This time of year is when the rugby blogs normally dry up, unless a new topic or something controversial happens. Can’t blame anyone, rugby has to stop some time of the year and I am not one to sit in anticipation for some NH rugby. Since Kitchendoos calls Super Rugby-Rugby Lite, I will say Magners, Heineken Cup and whatever else there is will be called Diet Rugby.

So in the meantime REM will be focusing on other sporting codes, like the English Premier League. Many a visitor to my blogs should know that Manchester United is my team of choice and I must say that it is good to see that there is so many faithful supporters out here on the blogs who support different teams. I know that Lobo is a huge Scouser and that Sheriff is a Everton supporter. Couple of Spurs fans and a Chelsea here and there and we got ourselves some debating to do. So why would I put a football post up here if we must still face the BaaBaas?? Well too many post will be done about it and a little something else is always good….aint it??

The title race started off with a bang, with United always in the trial by a couple of points. Chelsea started off with big wins against the minor opposition and expanded their lead on top of the table. Things will always get difficult and suddenly they see themselves trailing Man U, drawn at second with Arsenal. The top two must still face one another and with ManU giving Blackburn a slap in the face 7-1 beating the weekend, Berbatov and Nani must be beaming with confidence.

So what has happened with the whole Wayne Rooney saga? Well many of you will know that he renewed his contract by 5 years and got a pay boost. Meanwhile, the Glazers(Bastards that they are) paid off a lump sum of 220m pounds on their debt relieving the pressure, maybe just a little bit. Even though they are in debt, United still remains the richest club in the world with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal close by.

The festive season is approaching like Usian Bolt on a World Record dash and many will know that this is to time that United hit top gear. Still the football is sublime and one thing is for sure, there will be Glory at the end of the tunnel, my boys will make sure of it.

Cheers vi eers

REM

Good win for the boks. I say good because it wasn’t marvelous or fabulous. It was no where near the way we trumped them during the World Cup Group Stage but we won and I am happy. The right man got the Man of the Match and I feel that he just proved that he is the best Nr 2 in this country. Some points regarding the game:

7 players have been released. Morne Steyn, Pierre Spies, Deon Steggman, Victor Matfield, Jean de Villiers while Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar will report to their respective clubs as the game against the Barbarians falls outside the November Test Window. This gave me time to think, and to try and predict what the team will look like. Juan Smith has already been confirmed as the Captain which is a good choice. A real unsung hero in the squad.

So my squad to face the BaaBaas:

15.Aplon

14.Ndungane

13.Jacobs

12.Lambie

11.Mvovo

10.Jantjies

9.Hougaard

8.Alberts

7.Smith

6.Daniel

5.Hargreaves

4.Flip

3.Du Plessis

2.Strauss

1.Oosthuizen

16.CJ, 17.Maku, 18.Beast, 19.Bakkies, 20.Kankowski, 21.McCloed, 22.Kirchner.

I still don’t think that Jantjies is ready for the step to international rugby. But I would give him a chance now with Lambie on his outside. Otherwise I would put Kirchner in the centres and move Lambie to Flyhalf.

Otherwise I would give Alberts and Daniel a start. Oosthuizen has proven that he is a strong scrummer and Mvovo impressed last weekend. So give the future a chance to show us what they made of.

Cheers vi Eers

REM

I haven’t been reading too much into the recent slump of our beloved Springboks. You might ask yourself what type of supporter I am? Yes I support them and always will, just remember that things could have been worse. How worse you will ask? Well we always could have remained winless in the Tri Nations, had no team in the top 6 of the Super 14 and lost against Ireland and Wales. We could have and regardless of our woes and our dismal form, we are still South Africa and we still are the World Champions.

The popular consensus around the Springbok is that the coaching staff should all make way. But the real question is whether a new coach, a few months before a World Cup will make any difference?

