| Volume 1 - Week 13 | ||
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Editor's Note
Welcome to a much leaner RF, a direct result of a
few requests (read whingers) to make it shorter. I have tried my best to
rationalize but hey, if you can’t read it all, print it and take it home! A
question was posed as to why I begin my column with the word “brilliant”
(also missing as part of the rationalization process) and my answer is simple,
why not? I think it is absolutely bloody brilliant to write about rugby!
Three months of super charged, action packed Super
12 rugby is nearing it’s inevitable end and Saturday’s final is the
pinnacle of a competition as exciting as winning the lottery. What am I
saying? The lottery is only about money, cash… the final is about drama,
passion, patriotism, skill and hordes of other things that matter more to the
average rugby fan than mere cash! Mind you if I had won the lottery (not that
I play, George Bernard Shaw described it as a form of tax for people who
can’t do mathematics!) last Saturday I would be on the earliest Quantas
flight direct to Sydney, such a nice flight as Rudolph Straeuli claims, and be
there to witness a great spectacle!
The two winners of the semi-finals played superb
games to set up a long awaited final between the poor, deprived non-Kiwi
teams. Forget about franchise rivalry, it is Australia against South Africa
and for the first time since the Super 10 the two countries meet in a final.
The Brumbies garrotted the Reds at Bruce Stadium
on a freezing night and so efficient was their stranglehold it prompted the
best diplomat in rugby, John Eales to pronounce them winners of the Super 12 a
week in advance! The Brumbies probably did not even bother to arise or stay
awake (?) for the other semi-final where the Sharks made mincemeat of their
long time rivals, the Cats. The demolition job was as efficient as the
Brumbies’ and even though both teams scored 30 points, the Sharks managed 5
tries. It must be said though that the Cats were meek and the Reds put up a
far better display all be it for 35 minutes.
Let us not forget about the rest of the world and
congratulations must go to a Leicester team who travelled to the Parc des
Princes (away from home!) and secured an excellent victory in the final
minutes over Stade Francais. The old stadium is one of the most menacing
environments in world rugby; to secure a victory there is an amazing feat.
The Baa-baas secured another last minute victory
after a phenomenal Braam van Straaten (remember him selectors?) conversion
from the corner. Gary Teichman, hero to all Newport captained a side sprinkled
with stars from the Southern Hemisphere.
Send RF your thoughts on the big final and look
out next week for the competition analysis and Super 12 XXII.
Mail me at RugbyForum@freemail.absa.co.za to
include or remove your address or to request an RF Omnibus of all
the previous issues in MS Word format.
Guts
and Determination by Mark FosterGuts
and Determination by Mark Foster
Hail the Brumbies and Sharks! The top two teams
from the round robin stage survived the semi-finals and justified 12 weeks
of sweat, toil and tears. The Brumbies are familiar with the sensation, they
did it last year but faltered at the final hurdle while their counterparts
languished as the worst team in the competition, stone last.
The two semis were unnervingly similar in both
the outcome and the way the sides contrived the results. In both matches the
protagonists were identical, loose forwards and halfbacks dominated
proceedings and individual brilliance parlayed the foundation for victory.
The Brumbies are known as a phenomenal attacking
force however their rock-solid defence is often forgotten… the Reds were
reminded in no uncertain terms and as usual their attacking qualities were
exceptional to rout the men from Queensland. The Brumbies have an
exceptionally structured game plan created by Eddie Jones over a span of 4
years. The plan rests upon the shoulders of world-class individuals i.e.
Smith, Finnegan, Gregan, Larkham, Mortlock and Roff. These gentlemen control
the match, their teammates not much weaker and all above average players,
slot in around the “leaders” to create a finely woven pattern. The best
characteristic of the team is their patience, ability to adapt and a sense
of timing usually associated with fine sportsmen.
The Sharks are steadily improving from a
successful team to potentially brilliant with their own brand of attacking
flurry centred around a strong 9,10,12 axis. Loose forwards create scoring
opportunities based on excellent graft from a strong tight five. First
phases are targeted as opportunities, a) to retain own ball and create
pressure and b) to spoil, poach and create pressure on the opponent’s
ball. The subsequent phases are left to the instinctive playmaking and
macabre defensive abilities of Butch James and the constructive play of
Warren Britz.
