TMO for soccer?

Kudos to FIFA  for introducing Goal Line Technology (GLT) following years of resistance to do so.

With the technology being used for the first time at the 2014 World Cup following a U-turn by FIFA President Sepp Blatter; it awarded its first goal, albeit controversially, when France striker Karim Benzema struck a volley against the upright; with the ball flying back across the face of goal before hitting Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares on its way in.

Of course, GLT's introduction followed the infamous incident at the 2010 tournament when England midfielder Frank Lampard had a legitimate goal disallowed against Germany, with football's governing body left with little choice but to introduce GLT.

So then, with the issue surrounding whether the ball has crossed the line or not seemingly resolved, perhaps FIFA should begin to look into another aspect in the game which has already denied at least one team of not one, but two goals in this World Cup: the offside.

Mexico forward, Giovani dos Santos saw two valid goals disallowed against Cameroon in their Group A clash despite replays showing that both goals were incorrectly adjudged.

Firstly, the striker thumped a deft volley from a perfectly-weighted cross past the Indomitable Lions goalkeeper Charles Itanje, only to see the flag raised up by the assistant for offside, much to his disbelief.

The Villareal man was in the mix of things again and netted 20 minutes later; this time from a Miguel Layun corner-kick, but the assistant again waved his flag for offside, much to the striker's desperate frustration.

Fortunately for FIFA perhaps, the erroneous decisions did not influence the final outcome of the match as Mexico emerged as 1-0 victors through an Oribe Peralta strike.

But with human error a thing of absolute, such incidents are like a bomb waiting to go off.

And should they transpire during the latter and more vital stages of the tournament and deny a nation of possible World Cup glory; then these finals would not have only taught us who the best team in the world is but also a possible increasing need of rugby's television match official (TMO) system.

Bafana Bafana's group stage phobia

"What I saw there was not a problem of coaching, it was a bunch of losers, who don't have ANY respect for this country and don't have ANY respect for anybody."

Bafana a bunch of unbearable, useless individuals - Mbalula

Of course, these were the opinion-dividing words of Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula amid the elimination of our  national football senior team, Bafana Bafana, in the group stages of yet another major tournament.

Indeed, the scathing attack followed Bafana's dumping out of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) by the Super Eagles of Nigeria on home soil.

You would've been forgiven to think that the minister had already said more than a mouthful after that statement or perhaps, had one of those blood rush-to-the-head moments when anger overwhelms your judgement only to realise seconds after the sin had been committed that you were out of it.

But there was more to come.

"First and foremost, I want to concede that we, indeed, have a crisis of monumental proportions and this tournament was just one journey that proved we don't have a crisis of talent, we've got a crisis of putting

everything together.

"The people of South Africa wake up and get this mediocrity. I felt like just standing up and walking out."

Mbalula then briefly turned his attention to the Nigerian camp, who he said were in disbelief to see Bafana failing to trouble them anywhere on the pitch.

"Two useless goals, I mean, Nigeria were shocked.

"I saw their coach starting to stand up, he couldn't believe.

"They thought they were going to meet the lions, whose stadium was filled to capacity, to come and fight for their own country, but what did they come to meet?

"Just a bunch of unbearable, useless individuals."

Were the minister's words justified?

Let's exclude CHAN for moment. This was not Bafana's  first disappointing attempt to make it past the group stages of a tournament. The pattern, which I've elected to dub 'Bafana's group stage phobia', could be traced as far back as the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France where they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the hosts before drawing their last two games against Denmark and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Apart from the French, who were aided by the comfort of playing in front of their home supporters and lead by a one Zinedine Zidane, surely Bafana had enough to challenge Denmark and secure the victory against Saudi Arabia?

Four years on in the 2002 edition of FIFA's World Cup, a familiar scenario unfolded where our national team gave themselves a mountain to climb by having to avoid defeat against group favourites, Spain, in their last group stage match. Bafana subsequently succumbed to a heartbreaking 3-2 loss after a promising start which included a 2-all draw with Paraguay and a 1-0 victory against Slovenia, courtesy of Siyabonga Nomvethe. In the end, Jomo Sono's men had flattered to deceive, much to the disappointment of their fans.

After failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Bafana were consequently involved in the 2006 African Cup of Nations where they did far worse than failing to make it to the second round. They finished last in their group and failed to score a single goal in the tournament. Different results, same outcome in the 2008 African Cup of Nations: South Africa finished last albeit in a group that comprised of Tunisia (who won the group), Angola and Senegal.