I firstly think that Pieter has his work cut out for him. In my opinion he needs to change his tactics. Too much emphasis has been laid about his coaching abilities and to be frank I am tired of hearing it. A fresh approach is needed and I think that the Boks need to adapt their playing style, and manage the players that will be key next year. Use these remaining games before the WC starts to breed in some young blood.

Secondly South African teams need to perform in the inaugural Super 15. Judging from this year I have a feeling that we can all do good, Lions and Cheetahs included. Next year will be a tough year for Springbok rugby, with more games in the Super Rugby competition, Tri Nations and a World Cup, not to mention the Year End Tours.

Team selection always plays a crucial part in any coach’s plans. He has shown us that dispite a guy playing for 30 minutes for the whole Currie Cup, he can still merit a call up (Adi Jacobs). He has shown that despite a guy playing decent rugby, but also being injured most of the time, that he can be included(Steggman) and totally ignore the best loosie in the Currie Cup(Daniel). He has shown that dispite coming on every time and making a huge impact as well as playing a key part in the Sharks’ Currie Cup campaign that a player can still play from the bench despite the pundits calling for his inclusion in the Starting XV(Alberts), and he has shown that despite being fairly poor in run of play but good with only place kicks warrants you a place in the team(Steyn).

So England is up next and for many this test gets the blood pumping. I believe that we can win and even though our form is dismal we can still pull this tour from the fire. I am unhappy about one or two selections in the team, but hey so are we all. The guys need to give their 100% for the full 80 minutes and it won’t be an easy task. My team for the Pommies bastards would have looked like this:

1.Beast, 2. Bismark, 3.Jannie, 4. Bakkies, 5. Victor, 6. Alberts, 7.Smith, 8. Spies, 9. Pienaar, 10. Steyn, 11.Mvovo, 12.Lambie, 13.Jean, 14. Aplon, 15. Frans.

16.Strauss, 17. CJ, 18.Flip, 19. Daniel, 20. McCloed, 21.Hougaard, 22.Kirchner.

 Enough talking, let’s do this

Let’s say you have the power to change anything on the sporting field what would that be???? I have something in mind for a post tomorrow and would like all your suggestions either inboxed on this platform or emailed to me.

So what would you do if you had all the power in the world?? Remember that this must only apply to sport. You can mention three acts that you would do and it must be realistic.

As I said you can either inbox me here or mail me on REM_SS@mobileemail.vodafonesa.co.za. I would to round up the answers and do a blog, to lift the spirit, get the blood pumping, what ever you want to call it. Please try not to comment with your answer.

Cheers

REM

PS: If you mail me, please remember to put your Blog name at the bottom so I know who I am talking to.

I have never been a fan of kick and chase. Earlier attempts to disband of this tactic has blown up in our faces when firstly the media was told that a ball in hand approach will be used against the Scotts and yet they drive the ball for 30 meters only to kick possession away.

Pundits has called for the head of De Villiers. They have called for a new approach to the way we employ our chargers. Make no mistake Ladies and Gents, we have some of the most talented players in World Rugby. I think they are all at a crossroads and one has to wonder why they play so dismal. Why is team selection such a big story and why the team just isn’t gelling like they should? The one question South Africans are either ignoring or just doesn’t want an answer to must surely be why we have not won a Grand Slam in 50 years when we have delivered some of the greatest players in Rugby History?

The answer is quite simple. Politics. And it has played a massive role in us failing to win the Grand Slam this year. It started with the appointment of a coach who was out of his depth at an early stage of his Springbok Coaching tenure and even though he inherited a squad that won a World Cup and had the players to bring the cup home four years later, he still managed to screw that up. No disrespect to the coach but I believe that if a guy like Heyneke was in charge that he would know exactly which tactics to apply at the right time. Controversy has followed our coach around and with this came the strain on his players. A guy like Jake White and to a certain extent Nick Mallet for instance defended his team selections and took crap from no one. They would be quick to defend the players and show the top brass the middle finger, which is what Pieter could have done but the ou just doesn’t have the cahonas.

