KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Bangkok
I'm sick of the negative influence "the world cup" has had on rugby at international and super 14 levels. I could not give a fat rats hairy arse if there was never any more world cup tournaments. It's pathetic watching so called test rugby where under strength teams get an ass kicking by 50 plus points. That is not bloody test rugby. No mystery why people turn to alternative sports when the game is a shambles. Shame on the IRB and the Rugby Unions that support such negativity. To hell with them, I'm going to play golf.
Jason (Johannesburg)
Jeez, you lot sound like our politicians in SA. (Barring a few sensible voices out there.) Hilarious hearing that J-Roq bloke from Melbourne calling SA whingers. First of all, we weren't whinging. You guys are the ones that lie in spoon position crying all the way home about how mean we are to you when you are in SA. To the Kiwis: massive respect from our side as always. Great game on Saturday. When your back line gets moving, it's electrifying. Don't get involved with the Aussie whinging. We have no issue with you. We are still sending a very good team over and I think the purists know that. The Aussies are just damn scared of getting a hammering from our so called B team.
Spears52 (Canberra)
NZ have been behind the rugby ball for too long and have not picked up on what other great rugby nations have done. The only cup that matters now is the World Cup Rugby, and you cannot wear a South African international jersey unless you are good enough to be selected. White is following the World Cup formula that won South Africa their first world cup. They are bleeding and trying different combinations so that they are ready for anything in the World Cup Rugby. Tri-Nations is the only chance that they can do this against the formidable All Blacks. France did it to NZ, England did it to NZ and Australia our closest foe even knows a trick or two. There are no more long rugby tours and South Africa, France and England only want to win the World Cup Rugby again, NZ All Blacks however have to win it? There is a difference - All Blacks are the biggest threat. South Africa knows that they don't want to show all their cards yet? They are being careful and are still working out their strategies for the World Cup! Sth Africa has at least 5 players that can start in most every position, NZ only has 1 or 2 but most positions just 1 good talented player & then a maybe?
Robert H bIDDLE
I fail to see what the problem is. Since Graham Henry has taken charge there have been so many guys wearing the black jersey that the Boks are only following our world cup winning recipe, albeit a bit late. To be honest with the saturation coverage the America's Cup, grand prix, rally, stock cars and league being shown on the box, especially to us who cannot afford Sky, I am getting a bit of a liking for the Bartercup that Maori TV shows Sat/Sun every week end and grassroots rugby. Apart from that Prime's coverage of big time rugby is lousy, especially when the lady running the show keeps breaking in during a game and asking comments from her guest speaker, boring it is.
Lars
We have no right to tell Sth Africa what team to bring. We don't let them tell us who to pick so we have zero right to tell them what team to bring. Remember Graham Henry is responsible for the R&R of rugby players this year. Have we forgotten the first 7 weeks of the Super 14? It's a bit like the pot calling the kettle black. Let's stop the hypocritical rubbish they can send what ever team they want to.
ACS (Auckland)
Would you rather have a second string Bok side it the Tri-Nations and a better rested team, not depleted by injury in the RWC, or a full strength team in the Tri-Nations and a second string team in the RWC? This debate is not about national pride it is purely about $$$$$. I think that most of you out there who berate the Boks for sending their so-called "second stringers" would rather have them send an injury depleted, tired bunch of players to the RWC - it just gives you a better chance of winning! You will need every chance you can get!
Bob Raine
If you are winging about this Springbok side how are you going to react to the South African government's interference in selecting players of colour. Next year they want ten players of colour - win or lose. You one-eyed lot sound more like whinging Poms every year.
Buks (Perth)
Stop complaining about the Boks. They've just got injured by food poisoning and is receiving counselling(out of how to be a All Black handbook). At least they don't use Silver Ferns practise equipment (snapshot appeared in NZ Herald a while ago). You want some more? Watch this space.