Moving on  to the Confederations Cup, a tournament used as a curtain-raiser for the World Cup and traditionally held during the year which precedes the global showpiece.The 2009 edition in particular, which was of course hosted in the country as the prelude for the 2010 World Cup, serves as a bit of an exception because Pitso Mosimane's men did manage to get out of the group stages as progressors this time. Bafana went on to finish fourth in the tournament after losing the third place final to European champion, Spain. Progress was made in that sense but the results could have been better. The tournament was organised in South Africa and nothing less than second round qualification was expected anyway, which is exactly why the first round exit in the 2010 jamboree in particular, is the most disappointing out of the bunch.

Everything was in place for Carlos Alberto Parreira's men to finish in the top two of their group which included Luis Suarez's Uruguay, a France team in disarray and a promising Mexican side. Bafana had played enough friendly games in the months building-up to the World Cup to make up a whole season. They had full support from the country, every South African was in unison to support captain Aaron Mokoena and his teammates. They had a packed Soccer City Stadium with 90 000+ fans. They had strong team chemistry and last but certainly not least, they had gained experience from all the previous heartaches experienced from prematurely bowing out of previous tournaments. This was the perfect stage to finally take full responsibility of their own fate and showing their supporters, and more importantly themselves, that they were worthy hosts of the biggest sporting showpiece on the planet.

In the tenth minute of the second half of the opening match against Mexico, Bafana winger Siphiwe Tshabalala obliged with a thunderous left-foot strike which set the country abuzz. Bafana were in the ascendency and if there were non-Bafana believers before kick-off, Tshabalala's strike and the performance which followed thereafter provided much-needed reason to believe in the team. Bafana held on for the next 24 minutes before Rafael Marquez, inevitably, levelled matters to hand the host nation a bitter-sweet draw. The pressure of having to win their next game against Uruguay had been mounting during the build-up and it told when the day had come. The game, which featured an unfortunate turn of events including goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune given his marching orders, was taken away from Bafana from a clinical Uruguay performance, final score: 3-0.

It was down to the last game against the French, who were without Zidane this time around but still a formidable unit nevertheless. Bafana had to achieve the seemingly impossible thanks to the damaging defeat to Uruguay: beat France by more than two clear goals and prevent them from scoring while hoping that Uruguay defeat Mexico handsomely, to make their path to qualification that much easier. After a promising start to the tournament, as per usual with Bafana, they and their fans had found themselves in a very familiar situation going into the last match of the group.

Everyone knows what transpired after the last game. The result?

Mokoena and his team had created unfortunate history by becoming the first host nation in World Cup history to crash out in the first round. Their fans, whom some used as consolation, were left with Tshabalala's goal's nomination as one of the tournament's best and despite getting the job half done, beating the most high-profile team in the group, France. They fittingly scored the opening goal of the tournament and won a game at least, but the bigger picture of second-round qualification was once again not realised. Perhaps this is the sort of mediocrity the minister was referring to?

I regress.

The comments made by Mbalula following the most recent exit from the CHAN tournament can be possibly seen as a reflection of year's of repeated disappointment for the minister and the rest of Bafana's die-hard fans. The repeated, desperate third place finishes courtesy of the goal difference stat in Bafana's groups suggest that Bafana can compete and that it's just a matter of getting the job done.

The national team has had its good times of course, like finishing third in the year 2000 version of the African Cup of Nations, reaching the final of the 1998 version, and winning it in 1996, four years after Bafana's first ever match.

However, the good times have come few and far between and unfortunately, the bad times outweigh the good.

All of Shakes Mashaba, Phillipe Troussier, Trott Moloto, Carlos Queiroz, Sono, Stuart Baxter, Ted Dumitru, Parreira, Joel Santana, Pitso Mosimane and now, Gordon Igesund, have been assigned to coach Bafana between 1998 and today, which strengthens the minister's words of Bafana's woes not being a coaching problem, but rather a 'crisis of monumental proportions'. What that monumental crises includes and possible ways to mend it is a topic for another day.

For now, Bafana's task is to restore respect for themselves and bring back the good times, times that will prove useful and make Bafana a football team of everything but a bunch of useless, unbearable individuals.

