Tri-ing times
17 July 2009, 07:01
By Jacques van der Westhuyzen
South Africa: Battling from within
Considering the talent pool in South Africa and the experienced hands coach Peter de Villiers has at his disposal, the Springboks should be favourites going into this year's competition. Whether this indeed is the case is uncertain.
The Boks got the job done against the British and Irish Lions, winning the series 2-1, but that is all they did - they got the job done.
They were far from convincing and actually fell horribly short of their best form in the third Test when De Villiers opted to make 10 changes to the side that so famously came back from the dead at Loftus Versfeld in the second Test.
But whether the Boks failed to hit top form or not a few weeks ago, their potential remains unchallenged.
If De Villiers gets his selections right and the players gel, as they did at times in the Lions series, they should have the power and skill to beat Australia and New Zealand - on home soil, anyway.
It is for this reason that De Villiers and his charges should give a better account of themselves in 2009 than was the case last season, when the coach took charge of the team for the first time.
In 2008, the Boks won just twice in six outings in the Tri-Nations, famously in Dunedin and then with a record score against Australia in Johannesburg.
This year, they start at home with three matches before heading to Australasia.
With a full strength squad to pick from, bar Schalk Burger, De Villiers is in the pound seats.
But he warned: "It is a great draw for us and it will be fantastic if we can leave South Africa with three wins under our belts.
"But we have to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves, and we must focus on the immediate task of facing the All Blacks in the first match in Bloemfontein. We have to take things a step at a time and make sure that we are fully prepared for each game as it comes."
There is nothing to prevent the Boks going all the way this year - except themselves.
De Villiers has some of the finest rugby players on the planet in his midst, but getting the best out of them will be the trick.
Settling on a flyhalf will be crucial, but so too the midfield combination. These are the only areas of concern; for the rest, the Bok boss has little to worry about.
This could well be the year the Boks add to the titles they won in 1998 and 2004.
The Boks
KEY PLAYERS
John Smit (hooker), Bakkies Botha (lock), Heinrich Brüssow (openside flank), Ruan Pienaar (flyhalf), Jaque Fourie (centre), Frans Steyn (fullback)
Strengths
Solid in set pieces, particularly lineouts; Strong scrumhalf; Real strike force out wide
Weaknesses
Kicking game can be bit haywire; Inability to play for 80 minutes; Defence not where it should be
squad
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies; Backs: Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adi Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Morne Steyn
Australia: The favouriites
Australia have only won the Tri-Nations Series on two occasions - in 2000 and 2001 - but many believe 2009 will again be their year. In fact, some are even calling it the birth of a new golden age for the Wallabies.
Robbie Deans's men go into the 14th year of the tournament in good shape, with Test victories over the Barbarians (55-7), Italy (31-8, 34-12) and France (22-6).
The squad, while having a youthful look, is settled and well coached, which is expected considering Deans is in charge.
The highly successful former Crusaders boss, now in his second year in charge of the Australians, has had no Super 14 commitments this season, allowing him to spend all his time on the Test squad, preparing them for matches against New Zealand and South Africa in the coming weeks.
Deans has put his faith in a number of fresh faces, among them Lachie Turner, Quade Cooper, David Pocock, Ben Alexander, James O'Connor, Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale. Eleven of his 30-man squad have seven or less caps.
But Deans will again rely on veterans like George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock.
But while Deans is upbeat, he is expecting this to be the most competitive in the 14-year history of the tournament.
"South Africa will come out of their Lions series honed and buoyant. If not buoyant, they will certainly benefit from the experience. It will be huge. They are evidently excited about that," Deans told The Australian recently.
"You'll see them get back to their World Cup mentality. I believe early last year they did plateau out because they had had such a big moment (winning the 2007 World Cup in France). They will be right back up there for this.
"New Zealand are holding the silverware and we are chasing and we will be better than last year and we weren't that far away, so it's going to be great."
Deans says he has enough firepower to be more competitive than last year when the Wallabies had just three wins from six games. They finished second on 13 points, five behind New Zealand and four in front of South Africa.