Andy
To Guy (From Jo'burg): Stop talking through your ass. The reason the PI teams rarely field a full strength team is that most of them play in France and the UK and can't get released by their clubs, much like the Argies. While I love to watch ABs v Boks, I think now is the time to end the 3N sham, boot out the Boks and bring in Argentina. Continue with the Pacific Nations for a few more years until the PI and Japs get competitive and then expand it to a Pacific 7 nations and maybe invite Canada, Uruguay and USA to play NZ and Aus B each year. These 10 unions could band together to form their own 'global' season as and the introduction of S14 team in Tokyo, LA or San Fran, Vancouver, not sure how many teams the Argies could support, but would imagine 2 or 3 to begin with, and couple of regional Island teams would truly take the game to a global level. Lot of work involved, but if the NZRU want to employ someone to help bring it together.... :-)
Keith
The Boks only just got past the Australians, lost to the ABs so now there raising the white flag. Yep, they know that's their lot for this Tri-Nations so why bust a gut on a lost cause. The Boks had dead legs after the AB test and they knew it. So they found a plan which suits them better even if makes them look like hypocrits and a bunch of losers.
Kiwiruz (Hawaii)
Had the AB's lost in Durban, Jake White would be itching for a chance to win the Tri-Nations but the Boks lost and so with it their only realistic chance of a rare chance at title. Jake White is a poor sport as can be seen by a slew of excuses for his team's performance, which is better now than it has been in some time anyway. He basically threw in the towel.
Where did all the Boks go
Well, we went to the casino in Perth to watch the big game and everyone was there to cheer there team on, and all the Boks were jumping up and down like Orang-utans for 70 minutes and then all of a sudden they disappeared. I think God must be punishing them for being naughty just like their rugby players trying to unsettle our boys with their fists.
James from Taupo
My family and I have lived in NZ for two years and have been savoring the right chance to attend an All Blacks game. We've just spent $2000.00 to travel to Christchurch to see what we thought would be a top flight game with lots of meaning for the tri-nations and the world cup to follow, and instead get a meaningless game with a bunch of 'nobodies' from SA. We passed on chances to see France and Canada, games that would have cost a tank of gas, and now we've been cheated out of alot more than that by Joke White. I hope it back fires on him and they tank at the world cup.
Martin M
Resting key players and the under-valued test matches that result (France & SA) show clearly how the impact of professionalism and particularly the world cup has imposed a four year cycle on international rugby, where the traditional tours and club rugby are of secondary importance. International rugby has to wake up to the fact that the world cup dominates the scene and calendars, tours and nearly all competitions have to be restructured accordingly.
Zandberg Jansen - Nag Ou Grote
The majority of the comments posted here are quite pathetic and are obviously being made by the "rugby geniuses" that should be in charge of world rugby, it is a pity that we are missing out on such brilliant minds. Just grow up! I think the main concern here (if you read between the lines) is a fear of losing to this second-string team, and what an embarrassment that would be to both Australia and New Zealand. It is a World Cup year and teams should be allowed to do whatever they see fit in order to prepare for the tournament. It is not like other countries are not resting their players they just chose to do so at a different time. Anyway don't for a second assume that these games will be pushovers, stranger things have happened.
Greg h
The New Zealand complaints are a case of selective morality. Australia and New Zealand have enjoyed the fruits of a decade of SA sides weakened by racial quotas imposed on them. No Springbok coach in the last ten years has had the luxury of playing his strongest side.It is hypocritical for Australians and New Zealanders to complain now that it doesn't suit.
Dub from Cape Town
I think the game between Oz and SA is going to be an interesting one!
Kiwi Karl (London)
In playing the Trinations we are effectively having a good look at the RWC grand final. Boooring. I don't want to know wo the winner is before the final has been played. Bring back wider international tours. Get rid of this repetitive Trinations. Or make it Bi-annual. Rugby is so commercial. I don't watch Trinations or S14 any more. But did watch NPC when in NZ. But none of this will happen because of money money money. NZ (rugby) has become so capitalist.
Waitnsee
Chris Rattue write a very slanted tirade about this issue. What are you going to say if this alleged B or C Springbok team beats the Wallabies and/or All Blacks ? Beware, the touring Bok team is full of guys who are currently playing international rugby and are keen to show Jake White that they should be in the Bok team for France. The NZ rugby media has a habit of talking too early and generally live in misconceived ignorance that the ABs are invincible. Your poison pens(laptops) could backfire on you.