What we face this week is England at Twickenham. A prospect any Springbok or rugby player dreams about. The fortress where they kicked our behinds some years ago and where we have managed to pull of some good wins as well. If given a chance I would tell the players that they should go out and enjoy what they do. Except for earning big bucks for every game, they are also playing for the pride of a Rugby Powerhouse, the one the world looks to for innovation, where politics play such a huge role, distractions are rife but still manage to win the World Cup on two occasions. By no means are we out of it because it has only just begun. If the coach gets his tactics right and disband with this kick and chase crap, will we stand a good chance of bringing the cup home. Given my choice I would choose the following players to run out at Twickenham:

1.Beast, 2.Bismark, 3. Jannie, 4. Bakkies, 5. Victor, 6. Alberts, 7.Smith, 8.Spies, 9. Ruan, 10.Morne, 11.Mvovo, 12.Lambie, 13.Jean DV,14.Aplon, 15. Frans.

16.CJ, 17.Strauss, 18.Flip, 19, Kankowski, 20. McCloed, 21.Hougaard, 22. Ndungane.

You will see that Charl gets a nod at scrumhalf, Hougaard can be cover at wing. Enough said, lets beat these Pommie bliksems!!

Cheers vi Eers

REM

So the Irish is done. Next up is Wales, and by no means a easy task. Physical at the breakdown, good on Counter attack and a powerful scrum makes them no pushovers. The Boks will surely be tested, make no mistake about it.

So before the Irish Test, I was switching on the Telly when none other then Sharks Captain Stef Terreblanche was sitting entertaining Arnold, Ashwin and Bob in the studio. I was then thinking….Springboks…..Centre Problem….Zane Kirchner…..half gekrokte Jean De Villiers……WTF????

People that know me will know my next line…..

Why isn’t he in this Bok team? Wasn’t he the one that was one of the most consistent players now? If not him, why not Andries Strauss who had one of his best seasons to date. Doppies, Meyer Bosman Corne Uys, Ebersohn…..players familiar with the position. Now Zane didn’t have a nightmare but he was way off it. The way the selectors are making way for favored players, just to play them out of position makes me want to gooi a Luke Watson.

Lambie, what a prospect. Pienaar had his best game in a Bok Shirt, Beast was excellent, Victor for a change worked well, Smith was class all round once again. I would like to see more intensity, more ball in hand approach and more tries. It is always a feast to watch the guys dissect a team, and the way Pienaar played he will surely be a marked man. I think the time in Ireland (be it short and all) has done him well. The return of Frans Steyn brings extra options for the coach. I feel he should slot into the inside centre position with Jean(if fit) slotting into the Outside. Now we have two players that can take the pressure off Morne Steyn who in my opinion is only good for kicking penalties and converting tries.

Oom Bloubul, haal die blerrie blinkers af. This is not the same guy that played so well two years ago. It’s almost like a mantra, just kick well because SA doesn’t have a good kicker like you and you will remain in the team. I got news for all of you that think that Morne is the answer to our problems….Patrick Lambie. And I say this with respect to Steyn. One of these days the way the game is played will suite Patrick more because he is an attacking flyhalf. He reminds me of a very young Henry Honiball, good on defense, not scared to get physical, tenacious and just blerrie good.

Vir eers Cheers….

REM

I have been away from the blogs for a few days. Lots has happened. I see Gibbs got a new book out, causing a stir in CSA. Is this just Herschelle being his naughty self? Is this a lame attempt at causing more shit? Or is this the truth(or most of it)

I’m only receiving my copy the weekend and can’t wait to get my hands on it. I read some of the articles on Sport24 and most comments are those of disgust but what amazes me is that when truthful events come to light that people scatter to protect themselves especially celebs who has something to hide. Everyone who knows Cricket and the world it revolves around was bound to think that one day someone that had a bad boy image in the game would one day write his AB and shit would start hitting the fan.