Who will then win the coveted trophy this
weekend? A few factors determined victory during the 2001 competition; the
most significant being home advantage and this above all will be the Sharks
biggest challenge. Another factor, reserved for a final of any sorts is
experience the ability to respond under intense pressure. The Brumbies have
a few RWC gold medallists amongst them and players who appeared in last
year’s final compared to the Sharks’ young players with a Currie Cup
final experience and a seasoned veteran in captain Mark Andrews. Both sides
were on the losing end in finals in 2000, both will have learnt a great deal
from that.
The analysis thrust towards a Brumbies’
victory however anybody following this column will remember my fellowship of
the hindsight doctrine, “a cruel and exact science” and as a dedicated
member I will not falter! A large part of the allure of a final is that the
team’s begin as equals, sure, there will always be a favourite but so
often the formbook is discarded and it all comes down to guts and
determination. Both sides I might add have plenty.
Saturday morning 11:30, can’t wait!
The
"Vive le difference" by Tom Marcellus The
"Vive le difference" by Tom Marcellus
I had to afford myself the luxury of an ironic chuckle when I read of Laurie
Mains’ strident comments in the Joburg press about Harry Viljoen’s
decision to entice donderse uitlander assistant coaches into the sacred Bok
fold. Laurie Mains, I snorted! Ja, the self-same gent from the
distant shores of South Island, New Zealand, who wouldn’t know what a
melktert was if it accosted him on a street-corner. Sure, Mr Mains may
well have a point, should he be aware of some professional inadequacy in the
make-up of these maligned imports. But the fact that he, of all
people, adopted a principled, almost xenophobic, stance was odd, coming from
someone who is not exactly a biltong-chomping boerseun from Brits.
I have little comment to offer on the issue of the employment of foreign
assistant coaches, which seems a trivial sideshow in comparison to the
battles that loom ominously on the horizon. I wouldn’t be surprised
if Mr Mains, who has performed wonders for the motley crew that comprises
the Cats, was quoted out of context by some journo hack. ‘Nuff said.
What does, however, perhaps merit some minor dialogue is the issue of the
recruitment of overseas players and whether local Super 12 franchises and
Currie Cup teams ought to have restrictions on the use of such players,
perhaps out for a quick buck in the twilight of their careers, to bolster
their home-grown talent. I guess the whole issue is largely academic,
as the state of our limp Ront means that, for the price of one,
common-or-garden, overseas luminary, you could entice four young
wildebeest-wrestling okes from Kuruman, all expenses paid.
But, as cases in point, those gallant Frenchmen, Cabannes, Roumat and
Lacroix, each performed for their local provincial teams with the gusto and
panache that one attributes to their noble race. One only needs to go
back a few more years to encounter those mighty Antipodeans, Tommy Lawton
and “The Unstoppable” Murray Mexted – he of the gravely, “Come
hither, Juliet” voice – who each wore the black ‘n white hoops of
Natal with great distinction. Grumbling Gavins who argue that each of
these players was propelled solely by the need for a quick buck, need only
look at the skills and pride with which they all plyed their trades upon our
pitches, the sense of glamour with which our rugger was infused, and the
immeasurable knowledge that they must have imparted to our young bucks, to
stand corrected.
The French test at Ellis Park looms. My favourite tale of heroic
derring-do in the name of a foreign cause is a Gallic one, and is somehow
apt, even amongst all this rugby talk. It does not take place on a
rugger field, though, but on a distant battlefield near the small town of
Camerone, Mexico. The fact that it does not involve an oval ball is of
no consequence – we all know that rugby and warfare are but close cousins.
It is 1863, and a small detachment of soldiers from the French Foreign
Legion has unexpectedly found itself hopelessly surrounded by a Mexican
army, bristling with muskets, sabres and moustaches. The legionnaires
retreat to a nearby farmhouse, where for a day and a half in sweltering heat
they defiantly keep their attackers at bay. But their circumstances
are dire, and their one-armed commander, Capitain Danjou, soon falls
mortally wounded. One by one these soldiers of France perish in the
Mexican dust.
Eventually the Mexican general, displaying the graciousness of a distant
age, offers them surrender with honour. “Merde!” is the defiant
response from a handful of sun-parched voices from within the crumbling
compound. Eventually all is lost and only four legionnaires remain
standing. Undaunted, and facing certain death, they fix bayonets and,
with a final shout of “Vive le Legion”, burst from the charred ruins of
the farmhouse and charge the enemy army.
As you can see, much will be expected from the Class of ’01.
Quotes
Statistics are like a bikini.
What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.
Aaron Levenstein
On trying to stop Phil
Horrocks-Taylor - Every time I went to tackle him, Horrocks went one
way, Taylor went the other, and all I got was the bloody hyphen.
