Scotland v South Africa, 3 October

by **George Carlin** Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:31 am

First topic message reminder :

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Scot_f10

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Spring11

SCOTLAND V SOUTH AFRICA
3 October 2015
KO: 16:45 BST
St. James' Park, Newcastle

Live on [tbc]

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Worshi11

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Worshi11

Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) & Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)

A. Head to Head

25 Played 25
5 Won 20
0 Drawn 0
20 Lost 5
270 Points 652

B. Recent Form

28 June 2014
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
55 – 6 to South Africa

17 November 2013
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
0 – 28 to South Africa

15 June 2013
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
30 – 17 to South Africa

17 November 2012
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
10 – 21 to South Africa

20 November 2010
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
21 – 17 to Scotland

15 November 2008
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
10 – 14 to South Africa

C. Teams

SCOTLAND
Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Kirsty10

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Kirsty10

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps; 9 tries, 2 pens, 51 points 
14 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps; 8 tries, 40 points
13 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 31 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 22 caps; 10 tries, 50 points
 10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps; 2 tries, 6 cons, 9 pens, 1 drop, 52 points
09 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester) – 43 caps; 3 tries, 51 cons, 92 pens, 393 points
 
01 Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps
02 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps
03 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps; 1 try, 5 points
04 Richie Gray (Castres) – 48 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
05 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps; 1 try, 5 points
06 Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 2 caps
07 Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 13 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
08 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) – 29 caps

 16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 91 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 49 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
18 Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 9 caps; 1 try, 5 points
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 7 caps
22 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps; 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen, 10 points
23 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 98 caps; 14 tries, 70 points

SOUTH AFRICA
Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Charli10

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 Charli10

01. Tendai Mtawarira
02. Bismarck Du Plessis
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Eben Etzebeth
05. Lodewyk De Jager
06. Francois Louw
07. Schalk Burger
08. Duane Vermeulen

09. Fourie Du Preez (captain)
10. Handre Pollard
11. Bryan Habana
12. Damian De Allende
13. Jesse Kriel
14. JP Pietersen
15. Willie Le Roux

16. Adriaan Strauss
17. Trevor Nyakane
18. Frans Malherbe
19. Pieter-Steph Du Toit
20. Willem Alberts
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Pat Lambie
23. Jan Serfontein

by **LondonTiger** Thu Oct 01, 2015 9:53 am

To our northern neighbours:

Please, please, please win this game.

by Nematode Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:19 am

The boks are being a little cheeky on their twitter posting this:

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 CQNmz_VUEAAGGrI

by **RDW** Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:24 am

Biltong wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:You can put lipstick on a pig Meyer, but it's still a pig.

Wow, you must know him well to make that assessment.

You're getting wound up a little easily big man - in case you haven't already learned, 99% of what Scottish people say is in jest! Hug

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:40 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:
Biltong wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:You can put lipstick on a pig Meyer, but it's still a pig.

Wow, you must know him well to make that assessment.

You're getting wound up a little easily big man - in case you haven't already learned, 99% of what Scottish people say is in jest!

Absolutely! I think SA will tear us a new one at the weekend. The Japan defeat has not helped us in terms of this match. It seems to have really focused the Bok squad, and with the greatest possible respect for De Villiers (who has been a complete star for SA over the years), the new centre combination will cause us major problems, as will Le Roux from 15 who completely destroyed us at Murrayfield a couple of years ago.

I think we always knew this would be the case, but the match against Samoa will be a must win for us.

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:06 am

George Carlin wrote:
Biltong wrote:
GLove39 wrote:And speaking of Saturday. Look away now Biltong, look away now...
https://vine.co/v/eQ1Fj2YLUh5

That's cute
Graham - whatever job you have that isn't doing that full time - you are wasted in it.

Daww, cheers GC. Actually self employed at the moment. Trying to make it in the cut throat world of media & advertising!

by cakeordeath Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:07 am

Biltong wrote:
heyneke Meyer wrote:
with us having to change all our lineout calls because Scotland have South African players who understand Afrikaans and were also part of my training group four years ago"

McStrauss and McNel no longer understand Afrikaans, honest Whisky

by **RDW** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:12 am

Scotland team announcement coming up...