"There is more depth, I believe. There's more choice," Deans said. "Some of the blokes who got an opportunity last year are showing more than they were this time last year."
The Wallabies
KEY PLAYERS
Nathan Sharpe (lock); George Smith (openside-flank); Rocky Elsom (blindside-flank); Will Genia (scrumhalf); Matt Giteau (flyhalf); Stirling Mortlock (centre)
Strengths
Excellent at the breakdowns; Hang on to the ball for long periods; One of the best flyhalves in the game; Strong defence
Weaknesses
Can be vulnerable at scrum time; Inexperience in the back three
squad
Forwards: Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Pek Cowan, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Peter Kimlin, Dean Mumm, Matt Hodgson, George Smith, David Pocock, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown, Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu; Backs: Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor, Will Genia
New Zealand: The fallen superpower?
It Is debatable who gets more flak, the Springbok coach or the boss of the All Blacks?
Right now, New Zealand coach Graham Henry is taking plenty of heat ahead of this year's Tri- Nations Series.
The once mighty, almost unbeatable All Blacks are limping into this year's competition and unlike previous seasons are not the favourites to triumph yet again. That privilege belongs to Australia and South Africa, who many believe will fight it out for the title.
The reason for the lack of confidence is the way New Zealand went about their business in June against France, in two Tests, and Italy.
With a largely second-string side because of injuries to key players and the unavailability of others who ply their trade overseas, Henry's men suffered a 27-22 defeat to France in their first Test of the year, before bouncing back the following week, winning 14-10.
Both performances left much to be desired and matters didn't improve when the All Blacks struggled to tame Italy 27-6.
Many in New Zealand believe the 30-man squad named by Henry a few days ago is the weakest in years.
Locals say the lack of experience in key positions will hamper the side this season, and when looking at just who is playing their rugby in Europe and elsewhere, it's little wonder Henry's team is being written off.
Imagine how powerful the All Blacks would be were the following players available for this season's competition: Carl Hayman, Greg Somerville, Clark Dermody, Campbell Johnstone, Chris Jack, Greg Rawlinson, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Marty Holah, Craig Newby, Mose Tuiali'i, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Carlos Spencer, Rico Gear, Doug Howlett, Isa Nacewa, Sam Tuitupou and Scott Hamilton. Sadly, or fortunately, they are all unavailable.
Making matters more challenging for Henry is the fact that he and his assistants, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, are under increasing pressure to continue winning, and winning well.
They got the New Zealand Rugby Union's backing following their shock exit at the World Cup in 2007 and a few weeks ago were given a further show of support when they were all contracted to the end of the 2011 World Cup in their own country. The appointments were not met with universal approval in New Zealand.
They enter the Tri-Nations under more pressure than ever - something neither Robbie Deans nor Peter de Villiers will experience.
The All Blacks
KEY PLAYERS
Tony Woodcock (loosehead prop); Richie McCaw (openside-flank); Rodney So'oialo (No8); Jimmy Cowan (scrumhalf); Stephen Donald (flyhalf); Mils Muliaina (fullback)
Strengths
Powerful tight-five; Solid in set pieces; Good counter-attacking from deep; Strong midfield
Weaknesses
Can loose structure when put under pressure; Questions remain about flyhalf; Midfield defence vulnerable
Squad
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Isaac Ross, Bryn Evans, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Aled de Malmanche; Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard
Tri-Nations fixtures
Tomorrow: New Zealand v Australia Eden Park Stadium, Auckland 9.35am
July 25: South Africa v New Zealand Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein 5pm
August 1: South Africa v New Zealand The Absa Stadium, Durban 5pm
August 8: South Africa v Australia Newlands Stadium, Cape Town 5pm
August 22: Australia v New Zealand Telstra Stadium, Sydney 12.05pm
August 29: Australia v South Africa Subiaco Oval, Perth 12.05pm
September 5: Australia v South Africa Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 12.05pm
September 12: New Zealand v South Africa Hamilton 9.35am
September 19: New Zealand v Australia Westpac Stadium, Wellington 9.35am
South Africa: Battling from within
Considering the talent pool in South Africa and the experienced hands coach Peter de Villiers has at his disposal, the Springboks should be favourites going into this year's competition. Whether this indeed is the case is uncertain.
