SA v British & Irish Lions (3rd Test)2009 Pre Match Thoughts
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By Lion's Eye
July 2 2009
South African Springboks v British & Irish Lions 3rd Test - Saturday 4 July Start: 1400 BST Venue Coca-Cola Park (Formerly Ellis Park) Johannesburg Coverage: Live on Sky Sports,
South African Springboks v British & Irish Lions
3rd Test - 2009
Venue Coca-Cola Park (Formerly Ellis Park) Johannesburg
Well it was to be expected that the South Africans having completed the job last week would cop out this week and change their whole team almost. Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has made 10 changes in all. Names some fans I am sure will not have heard of and perhaps don't really care about now.
The Lions due to injuries have also made changes but I am sure will be wanting to win this last test to save a bit of pride. Having said that the Lions management and players can hold their heads up high as they have conducted themselves in a truly professional manner. Unlike the South African Head Coach and some of his players.
Last week's Test unfortunately left a very bad taste due to the circumstances all round, from referees, players right down the line to International Head Coach's comments re gouging (which really have got to be deplored) and the IRB stepping in to sort things out.
De Villiers has since apologised but has continued to insist the flanker did nothing wrong. He ended a news conference by criticising British and Irish media over their coverage of the Burger incident.
"We had negative media from Britain in 1974 and 1980 and now I've allowed it again in 2009," he said. "I've learnt that if they can't win on the field then they will try to win anywhere else they can."
Comments like the above are an insult to the British & Irish Lions! South Africa has a bad reputation for violence on the field of play, we have seen it before and make no mistake we will see them do it again. In my humble opinion they can no longer be classed as world champions (maybe in name), to be champions you need to have skills (which they have) but you also need to lead by example.
Dirty, Dangerous play in not to be condoned at any level. How the mighty Champions have fallen.
Shame they did not keep the coach that put the respect back into the Spring Bok and made them the RWC Champions 2007 - Jake White.
GOOD LUCK to our British & Irish Lions
South Africa: Kirchner, Ndungane, Fourie , Olivier Nokwe, M Steyn, Du Preez, Mtawarira, Ralepelle, Smit, Muller, Matfield, Brussow, Smith, Kankowski
Replacements: B du Plessis, Steenkamp, Carstens, Sykes, Spies, R Pienaar, F Steyn
Lions: Kearney; Monye, Bowe, Flutey, S Williams; S Jones, Phillips; Sheridan, Rees, Vickery, Shaw, O'Connell, Worsley, M Williams, Heaslip.
Replacements: Ford, Hayes, Alun-Wyn Jones, Wallace, Croft, Ellis, Hook.
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Oh, and Sideshow Bob at full back was the worst player I've seen in a Boks shirt since Percy
South Africa 9-28 Lions:
Need we say anymore
I think the disallowed try was a tough call. But I have said all along that Bryce Lawrence is a prat.
Edit is the following addition which was what I initially was going to write:
The Boks can lose it bigtime when they get behind and try to change things by unadulterated violence.
And I take back a lot of my criticism of Phillips as a scrum half, although to be really good he needs to speed up his delivery.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:07:04:21:49:54 by Rarua.
I agree pauses and aims to much before passing, instead of snapping the passes out, but what a great decision to play him at centre. we were winning with a big margin, so geechan thought keep hook on bench, in case we need him. remember last week!!!!!!!!! If we brought hook on, and took philips off and ellis got injured, we'd be in the s***t. good decision! (I might have got that wrong in subs, but someone will clarify Geechs reasoning)
Cheers
Seems odd, I know
Quote:Well i admit,i was totally wrong.Congratulations to the Lions on an excellent performance.They thoroughly deserve it
True sportsmanship, that's what I like to see and what it should all be about. One or two others (well one other) on this site could learn a lot from you!