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:13 am

Weir we go! Weir we go! Weir we go!

by **George Carlin** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:20 am

Seems nutty that a single player is so influential but if Russell isn't playing, then I don't believe that we can win this.

Feel a bit sorry for Weir. Imagine knowing that the entire nation apart from your parents is groaning when they see your name on the team sheet.

Can we just introduce an offsetting system now whereby the Boks start with 14 points and Bryan Habana agrees not to catch any of the intercepted passes which Weir will inevitably throw directly to him?

by cakeordeath Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:21 am

George Carlin wrote:Seems nutty that a single player is so influential but if Russell isn't playing, then I don't believe that we can win this.

Feel a bit sorry for Weir. Imagine knowing that the entire nation apart from your parents is groaning when they see your name on the team sheet.

Can we just introduce an offsetting system now whereby the Boks start with 14 points and Bryan Habana agrees not to catch any of the intercepted passes which Weir will inevitably throw directly to him?

I honestly believe Weir is going to play out of his skin and do the job for us. And no I am not drunk....

by nickj Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:22 am

I think we'll see Vernon, Brown and Weir come in.

Hogg, Bennett and Fordy may bench.

Something like...

Dickinson
Brown
Nel
Gray
Gray
Hardie
Denton
Strauss
Laidlaw
Weir
Seymour
Scott
Vernon
Lamont
Maitland

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:24 am

cakeordeath wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Seems nutty that a single player is so influential but if Russell isn't playing, then I don't believe that we can win this.

Feel a bit sorry for Weir. Imagine knowing that the entire nation apart from your parents is groaning when they see your name on the team sheet.

Can we just introduce an offsetting system now whereby the Boks start with 14 points and Bryan Habana agrees not to catch any of the intercepted passes which Weir will inevitably throw directly to him?

I honestly believe Weir is going to play out of his skin and do the job for us. And no I am not drunk....

Winning drop goal from the no necked one!

by alive555 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:31 am

cakeordeath wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Seems nutty that a single player is so influential but if Russell isn't playing, then I don't believe that we can win this.

Feel a bit sorry for Weir. Imagine knowing that the entire nation apart from your parents is groaning when they see your name on the team sheet.

Can we just introduce an offsetting system now whereby the Boks start with 14 points and Bryan Habana agrees not to catch any of the intercepted passes which Weir will inevitably throw directly to him?

I honestly believe Weir is going to play out of his skin and do the job for us. And no I am not drunk....

suggest ye pour yoursel a stiff drink Whisky

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 3933776953

Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 1347041234

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...................... Scotland v South Africa, 3 October - Page 5 1347041234

......................................... drumroll

................. Whisky

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.................................................................................................................................................. guinness

........................................................ steam

............................................................... kiss

...................................... thumbsup

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................... vomit

by **RDW** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:32 am

Ford and Dickinson on the bench - bold move!

by nickj Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:35 am

How are you seeing that? Is my internet slow? I'm peddling as hard as I can...

by **George Carlin** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:35 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ford and Dickinson on the bench - bold move!

Well post the whole bluddy team then man

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:36 am

The SRU are doing their annoying drip feeding on twitter thing.

by screamingaddabs Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:37 am

Reid brown nel gray gray strauss denton cowan, are the eight forwards

by screamingaddabs Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:38 am

Laidlaw, weir 9 and 10

by alive555 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:38 am

vernon ???????????????????????

forget about winning

by screamingaddabs Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:39 am

Scott and Vernon in the centres

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:39 am

Vernon!

by alive555 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:40 am

ok seen enough. Cotter is saving us for Samoa

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:40 am

Cotter clearly going for a hybrid approach and holding some players back for the Samoa game. That said, Fraser Brown was really impressive off the bench against USA so I'm pleased for him that he's been rewarded with a start.

by EWT Spoons Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:41 am

I knew he would be picked! He's big and fast, it was clear Vern was going to call him into the side.