JPS (Dunedin)
So long as the World Cup dictates everything about professional rugby, this kind of thing is a reality. Scrap the whole thing along with the dismally repetitive "Tri-nations" and go back to the old days of grand slam tours, those cold Wednesday nights in Munster or Cardiff were far more interesting.
Kev (Palmerston North)
Clearly Jake White is chucking in the towel for this years Tri-Nations (and probably the RWC). The Boks talked themselves up on the back of some flakey S14 success but the last two test matches have shown that their one-dimensional, rough-house style just isn't good enough against the best, even in their own backyard. Their abysmal away record (2 wins from 28 tests against the top sides this century) suggests that they will struggle to beat France in one semi in October, never mind bothering the ABs.
Kiwi (Hong Kong)
I think the only legitimate beef anyone can have with Mr White is the time frame of his decision / announcement. It's definitely not on to announce his second stringers at this late stage of the game, due to pre sold tickets etc, TV rights etc. But how is it any different to the ABs playing their second string teams over the past few seasons? The fact that the AB B's were as good as most top tier test sides is irrelevant. In my opinion a test match should be the top players from each country battling. Anything else (including an outstanding AB B team) is a cop out and shouldn't get test status. The super 14 business is another issue altogether, the lines between international and domestic rugby are already blurry enough without going down that road. Also, bring back the "New Zealand" to the All Blacks logo, on jerseys, merchandise etc. How can Kiwis let this slide, letting the ABs become a corporate branding tool for Adidas rather than a representative of New Zealand.
J-Roq (Melbourne)
The Boks have to be the softest bunch of whingers this side of England. Not to mention devious and deceitful (which we all know anyway). They are claiming their extended Super 14 campaign (essentially the final game, as it is the only extra game they played beyond the games played by the two NZ teams in the semis) is largely the reason for their "extreme tiredness." Australia and NZ have played the same number of internationals recently as them. What's more, their games (including the semis and final of the super 14) were HOME games. Many players from the blues and the crusaders have made two trips to South Africa in the past month. If anyone should be exhausted it is those NZ players. Finally, when it comes to the RWC, South Africa will have to play a number of tests over a short period. Do they realise this? It's a no-brainer. They are exhibiting the same old chicanery we have come to expect. Fine them, sanction them. They think they're above the game.
Alwin (South Africa)
Harden up Kiwis. So what is the difference or makes it right that the All Blacks were held back from the Super 14 and ticket sales were also down? You are the most arrogant, one-eyed people I have ever met. And have never really been World Rugby champs, as SA was not there in 1987.
McCav (Auckland)
To Guy (Johannesburg)
Blah blah blah- change the friggin racist record. Just because we beat you on your patch don't start this Pacific Island rant yet again. Basically: it is racist. No two ways about it. What you are saying is: these guys of PI heritage that are born in NZ, or move here at age 5 etc are not real NZers. Whereas I bet you wouldn't bat an eyelid if a white guy born in Australia played for NZ. It's all got to do with the colour of their skin for you and by definition that's racist. The closest you'll get to remotely proving your point is Sivivatu who moved here at high school level about ten or so years ago. Want more proof? Listen to them talk that's a Kiwi accent you're hearing. So c'mon prove me wrong!
Brad (Auckland)
I haven't even seen the team and I suspect that 90 per cent of the whingers and moaners haven't either. Either way a B team from South Africa will be better viewing than a C team from France and I hope for the sake of the whingers and the moaners that the Boks B team lose. The Aussies started this media fiasco, let's see if their team can finish the job. There's only one tournament of any importance and Jake White was right to do the best by his team for that tournament.
