SA 44 - Aussie 31

[Strathen]

Sounds like a cracker of a game. I'd love some feedback from those on the board as to their impressions of the game as the article doesn't really go in to too much depth.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/4072776/Wallabies-beaten-after-blistering-start-against-Springboks

[ROAMER]

Fast paced.. lots of mistakes, (Oz had 19 missed tackles)

Absolutely woeful defence from both sides.. especially in the 1st half.. ABs would have minced both teams with defence like that!!

Second half turned into a kick fest with SA winning the set pieces

Nothing to worry about there for the ABs

[backinblack]

A cross between Aerial ping pong, Basket ball and a riot dispersed by tear gas.

[Reformed]

Downright ugly... but a win is a win...  ... and we needed that

[ROAMER]

yup, sa deserved that win... oz is comming along fine though the will be serious contenders next year

[Reformed]

If we can disregard the first 15 or so minutes then the Boks played fantastically well... just that start... eish.

I suppose one can say if it was the AB's we played it could easily have been 20 points over us... as it happened, luckily it was the Ozzmobs we played.
I see Mattfield siad after the game that we have to keep focus and keep in mind that we are trying to build momentum for 2011 RWC (as if the other teams are not?) and that these games should be seen in light of the Boks not peaking at the moment but at the 'right' time...

Sounds a lot like a 'England' approach to me... peak once in 4 years for 2 weeks and rubbish the rest of the time...

[ROAMER]

nobody can pinpoint a "Peak"

as a matter of fact I dont think there is such a thing as a "peak"

All teams try to get better and better.. peaking? never

[Reformed]

I agree with that Roams... I still firmy beleive that in any sport you are only as good as your last game... This isn't sex where you need to pace yourself and 'peak' at the opportune moment... 
If you are not 'peaking' then you are on your way down (like the Boks) or on your way up (like the Ozzmobs)... I'd rather the guys use a term 'playing to your maximum capability'.
I see Richie has also come out with the same schpiel about the AB's having gas to spare and not needing to go flat out yet as they plan to 'peak' in time for the RWC...

PS: I see there is 'confirmed rumour' that John Smit together with other senior Boks (Matfield, Burger etc) is to be 'rested' for the EOYT and it seems as if Juan Smit will take over the captaincy in Smit's stead... This resting and conditioning thing... hmmm... not sure about that. It backfired miserably for Henry and the AB's during the 2007 RWC as the guys weren't sharp enough... Looks like we are trying very hard to make the same mistakes.

[ROAMER]

... and I hope you succeed

.. and whats this pacing at bed time?   more like wham bam thank you maam, isnt it?

[Reformed]

 Hey,... don't generalise your inadequacies on all male specimens... 

[Katatonic Kiwi]

I mut say, that after watching the 3 home games for the Springboks, their best performance was the narrow "on the bell" loss to the Blacks. They we tremendous in contact, and although I don't think it had the ABs worried , they hceertainly had to work very hard for that win. Last nights performance by the Boks, as with last weeks, shouldn't make Bok fans happy. To lose last night in the most ridiculously negative way, had me shaking my head in disbelief. You guys let the Wobblies off the hook, and the last thing we need, less than 12 months out from the RWC2011, is an Aussie team believing in themselves.

[Reformed]

Tell me something I don't know...