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:41 am

Turnstile Tim starts again...

by screamingaddabs Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:41 am

Visser Hogg and Seymour the back 3

by **RDW** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:41 am

Reid
Brown
Nel
Gray
Gray
Strauss
Cowan
Denton

Laidlaw
Weir
Visser
Scott
Vernon
Seymour
Hogg

Subs – Dickinson, Ford, Welsh, Swinson, Wilson, S-H-C, Horne, Lamont

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:41 am

It's so disappointing that we continually refuse to pick our best team in the Group stages to challenge the top seed in our Group. I HATE IT!!

by **RDW** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:43 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:It's so disappointing that we continually refuse to pick our best team in the Group stages to challenge the top seed in our Group. I HATE IT!!

At least we've still gone for a very competitive team, and not just our reserves.

VC's comments are going to be interesting...

by **George Carlin** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:43 am

01 Reid
02 Brown
03 Nel
04 R Gray
05 J Gray
06 Strauss
07 Cowan
08 Denton

09 Laidlaw
10 Weir
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 Vernon
14 Seymour
15 Hogg

16 Ford
17 Dickinson
18 Welsh
19 Swinson
20 Wilson
21 Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Horne
23 Lamont

I don't wish to overstate this in any way, but we are fecked. picard

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:44 am

it's a massive blow that Hardie hasn't recovered in time.

by alive555 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:44 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:It's so disappointing that we continually refuse to pick our best team in the Group stages to challenge the top seed in our Group. I HATE IT!!

has hardie been given time for a bit of sightseeing ? hes not injured

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:45 am

alive555 wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:It's so disappointing that we continually refuse to pick our best team in the Group stages to challenge the top seed in our Group. I HATE IT!!

has hardie been given time for a bit of sightseeing ? hes not injured

What????

by **George Carlin** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:48 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:It's so disappointing that we continually refuse to pick our best team in the Group stages to challenge the top seed in our Group. I HATE IT!!

Totally. Why keep two thirds of your best front row on the bench as impact subs and not keep one of our best locks benched as well for the same reason. The effect will be largely negated of bringing in Ford and Dickinson if Tiny Tim is pushing behind them.

What does this mean for Hardie? Is he out of the tournament?

The unavoidable impression is that Vern is resting players for Samoa. I think we'll find that Russell will make a miraculous recovery in a week's time, with Bennett, Maitland and Hardie available also. Whilst I understand that tactically it makes sense, I still really hate it because the world will be watching Weir thrown around like a doggie chew toy and make another 5 years worth of incorrect presumptions about Scotland's ability to play rugby.

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:48 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:It's so disappointing that we continually refuse to pick our best team in the Group stages to challenge the top seed in our Group. I HATE IT!!

At least we've still gone for a very competitive team, and not just our reserves.

VC's comments are going to be interesting...

I'm pleased you think so. I personally think we will need our very best side on the pitch in order to beat South Africa, and our best will need to play well to achieve it. Reid, Brown, Cowan, Vernon and Visser are not our best available players.

I wonder if the Russell injury has changed the thought process (i.e. well we can't win without him so let's rest key players like Dickinson, Hardie and Bennett). If so, I'm surprised he hasn't rested Nel, J Gray, Denton, Laidlaw and Hogg as well.

Oh well. Enjoy the occassion in Newcastle those of you with tickets. I would suggest a heavy session before the game.

by EWT Spoons Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:48 am

To be fair, whilst not quite first choice, it's still a decent team.

Other than Russell (injured) Bennett (picked up a knock last time out and has played two games in succession), Ford and Dickinson, that is near enough a first choice side.

Plus we all know Nel can last at least 80 mins apparently so chances are we'll have our first choice front row on again at some point. Then we really only have one questionable call in Vernon, but he's a big lad, so shouldn't have an issue with the physicality and he's got a bit of pace.

Not ideal, but I'm reasonably happy with that team.

by nickj Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:50 am

Does Vern expect Hoggy to play a full 80?

by alive555 Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:51 am

FOUR NEW FACES FOR SPRINGBOK TEST

Head Coach Vern Cotter today named the Scotland team to face South Africa in this Saturday’s penultimate Rugby World Cup Pool B match at St James’ Park, Newcastle (kick-off 4.45pm) – live on ITV.

Scotland lead the group on ten points following back-to-back bonus-point wins over Japan and USA, while the 2007 champions – and the Pool’s top seeds – South Africa, are just three adrift in second, having picked up maximum points against Samoa (5) and two bonus-points in their narrow loss to Japan.

