Tri-Nations: Brickbats and bouquets
The 2009 Tri-Nations has come to pass and like all good critics should, we also sat in judgment. of the players, coaches and teams.
You may well have a few of your own, so don't be shy.
We get underway with some formal awards!
Player of the Tournament: Fourie du Preez. By some distance, no debate.
Coach of the Tournament: Take a bow Peter de Villiers. No matter what they say, he had to do something right to keep this team gelled and so well organised.
Captain of the Tournament: John Smit. Was there ever any doubt?
Best back (apart from Du Preez): Bryan Habana. His workrate was simply phenomenal.
Best forward: Victor Matfield. He has redefined the role of a second row forward.
Best newcomer: Heinrich Brüssow and Morné Steyn share this one; although you could make a strong case for Wallabies No.9 Will Genia.
Most Improved Player of the Tournament: Bok No.8 Pierre Spies. If he keeps improving at this rate he is going to have the same impact on the next World Cup that Jonah Lomu had in 1995.
Try of the Tournament: There were many great scores, but we are going for the opening try of the tournament - when Berrick Barnes touched down five minutes into New Zealand's 22-16 win in Auckland on July 18. After a stop-start beginning to the game, the Test burst to life after five minutes with fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper taking the All Blacks' defence on at halfway. He made a half break, then stumbled, but incredibly was allowed to get to his feet against the uncharacteristically porous All Blacks defence and charged on another 15 metres till he was pulled down on the New Zealand 22. The ball came quickly to the right from the ruck, with hooker Stephen Moore feeding inside centre Berrick Barnes - who stepped inside All Blacks wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, before going straight through the tackle of the usually reliable All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina, to score.
Tackle of the Tournament: There is no doubt that John Smit's hit on Brad Thorn in the Hamilton Test match rates as the hit of the tournament - also a bit of revenge after Thorn's spear tackle on Smit last year, which damaged the Bok captain's groin. Only difference? Smit's hit was legal!
Nickname of the Tournament: They might have ended up with the Wooden Spoon, but at least the Wallabies still have a sense of humour. Apparently, lock Mark Chisholm's teammates have taken to calling him Muhammed Ali after his inspirational pre-match prediction of greatness before the Aussies beat the Springboks in Brisbane. (Just a pity that his prediction did not last into the final game of the Tri-Nations!)
How the mighty have fallen: Luke Burgess, the Wallabies' first choice for all of last season, now finds himself relegated to the Aussie bench. Schalk Burger, once the greatest player on the planet, found himself on the Bok bench for most of the 2009 season. Rodney So'oialo, the All Blacks' part-time captain in 2009, also found himself amongst the replacements this year with Kieran Read laying claim to the No.8 shirt.
The Pot and Kettle Award: Everybody was bleating about the Boks' tactics during the 2009 Tri-Nations. 'Boring', 'unimaginative' - all the usual criticisms came in; from the Kiwis to the Aussies. Remind us again, which tactic did the Wallabies use to record their only win of the Tri-Nations? Clue: it rhymes with trick and base.
The Pot and Kettle Award - Part II: All and sundry were criticising the Springbok scrum ahead of their last match against the Kiwis in Hamilton. What the All Blacks coaching staff failed to mention, however, was just how poor their line-out was throughout the tournament. Former skipper Sean Fitzpatrick summed it up best, saying: "The line-out, in spite of a good comeback last night, is still a major issue. It is a set piece at which we need to excel. It is a basic, a core skill, a fundamental requirement for possession." (Ouch! - ed.)
Thanks for the memories, guys: Jean de Villiers - those intercept tries; Frans Steyn - what's next? Eighty-metre penalties at altitude?!
The Humble-pie Award: To Robbie Deans and Graham Henry for saying the Boks can't run it ahead of the Perth Test. The Boks scored the only four-try bonus-point of the tournament.
Deer in the Headlights Award: Joe Rokocoko every time he was under a high ball.
The One-man Army Award: Morné Steyn for his record haul against the All Blacks - a total shut-out, all the points in the 31-19 win in Durban (coming through a try, a conversion and eight penalties).
Some (very) early Christmas presents:
* To Ma'a Nonu: Some Teflon to help the ball stick in his hands - those knock-ons, and random dropped balls, are becoming too much!
* To Stephen Donald: Actually, we haven't thought this one through properly, but, then again, what do you get somebody who has been forced to live in Dan Carter's shadow?
* To Frans Steyn: Scissors... or an appointment at a decent hair salon. That hair 'cut' of yours, honestly?! Although, we have a feeling that, 'erm, 'style' will impress in France.
The rugby365 team