more caps than the entire All Black pack, so to run the world champs so close with such a new side is something we should all be worried about.

Looking forward to seeing how our Wallabies go against both teams shortly!

- Denise Summers (Perth)

Take two situations:

Victor Matfield tackles and, as the slowmo shows, around the chest, and receives a yellow card.

Leon McDonald tackles Bryan Habana around the neck, dragging him down and receives a "word".

The referee stalled the game in the first half and then, to his credit, allowed it to flow in the second. What a game!!! And the better team on the night, the one with more desire, WON.

- M

Way to shut up their critics. What a game? Worth every single minute spent watching it. What a team the Boks are? Watch out 2011, South Africa just may be the first team to retain the World Cup.

- Fijian in NZ

The "replacement locks" did VERY well. It was an extremely well-fought, well-matched match of rugby, with the only really bad note being that one team had to lose.

Opportunities were lost on both sides ... the defense was overall stellar on both sides.

Australia will hit a buzz-saw with both of these teams.

- Reid Parker

So the gloating AB fans in the mailbox last week were unsurprising. They, as a rugby nation, seem to have lost their pride and sportsmanship - which I used to respect greatly. Once that has happened, dear foes, YOU become the whingers! (Listened to your crowd lately when a Springbok attempts a legitimate penalty kick? Even old "One-Eye" Mexted mentioned it.)

A comment made in the same mailbox was that the Springboks don't like it when someone stands up to them and challenges them physically. I think the respondent has it reversed. As soon as someone challenges the AB's, and they don't have free reign, they get ever so slightly miffed - especially at home (where their self-righteousness knows no bounds). Sure, the Springboks are no angels, but the names Gabriel, Michael and Ezriel don't spring to mind when talking of the All Blacks either.

Now that I find myself on the winning side I will occupy the same ground these rooftop-shouters did last week.

Was it my imagination or is Italian football having an effect on All Black play? Dan Carter's Hollywood (to obtain a penalty just before the half making it 17-15) was laughable! So now when a back-line player marks another and then touches him, he falls and wins a penalty? This was no body check. Adi Jacobs literally placed his hands on Carter, who then fell to the ground as if pinned by a sniper! Then with Matfield's carding, Luaki was asking for the penalty before the tackle was complete and he hadn't even been grounded as yet!

What is happening in rugby? And I would be so bold as to say I haven't seen a Bok sink that low as yet...

The carding was a joke for the offence, but all teams had been warned, so it was fair. But the tackle on Habana, which led to the all-team general warning, was a professional foul - it stopped a certain try and was cynical. In other words, if that had been a Bok on an All Black, the yellow card would be out in a flash. Leon MacDonald is a lucky man.

A few comments on So'oialo. He was nowhere to be seen, other than a few off-the-ball antics (Yes, AB's, you do it too!). The ABs had no leader in this game. Not that I think McCaw would have made a difference. The Boks' loose forwards, behind a winning tight five, are unstoppable. Remember too, we're missing the best captain, hooker and scrum-half in the world, our juggernaut outside centre in Jacques Fourie and arguably our best front row selection.

Pay heed now AB faithful - this is how world champions go about their task. They get up, dust themselves off and come back stronger to teach you a thing or two. We crashed your party, won the game, took an edge for the Tri-Nations and then move on to other conquests. The mantle of world champions has been dusted off. When was the last time you said that?

To Rodney So'oialo and the New Zealand All Blacks - you have been weighed, you have been measured and you have been found wanting.

- Glen Elferink (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)

All Blacks threw the match away.

They begin to play the rugby they never play, as in the RWC semi-final against France, and like that day, they lost by two points.
I think New Zealand tried more drop goals in this match, than in the preview four Graham Henry's years! Of course, injuries and bans have had a big part in this feature, keeping away from the field McCaw and Thorn, and later during the match Ali Williams, leaving an inexperienced second row playing line-outs against the duo Botha-Matfield (with a great support from Smith, van Niekerk and Burger!). All Blacks never won a clear line-out, and never caused problems to Springbok throw-ins.

What about the ref?

Well, sure he is easily a whistle-blower, but lets check all his calls: in my opinion, nothing wrong.
It has been a great match, although with a lot of penalties conceded from each parts, but everything has been penalised well! Look at all the high tackles (even Matfield's one, which wasn't so dangerous, but Goddard had a chat with the yellow-carded captain, a few minutes earlier about those kind of fouls!). Rucks, line-outs calls and offsides: in my opinion it was correct every time.
But it was a spectacular match anyway!!!

- Marco (Italy)

It was such a close game. Either team could have won. Last year it was the All Blacks, this year the Boks.