The match between the two familiar foes could therefore be significant in determining the outcome of the group, before Scotland complete their Pool campaign against Samoa the following weekend at the same venue.

Scotland Head Coach, Vern Cotter, said:

This is a massive test for our team. Playing South Africa is one of the biggest challenges you can face as a rugby player. We’ll need to be very good on the day.
For the second week running Cotter has announced ten changes to the starting line-up, however there is a familiar feel to the squad, with just four players set for their first outing in the 2015 tournament.

New arrival, Blair Cowan (back-row), prop Gordon Reid and centre Richie Vernon will all start their first match of the campaign in place of John Hardie – who continues the return-to-play protocol – Ryan Grant and Mark Bennett, while Edinburgh Rugby scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne could join them from the bench.

Three further changes have been made to the starting back division: captain Greig Laidlaw returns at scrum-half, where he’ll partner fellow half-back Duncan Weir; a replacement for Finn Russell who continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Wing Tommy Seymour starts in place of Sean Maitland, where he’ll join Tim Visser and Stuart Hogg in the back-three – the latter the only player to start all three matches for Scotland thus far.

In the forwards hooker Fraser Brown gets the start that evaded him against USA, when a back-row injury forced a late rotation.

He is joined by try-scoring prop Willem Nel – who switches roles with Jon Welsh once again – while the rested Jonny Gray returns to start alongside brother Richie, in place of the injured Grant Gilchrist (groin).

The changes are completed by Josh Strauss, who moves to the blindside flank at the expense of Alasdair Strokosch, to accommodate number 8 David Denton.

SCOTLAND TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA AT ST JAMES’ PARK IN ROUND 3 OF RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL B

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps; 9 tries, 2 pens, 51 points 

14Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps; 8 tries, 40 points

13 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps

12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 31 caps; 4 tries, 20 points

11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 22 caps; 10 tries, 50 points

 10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps; 2 tries, 6 cons, 9 pens, 1 drop, 52 points

9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester) – 43 caps; 3 tries, 51 cons, 92 pens, 393 points

 1 Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps

2 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps

3 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps; 1 try, 5 points

4 Richie Gray (Castres) – 48 caps; 2 tries, 10 points

5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps; 1 try, 5 points

6 Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 2 caps

7 Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 13 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) – 29 caps

 Substitutes 

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 91 caps; 2 tries, 10 points

17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 49 caps; 2 tries, 10 points

18 Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 9 caps; 1 try, 5 points

19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps

20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps

21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 7 caps

22 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps; 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen, 10 points

23 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 98 caps; 14 tries, 70 points

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:52 am

I just don't think a team that we're "reasonably happy with" or is "not quite first choice" is what we should be aiming for in what should be the biggest contest in the Group.

If we fail against Samoa, I hope the coaches look back and think "why didn't we just have a proper go against the Boks?".

This is the World Cup. I hate the idea that we are saving ourselves.

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:53 am

Well at least the campaign to get Lamont to 100 caps continues apace.

by **RDW** Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:58 am

I’m not too doom and gloom about this.

Front row - I think it is perfectly reasonable to have rotated Dickinson and Ford who had to put massive shifts in in a 5 day period. Brown is the heir apparent at hooker and isn’t much of a step down from Ford. Reid is a step down, but as I said – Dickinson has put in a lot of work already and can’t play 80 minutes of every game

Second row – First choice

Back row – First choice (I suspect Hardie isn’t being risked, which is admirable given it is a head knock)

Half backs – First choice available

Centre – Matt Scott first choice, Bennett played a lot of rugby over the first two games. He may even be carrying a niggle – we just don’t know

Back 3 – No one really knows who the first choice wingers are. I don’t think Visser over Maitland massively weakens the team.

Bench – as expected.

So all in all that is only 3 players away from what we all would have seen our best team fit and available. Certainly not a complete disaster.

I still think they’ll get a BP win though!

by MacKnocked-on Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:59 am

I would say the starting back row is alright actually, if Hardie needs another weeks recovery then so be it, Cowan will work hard. Maybe sounds strange to say this but surely Stroker would have been a better choice on the bench for this game than Wilson who has been getting bounced off tackles by far less physical players than the Boks.

by EWT Spoons Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:59 am

I don't know if it's saving ourselves as such, but Ford has played a lot of rugby over the last few days, so probably needs a break. Same with Dickinson. Plus we saw what a difference it made bringing them on at half time made last time round, so maybe Vern is hoping to keep some parity at the scrum in the first half, and then unleash our first choice front row, when South Africa are tiring.