FIFA Ballon d'Or: Messi 4 - 2 Cristiano Ronaldo

After a phenomenal season which has seen him score 69 goals in 59 appearances for club and country; a tally more than his Ballon d'Or rivals Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery's combined total of 65, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged his second Ballon d'Or since 2008, which has inevitably resurfaced comparisons with his No 1 rival, Messi.

Hlabangani Mtshali and yours truly discussed the ongoing debate on who the better player is between the Portuguese superstar and the Argentine wizard.

Hlabangani Mtshali: If anyone bought that golden ball, it's CR7 (Ronaldo).

Sabelo Mashego: I respect Leo (Messi), he's already a legend-and-all but Ronaldo eclipsed him last season. Fair and square.

HM: Messi got injured didn't he?

SM: Yes, but late in the year, just before the deadline for casting votes for the Ballon d'Or.
I presume you feel the same way about Ronaldo as you do about Lil'Wayne. At least acknowledge that the guy (Ronaldo) is good. I know you don't rate Wayne probably of the simple reason of you not liking him? I speak under correction.

HM: Exactly! Except that Lil"Wayne sucks. Ronaldo is good sure case, not as good as people say he is though.

SM: I think there's an extremely thin line between Ronaldo not being as good as people say he is AND people refusing to give him the credit he deserves.
My opinion? Messi is probably better yes, it's just fun being part of the minority that support Ronaldo in this debate. I also think anti-Ronaldo people are too proud (ironically) to admit that Ronaldo has proven them wrong, so they're stuck with their persistence of Ronaldo being overrated.

It's similar to the Nas VS Jay-Z scenario, Ronaldo being Jay-Z in this case. Now I do not know a lot about Nas but he's apparently good. I don't remember hearing any guy say Jigga is better than Nas. In fact, some people would go as far as saying Jigga sucks and is overrated. Just like I've heard people go as far as saying Ronaldo sucks. Does Jay-Z suck? Of course not.

HM: Perhaps, but the problem is that Ronaldo's 'greatness' came before he'd even proven anything. Hype was bigger than the actual skill and they (hype around him and his skill) were never proportional.
Plus, Ronaldo's personality does not help him; but I've found that it's always you Man. United guys that are his supporters.

Jay-Z WAS better (than Nas) for a long time but he's terrible now, he's a shadow of the rapper he once was. His last album is horrible. Nas is better.

SM: Such is the power of the British media; was Ronaldo once overrated? Yes. Of course that fact had a lot to do about him having played for United, a franchise which was born to generate hype. Hype was bigger than his actual skill, granted. Is the hype still bigger than his actual skill now? I don't think so.

And that's what I'm fighting for.
He's earned it. He's realised his potential, something that anti-Ronaldo people thought he'd never do and they still refuse to acknowledge that he's done it. He's too cocky at times yes, and human instinct makes us automatically overlook at that person's abilities because of their excessive ego; but I choose to consider his actual talent more than others. I think it's unfair to consider a player's personality when assessing his ability. Is he better than Messi? My mind says no but my heart says yes. Is he on the same level as Messi? Absolutely.

HM: The hype still overshadows his talent because it's grown with it. Cristiano's one of the best? No doubt. He's one of the best with an awesome PR team.

SM: (chuckles)....I think we've reached parity as far as this conversation is concerned then. You've acknowledged that he's up there with the best, albeit with a bit of a slap in the face. You think the hype is a factor in him being where he is now. That's arguable and is a debate point itself. I say his talent and hard work are a bigger factor than the hype as far as where he at the moment, is concerned.
Typical United fans will tell you that Ronaldo is better than Messi regardless. That's a bit of wishful thinking.

HM: Wouldn't say parity, just me not being a hater. He's good. Messi's God.

As a media practitioner and scholar, you know how much of a role media and PR plays in shaping opinion; to the point where people start believing those opinions as their own. The initial over-inflated hype was made worse by him getting better. Yeah, Messi is the greatest I've seen with my own two. He makes it look sooo easy whereas Ronaldo looks like he's working hard.

SM: Yeah, goes back to the Man. United factor. The media is overwhelming when it comes to anything United, that's why David Beckham was considered a Galactico even before his subsequent move to Real Madrid. But he wasn't considered as one of the best in the world when he was at the peak of his powers as a footballer because he wasn't as talented as Ronaldo. I don't hate against Messi, he is better. As much as I prefer Ronaldo, I know exactly where he stands in the pecking order.
And yes, he works harder than Messi.

