posted Sep 22, 2007

What this game proved is that the Boks don't have strength in depth. While their first team probably rivals the ABs, their stand-in players in key players don't really cut the mustard. The Boks had better hope they don't pick up too many injuries on their way to the semis.

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posted Sep 22, 2007

...all the qualifications and no manners

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posted Sep 22, 2007

stand in players in key positions is what I meant. Sorry!

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posted Sep 22, 2007

Stick to the rugby and stop bickering amongst yourselves like a bunch of schoolgirls! To sum up, SA were very poor today and lucky to come away with a win, let alone a full house of points. Andre Pretorius was not up to the challenge and should be used sparingly (if at all) going forward. I haven't been a huge Butch James fan to date, but he has looked rather decent in this tournament - thanks in no small part to a great scrumhalf who takes the pressure off him. Here's to us lifting our game going forward; we'll need to to beat the French or Argentinians!

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posted Sep 22, 2007

Our Manu Samoa hasn't lived up to expectations so go ikale tahi and fiji!!

keep the flag flying for the pacific boys.

we couldn't do it this year.

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posted Sep 22, 2007

well stargazer..Tonga has its tail up and as the former Tongan international and Auckland player Willi Loose said...'don't underestimate confident Tongans'..as I see it, England should be warned, but when they play as the did vs Samoa..could be a ripper!

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posted Sep 23, 2007

Well done TONGA, no one thought the score would be that close....
Good on ya boys....
Mate Maa Tonga

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posted Sep 23, 2007

For sure South Africa were lucky to escape an upset but I wouldn't read too much into it. For one, this was their B side, and although they may not be very cohesive as a unit they all got precious game time as understudies (critical given the injury rate these days).
Tonga deserve credit and will be fancying their chances against England but frankly I think they just played their 'final' and will go home after next weekend's match proud of 'taking a point of South Africa'.
The score line flattered them to be honest, the woeful kicking of Andre Pretorius (we all have bad days) squandered 12 possible points and the boks were once again at the harsher end of over zealous reffing on discipline. None of the three yellow cards should have been given.

Jake White was right to field this team and protect his star players from famous island 'coconut tackles', this is a team with serious pretentions to reaching the final and when you have 7 games to get through you need to plan accordingly, I doubt they studied the Tongas a fraction that was given to England and it showed, but they won and learnt some valuable lessons for the more important matches. That's how the World Cup is won, and these teams going out full strength for record scores are simply unwisely polishing their egos.

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posted Sep 23, 2007

Tonga were magnificent in Lens yesterday. At 27-10 down, having conceded three tries in six minutes, it looked as though the writing was on the wall, a huge defeat was looming. Many teams would have folded at that point. But the way they came back, scoring two great tries themselves and almost snatching victory at the death, showed tremendous strength of character.

This is a different Tonga from the teams seen in previous World Cups. Long renowned for their flair and physicality, they have now added discipline and fitness to the mix. In Pierre Hola thay have a reliable and inventive kicker. Finau Maka and Nili Latu have been outstanding in all three matches.

Tonga fully deserve to be challenging for a spot in the quarter-finals. Their results to date have been no fluke. Next Friday's match against England will be the biggest in their history and I fully expect them to rise to the occasion and raise their game yet further. Let England beware! If the World Cup holders make the mistake of underestimating Tonga, they will be facing an early exit from the competition.

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posted Sep 23, 2007

It would be great if Tonga could cause an upset by taking apart the roses next round. However, everyone getting excited about the islanders' performance agains the Boks should bear a few things in mind. Pretorius is nowhere near the calibre he should be to stand in for Butch, even Stein or Pienaar would be better back-up fly-halves. If the kicks taken were on song the game would have been out of reach after the 1st half. Tonga only really threatened when SA had 13 players on the field, in what was a ridiculous scenario when Stein got sent off. So, I do wish Tonga all the best, but believe the English will still outperform due to being a more professional unit. SA experimented and revealed how critical Butch is with our new style of play.

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