Expecting the worst, I was reluctant to the point of rather snooze off in front of the TV when the Southern Kings vs Western Force match started at 06:00 this morning in New Zealand.
The first 10 minutes was not encouraging at all with the Kings hardly seeing the ball. On the brink of switching the TV off, the Kings scored the first try of the match. Intrigued I started to watch, with more interest and what a delight it turned out to be.
SuperBru points in the back of my mind, I was not concerned about them losing. So I kept on watching not because they were edging ahead and eventually winning but because of the delightful rugby they dished-up.
The defence was good, the set piece solid (mostly), the line-out better than the Stormers on the weekend and the ball handling in the backline refreshing and full of variation. There was some enchanting inter-passing between forwards and backs, good hands, nice light touches and good decision-making when they carried the ball. Some exciting new talent was on display as well on the wing with Sergeal Petersen. Demetri Catrakilis had an impressive game at flyhalf. Seems that we have a wing here that could be a Springbok in the making and Catrakilis impressed as a flyhalf that can dictate as well as play the running game.
The commitment of the pack and their structures at the breakdown and set piece was promising, considering that it’s a first outing.
The Force probably underestimated them and is certainly not the biggest challenge which the Kings are going to face this year but it’s not the victory that had me sitting up while watching this bunch. It is the enchanting style of play, the variation on attack, the light touches, the way they attacked space, the offload in the tackles, the general ball handling, the structures at the breakdowns, the organised and committed defence and that one pushover scrum on attack that had me on the front of my seat.
What a delight to see a SA team that did not bore us to the bone with a kickathon kick-and-charge a la the Bulls or flap-flap recycle ad infinitum a la the Lions or stampkar-smash-it-up and flat-line defend for 80 minutes a la the Stormers or leak-tries-while-running-around-like-headless-chickens a la the Cheetahs.
It’s early days but if these guys produce some more of this, they’ll have my support, that’s for sure.
Herewith the Audio Soundbites from the 2 Post Match press conferences, curtecy of Eishmedia (we supply them with Audio from up north, they supply us with Audion from down south) – thanks Kevin Abbott:
Western Force:
superBul wrote:
Exactly. Force is not exactly a walkover. Maybe a bit weaker than a couple of years ago but the Kings won them because they didn’t go into an arm wrestle against them. Bulls have a poor record against them because they arm wrestle everyone. I saw another arm wrestle from the Bulls and Stormers on the weekend. The backline play of both (stormers and Bulls) was far more one-dmentional than what the KIngs produced on the weekend. I’ve yet to see both the Bulls and Stormers producing the type of backline play the Kings came up with against the Force. It is time for these teams to move on. They are far to predictatble and will keep on losing against shyte teams like the Force every now and again because they are so predictable.
grootblousmile@4 wrote:
Agree. He also outplayed Lambie in last years CC final. I’ve seen this guy three times now and every single time I was impressed with him. His defence probably a bit suspect.
@ McLook:
Couldn’t be more suspect than Jantjies who miss about 30 percent of his tackles. But a good flanker don’t let his flyhalf make a lot of tackles. Burger Geldenhuys protected Naas and Krige Luis Koen. When Krige got injured everyone including the Boland ran through the hole called Louis Koen to beat WP. They had to move Steward to 10
I really enjoyed watching this game. I feel the Kings will get a bit “slicker” as the season goes on (they looked a bit “raw”) BUT, their depth will be tested AND no team is going to take them lightly. All in all, I am happy for them.
@ Bliksem:
Jantjies is way overrated in my opinion. Reasonable CC stand-off maybe but certainly not international standard at the moment.
Folks, I’ve added Audio Clips from the Post Match Press Conferences of both sides, check it out!
Lions supporters had their chance.
There is quite a lot of supporters coming out now, be prepared , if they manage another win soon these type of comments will stream in
Buckle Up , typical South African Provincial rivalry Will boil over this year!!
“Here’s a fun fact for all the Lions supporters, the last time you played the Force you lost 17 -11. The Kings just beat them… Best part is in 2011 they lost against the Force as well with 15 -27.” – renaldogouws
“To the Lions supporters that predicted the Kings to be the laughing stock…who leads the SA Conference?” – godfrey welman
They have a Facebook Page, Southern Kings , and there you find mostly this type of comments
Rob Taylor: What a performance, what a crowd. There were tears in that stadium when u guys ran on, when the tries were scored and at the final whistle. My mate was one of them with misty eyes. Now you know how much playing Super 15 means to PE!
Nita Kruger van Zyl Proud to be an EP supporter. Proud of Southern Kings!!!!!!
At the end one must realize that what they fought for was something dear to them and a lot of PE people wanted it.
It is sad that we had to offer up one of our traditional teams but SARU should have insisted at SANZAR for a 6th team.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.552944518072143.132533.527150913984837&type=1
@ superBul:
38
the sky diving picks is my main reason for sharing.
GBS when last did you do it. I saw the certificates in your office. Sure you would enjoy the picks.
On the matter of pictures , did Bonzaai get some shots in on Saturday?
@ McLook:
Totally agree. But you know this country. They do not see the difference in the levels and in Parlement if his CC level he must be international level so activate clause 235 of This is my revenge policy and he becomes a Springbok being heavily exposed at the top.
Other thing I want to ask you if you can add something to this article as know one have a unbiased and fair view of rugby like you. Especially the SA vs NZ rivalry
http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/25/the-greatest-rugby-rivalry-of-the-amateur-era/
If you want to off course
@ Bliksem@40-:
Really nice article on that link. I am not comfortable entering that conversation. There are one or two trolls in that forum with blinkers on; no matter what you say they know better and will react negatively on your remarks. I stay away from forums where participants are not interested in a conversation but in winning an argument. I did like the article though and thought the sentiments expressed to be accurate and in line with what respected rugby scribes -who eye witnessed the events- wrote.
@ McLook:
I have read it as well but I do not comment on Aussie sites. Try having a Bradman argument with them. But I do belong on another Aussie cricket forum and they still think they are better than us, Philander is average and Steyn is not that great.
But just as we love the Kings that c&^& Cheeky go and do this
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Kings-ashamed-of-white-squad-20130226
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