HM: Prime example is Beckham...he understood it (hype around him) and milked it; he could play but the hype made him seem like he was top five, 'dead or alive'.
And it does look like Ronaldo is working hard to be on the same level as Messi. Messi looks effortless.

SM: Messi is dog. Ronaldo is regarded as the sole competitor to him ON THE PITCH and rightly so. Hype and-all aside.

HM: Because who else is there??
They play the same role for two of the biggest teams, practically the only teams in Spain. It's not like the audience is spoilt for choice.

SM: And that's how good they are; no one else is there, unfortunately.

*Good to be back blogging again after a six-month disappearance which can be blamed on time strain from hectic working hours and gym. Hope this post is a start of a more consistent run this year. Happy New Year everyone.

*Hlabangani is a good friend of mine.

International rugby window: Lions victory more than just a series win

In the early months of 2009 I received an offer from a good friend I met in grade nine of high school, Mdumiseni Ngwenya, to go and watch the British & Irish Lions take on the Springboks on a big screen at a fish and chips cafe just down the road from home.

Given that I had just seriously gotten interested in rugby thanks to the Springboks' 2007 World Cup triumph in France and that I had never watched a Lions series before, my answer was obvious.

We met near my house around sun-set time to go and watch the Springboks defeat the Lions 26-21 in what was  a  crazy first Test in Durban which saw the tourists having two tries disallowed inside the last ten minutes of the match. 

After an epic Test series which ended 2-1 to the Springboks, the next obvious thing to do was to start following Lions tours and doing research on the tour history. The fact that the team is made-up of four rival-neighbouring countries which plays after every four years was enough encouragement to learn more. As my knowledge about the tourists grew, I had found that they hadn't won a series in 12 years after a 2-1 heartbreak in Australia in 2001; a 3-0 humiliation in the hands of  New Zealand in 2005 and a 2-1 bitter-sweet defeat against the Boks.    

All-in-all the touring side had won a series only once out of the four tours of the 'professional era' since 1997. That's a 25% winning ratio which is hardly impressive for a side which has the luxury of picking the best players from four countries which in turn generates a lot of expectation - especially in Britain & Ireland. This has lead to many fearing for the future of  the Lions tour and some questioning their credibility to compete against the three best rugby nations in the world: South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

And to top it all, the Lions had only achieved eight series wins in their 125-year history. 

Looking ahead to the 2013 Australian tour, the Lions would have known that not only did they have a score to settle with the Wallabies whom they had last defeated in 1989 after failing to do the same in 2001; but they also had a score to settle with 16 years of heartbreak. They would have known that this tour would be more than just a series win; but also about getting a victory that would ensure they would fight again in future tours. This tour was about putting a right next to all the wrongs made in the past; it was about maintaining the purpose of the Lions tour and ensuring that it didn't become about everything that happens off the pitch but nothing on it.

Their record-breaking 41-16 victory over the Wallabies in their third and decisive Test however would have erased any doubts, for now at least, about their place compared to the SANZAR nations. Their determination and confidence shown in the first Test was not to be dampened despite a narrow loss in the second as they went into half-time in the lead on all three Tests before clinching the series in style. 

The convincing win also paid tribute to assistant coach Andy Farrell's sentiments of Australia 'peaking one game too early' after the second Test loss as the Wallabies were out-muscled, outrun, out-thought and outplayed four tries to one. It also means that coach Warren Gatland's temerity to axe decorated centre Brian O'Driscoll paid off and worked like a charm with replacement Jamie Roberts among the try-scorers. It sure was an exciting concluding match in what was a Lions tour that will go down as one of the most memorable in the history books; Sam Warburton thought so too.    

"It is a great feeling. It has been a long time coming this Lions tour so it is nice to come back with a trophy.

"It has only been done nine times in 125 years so all the players know they are part of a very prestigious group and are very proud of that.

"It won't sink in for a long time, I think. It feels quite surreal being part of a Lions touring party.

"Only four years ago I got capped for Wales during the first Lions tour. I got on the development tour and I never thought I would be in this situation four years later.

"Maybe in a few months' time or a few years' time I might watch back a DVD and realise what we achieved," he told The Independent. 

