So your Sth African friends are starting to get cocky/ lippy? Gee, we wouldn’t expect that now, would we [Tui billboard anyone]?!!!

Gotta agree with you on the bonus points, particularly in the first test, where we gifted the last try.

Our player depth is an interesting phenomena.

Halfback has been weak for some time, it hasn’t been since Justin Marshall that we have had a world class player in that position. We could do with another Graeme Bachop who was also a gun!

In terms of 1st-five, we have good depth, but depth that has been unavailable with Carter and Evans. As someone domiciled in the Manawatu, young Aaron Cruden looks the goods, should take him on the end of year tour for experience… but could have matured nicely by 2011.

Lock is another position where there will be good depth when all players are available. With Chris Jack coming back from Next Year’s Super 14, and Ali Williams and Anthony Boric injured at the moment, once these 3 players come back with Big bad Brad and young Isaac, our stocks look good.

This takes me back again to halfback, where we have gifted players, but players who seem to have one recognised weakness in their skill set, with each weakness being different, for either player. I was excited about Andy Ellis early on, but he seems to have plateaued.

I read one of the three wise men, Smithy I believe, who spoke about a couple of guys they were looking at in Europe. I would think they would be Hayman and Evans. I read an interview with Hayman who says he would like to come back next year, but I am not so sure if Evans will be keen, particularly considering the impact he has made with Harlequins, with the reason for his leaving still being the same… behind once in a generation players, Dan!

However, one wonders if Byron Kelleher, who has spoken about his desire to be a part of another World Cup will not be looked at even more seriously and encouraged further, as this position is our Achilles at the moment. Even though I was not the biggest fan, he does have very good service and has made a big impact in France [voted top player in his first season].

South Africa does have a solid squad, and I think Brussow has made them more complete. But I would be happy to take them on if both squads were complete in a South African context. One only needs to reflect on last year’s 19-0 victory in Cape Town to underscore this. Although, in saying that, our confidence is down. Don’t think I have seen Mils so neutralized as he has been these last three tests.

I think our next match vs Aus in Sydney is pivotal for our prospects in this year’s Tri-Nations. However, even if we don’t win, I am pretty confident that we will win our remaining two tests at home, with or without Carter!

This could be SA’s year. But we all know about that circa 2005 with the Lions series.

Your blog is looking good… I do visit… was a bit concerned you might be a wallaby supporter with your first name “ozy”… I do apologise for casting such aspersions on one’s character… that is hardly fair!

Until Next Time

We also need to take the entire Tri Nations in context. Away wins are hard to come by and the real measure will be at the end when all is washed up. It might be that every team wins its home matches and nothing more!! However, one disappointing thing is our failure to get any bonus points out of the two games. A BP here and there could be enough to win the comp.

Currently I see our weakness as the following
Locking
1st Five
Half back
And the ability of our outside backs to kick for position.
However, looking around NZ rugby I dont see a solution to these problems

Therefore, I also take a long term look at the team. While everyone is anti “All Blacks” at the moment the reality is that they are the best players we have. However, we do have a number of overseas players who could come back in these key areas.

all said and done the South African team is strong. I am hoping that they wil develop the same arrogance we developed in between World Cups. Pleasingly from most of the emails I have got from my SA friends tey are well on teir way to this position.