- Keith and Gayleen Evans

I thought the game was won in the engine room and it was quite obvious. Not that NZ's boiler-house let them down, but Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield are special. A Chris Jack and Ali Williams perhaps would have negated their edge and effect on the game.

NZ must play differently! Their wings were well under-used again. Millions of All Black fans must suffer from anxiety while watching them continually pick-and-drive and play a tight game with little positive resolve.

Full credit to South Africa - they have some world class players! It must be admitted that Joe van Niekerk and Adi Jacobs performed reasonably well. This will probably be as good as any Tri-Nations.

- Stuart

As a lifelong Bok supporter and appreciation of the 87-year rivalry that is without peer, may I make the following comments?

The All Blacks will remain almost unbeatable at home, a lot to do with distance and conditions, but also the strength of their team.

Springboks: Currently in a very good phase, with more depth than any other team (not even missing Du Preez, Smit, Fourie for example). At least six players would make a world starting XV, three backs, three forwards. Beginning to benefit from extending the game to all South Africans, increasing their talent pool. Remember there was a time when Maoris could not tour South Africa and Habana, Januarie and Pietersen would not have been picked. Have improved their skills (ball handling and thinking) in recent years. Both used to be a SA weakness but have almost caught up to new Zealand at this time. Physically stronger, and have a very strong back three - for defence and attack - plus the best scrum-halves and centre (De Villiers) in the world at this time. Then there is the line-out of course.

All Blacks: Are a machine, no doubt, but sometimes have "no plan B" (shown as far back as RWC 1995) or appear to lack creativity or vision, as evidenced in the last RWC and again the last two weeks. In this sense is McCaw overrated? This was always a strength. Miss the game-breakers they used to have, and the Boks currently do have (no Going, Kirkpatrick, Kirwan, Cullen, Umaga vs Januarie, Du Preez, De Villiers, Habana). I would still make New Zealand World Cup favourites for next time, particularly as they are at home. Find a Christian Cullen and a Syd Going and you are there. Going and Cullen would have stopped Januarie, and probably have scored themselves.

- Terry Ray

The Boks played better, simple as that, scored four tries to two over two games. No need to blame Carter for dropping or the ref.

- Kevin

Darn All Blacks. They lose and blame the ref! I thought they were the best team in the world?

- Kennedy

A deserved win for South Africa. At the same time you will have to admit the real winners were Dunedin where the Test was held and the 'Baby Blacks'.

A scoreline of just 2 points, just over 300 caps for New Zealand against over 600 for the Bokke. Two rookies in the locks, an indifferent half-back who must surely be dropped in favour of Jimmy Cowan and there you have it. The South Africans cannot get better, the ABs certainly can.

- Gerry Portegys (New Zealand)

Most sports celebrate a run of 30 home victories as a huge achievement, rather than elevating the team that just squeaked a two-point end to the run! At half-time, the ABs were surely at risk of losing heavily. What another incredible achievement, to come out and play such fine rugby they deserved the 31st win with a part-scratch team! Kiwis, get over yourselves, and don't complain about this one, it was magnificent!

- Ron

The headline that "knives are coming out" is inflammatory and wrong. Whilst the articles cites a very selective snippet of commentary, by far the prevailing sentiment is that it was a great spectacle of rugby and the more deserving side won. For once, we witnessed a classic and tight encounter split open by an individual act of brilliance - with two other well constructed tried to boot. How often has that been seen that in the past five years? Yes the five year home-winning streak is over, but the reality is that when the top two teams are playing each other on a regular basis each team is going to lose games.

I was pleased to see that Graham Henry did not engage in any post-match whinging or excuse-making. Nor should he. Richard Loe's comments about the influence of the referee are clearly wrong. Whilst Matt Goddard's trigger-happy-whistling certainly affected the flow of the game (particularly in the first half), penalties were evenly distributed and did not favour either side. One also hopes that Peter De Villiers will take something from this experience, as his and John Smit's hubristic whinging after match one did not befit what is a very good SA side. The South African rugby public should demand better.

Ironically, after years of AB dominance during which the NZ public where losing interest in the Tri-Nations, this year's tournament shapes as the most tasty offering for some time. SA must surely be the favourites, and the ABs should still be very competitive - especially when McCaw, Williams and Thorn et al return. Meanwhile all eyes turn to the Wallabies who under Robbie Deans shape as the real dark horse in proceedings - next weekend's match should be a cracker.

(NB - if there is one ELV that must be retained it is surely the five-metre defence line from set pieces. It gives the back-line a proper chance to attack whilst accentuating the importance of a solid set piece. In short, the best of both worlds.)

- Olly Peers

They consistently lost line-out ball on their own throw in.