Nick England
The Holy Writ of Gloucester
Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second,
that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the
beer. Doug Ibbotson
Dean Richards is nicknamed
Warren, as in warren ugly bastard! Jason Leonard
We've lost seven of our last
eight matches. Only team that we've beaten was Western Samoa. Good job we
didn't play the whole of Samoa. Gareth Davies
bemoaning Wales' fortunes in 1989
Match Reports
Brumbies 30 - Reds 6
A huge crowd at Bruce Stadium, witnessed their
heroes demolition of the Queensland Reds. The Brumbies, playing in almost
sub zero temperatures was as hot as the Outback sun and proved to all and
sundry their unofficial status as “best team on the planet.”
The Reds arrived with a sound game plan and
executed it to perfection, well… for part of the first half. The ball was
expertly retained and the dangerous Brumbie backline was deprived of all
possession. The Reds unfortunately could not penetrate the defensive net
woven by their adversaries (apparently Eddie Jones employs 2 coaches for
defence purposes!) and their only points came from two Elton Flatley
penalties.
The Reds did not make enough use of their
opportunities and seem to be a bit tentative in the backs, surprising with
brilliant attacking players like Latham and Herbert. Even with the Brumbies
reduced to 14 men after a stupid indiscretion from “town thug” Finnegan,
he was caught stomping on a player’s head by the touch judge and confirmed
by the television referee (a world first), the Reds were unable to breach
the opposition’s line.
The Brumbies, experts at soaking up pressure did
not panic and bided their time, an unfortunate injury to Elton Flatley,
after a brush off from Stephen Larkham, was the turning point and shortly
afterwards Mortlock scored a magnificent try from typical multi-phase play.
The young centre was injured in the process and left the field in obvious
pain with a dislocated shoulder. Halftime and the Brumbies was 7-6 ahead
after Walker stepped in for the kicking duties.
The second half was a brilliant display of
attacking rugby, the Brumbies hardly ever relinquished the ball and their
patience in constructing phases equalled Job's. The poor Reds defended for
all their worth but were unable to plug all the cracks for the final 40
minutes. Exhausted players had no answers for the like of Bond, Larkham,
Roff and Walker, when they managed to get their hands on the ball, George
Smith ensured that it did not go far. The man is a brilliant loose forward
and essential to the Brumbies machine. Tries by Finnegan and Paul and an
audacious drop goal from Larkham sealed the Red’s fate.
The Brumbies looked the world-class side they
are and seem to be peaking at the correct time. A strong warning was sent to
the Sharks, their opposition in the final.
Man of the match:
George Smith
Sharks 30 - Cats 12
The phenomenal Sharks thumped the hapless
Cats in the all-South African semi-final in Durban. In front of almost
53,000 people the young team of Rudolph Straeuli justified their second
position on the log and earned the honour to play the Brumbies in the final
of 2001.
The performance was big, spearheaded by Butch
James the Sharks never really looked in danger of losing this match.
Speculation ahead of this clash suggested that Rudolph might surprise all
with the inclusion of Gaffie Du Toit at flyhalf to introduce an unknown
element. Du Toit was brilliant in the two teams previous meeting but it was
also the last time he played. All the rumours were unnecessary, a young man
from Pietermaritzburg, who attended the same school as another Springbok
great, Joel Stransky played the best match of any SA flyhalf this year. He
did everything right.
The Cats were not good on the days play, they
made loads of elementary errors and there was no penetration from a backline
containing no less than 4 test Springboks! The forwards battled manfully
however the loss of Willie Meyer was too big to surmount and the Sharks
tight five enjoyed the upper hand. A colossal performance from Albert van
den Bergh in the lineouts coupled with Boshoff’s inadequacies on the
throw-ins ensured a lack of good attacking ball for the flair players like
Erasmus to thrive. Admitted, they were under so much pressure from another
brilliant performer, Warren Britz this
terrier–like loose forward, spoilt all their good ball.. The
man’s skills like Phil Waugh, George Smith and Corne Krige are essential
to the modern game and these players are indispensable. The Cats lack that
ability and that was the reason the “best” loose trio in the competition
looked like also-rans.
Back to James, the man was responsible for 4
tries, through magnificent passing and great exploitation of the space
behind the shallow defending backline. The tries were all well executed with
a certain amount of risk and luck attached that emphasizes the confidence of
the team in general. The Cats only managed penalties by Louis Koen and their
clawless ness was surprising from a team well capable of scoring tries.