The Boks got the job done against the British and Irish Lions, winning the series 2-1, but that is all they did - they got the job done.
They were far from convincing and actually fell horribly short of their best form in the third Test when De Villiers opted to make 10 changes to the side that so famously came back from the dead at Loftus Versfeld in the second Test.
But whether the Boks failed to hit top form or not a few weeks ago, their potential remains unchallenged.
If De Villiers gets his selections right and the players gel, as they did at times in the Lions series, they should have the power and skill to beat Australia and New Zealand - on home soil, anyway.
It is for this reason that De Villiers and his charges should give a better account of themselves in 2009 than was the case last season, when the coach took charge of the team for the first time.
In 2008, the Boks won just twice in six outings in the Tri-Nations, famously in Dunedin and then with a record score against Australia in Johannesburg.
This year, they start at home with three matches before heading to Australasia.
With a full strength squad to pick from, bar Schalk Burger, De Villiers is in the pound seats.
But he warned: "It is a great draw for us and it will be fantastic if we can leave South Africa with three wins under our belts.
"But we have to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves, and we must focus on the immediate task of facing the All Blacks in the first match in Bloemfontein. We have to take things a step at a time and make sure that we are fully prepared for each game as it comes."
There is nothing to prevent the Boks going all the way this year - except themselves.
De Villiers has some of the finest rugby players on the planet in his midst, but getting the best out of them will be the trick.
Settling on a flyhalf will be crucial, but so too the midfield combination. These are the only areas of concern; for the rest, the Bok boss has little to worry about.
This could well be the year the Boks add to the titles they won in 1998 and 2004.
The Boks
KEY PLAYERS
John Smit (hooker), Bakkies Botha (lock), Heinrich Brüssow (openside flank), Ruan Pienaar (flyhalf), Jaque Fourie (centre), Frans Steyn (fullback)
Strengths
Solid in set pieces, particularly lineouts; Strong scrumhalf; Real strike force out wide
Weaknesses
Kicking game can be bit haywire; Inability to play for 80 minutes; Defence not where it should be
squad
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies; Backs: Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adi Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Morne Steyn
Australia: The favouriites
Australia have only won the Tri-Nations Series on two occasions - in 2000 and 2001 - but many believe 2009 will again be their year. In fact, some are even calling it the birth of a new golden age for the Wallabies.
Robbie Deans's men go into the 14th year of the tournament in good shape, with Test victories over the Barbarians (55-7), Italy (31-8, 34-12) and France (22-6).
The squad, while having a youthful look, is settled and well coached, which is expected considering Deans is in charge.
The highly successful former Crusaders boss, now in his second year in charge of the Australians, has had no Super 14 commitments this season, allowing him to spend all his time on the Test squad, preparing them for matches against New Zealand and South Africa in the coming weeks.
Deans has put his faith in a number of fresh faces, among them Lachie Turner, Quade Cooper, David Pocock, Ben Alexander, James O'Connor, Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale. Eleven of his 30-man squad have seven or less caps.
But Deans will again rely on veterans like George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock.
But while Deans is upbeat, he is expecting this to be the most competitive in the 14-year history of the tournament.
"South Africa will come out of their Lions series honed and buoyant. If not buoyant, they will certainly benefit from the experience. It will be huge. They are evidently excited about that," Deans told The Australian recently.
"You'll see them get back to their World Cup mentality. I believe early last year they did plateau out because they had had such a big moment (winning the 2007 World Cup in France). They will be right back up there for this.
"New Zealand are holding the silverware and we are chasing and we will be better than last year and we weren't that far away, so it's going to be great."
Deans says he has enough firepower to be more competitive than last year when the Wallabies had just three wins from six games. They finished second on 13 points, five behind New Zealand and four in front of South Africa.
"There is more depth, I believe. There's more choice," Deans said. "Some of the blokes who got an opportunity last year are showing more than they were this time last year."