Christchurch
I think the reality for Jake White of the conditioning program only occurred to him after the test the other day. We had a lot more energy to give in the last 10 minutes of the game than they had. I don't believe he intended to rest all his players before that game. But they were seriously shown up for lack of fitness and mental stamina in that 10 minutes. As such he thinks its more beneficial to rest them. I see one major floor in resting now though. South African teams never jell quickly so by resting them know against quality opposition it won't be benefiting them much later on. As for games in Jade not filling up, I think people are voting with there feet. Test matches down here should be played during the day. Even in this era of professionalism I see games being played during the day in Australia. It becomes a whole day thing. Get up in the morning excited, take the kids to the game, fewer drunks and overall much better for the game of rugby.
Rugby Fan
I'm sorry that the Springboks are sending an under strength side. We have never done that to them except during the apartheid years when they told us who we could send. Seems to me it is a blot on the tradition of the Boks and ABs always putting up their best sides against each other.
Ruggafan
I think that everyone is making too much of a big deal about this situation. Although the Springboks have left a number of players back in SA, the players on tour are more than capable of shocking both Aus and NZ. There are players in this so called second string team that are in my opinion more deserving of a place in the first choice team then some of the current players. I say let them play and be an avid supporter of the game and just enjoy. If they are such a rubbish team then what's the problem? The Aussies and All Blacks should run over them securing wins. It could yet go further and in actual fact be that the Saffers are now an unknown team and there is no footage of them so the opposition could be a little frightened. Lose to them and they would be laughing stocks, that's what the main concern is now that I think about it. Get on with the game and stop whinging!
Ben (Hong Kong)
While it is a shame that the Boks are resting so many players, the Australians' hypocrisy is astonishing. It wasn't so long ago that they sent a severely depleted cricket team to NZ for the Chappell-Hadlee series just prior to the World Cup, citing the need for players to recover in time for the World Cup. So what's the difference now? The Boks are shooting themselves in the foot - let them. They have shown us over the years that they can't play decent rugby away from home anyway. If they want to give up this chance to rectify this problem, why should we care?
Gman
Will their be the same outcry if an enforced quota system is introduced by the SA government in 2008, with Springboks not being selected on merit but on colour? Same effect - a weakened Springbok team doing the rounds. It's not in the best interests of the game.
Auckland
Would Jake White have decided to send a weakened team to Australasia had the Boks beaten ABs in the last match? He admitted in Reunion last night that the Boks hadn't done well in the past in the Tri-Nation away matches and sort of conceded that SA was not going to win the Tri-Nation this year, so why not rest his top players. In providing a balanced view (I am a die-hard ABs fan through and through but not as one-eyed as some ABs fans out there), I can understand why the Aussies are crying foul but it is bit rich for Hobbs to complain when NZ decided to rest its top players during the first half of the S14 season. At the end of the day IRB has an obligation to stop all these nonsense once and for all in the interest of international rugby and for the good of the rugby game. Otherwise rugby will just follow the sad path of soccer in that international matches are only worth watching once every four years.
James (London)
There should be no complaint, we fully expected this & have read about this for weeks. It was plain to see in the press that SA would play their best team in the first 2 rounds of 3N & then send weakened teams on tour - Jake White stated this weeks ago. It's like we want to have our cake & eat it too i.e. we rest our players for the S14 & then SA plays all their best players in the 3N. Well as a Kiwi, I'm sorry, it doesn't work like that. SA had full crowds to all their S14 games, they were rewarded with 2 home semis & a final that were sellouts, whereas our crowds were pretty pathetic in comparison. The top Springboks have had a big season, their players are starting to show the strain with injuries appearing. Their No.1 goal this season like us in the RWC - why can they not rest players? They just choose to do it in a different way which is probably more within the News Corp terms than the way we did it & it affects less games i.e. 2 games versus 8 weeks x 5 franchises (approx 40 games for NZ)even more considering we saw less of Rokocoko this season - Now which is worse? NZ has had rotation & second string teams looking at formations for years. I would suggest that NZ rests Ritchie McCaw & Dan Carter for the return SA game as the 2nd string SA team could easily have a mandate to take these players out again & possibly injure them. I personally don't want to see McCaw take another battering from the Boks until the RWC Final when he hopefully comes out on top!
