Good day folks, as promised yesterday on Twitter, and for those of you who don’t follow me on twitter this is my handle (sportsmadwilly) I promised to rant about the South African Rugby World Cup team representing us at this year’s R.W.C. The team all in all is a solid one (only because Jake White molded and picked almost the same team that the Clown P> Divvie has picked. The only difference being that Jake White was and will remain a great coach.
The South African Rugby Union has just proven that it is monopolized the same way that the South African Team is, with a Captain in both genres well past their sell by date. Today’s headlines read all about poor Art Matthews botching of the National anthem. Well I would have as well, seeing some of those players walk out.i mean the man is only human, and he is a true South African Rock Legend.
Rather than point out only negatives I will point out suitable replacements for the players that should not have been picked. I mean some of the players picked have not played since the Super 15 and have not even proved their fitness yet.
Let’s begin,
Tendai Beast Matawarira: Blows hot and cold, however has come to form of late. Choice 6/10.
Guthro Sttenkamp: one of the worst picks in the squad. He lacks his pace and scrimmaging powers he possessed at the last world cup. Choice 4/10, replacements instead , in each union there is a player fitter and better than him, even the Bulls have better players to fill that position, and that’s his home union.
John Smit: What more can I say? The second worst pick of the Squad, not the player he was before, the fact that he selfishly thinks that he can make this team on his playing abilities bares testament to the (in it for me) factor. He is sloppy around the fringes and is there because he can lead? No man, these guys are professionals; the decisions get made upstairs by your technical staff in any case. Why would you need a Prefect on the field to marshal you? Choice 3/10, replacements, Strauss from the Cheetahs and the forgotten one Schalk Britz.
Chilliboy Ralepelle: at first I thought wow, this dude has skills. He probably has but he lost a lot by being injured. Now only there based on colour rather than merit. Choice 5/10. Replacements the same as John Smit.
Johan Muller: Joint last place, battled eventually to make a strengthening Sharks team and moved to Ulster, terrible choice. He is sloppy around the fringes, he is also injury prone and is slow. Choice 2/10. Replacements, well there are numerous, Ashley Johnson, Flip V.d Merwe, Josh Strauss, even Wikus van Heerden. Bear in mind all of these players are actively playing currie cup and are playing damn good rugby.
Francois Louw: second recipient of last place. What has he done that has eclipsed other players from other unions? Average at best. I have no words for this choice and also the comments made when given his cap. Choices 2/10, replacements, wow a hell of a lot, but let’s name a few. Deysel, Daniel, Minnie, Josh Strauss, Johnson (all of who are playing outstanding rugby.
The rest of the forwards are class and deserve to be there.
Now for the backline.
Odwa Ndungane: at best I can only describe this as a pick that pissed me off terribly. Before I get slated and get accused let me do this. Choice 3/10, Replacements, Basson, Mvovo, Mvovo,Mvovo,Mvovo oh and Mvovo.
Ruan Pienaar: Once a prodigious talent, now all he is, is a one dimensional player that has no imagination. Choice 5/10. Replacements, if for scrum half, Jano Vermaak, if for fly half Katsikides.
I see a lot of people reading my stories however very little comment. I would like for the comments to come through. I wish for one thing. All those young men who got left out and are rightfully aggrieved, I wish you could join the Namibian Rugby squad and win the world cup. You have a right to be angry and even though it’s supposed to be an honor to represent your country, your country does not represent you. Go overseas play where you are appreciated as Ross Skeate has and make Money.
Over and out.
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