That's not really the case, I don't really see any player that has been left aside. The black players in the team are among the best in their positions and the white players don't really have a black player in super rugby that would be a better option. The real problem for South Africa is that France through the Top 14 is bleeding them dry, the Top 14 Boks could be better than the actual national team.Yeah, selecting players based on their colour, not their ability.
Someone on here with knowledge of the Boks program might chime in.
I've not been following them at all so it was news to me.
Maybe it's an excuse....
Not only Top 14 - if you added the English prem to the mix you could probably select 2 sides who would beat the current Boks. You'd probably make up a third team of South Africans like Strauss, Stander, Kockott and Nel who are representing other countries.The real problem for South Africa is that France through the Top 14 is bleeding them dry, the Top 14 Boks could be better than the actual national team.
Exactly and you could also add all the really good prospect with junior contracts who are also better than some Super Rugby players, like Immelman. Last year I heard that some of the better paid south africans are at around 14k per year, that's a third of F. Steyn wage per month at Montpellier.Not only Top 14 - if you added the English prem to the mix you could probably select 2 sides who would beat the current Boks. You'd probably make up a third team of South Africans like Strauss, Stander, Kockott and Nel who are representing other countries.
Politics and infighting have hurt SA rugby, but they've been decimated by simple economics as well.
it's easier to blame the quota system though.Yeah, selecting players based on their colour, not their ability.
Someone on here with knowledge of the Boks program might chime in.
I've not been following them at all so it was news to me.
Maybe it's an excuse....
He's different though.Not only Top 14 - if you added the English prem to the mix you could probably select 2 sides who would beat the current Boks. You'd probably make up a third team of South Africans like Strauss, Stander, Kockott and Nel who are representing other countries.
Politics and infighting have hurt SA rugby, but they've been decimated by simple economics as well.
Yeah, it's a mixture of all of the above, really. Sadly for us.it's easier to blame the quota system though.
But the simple answer is money. The South African domestic currency has depreciated heavily and South African clubs simply cant compete with European money.
South Africa can also select foreign based players, they usually choose not to.
Coetzee doesn't help either. Was useless at the Stormers too. But Heynecke Meyer before him was the most successful coach in recent SA domestic rugby history and he flopped too.
I'm sure at some level that makes sense but on the face of it, it makes for a weaker Boks side.it's easier to blame the quota system though.
But the simple answer is money. The South African domestic currency has depreciated heavily and South African clubs simply cant compete with European money.
South Africa can also select foreign based players, they usually choose not to.
Coetzee doesn't help either. Was useless at the Stormers too. But Heynecke Meyer before him was the most successful coach in recent SA domestic rugby history and he flopped too.
Duane Vermaelen who is foreign based has just been called up.I'm sure at some level that makes sense but on the face of it, it makes for a weaker Boks side.
In the meantime IRE can run up record scores against them, which is fine by me.
With Aki the feelings are much the same as they were with Stander, Strauss and Payne. Some don't care, some think because everyone is at it it's ok and some, including me personally, don't like it because it lessens the impact and meaning of international competition. At this stage we're pretty resigned to it though and what are you going to do - not support your country and get behind a guy who has worked hard to get where he is and is clearly committed to the shirt?Ireland fans: what are the thoughts over there on Aki eligible to play for Ireland and Zebo not selected?
I could see Argentina or the USA or another emerging nation (I know Argentina have been a good side for a long time but it's an area of the world where the game could go grow). I read an article that made a good point that we're too big and too small at the same time. We're already good at rugby and it's a big sport in Ireland but the reality is it's too small a country to host a major tournament and guarantee huge revenues for World Rugby. I find the moaning about not getting the votes from Wales and Scotland a bit weird as well, as if we're annoyed it's not just an old boys club.Also reading that Ireland are saying they probably won't bid again. South Africa have lost 4 consecutive bids too so they probably have run their own race too.
Can't see any of the minor nations bidding, so it's probably going to be an England/Australia world thereafter
Yeah, just read the same article a few mins ago and agree somewhat.I could see Argentina or the USA or another emerging nation (I know Argentina have been a good side for a long time but it's an area of the world where the game could go grow). I read an article that made a good point that we're too big and too small at the same time. We're already good at rugby and it's a big sport in Ireland but the reality is it's too small a country to host a major tournament and guarantee huge revenues for World Rugby. I find the moaning about not getting the votes from Wales and Scotland a bit weird as well, as if we're annoyed it's not just an old boys club.
