MAILBOX - Stransky v Woodward
So who will win between England and South Africa in their Pool A encounter? Former South Africa World Cup winning fly-half Joel Stransky and former England World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward have put money on their respective fellow country-men to outmuscle the other. This is what you had to say about it…
There is no doubt that England’s RWC squad lacks depth. However, with USA first up, it’s likely that England will be able to field a full strength pack against SA consisting of: Sheridan, Regan, Vickery, Shaw, Kay, Worsley, Dallaglio and Rees. This pack will not be dominated by any team and they could even gain an edge (Os Du Randt will find it very interesting indeed packing down against Sheridan – I believe for the first time).
The problem for England is keeping these players fit later on and avoiding injury against teams Tonga and Samoa. SA’s first game will be an absolute bruiser and they will be hoping to avoid picking up injuries to key players. The game between England and SA will probably come down to defence, who kicks their penalties and who reacts better under the high pressure stakes of a crucial RWC game. Montgomery versus Wilkinson?
Hmmm….we shall see!
– Dave
Can anyone explain to me how the opinion of Joel Stransky can ‘add extra pressure on the shoulders of the World Champions’?
If Martin Johnson was quoted as saying that England will beat South Africa comfortably, would that take the pressure off?
– Simon Gardner
Stransky is absolutely right!
And what’s worse is that South Africa are not a great team as was witnessed against Connacht.
– Richard (Dublin)
Clive’s a clever guy, but now he’s just talking silly.
Lets see how he covers his blunder after the game. “England should have won but… blah blah blah!”
– the real mince
I’m afraid Stransky is spot on. I haven’t seen anything from England (or any of the home nations for that matter) to even suggest he may not be confident in saying that. In fact I would go as far to say that South Africa are a very real prospect for winning this thing (and from an Englishman, you will know how that kills me to say that). England will go out in the quarters.
South Africa have always been physical but always without brains. They now have a lot more tactical nouse to back up their physicality. They have a lot more youth so can go the distance and they also have some class finishers. I think physically they will be too much for most sides. I can only see New Zealand beating them but they must force South Africa into a loose game and take them out of their comfort zone as they have the firepower outside. However, New Zealand have been beaten and are not so invincible. They are not firing on all cylinders and have had no warm up games. Is that clever player management or will they be a bit rusty going into the pressures of the tournament? I think they may get the wobbles when it comes to the crunch.
South Africa v Australia in the final? My money is still on New Zealand but it’s a good outside bet!
– Mike (A humiliated England supporter)
Woodward is hoping for a near miracle. Rose loyalist he is, realist he is not. The Boks are on a roll and they have plenty of punch to so some damage. England will do very well to get past the quarter-finals. Woodward can wear his white scarf any way he likes. If he chooses to look at the last several months of rugby, he would be deep down and shaking in his boots.
– Richard
South Africa’s scrum is VERY suspect, I have to say! England’s pack managed to make them back-peddle at times during the test series in South Africa, and during the Tri Nations the Bok pack embarrassingly disintegrated several times against the All Blacks.
I think England’s full strength side will put them under intense pressure in the World Cup and the scrum could be the Bok’s Achilles Heel.
– Finch
This from a man who told the world he had the best prepared Lions team ever!….. and got trounced! Get your head out of the clouds Clive. The Boks will crush England.
– John (NZ)
South Africa’s team of ’07 has now been together for over 3 years and are evidently peaking at the right time of the year for the RWC. To suggest England will beat them is a bit narrow minded, all you have to do is look at their playing structure & how far they have come with improvement. I think South Africa no longer has a one game strategy and can adapt more to a game than what England can. England will surely be out played by South Africa when they bring their forward and kicking dominated game to their crunch match which South Africa will relish.
The clear difference in these two teams is that South Africa will then be able to adapt to which ever game/team they face next in the tournament whereas England will falter with predictable play.
– Simon Cannon
I think it is fair to say that it will be a battle of the packs. Personally I think South Africa will wipe the floor with England. Their pack is more mobile yet just as large….their backs are quicker and stronger and they have more game breakers than England. The Boks are a real odds on for the finals whereas England would cause some serious eyebrows to be raised if they make it into the Semi’s.
– Gazza (Edinburgh)
Referring to Clive Woodward’s comments, my opinion is that four years ago South African rugby was very disorganised, whereas England were on the crest of a wave. I think the situation is much different now.
To me, the comparative performance of the current Springbok team is better than ever before. They are powerful but are also playing much better technically and are playing more attacking, but still with rock solid defence.
Of course it is not impossible – as he (Woodward) rightly said it is a once off, but I would be very disappointed if they lose to England – based on current form.
– Abraham