The Boks played the All Blacks game-plan and beat them.

The loss of Ali Williams showed the lack of depth available to New Zealand at present.

Money has taken over their game and siphoned off good players to Europe.

- G Foster

Who's knives? Everybody I have spoken to is quite philosophical and happy about the game and the result. Considering the ABs were seriously depleted in the experience department we think that a 30-28 result which could still have gone either way right up until the end was a fair result. Perhaps a little bit too much whistle but that was the same for both sides. As for Daniel Carter attempting drop goals, how come when Johnny Wilkinson does it, it is a touch of brilliance but when anybody else tries there is something wrong. Personally I don't care for winning games on drop goals but when you are up against a rock solid defence, any way to win will do.

- Brian Dalton (Nelson, NZ)

Well one opinion out of six may not be the greatest ratio but at least not all New Zealanders are one eyed - i.e. the wonderful refreshing Grant Fox who shows respect and has the decency to acknowledge that SA had the skill to win in spite of the odds being stacked against them. If only more folks would wake up and smell the coffee and fair contests become the norm - imagine what could be - oh no, now I'm drifting off into fantasy land...

- Dave

By "cherry picking" those quotes, one would think that no credit has been given to the Boks. Quite the contrary, everyone (including the parts of the articles that you didn't show) think the Boks played well. By just showing those quotes it looks as if NZ is not giving credit where credit is due, but that is not the case.

There wasn't much between the two teams, and one piece of individual brilliance was the difference in the end. Had he not pulled it off, everyone would be saying how great the All Blacks played - but that just shows how tight the game really was. Everyone thinks it was a true Test match.

Great game, and makes for a great Tri-Nations (better than anything up north that's for sure). The "cherry picking" of quotes really does distort what Kiwis actually think about the game, and people are giving credit to the Boks. Is this Planet-Rugby's attempt to make Kiwis look like sore losers?

- Tony (Wellington)

This Springbok side has the talent to be the dominant team in world rugby for the next few years. The forwards have size, experience and ability; the backs the same plus speed. The only asset missing is a genuine general at number ten. No-one has stood out since perhaps Honiball/Stransky looked decent over 10 years ago; no-one really since Naas Botha. Pretorius looked good when I saw him, and he beat the All Blacks twice, but was largely derided by his countrymen, so I must have missed his off-days.

There will be the expected nastiness from the strident 5 per cent of my New Zealand countrymen who feel all the best players in the world are from NZ, think that other teams are just dupes who show up to stand aside while we win, and imagine that after a loss it "was someone's fault" or that "someone is to blame". Let's take a punt, shall we?
1) the coach and his selections;
2) the ref; (this is easy);
3) eye gouging;
4) the captain (grasping now);
5) "useless" players, especially from Auckland - that's about enough, you'll be hearing more than that, no doubt.

Well played South Africa, I thought it was only a lack of belief and being sucked into playing a counter-attacking game that saved our guys from getting a hiding. We'll need all hands on deck, plus some luck, to be in touch in the return fixture.

- Stephen Hodge

The Springboks won because they outplayed the All Blacks, its that simple. Richard Loe, Daniel Gilhooly, Greg Ford et al, can whinge and make excuses about referees and player exodus all they want, all we request is a little class in acknowledging a superior opponent, congratulations and move on. As far as its rugby on the world stage goes, this excuse prone nation needs to grow up and begin showing a little more respect to the rest of the rugby playing world, without this they will never win the world cup. Paris last year was precisely due to this lack of respect.

- Cheryl

Well done South Africa, it was an even match and came down to a bit of individual brilliance from the Boks.

First half was very stop start thanks to an over eager Ref but he was consistent. Looking forward to next week and hoping that Robbie can weave some magic for the Aussies.

- Andrew (New Zealand)

Didn't see the game, was disappointed to miss it. Thought there would be some early doors biffo such was all the banter leading up to the game. The expectation of the Kiwi public is incredible, they're not happy after a narrow two-point loss at home to the World Champs.

Dan Carter must spend too long in front of the mirror because he can't kick drop goals. He can twinkle toe his way around defences but when the pressure is really on he can't drop three points. I know what the ABs need....you need Jonny, a player that delivers under pressure, whatever the situation. I can hear the howls already...

Blame the ref? Sound like the 2007 World Cup quarter-final all over again. I don't think the ABs and Kiwi public need to worry too much. Their forwards are still strong, Carter is still the best 10 in the World, and they have plenty of good backs... Things could be worse, you could be Martin Johnson.

- Scottie (Englishman in Oz)

Just one reason you guys lost it. You haven't got a, your description not ours, 'boring bloke' called Wilkinson, who in the heat and pressure can drop a goal to win a game. France springs to mind as well. Live with it.