Other than that the only questionable call I can see is Vernon, who played well last season for glasgow and gives us a more physical option than Bennett.

by EWT Spoons Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:00 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:I’m not too doom and gloom about this.

Front row - I think it is perfectly reasonable to have rotated Dickinson and Ford who had to put massive shifts in in a 5 day period. Brown is the heir apparent at hooker and isn’t much of a step down from Ford. Reid is a step down, but as I said – Dickinson has put in a lot of work already and can’t play 80 minutes of every game

Second row – First choice

Back row – First choice (I suspect Hardie isn’t being risked, which is admirable given it is a head knock)

Half backs – First choice available

Centre – Matt Scott first choice, Bennett played a lot of rugby over the first two games. He may even be carrying a niggle – we just don’t know

Back 3 – No one really knows who the first choice wingers are. I don’t think Visser over Maitland massively weakens the team.

Bench – as expected.

So all in all that is only 3 players away from what we all would have seen our best team fit and available. Certainly not a complete disaster.

I still think they’ll get a BP win though!

What he said, although not sure about the BP win.

by **George Carlin** Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:01 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:I just don't think a team that we're "reasonably happy with" or is "not quite first choice" is what we should be aiming for in what should be the biggest contest in the Group.

If we fail against Samoa, I hope the coaches look back and think "why didn't we just have a proper go against the Boks?".

This is the World Cup. I hate the idea that we are saving ourselves.

Agreed - there is a full week between now and Samoa.

Players will either be cataclysmically broken in which case the gap between games doesn't matter or they will be suffering the same number of bangs and bruises as the Samoan team will, having received in aggregate about the same amount of recovery time. How, all is all, are we worse off than our final opposition?

I feel completely comfortable holding the contradictory view that this is the best way to qualify for the knock out stages and also that I really wish that this is not what the coaching staff have done.

And after all the fuss about Strokosch being a targeted player, the follically challenged big diddy isn't even in the matchday squad.

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:04 pm

Well I'm not sure what a "complete disaster" would be, but I see this as a win/lose sort of thing, and I just don't think we can beat the Boks without our best team, so I think we'll lose.

I don't think we'll get hammered if that what you mean, but "not getting hammered" isn't really what I was aiming for.

by GLove39 Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:11 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:I’m not too doom and gloom about this...

So all in all that is only 3 players away from what we all would have seen our best team fit and available. Certainly not a complete disaster.

I still think they’ll get a losing BP ~~win~~ though!

by EWT Spoons Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:13 pm

George Carlin wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:I just don't think a team that we're "reasonably happy with" or is "not quite first choice" is what we should be aiming for in what should be the biggest contest in the Group.

If we fail against Samoa, I hope the coaches look back and think "why didn't we just have a proper go against the Boks?".

This is the World Cup. I hate the idea that we are saving ourselves.
Agreed - there is a full week between now and Samoa.

Players will either be cataclysmically broken in which case the gap between games doesn't matter or they will be suffering the same number of bangs and bruises as the Samoan team will, having received in aggregate about the same amount of recovery time. How, all is all, are we worse off than our final opposition?

And after all the fuss about Strokosch being a targeted player, the follically challenged big diddy isn't even in the matchday squad.

Yeah we have a week between South Africa and Samoa, but we only had 4 days between Japan and USA and then only 5 days between USA and South Africa. To ask essentially the same group of 15 to play 3x in 9 days is asking a lot.

Also I wouldn't have played Strokosh either as i think some mind games were going on to try and make us think the players actually were concerned about Stroker.

by funnyExiledScot Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:19 pm

Strokosch is the 5th best 6 in the squad after Strauss, Denton, Wilson and Cowan. He should never have been near the squad in the first place and hopefully his last involvement will have been his anonymous contribution against the USA.

The worst decision of all in this current selection is Bennett. He's in my Fantasy Team and Cotter should be factoring that in.

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