The Sharks are in the final and for the first
time this year, Straeuli managed a smile after the match and a surprising
lack of concern for the trip and match ahead. The mission is obviously to
win the trophy and competition but this side already accomplished a great
deal and they will be worthy adversaries to the Brumbies next week.
Man of the match: Butch James
Rugby
Quiz
(answers at the end)
Letters to the Editor
Dear Ed,
Re: Springbok selection
Thanks for a great publication, I look forward to receiving it every week.
I would just like to reply to Mr Bryan Torien's letter. I agree with what
he says in almost every account except Albert van den Berg. He said
"Albert on the other hand has been knowhere this year". I
realise that this is his own view but what I would like to know is,
what games has he been watching?
In my opinion Albert has had an outstanding Super 12, just look at the
number of opposition line outs he's won, the number of intercepts, tries,
general play and even the odd penalty he's prevented from going over the
cross bar. I think he deserves to be Springbok without a doubt.
I am also very sorry for Craig Davidson, Trevor Halstead, Stefan
Terblanche and Justin Swart. All very deserving of Springbok colours.
Good luck to the Sharks in the Semi Final on Saturday.
Regards
Clinton Gloss
Agreed on Albert van den Bergh, the man's efforts in the lineouts
and general play make him an invaluable member of the Sharks and Springbok
teams. He is however not 100% suited to the Northern Hemisphere conditions
but then let's worry about that when the time comes. Ed.
Dear Ed,
Re: Springbok selection
Thanx for the e-mail.
Like the forum states, Harry has a well-balanced side. However, some of the
selections do not really appeal to me. Instead of Mulder, Halstead would
have been a better
choice as he is still young and not so injury prone as Mulder. Halstead was also the player with better form. Though we acknowledge the potential of Julies, his selections does make me uncomfortable. Does one club match qualify Bok selection? Ditto the young Swart. Jantjies`s selection, although the kid has potential, must be regarded as the fact that he has a SARFU contract and Harry felt obliged to pick him ahead of Human, who had a better Super 12 than Paulse. Agreed, they might be future stars, but inclusion in a U/21 or U/23 squad would have made more sense. Gaffie is not totally fit yet, thus young Swart is set to be regarded as James`s understudy. I don`t think it`s wise. Yes. Monty is there, but the public perception is the above. I feel sorry for the following players: J Swart, Halstead, Venter, Van Rensbug, Meyer, Human(Especially him), Louw, Lombaard,Dalton etc. Bring up our youngsters through SA-A or Barbarian Tours to the USA, Canada, Japan, South Seas and Europe. Have a core of experience in the side and select those youngsters with the ability to play for the Bokke in 2-3 years time. A tour at the end of the year as well as matches against touring sides should be just what the doctor ordered. BUT, keep the same consistency in the selection of the side as with the Bokke. That will hone them into a unit and make the transition to the Bokke easier. Please note I use the word Bokke. What the hell is Boks. In the Afrikaans language it is a cardboard thing into which you pack your eating utensils, wrapped in old newspaper, when you move.
Bren
Halstead proved his worth during the Super 12 and
even though I'm not his biggest fan he proved his worth during the semi finals
and long term in tandem with Butch James is a better bet than Japie Mulder.
Ed.
Dear Ed.
Re: Springbok Selection
Thanks for the mag and, being as passionate as the next rugby fan, I also
have an opinion on Viljoen's selections.
The next World Cup is still a fair time away and we currently need to re-establish respect in the rugby world for the Springboks. England are rated above us!!! The Super 12 performances have shown we are on our way back, now Harry's shot us in the foot! Surely a squad training camp 'to allow me (HV) to look at an evaluate some players' is something that could be planned for after the home Test and Tri-Nations season? Viljoen and his cabal of coaches should be concentrating on victory in every home Test and regaining the Tri-Nations Trophy, not farting about with some hope that Markgraaf has 'discovered' or for the chance to work with players who've shown a modicum of potential. Focus on the job at hand Harry! ...and please God don't let Joost get injured or De Kock, so outplayed by Craig Davidson, will have to be sacrificed - like Mullet did to Dave Von Hosselin. Apparently Halstead is too like Mulder and De Wet Barry. How injury/yellow card prone is Japie? - Deep thinker our Harry. Why, after so many occasions of showing how tentative he becomes under pressure, is Gaffie being given yet another chance? Sure he has talent, but at what level? Did Van Straaten drop the oranges like Stransky?
Just an aside - please check the mag's grammar. i.e. 'The knockout stages
has finally arrived'....'The knockout stage has?' and 'There has been
reports' ....'have been reports', surely?
