First Tri-Nations, Then the World Cup?
South African rugby coach Jake White leads South African optimism about this weekend’s Tri-Nations clash with their biggest rivals, the All Blacks of New Zealand, arguing that his team respects but does not fear their haka-dancing foes. In terms of their preparations the Springboks are treating this weekend like the World Cup Finals.
As a motivational tool such an approach makes some sense, but given the way that fortunes change in world class rugby, Amabokkobokko need to keep their eyes on the prize. The Tri-Nations tournament is usually the best in the world in any given years, but every four years the World Cup is the only competition that matters. White does not want his charges to peak too soon. By all means, beat the All Blacks. But keep in mind that beating them now, and in so doing in all likelihood winning the Tri Nations, will seem pretty hollow solace if they do not follow it by hoisting the William Webb Ellis Cup in France later this year.
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Maybe Jake White will now keep his mouth closed and concentrate on his coaching.He found out yesterday that his side is still along way off the pace.They are limited on attack they lack fitness they were nearly all walking for the last twenty minutes of the game.They played an All Black Team that didnt have one of its Test Locks on the field and they were well beaten.If Dan Carter had his kicking boots on and James didnt get a lucky intercept try the gap could have been 30 points.The All Blacks dominated possesion and territory and their front row killed the South African scrum.They have atheletes in rugby boots you have mere mortals Jack.Sorry but I dont believe you will win the world cup
June 25th, 2007 at 12:39 am
[…] The Gods of sport can be cruel; they surely have a well-developed sense of timing. A week after South Africa came from behind to beat a surprisingly game Australia team in their first meeting in this year’s rugby Tri-Nations competition, the Springboks succumbed to a resilient New Zealand All Blacks squad, which scored two tries in two minutes late in the game to win by a final tally of 26-21. The Springboks missed some opportunities to put the game away early (a trend that almost cost them last week as well) and ran out of steam at the end, and while South African optimism coming into the match may have proven premature, observers still have found some positives and room for optimism for the away legs of the Tri Nations. This South African squad will not be afraid to play in hotile environments, and the team and its supporters need to take a long-range view. The Tri Nations is still up for grabs, albeit with New Zealand in control of their own fate, but more importantly, South Africa continues to be on pace to contend in France later this year. […]
June 27th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Robert –
Thanks for the comment.
I’m more optimistic than you are about the Springboks’ chances later in the year. Yes, they could be more fit, and yes, New Zealand has superior athletes on the outside, but the Springboks have always relied on brute force up front and by France I still believe that will be to their advantage. I think it is far too early to discern whether any of these teams is ready to win it all later — I’m sure you know as well as anyone that fortunes in world class rugby change quickly. Three months is forever.
I guess we’ll see when they hit the pitches at the World Cup. Or even when the teams meet up in the away leg of Tri Nations.
Cheers –
dc