Super boot Leigh Halfpenny who kicked 21 points which is a new Lions Test record in front of an unprecedented crowd of 83 702 at the Olympic stadium, told the BBC that being part of a winning British & Irish Lions tour has fulfilled a childhood dream.

"I can't put it into words really how much it means. It's everything I've dreamt of as a kid growing up watching Lions tours," Halfpenny said.

"To be part of a winning Lions tour is one of the best things ever and up there with the best moments of my career."

What's next for Australia?      

I've made too much noise about what the Wallabies could have done differently so I'm not going to go into that. The men in the yellow and green must quickly regroup in preparation to host the All Blacks for their Rugby Championship opener in a few weeks' time.

Meanwhile, wide media criticism in Australia preceded the firing of coach Robbie Deans who has been replaced by Ewen McKenzie.

"The Robbie Deans era came to a catastrophic end last night, " wrote Jim Tucker in The Sunday Telegraph.

"Deans has had his shot. It is time to exit. Last night was a catastrophe of scrum penalties, poor kicks, the sloppy knock-on from kick-off, errors and the selection blooper that dooms Deans.

"He decided to play the might of the Lions without a specialist five-eighth (fly-half)."

"See ya Robbie!!!" - was what former Wallaby wing Lote Tuqiri wrote on his Twitter account.

McKenzie will have a handful of issues to solve especially the partying culture of his star backs; how well he'll re-steady the Wallaby ship only time will tell.

What's next for the Lions?

Well, the juggernaut rolls on to New Zealand in 2017. 

A British & Irish Lions tour 2013 extra

My quote of The Series: "Ooohhh, he's the bravest man in the world." - Rob Kafer referring to James Horwill's decision to opt for a scrum rather than a kick to posts with Australia trailing during the dying minutes of the second Test.

My Funniest Quote of  The Series: "James O'Connor won't look at Genia, he is throwing daggers at him." - Greg Martin on James O'Connor kicking the ball out on the full from his own 22.

Player Rivalry of The Series: Israel Folau vs George North

My Headline of The Series: Brian O'Driscoll's axing for third Test  

My Try of The Series: Israel Folau's second try in the first Test

My Man of The Series: Leigh Halfpenny (finished the Test series with 49 points from five conversions and 13 penalties - with two try-assists in the decisive Test)

15 Leigh Halfpenny (Wales); 14 Tommy Bowe (Ireland),  13 Jonathan Davies (Wales), 12 Jamie Roberts (Wales), 11 George North (Wales); 10 Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), 9 Mike Phillips (Wales);  8 Toby Faletau (Wales), 7 Sean O'Brien (Ireland), 6 Dan Lydiate (Wales), 5 Geoff Parling (England), 4 Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales, capt), 3 Adam Jones (Wales), 2 Richard Hibbard (Wales), 1 Alex Corbisiero (England)

Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs (England), 17 Mako Vunipola (England), 18 Dan Cole (England), 19 Richie Gray (Scotland), 20 Justin Tipuric (Wales), 21 Conor Murray (Ireland), 22 Owen Farrell (England), 23 Manu Tuilagi (England).

British & Irish Lions 2013 squad: (BACKS) Full-backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Rob Kearney (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland); Wings: Tommy Bowe (Ireland), George North (Wales), Alex Cuthbert (Wales), Sean Maitland (Scotland), Christian Wade (England), Shane Williams (Wales), Simon Zebo (Ireland); Centres: Brad Barritt (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England), Billy Twelvetrees (England), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland); Fly-halves: Johnny Sexton (Ireland), Owen Farrell (England); Scrumhalves: Mike Phillips (Wales), Ben Youngs (England), Conor Murray (Ireland).

(FORWARDS): Props: Dan Cole (England), Alex Corbisiero (England), Tom Court (Ireland), Ryan Grant (Scotland), Adam Jones (Wales), Matt Stevens (England), Mako Vunipola (England); Hookers: Richard Hibbard (Wales), Rory Best (Ireland), Tom Youngs (England); Locks: Ian Evans (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Geoff Parling (England); Flankers: Tom Croft (England), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Sam Warburton (Wales - captain); Number eights: Toby Faletau (Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)

International rugby window: Are the demons of 2001 back to haunt the Lions?

If omens are anything to go by, the British & Irish Lions are in for a very long conclusion of their Australian tour.