Adam and Eve arrived at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter asked them if they were
English or Afrikaans speaking. Eve told Adam to ask God. The Lord advised
Adam: 'You are, what you are.' Adam headed for Eve and told her. She then
turned to St. Peter and said they were English speaking. Adam asked Eve how
she worked that out and he replied: 'If we had been Afrikaans speaking the
Lord would have said: 'You is, what you is.'
Storm Fergusson
Thank you for correcting the grammar, unfortunately I rely too much
upon MS Word to "advise" on errors! Ed.
Dear Ed.
Re: Harry Viljoen and his band of wild men
I believe we must give Harry Viljoen the opportunity to prove his belief in
the players he has selected for this training camp. We must remember that
this is not the Springbok team but only a training squad. It is a good idea
to blood some young players now. Give them some extra coaching and let us
see what will happen to them in the the new year, or even in the Curry Cup
this year.
I agree totally that there are players who should have been at the camp, and a few who should never have been there.That is my opinion and not those of Harry. He is also the coach and not any one else, so my opinion are not as important as his. It must be remembered though, that Harry will have to carry the can if he fails, not anyone else. If he wins the Tri Nations then he would have succeeded in what he has been appointed to do, no matter which players he used. And all of us will cheer Harry and the team when they come back with the trophy. But if he loses badly he will be crusified and blamed for his selections. I say let us see what happens and then discuss the merits of his decisions. Louis Nel Cape Town
Well spoken but part of the fun is to speculate and debate before
and after what happens! Ed.
Dear Ed.
Re: Springbok squad
I can't help think that Harry is losing the plot. Selecting a youngster like
Francois Swart is madness. Does he have any idea what sort of pressure he is
putting on this kid? From now on any club, provincial and U/21 match he
plays in he will be expected to be the shining star of the match, after all
he practices with the Springboks! Players like Julies and Jantjies???? What
about Davidson and Halstead?
I also feel that he keeps on looking ahead to 2003, someone might want to
mention that 2001 and 2002 comes before 2003
Duncan Damon
Re:
The squad
I had
a look at the squad of mr Viljoen and I must voice out that I am not happy.
Firstly what happenned to the fact that the squad get chosen to curret form
and the fact that the boks through the super 12? Please explain to me may be
I am wrong. I don't think Harry will be caught in the same Skinstad trap as Mallett, Bobby (at his 1998 best) is one of the best players I've seen however with Markgraaf as the forwards coach I have no doubt that our forwards (whoever is chosen) will be our biggest asset this coming season.
Dear Ed,
Re: Comment on Frans' letter and comments about
Jonah.
To Frans You are truly a South African aren't you. Where were you this season. Just watching the South African teams play again hey. Also Jonah's defence has picked up tremendously and he is already a legend, can't say the same for Stefan Terblanche. I am not trying to say anything bad about Stefan as I think he is good footballer with good football skills. He isn't however a great. I refuse to say anything bad about Stefan as I believe that if you don't have anything good to say about someone don't say anything at all. The fact that he hasn't scored a try against South Africa and you love the fact that they can stop him, shows that you are from the old school. You assume that his main function in the team is to score solo tries. Here is a nice sort of acronym for ASSUME. Making and ASS of U (you) and ME. At least the new coaches have had the presence of mind not to concentrate on him that much. Jonah's main function in the All Black team is not to score tries, though he still pulls a couple off. His function is to draw several backline players so that they can all say SOUTH AFRICA STOPPED JONAH LOMU and open the field of play for the Wilson's, Umaga's and Cullen's of this world. Bit like setting a trap for a monkey isn't it. Bryan Torien
Mail
me at RugbyForum@freemail.absa.co.za to
submit your own 'letter to the editor', all letters are published unedited
Briewe en Opinies in Afrikaans