The problem South Africans have is that there is such a lot of talk about Freedom of Speech. But as soon as things turn South, we talk about racism, fantasy or whatever you call it nowadays. I will say that yes, I have met the guy more then once. Matter of fact he is related to family of mine. We shared a batting practice together some years ago and I enjoyed the company. Afterwards, Craig Matthews, Dawson, Kallis, Gibbs and myself went for a cold one, after which we departed. The impression I got was that yes, they live in a sometimes fast paced life, shit happens, deal with it. At the end of the day you knew that when he stepped onto the park that he gave his all. I don’t care if the ou was piss drunk before the 438 game, he was the main reason we won that day.

Strange how we can praise someone the one moment and chastise them if they do wrong. Everyone does wrong and as we should know no one is perfect. Hansie matchfixed but he still remained one of our best captains and certainly the one I admired the most, Tiger Woods commited sex acts but he is still regarded as one of the best golfers in history. Joost had sextape made, sniffed some coke but still remains one of the world’s best scrum halves. And Gibbs, well not our most run scorer, but the guy that could drop you fast. The second player in history to hit 6 consecutive sixes in one over, the main reason we won the 438 game, 175 runs, over 6 000 runs in ODI’s and Test.

He will always be the freckled face bad boy of Cricket SA, just like James Small was the Bad Boy of SA Rugby. The question is can you dig it????

I wouldn’t say that I told you so. I will say that although you played well throughout the year, that coming short in the final is not a fluke. Neither is it luck, the ref or the Bee’s. This was a game won by the team who wanted the victory more, who had the desire and the passion to win.

Collectively it was a huge team effort. It also comes to show that no matter who you have in your team, that you can always run the risk of losing against names that has less real estate value then yourself. For two weeks I have said that come what may, we will win the game, even big names in SA Rugby like Kobus Wiese, Bob Skinstad and a toppie like Hugh Bladen all backed Province to win. Massive egg overdose….

Patrick Lambie’s game was raised to a whole new level. Praises are coming in from afar and you can now see that with time he will become a household name in South Africa. His first try was sublime, and detractors can now please just shut up and support him while he enjoys his first tour in a Bok group. Well done lad, you did well.

Andries Strauss had a huge game on defense. I will miss him next year. He is one of those underrated players that you have to feel for and with the Centre crisis looming for the EOYt, one has to wonder why the selectors overlooked him. Yes he doesn’t possess the sheer speed of De Jongh but he makes up for that by carrying the ball up well and tackling the living shit out of you.

The Forwards had a massive game. Beast Janie and Bismark were busy, Sykes and Hargreaves showed that they are on the money and Daniel, Alberts and Kankowski showed why the selectors put so much faith in them. The inclusion of Daniel makes me glad. Now I can hear all the detractors saying that the fields in the UK won’t suite him and blah blah blah but give him game time and let’s see how it goes. You never know, maybe he may just surprise all of you and turn out to be worth the hype.

Mvovo once again showed why he is one of the best wings in the Currie Cup. I remember last year during the Super 14 against the Hurricanes, he made his debut for the Sharks. During that time the Sharks had a lineout and Du Plessis took a quick throw in to Mvovo who raced against the line to score. I have since put a lot of faith in him to grow on to be a force to be reckoned with and now it finally pays off. Together with Bjorn Basson they will grow to become huge in South Africa.

Looking past the EOYt, this Currie Cup gave me huge enthusiasm for the new Super 15 starting in a couple of months. Firstly I know now that the people shouting for the head of Plum can now kindly move to the back of the line. He did a fantastic job, and this kind of approach is exactly what SA Rugby needs. The amount of young players coming through not just at the Sharks but at all the Super Rugby Franchises gives one hope that no matter what crisis Sa Rugby is having that there will always be players that can do the job for you on the day. Well done to the Sharks for making my day, week, month and year.