After leading on the scoreboard for most of the match in the first of a three-match Test series in Brisbane, and emerging as eventual victors to draw first blood, not only did the touring side stand as slight favourites at least going into the second Test in Melbourne, but everything too was in place for the Lions to register their first series win since 1997 when they defeated the Springboks 2-1.

But it was not to be.

Unlike at the Suncorp stadium, the tourists took on a more conservative and effective approach which looked to have won them the match until the 75th minute, when versatile back Adam-Ashley Cooper scored the game's only try to force a series decider in Sydney this weekend.

If you go as far back as 2001 on their previous visit to Australia, the men in the famous red and white had looked like the series winners already going into the the second Test, after a one-sided 29-13 opening affair where all of Jason Robinson, Dafydd James, Brian O'Driscoll and Scott Quinell scored tries to give the Lions a 1-0 series lead. Come after the second match back then and the series stood at 1-all with Australia regaining momentum going into match three the following week. After the series decider in Sydney, the Wallabies had completed the turn-around and clinched the series 2-1.


As per the Lions tour's tradition, they are back in Australia 12 years on after a detour in South Africa in 2009, and they find themselves in a similar scenario of being level at 1-all with the Wallabies after a promising start in the first match. Albeit in unfortunate circumstances with ever reliable Leigh Halfpenny missing the kick which would have sealed the series. That is not the reality however and reality is that the Wallabies have again managed to claw their way back in what could possibly be James Horwill's most important victory in his career with the captain overwhelmed with emotion and shedding tears of joy like he had just won the World Cup.

Going into the 'final' in Sydney this Saturday, you have to say that the momentum is not so much with the tourists and the demons of 2001 would've been at the back of the heads of some, like Brian O'Driscoll,  in that dressing room with a lot at stake still to play for for both teams. First there's reputations to keep in tact; it could be Wallaby coach Robbie Deans' last match should his side come out on the wrong end of the scoreboard after being under pressure in the recent history to produce results; for the Lions, they must be desperate for that long-awaited series win over one of the three SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia) nations since 1997; and the current fortunate few who got the opportunity to represent the Lions this time around would want to go down in the history books as one of the generations who managed victory over a SANZAR nation.

That being said, both sides will be desperate come Saturday and it's come as no surprise that the mind games have already begun with Lions' assistant coach Andy Farrell telling Sport24 that the Wallabies are smart when it comes to playing the referee during set-pieces and that the hosts peaked one game too early.

"I thought you saw after the game emotionally what it meant to Australia, especially their captain," said Farrell after watching James Horwill's emotional post-match tears.

"It meant an awful lot to them to stay in the race. How much that would take out of Australia I think would be interesting to find out this coming week."

"From what I could see there were a few decisions that went against us, especially early. But after that I thought you saw a dominant scrum going forward on quite a few occasions," he said.


"I  did see a tighthead forward for Australia put a foot up in the air - that says a lot to me.

"I think Australia are very street-wise, playing the referee. There's no doubt about that, they're very smart.

"And I'm not complaining at all, I thought the referee had a good game. But they're very street-wise.

"We got done for coming over the side of the line-out. Did they come over ours? Of course they did.

"Were they on the wrong side of the line-out and getting through the maul? Of course they did. But that's the game."

The Wallabies might want to do their talking on the field but whatever the case may be, the Lions know that they cannot afford to let history repeat itself; whilst the Wallabies could use the 2001 turnaround as an omen.

International rugby window: Lions SLIP through to victory

The conclusion of the The British & Irish Lions tour first match against the Wallabies brought a sense of deja vu about it - a team in a red shirt and white shorts looked on in bated breath as the last decisive kick of a magnitudinous game was about to be taken.

On 21 May 2008, Manchester United players could do nothing but watch in agony in the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia as John Terry stepped up to take the penalty kick that was either going to hand Chelsea its first Champions League crown in the clubs history or give Manchester United its hat-rick of European titles.

But just like Kurtley Beale did at the Suncorp Stadium five years and a month later, John Terry slipped and sent the team in a red shirt and white shorts and its supporters into hysteria.

Yes, popular belief making the Lions favourites to win the first Test was confirmed as fact when the touring side edged out the hosts 23-21 in an exciting match which ticked most, if not all, of the boxes its reputation and build-up warranted. But it was closer than most people thought it would be.

