The Springboks, although better than last week, were, once again, outplayed by the All Blacks.
The All Blacks offered more on attack, and their defence was better than their South African counter-parts, who at times slipped the simplest of tackles, allowing the All Blacks to cross the advantage line almost at will.
That being said, sadly, match referee, Alain Rolland played a large role in the outcome of the game.
In the most one sided refereeing display I have ever seen, he allowed the All Blacks to play offsides at every breakdown, often letting them get away with clearing rucks from the side, or blatantly going to ground, sealing off the ball.
What was allowed for the All Blacks, was not however, allowed for the Springboks, creating a great lack of consistency, which in the end, overshadowed the actual rugby being played.
Rolland further displayed the pattern of referees being intimidated by All Black captain, Richie McCaw, treating him with an “untouchable” status when after warning the skipper twice for infringing in the red zone, claiming that another infringement would cost him 10 minutes, he then gave McCaw another “official” warning, and allowed him to remain on the park.
Oh, and the All Blacks won the match 31 – 17. See, it isn’t much fun when the bullshit overpowers the actual rugby…
My two cents worth:
- Dick Muir still needs to be fired. He offers absolutely nothing to the coaching staff.
- This idiotic mentality of playing Jean De Villiers on the wing, allowing the All Blacks to stroll through the midfield channel, and keeping one of the most exciting players in the game, on the bench, just doesn’t make sense. Jean is a #12, and a bloody good, tried and tested one at that. The partnership between him and Jaque Fourie is the most experienced midfield combination in Springbok history. Why destroy that?
- Referees need to realise that Richie McCaw is not some kind of rugby god! The same laws NEED TO apply across the board, or face destroying the game and isolating the fans.
- The time of South African rugby personalities to stand by and remain PC has come to an end. When our, usually unbiased, commentators start laughing at the referees baffling decisions, it’s clearly a sign that something is wrong.
- I’ve been saying it for months now, referees need to be held accountable for their performances, and if need be, be stood down.
- Being stood down does not mean that you should be an assistant referee in the next game. It means you have zero involvement until you’ve sorted your shit out.
- The Spingbok defence is dismal at the moment. The Stormers had the best defence in the 2010 Super 14, why not call for some help?
- Ricky Januarie is just no longer up to this standard. His service is slow, and he is overweight. Simple!
- Zane Kirchner is still not the answer at #15. Anyone who can miss a tackle as simple as he did, to allow Israel Dagg through for the try, is not fit to wear the #15 jumper. PDV needs to grow up and give the jersey back to Frans Steyn.
- Pierre Spies needs to look into his defence!
- Wynand Olivier just doesn’t deliver in the green and gold.
- Mils Muliaina is in superb form, reminding us why he is the best.
- Are the All Blacks peeking too early again?
All Blacks VS Springboks 2010 Tri Nations: Game 2 – 17 July 2010 [WRNRugbyNews]
Scorecard:
All Blacks:
- Tries: Ma’a Nonu 7m, Mils Muliaina 12m, Rene Ranger 46m, Israel Dagg 65m
- Conversions: 1/4 (25%) Daniel Carter 1/4 (25%)
- Penalties: 3/5 (60%) Piri Weepu 1/1 (100%), Daniel Carter 2/4 (50%)
Springboks:
- Tries: Danie Rossouw 36m, Schalk Burger 75m
- Conversions: 2/2 (100%) Morne Steyn 2/2 (100%)
- Penalties: 1/1 (100%) Morne Steyn 1/1 (100%)









Comments