The Wallabies
KEY PLAYERS
Nathan Sharpe (lock); George Smith (openside-flank); Rocky Elsom (blindside-flank); Will Genia (scrumhalf); Matt Giteau (flyhalf); Stirling Mortlock (centre)
Strengths
Excellent at the breakdowns; Hang on to the ball for long periods; One of the best flyhalves in the game; Strong defence
Weaknesses
Can be vulnerable at scrum time; Inexperience in the back three
squad
Forwards: Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Pek Cowan, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Peter Kimlin, Dean Mumm, Matt Hodgson, George Smith, David Pocock, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown, Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu; Backs: Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor, Will Genia
New Zealand: The fallen superpower?
It Is debatable who gets more flak, the Springbok coach or the boss of the All Blacks?
Right now, New Zealand coach Graham Henry is taking plenty of heat ahead of this year's Tri- Nations Series.
The once mighty, almost unbeatable All Blacks are limping into this year's competition and unlike previous seasons are not the favourites to triumph yet again. That privilege belongs to Australia and South Africa, who many believe will fight it out for the title.
The reason for the lack of confidence is the way New Zealand went about their business in June against France, in two Tests, and Italy.
With a largely second-string side because of injuries to key players and the unavailability of others who ply their trade overseas, Henry's men suffered a 27-22 defeat to France in their first Test of the year, before bouncing back the following week, winning 14-10.
Both performances left much to be desired and matters didn't improve when the All Blacks struggled to tame Italy 27-6.
Many in New Zealand believe the 30-man squad named by Henry a few days ago is the weakest in years.
Locals say the lack of experience in key positions will hamper the side this season, and when looking at just who is playing their rugby in Europe and elsewhere, it's little wonder Henry's team is being written off.
Imagine how powerful the All Blacks would be were the following players available for this season's competition: Carl Hayman, Greg Somerville, Clark Dermody, Campbell Johnstone, Chris Jack, Greg Rawlinson, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Marty Holah, Craig Newby, Mose Tuiali'i, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Carlos Spencer, Rico Gear, Doug Howlett, Isa Nacewa, Sam Tuitupou and Scott Hamilton. Sadly, or fortunately, they are all unavailable.
Making matters more challenging for Henry is the fact that he and his assistants, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, are under increasing pressure to continue winning, and winning well.
They got the New Zealand Rugby Union's backing following their shock exit at the World Cup in 2007 and a few weeks ago were given a further show of support when they were all contracted to the end of the 2011 World Cup in their own country. The appointments were not met with universal approval in New Zealand.
They enter the Tri-Nations under more pressure than ever - something neither Robbie Deans nor Peter de Villiers will experience.
The All Blacks
KEY PLAYERS
Tony Woodcock (loosehead prop); Richie McCaw (openside-flank); Rodney So'oialo (No8); Jimmy Cowan (scrumhalf); Stephen Donald (flyhalf); Mils Muliaina (fullback)
Strengths
Powerful tight-five; Solid in set pieces; Good counter-attacking from deep; Strong midfield
Weaknesses
Can loose structure when put under pressure; Questions remain about flyhalf; Midfield defence vulnerable
Squad
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Isaac Ross, Bryn Evans, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Aled de Malmanche; Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard
Tri-Nations fixtures
Tomorrow: New Zealand v Australia Eden Park Stadium, Auckland 9.35am
July 25: South Africa v New Zealand Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein 5pm
August 1: South Africa v New Zealand The Absa Stadium, Durban 5pm
August 8: South Africa v Australia Newlands Stadium, Cape Town 5pm
August 22: Australia v New Zealand Telstra Stadium, Sydney 12.05pm
August 29: Australia v South Africa Subiaco Oval, Perth 12.05pm
September 5: Australia v South Africa Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 12.05pm
September 12: New Zealand v South Africa Hamilton 9.35am
September 19: New Zealand v Australia Westpac Stadium, Wellington 9.35am
- This article was originally published on page 19 of The Star on July 17, 2009
Johannesburg