Typically in a tight rugby match where penalties and/ or conversions become a match decider, hopes rest on either team's kicker and this match was no different. Wallaby fly-half James O'Connor was given the kicking duties on the day but fluffed 2 penalties and 1 conversion which totals to 8 points - 11 if you add Beale's off-target penalty attempt in what was the game's last piece of action. Add that to the Wallaby final score and you get 32 and even if George North's disallowed try was given and Leigh Halfpenny succeeding in his missed conversion attempt towards the end of the first half, the Lions' final score would have probably read 31.

Could've, would've, should've don't work in sports in general because it tends to take away the effort and glory of the victor and in sport the victor is always the deserved winner; but again, I just couldn't help but think: 'Would the Wallabies have lost if Quade Cooper played?'

Well, when Cooper plays he takes the kicks to goal apart from the long ones which are taken by Beale; when Cooper plays a lot of pressure is taken off Will Genia and opposition have a double-threat to worry about and when Cooper plays, there's more creativity and a sense of unexpected danger lurking. You didn't get that from O'Connor on Saturday and apart from a few good passes and generally doing the basics, it's hard to pinpoint any special contribution from the Rebels man.

If you're one for stats, the Wallabies are a better outfit with Cooper occupying the play-maker's position but take nothing away from the Lions who scored 2 brilliant individual-effort tries from George North, and Alex Cuthbert who broke the Wallaby line like a hot knife through butter. 

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/the-statictical-case-for-quade-cooper/

And although the match stats suggested that this was a close encounter, the Lions won on the stat which matters most: the score board.

International rugby window: Only faces have changed

When Heyneke Meyer announced the final group of players that were going to represent the Boks in this years four-nation Incoming series comprising of  Italy, Scotland, Samoa and of course, the Springboks - many rugby lovers in the country were excited about the new-looking team and rightly so.

Change is good and to see the likes of  Willie le Roux, Jan Serfontein, Arno Botha and Trevor Nyakane included in the Green and Gold set-up, really brought a sense of freshness and great anticipation for the first kick-off of the tournament against Italy in Durban. Also with Jano Vermaak getting in his first Bok start suggested that there'd also be a transformation of style from the Bok game to a running, exciting and intense game plan instead of the slow, conservative and forward-driven game play we've associated the Boks with for as long as I can remember.

After the 44-10 battering of the Italians, Heyneke Meyer's men confirmed the change of style - at least for that game - with a lot of running on display as the Boks scored some beautifully-worked tries and if anything, they left their beloved supporters wanting more from the new-looking starting XV; but more is not what the Boks gave their supporters against Scotland a week later.

The Scottish out-muscled the home nation with some aggressive rucking and powerful scrummaging with their backs looking increasingly dangerous with ball in hand and running at the Boks; the SA 6-10 Scotland scoreline at half time was no fluke - in fact - it was well-deserved. Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira has lost his form for some time now: we hardly see those impressive carries and solid scrummaging from him; Juandre Kruger is not the same when he is in the Green and Gold compared to when he's in the blue for the Bulls; Arno Botha has not done much to justify his inclusion; Marcell Coetzee and Pierre Spies were no where to be seen and hence why the game was lost in the forwards. That being said - I guess for that reason, you can't exactly fault the backs because the forwards weren't doing enough to give them clean and quick ball. But that was not always the case.

Now to the backs: Ruan Pienaar was too slow when clearing the ball from the ruck; JJ Engelbrecht and Jan Serfontein to be honest, have not given enough to suggest that they are better picks than Juan De Jongh and Willie le Roux has not done enough - at least yet - to convince that he's the future Springbok to occupy the last line of defence.

As a result - because the Boks were under pressure - they resorted to their old ways in the second half of playing eight-man rugby in a slow and conservative manner and confirmed my fears of just the faces changing in the team and nothing else, in the process.

I truly believe that there are solutions - picking players on merit for one - and a new approach from the coach to adapt to the modern age of running rugby for another. Players like Heinrich Brussow to neutralise the breakdown headaches, Juan De Jongh whose quick feet can unlock any defence, Siya Kolisi whose got great carrying ability and pace, Ryan Kankowski whose never really gotten his chance - and a fully fit Jano Vermaak - just to name a few.

With the usual Bok vulnerabilities exposed again against Scotland and a flattering 30-17 final score - I'm afraid as it stands, there's no new game plan but just a change of faces.