Maybe you should try a Wales-Scotland-Ireland bid? It would be a shame if Ireland never host a world cup.I could see Argentina or the USA or another emerging nation (I know Argentina have been a good side for a long time but it's an area of the world where the game could go grow). I read an article that made a good point that we're too big and too small at the same time. We're already good at rugby and it's a big sport in Ireland but the reality is it's too small a country to host a major tournament and guarantee huge revenues for World Rugby. I find the moaning about not getting the votes from Wales and Scotland a bit weird as well, as if we're annoyed it's not just an old boys club.
I'm not sure that's going to happen given that neither of them voted for us. Apparently the English and the Irish unions are much friendlier than Ireland are with Wales or Scotland, going back to when England came to play in Dublin in the Five Nations during the troubles while Wales and Scotland wouldn't and apparently the Irish and English players generally are much closer on Lions tours.Maybe you should try a Wales-Scotland-Ireland bid? It would be a shame if Ireland never host a world cup.
I think that Adam Byrne will be out of Schmidt's thinking until he improves significantly in the defensive phase. I agree with you that it would make more sense if Conway were to start on the wing with O'Halloran at FB, as opposed to Kearney playing on the wing.Surely that spot on the wing against Fiji could've been given to Adam Byrne or better still, Conway or Stockdale if he'd selected Tiernan O'Halloran as a fullback in the squad.
I've watched them throughout the Rugby Championship and still can't decide if they actually have a gameplan, much less one that is decent. Their backs still play like it's the first time they've played together. That Ireland performance was worse than the 57-0 to the kiwis, because they were competitive for quite some time in that match while they were just awful against Ireland.Finally got round to watching Ireland SA... South Africa weren't up to much really, were they? Nothing happened for them at all. Must be a very disappointing performance for their fans.
It's kind of a situation where any sort of improvement on last weekend would be welcomed I'd imagine. They were very disjointed.Happy with the changes to the Bok squad for the France game though I'm not expecting a win.
Race based selections?
Quotas are a bane and should be done away with. They don't produce the (so-called) desired effect. This issue is merely a distraction tactic and smokescreen for government. Government should be more concerned with providing decent basic services, combating corruption, stimulating job creation and reducing crime which are issues the black population really cares about not how many white or black players there are in the cricket, rugby or netball teams.Yeah, selecting players based on their colour, not their ability.
Someone on here with knowledge of the Boks program might chime in.
I've not been following them at all so it was news to me.
Maybe it's an excuse....
Early on when SA had 4 v 1 in Ireland's 22 and De allende chose to kick instead of passing the ball for an easy try exemplifies this team under this coach.It's kind of a situation where any sort of improvement on last weekend would be welcomed I'd imagine. They were very disjointed.
Yup that was so bad. He also kicked it directly into the hands of the one Irish player in the backfield. I don't think it would have made a difference in the end, but that was a try thrown away.Early on when SA had 4 v 1 in Ireland's 22 and De allende chose to kick instead of passing the ball for an easy try exemplifies this team under this coach.
You were watching Rugby League which is very big in Australia and the North of England but not many other places. Rugby Union is the game that people in New Zealand are obsessed with and is also played competitively by more countries than Rugby League. They're two different sports.I watched the world Cup qf match between New Zealand and Fiji. First of all it ended 4-2 for Fiji. Second half the stadium seemed empty and this was played in Wellington.
I thought Rugby was huge in NZ. What am I missing?
It seems that only the yellow was wrong.Angus Garnder reportedly apologised to Sonny Bill Williams regarding last week's yellow card. I thought the ref was right to bin him and right to award a penalty try. Apparently not it seems.
I asked someone about that and they said union was played by posh twats and league was played by everyone else. What are their actual differences?You were watching Rugby League which is very big in Australia and the North of England but not many other places. Rugby Union is the game that people in New Zealand are obsessed with and is also played competitively by more countries than Rugby League. They're two different sports.
Interesting. Seems many penalty tries are accompanied by yellow cards nowadays.It seems that only the yellow was wrong.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport...pologised-for-yellow-card-against-france.html
League is generally played and watched by d***heads.I asked someone about that and they said union was played by posh twats and league was played by everyone else. What are their actual differences?
You were lied to.I asked someone about that and they said union was played by posh twats and league was played by everyone else. What are their actual differences?
