The importance of the little men?
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Christie could probably considered 1/2 since Hotham left that game so early.
Definitely ABs were disadvantaged having to play so many different halfbacks due to injury.
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@nonpartizan Fair enough.
Interesting that the Boks resurgence corresponded with Reinach starting. I think his experience was critical for the young backline. Haven't focussed on it, but suspect his box kicking was also an important factor.
On the other hand, Wobblies weren't same team without Nick White, another wily old 9!
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@pakman said in The importance of the little men?:
@nonpartizan Fair enough.
Interesting that the Boks resurgence corresponded with Reinach starting. I think his experience was critical for the young backline. Haven't focussed on it, but suspect his box kicking was also an important factor.
On the other hand, Wobblies weren't same team without Nick White, another wily old 9!
Agreed on Reinach. I thought he was their best player in Wellington. Maybe not the most spectacular but he really set a standard of niggle and aggression which put them.on the front foot.
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Hang on a second - Reinach was the disaster artist who failed to manage the back end of the Ellis Park test. He also had over 30 minutes at Eden Park to rescue a game that only needed the boks to scratch up 11 points.
Williams was far from perfect in both those games but given the armchair ride they got behind the bok pack neither of them can really say they delivered.
Sub either of them for White, Roigard or, the inexplicably unselected tourist, Faf, and the Boks win those games easily.
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I really like the look of Hotham, I hope he comes back from his injury well next year. Between him and Roigard we'd have plenty of running threat in close to keep defenses honest. I think that's where Ratima falls down a bit, not a genuine threat ball in hand so becomes a bit predictable.
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@Smuts said in The importance of the little men?:
Hang on a second - Reinach was the disaster artist who failed to manage the back end of the Ellis Park test. He also had over 30 minutes at Eden Park to rescue a game that only needed the boks to scratch up 11 points.
Williams was far from perfect in both those games but given the armchair ride they got behind the bok pack neither of them can really say they delivered.
Sub either of them for White, Roigard or, the inexplicably unselected tourist, Faf, and the Boks win those games easily.
Smuts mate, you are replying to one of the dumbest threads in Fern history. A crowded field i think you'll agree.
Just... just move on calmly.
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@Smuts said in The importance of the little men?:
Hang on a second - Reinach was the disaster artist who failed to manage the back end of the Ellis Park test. He also had over 30 minutes at Eden Park to rescue a game that only needed the boks to scratch up 11 points.
Williams was far from perfect in both those games but given the armchair ride they got behind the bok pack neither of them can really say they delivered.
Sub either of them for White, Roigard or, the inexplicably unselected tourist, Faf, and the Boks win those games easily.
Bruh, "failed to manage".....
He came on at Ellis Park with 15 minutes to go when the Aussies had a double digit lead, 33-22 to be exact.
Why would you blame Reinach more than the players who put the Boks 11 points in the hole in Pretoria and Auckland?
I just rewatched the second half at Eden Park, Reinach comes on with the score 14-3, he played fairly well & scored a try when they were down to 14 men after Smith got a yellow. Wouldn't even be in the top 10 players you would try and scapegoat for either of the two losses that you mention tbh.
Maybe the Boks would have "easily won" with Faf but that's a lot of big call considering the ABs record at Eden Park.
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@Smuts said in The importance of the little men?:
Hang on a second - Reinach was the disaster artist who failed to manage the back end of the Ellis Park test. He also had over 30 minutes at Eden Park to rescue a game that only needed the boks to scratch up 11 points.
Williams was far from perfect in both those games but given the armchair ride they got behind the bok pack neither of them can really say they delivered.
Sub either of them for White, Roigard or, the inexplicably unselected tourist, Faf, and the Boks win those games easily.
I think Reinach suits the current Boks game of heavy set piece focus, keeping ball close for a few phases and then launching shortish half field bombs, and ONLY THEN playing attacking rugby. Williams much more suited to having to chase the game.
Ellis Park ended wrong way, but I suspect Rassie has refined his tactics since then.
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Bring back Nuggie
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@pakman said in The importance of the little men?:
@Smuts said in The importance of the little men?:
Hang on a second - Reinach was the disaster artist who failed to manage the back end of the Ellis Park test. He also had over 30 minutes at Eden Park to rescue a game that only needed the boks to scratch up 11 points.
Williams was far from perfect in both those games but given the armchair ride they got behind the bok pack neither of them can really say they delivered.
Sub either of them for White, Roigard or, the inexplicably unselected tourist, Faf, and the Boks win those games easily.
I think Reinach suits the current Boks game of heavy set piece focus, keeping ball close for a few phases and then launching shortish half field bombs, and ONLY THEN playing attacking rugby. Williams much more suited to having to chase the game.
Ellis Park ended wrong way, but I suspect Rassie has refined his tactics since the .
To be honest, Ellis Park match was lost due to.Boks being careless.with the ball and Wallabies punishing those turnovers and the crap cover defence. Libbok was main culprit, plus the lineout was dysfunctional, Marx and Bongi both poor throwing in. Match was over before Reinach got off the bench.
Your point stands, Reinach was a point of difference for the Boks in the back end of the championship (same as Roigard was for abs) and I think it's because he brought a combative, no nonsense mentality to the game and he is just a generally tidy and accurate player. He doesn't overcomplicate things, just hard nosed rugby and good option taking. Some of the younger Boks are more spectacular but they are also erratic and error prone.