- Village

The more things change , the more they stay the same. The team with more points at the end of the game may have changed, but the media's lack of imagination hasn't. Whether in South Africa, or New Zealand it appears that there has to be a reason for every loss and the neutral referee is bound to cop it, sometimes from both sides.

Much has been made of the Matfield sin-binning, but both sides delivered far too many high tackles throughout the whole match. As is often the case when teams are on a final warning, the ultimate binning seems harsh, especially in light of what was dished out to earlier offenders. Bottom line though, Matfield tacked high, and he wasn't the first by a long shot. Given the warning dished out not 5 minutes before what else was Goddard expected to do? Goddard seemed to take 15 to 20 minutes to settle down, with a lot of penalties in the first quarter, but to his credit both teams got the message, and off-the-ball play was much reduced from last week. If it was up to the commentators there wouldn't be a ref at all, just 80 minutes of good fighting (like in the "old days"). The ref has to find the balance of keeping control, but at the same time keeping the game going. Ultimately though the players share a lot of responsibility for the game.

Injuries, and unavailability have affected both teams. Riche McCaw, Brad Thorne, John Smit and Fourie du Preez were all missing in action (although Januarie's moment seems to have made Du Preez's comeback that much harder.) Bismark du Plessis had a strong game, perhaps his best ever in a green jersey, so yes, maybe (at least in those positions) there is more depth in the South African squad at the moment.

So lets forget the excuses for a moment, and concentrate on the game. Was it, or was it not, it best game, the most intense game, and the most exciting game we've watched all season? With the result in the balance to the very last play were we, as the crowd or TV audience, not treated to a fantastic game that ebbed and flowed in one direction and another. Was it not ultimately what we all want, a true test of two magnificent teams?

Obviously one team has to win, and for that a country mourns. But a 2 point loss is hardly knife-sharpening territory, even for the AB's. Graham Henry was right in his summation. Two evenly matched teams did battle, and one happened to be in front when the final whistle blew.

- Bruce Johnson

Henry is slowly killing the All Blacks. They have another chance now to get rid of Henry & get a new coach in place before it's too late. All credit to the Boks though they were a much better team and rightly so.

- Alan Richardson

No excuses.. are they so used to winning that they have to complain and play the blame game? Do they not have the depth they boast of because of the loss of Richie McCaw (granted, a phenomenal player) or because guys have left for the Europe? For years now we Saffers have had to put up with the lure of the Pound and Euros, biased referees, coaches being chucked out, political in fighting but the bottom line has been we weren't good enough. Come on ABs take it on the chin, let's see some good sportsmanship.

- Cecilia

The All Blacks are a very good team indeed but they were beaten fair and square by the Boks. I don't see anything wrong with taking a quick drop goal to secure the match - it takes some talent to slot a quick drop-kick under pressure and knowing that if you are successful you will put your team ahead.

As for player exodus, well SA also has the same problem and so far they are managing it pretty well.

- SC (Jo' burg)

After last weeks barrage of AB letters accusing John Smit of being a cry baby. Now suddenly it's the ref, foreign players, Dan Carter's drop kicking etc . It's funny I've never heard a New Zealander say they were beaten in a Test match. Its always they lost the game. Pretty arrogant for a team which has not lifted the RWC for 20 years!!! And those first two were hollow as South Africa was not in tournament. Not saying they would've won but they would've had influences in games.

Its time New Zealand stopped believing their own hype. They love joking that they are the best team three years out of four. Lets look at that. After 2003 World Cup, the 2004 Tri-Nations winners were SA. 2005 Tri-Nations went to NZ on points difference to SA. 2006, NZ admittedly were awesome. 2007 Tri Nations only beat a Springbok dirt-tracker team in last 10 minutes. So where is this tag of going into RWC overwhelming favourites? As I said it is self manufactured by the Kiwi marketing machine and the sooner the nation stops believing their own hype, stop looking for excuses externally and have a good look within themselves, the sooner they might actually win a World Cup.

- Jason

The ABs and their supporters have to realise things do not always go as planned; Many S14 teams have dominated possession and not won. You cannot anticipate the individual brilliance of Januarie, something they should have learnt that from all their world cup losses.

Incidentally Kiwi's are the only supporters I know who whine as much when they win as when they loose, they need to get a broader aspect of life other than rugby and themselves. Stop looking for excuses for the loss, be less arrogant, and give your opponents some respect for a hard earned win away from home.

Otherwise SARU officials sign a deal with Europe and let the New Zealanders play amongst themselves!

- Tom Thorne-Large (Auckland, Pacific Islands)