Ai tog, hoekom moes die Red’s nou gaan staan en verloor? Die Brumbies, windmakerig soos ‘n wafferse Lipizander het weereens getoon hoekom hulle beskou word as die beste span in die heelal. Die naweek se resultate alhoewel ongunstig vanuit ‘n groot aantal Suid Afrikaanse ondersteuners se oogpunt het onbetwisbaar bewys dat die twee beste spanne in die kompetisie mekaar Saterdag sal aandurf. Die oggend stryd was een van hard probeer teen donderweer, die Reds het baie goed vertoon in die opening salvos maar ongelukkig kon hulle nooit die waansinnige spoed waarteen die wedstryd verloop het volhou nie. Die manne van Canberra darenteen was so bedaard soos Oom Kaspaas onder die aanslag van ‘n vuilbaard, soos die ou spekskieter het hulle slegs hul hand in die mond van die gevaar gesteek, dit met inner krag, onwrikbare geloof in hulle spelpatroon en vaardighede omgedraai en op die gat geskop, tjankend terug Brisbane toe. John Eales, held van Australië kon maar net met ‘n knik van die kop en die gewone sportiewe uitlatings, wat van enige kaptein verwag word, die Brumbies prys vir hulle oorwinning. Hy speel toe egte waarsêer en voorspel dat daar geen span op dies aarde is wat die manne kan rol nie. Ek sit toe so by myself en dink, “John jy het ‘n baie goeie punt beet maar laat ons wag en kyk wat op ABSA stadion vanmiddag gebeur.” in my agterkom egter maal die ou gesegde “kat aan die stert beet”. Die Cats vol moed en met ‘n moderne geskiedenis van uitstekende oorwinnings in Durban kon seker in hulle wildste drome nie die gebeure voorspel het nie. Die paviljoene, gepak met passievolle ondersteuners soos in die glorie jare van die negentigs kon seker self nie glo hoe bedees, professioneel en effektief hulle helde die aanslag van die Cats afgeweer het nie. In alle eerlikheid, die Sharks het my erg verbaas, my telling in die wedstryd potgeld het ‘n baie klein verskil voorspel ter herrinering van hul vorige ontmoeting. Mark Andrews se manne het egter heeltemal die wind uit almal se seile gehaal, dit was ‘n ogelooflike vertoning van krag rugby. Die verdediging sou Winston Churchill verbly het en op die aanval was dit die natoor Butch James wat die Cats aan flarde gehardloop het met sy fyn aanvoeling vir gapings en spasie. Die jong man het in hierdie wedstryd bewys hy verdien al die komplimente sover toegeswaai. Hy was egter nie alleen in sy wonderdade nie, sy spanmaats het gebaljaar in die foute wat die Cats gemaak het en klinies soos Chris Barnard die verdediging oopgevlek om vyf prag-drieë te druk. Die komende naweek gaan ‘n baie moeiliker vooruitsig vir Rudolph Straeuli se manne wees, nie net wag daar ‘n meedoënlose vlug van etlike ure nie maar ook snerpende koue en laaste maar nie minste ‘n omgekrapte spul Australiërs. Die manne het al twee keer oor die finale hekkie gestruikel en met breier Eddie Jones wat hoër verantwoordelikhede koester wil hulle op gepaste wyse afskeid neem. Maklik gaan dit nie wees nie, die feit dat die Sharks met ‘n goeie vertoning hulle plek in die finale bevestig het en ‘n vorige oorwinning oor die Brumbies maak die stryd ‘n liplekker vooruitsig. Die Sharks kan dalk net vriend en vyand verras en nog ‘n stert knoop die naweek.
Red. Beste Red. Ek is een van baie, wat dankbaar is vir die gedagte wat 'n werklikheid geword het. Rugby in jou eie taal. Jan Beste Red. Geluk met die stap om die Forum na Afrikaans uit te brei, ek sal selfs stuitig wees en voorspel dat daar veel meer Afrikaners sal wees wat sal inskryf en menings lug. 'n Ou wil nie hoes, proes of skinder nie maar die ou Engelse lesers is maar bra sku om hulle menings te lug, ek wil net sê die Sharks het ons almal, Bulls, Cats en Stormers se ondersteuning daar onder en as hulle dieselfde wedstryd kan speel gaan die finaal nie so 'n uitgemaakte saak wees soos almal graag voorspel nie. Groete Adriaan Bouwer Hallo, My Super 12 XV : Wel Johann, Skinstad verdien nog nie die agsteman posisie nie, Dean Hall is te min van 'n "voetballer" en Japie Mulder is slegs betekenisvol op verdediging deesdae en natuurlik om ander senters af te skryf! Hy kry ook te veel seer en is nie 'n lang termyn antwoord nie alhoewel sy ervaring broodnodig is vir die jonges binnekant hom, m.a.w 'n taamlike moeilike keuse. Kyk volgende week na my Super 12 XXII en dan praat ons weer! Red.
Answers:
1. Combined
Irish Universities in 1965 2. Barbarians
beat Australia 9-6 at Cardiff in 1948 3.
USA beat France 8-0 (they were the only teams competing!) 4.
France beat England 5. No, he was cited
after the match
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