Rex Hapimana
Jake White's head is on the block and he's panicking. If the Boks had beaten the AB's there's no way he was going to rest them because with their sad Tri-Nations record over 12 years, he would never pass up the opportunity to win. This has nothing to do with development but has to do with his job. If he took a full strength Bok team and still lost the Tri-Nations he would have been dumped even before the RWC started. He's already hacked off most of the South African rugby hierarchy who want his head ASAP! The Springbok jersey used to mean something-clearly now it's become a joke!
My blood is green!
Who cares what NZ and Aus have to say about Jake White's Springbok team? He is doing what he always planned to, just like Graham Henry. In RWC year the Tri-Nations is of no value, meaningless. Just ask the ABs who despite winning the Tri-Nations never win the following world cup. We all know that in rugby history has a way of repeating itself. The ABs will win the Tri-Nations again, and then they will CHOKE in the RWC, just like they always do. Another 4 more years boys. Meanwhile, watch out for those 'second stringers'.
Herbie (England)
Protecting athlete's & prolonging their careers is a worthwhile cause. In England player wealth is a very hot & emotional topic. Players are reaching burnout both physically & mentally. If I was a top athlete I wouldn't really want to play 7 test matches in 9 weeks. Especially after having played a bruising Super 14. Even golfer Cambo can't play every weekend. Super 14 and Tri-Nations are both the most demanding team tournaments on the planet. Rotation and conditioning windows is what will create team depth and maintains excellence. Take away Super 14 every year and then I'll agree that less is more but currently more ultimately will equals less. The All Blacks are facing a massive player exodus not due to retirement either. Remember Joe, Riche, Jerry (etc) are human and not performing seals that their so called beloved audience demand or command to perform. Let's agree to look after these guys. They give their heart and soul for us on that field of dreams. Let's at least credit them with a Tea Break that they beautifully use to make themselves bigger, stronger, faster and happier. Who do the do this for? Us - their loyal and respectful supporters.
Chris (London)
Who cares if we play the Bok 2nds. The record books certainly don't care, and growing up in the 70s and 80s and reading the stats it seemed we could never get one over on the Boks (obviously much of that due to the fantastic refereeing in the Republic). Now we "own" them 39-29 and I for one want to see that gap widen - my kids will read the record books and will just see that the All Blacks were awesome - they won't read about poor refereeing, brutal tactics or 2nd string teams. So bring on the fodder and let's have a half ton!
Taupstar, dont worry be happy
No worries, Jake White is resting his players now, we shouldn't moan because we rested our players as well. As for the Aussies, well if they were to win there third world cup and never rested any of there guns well they would definitely have the last laugh. They have a good backline but I don't think they have the scrum and that is where it counts and the artillery and arsenal that our All Blacks have. Anyway, South Africa on tour don't seem to fire on all cylinders when they play away from home, but in saying that it's a different story come semi-final and finals time. Our All Blacks will go in as favourites and I'm sure Henry and co will see that they go in with the right frame of mind and attitude because they have not let us down, its a physiological thing, but the All Blacks do deserve to be the champions. They have set the standard and the other countries have to come up to that level or they will be swept aside. Go All Blacks.
Alan (Brisbane)
New Zealanders should be asking themselves whose national organisation devalued the Super 14 competition this year before pointing fingers at anyone else. The insatiable greed for TV revenue among administrators and players alike is the real culprit, leading as it does to a continual fixture overload.
FT (Auckland)
It's about time that the NZ Herald stopped writing "articles" such as this seemingly for the sake of it. Rugby and in particular the All Blacks have been an integral part of New Zealand as both a people and a country for the most part of our existence as a nation in our own right. As something that is such a part of our heritage, it would be right and fitting if you were at least able to produce journalists with something positive to say about our national sport. Leave the sniping to the Australian and English press. The commitment show by All Blacks players and coaching staff surely deserves better than this. No wonder Eden Park is head and shoulders the worst test match venue in New Zealand for atmosphere. How about showing some real support for the team in this world cup year? NB: running advertising supplements as the event approaches does not count as support.
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