Who would forget the Boks winning the Web Ellis Trophy (for a second time) and John Smit lifting the trophy. Who would forget that one handed catch against Australia in the Tri Nations in 2010 and lastly and most importantly, his 100th test match in the "green and gold".
It's like one coach said (I won't mention any names to avoid sounding biased) "I'd rather retire a player one game too early than one game too late". . . . . "because you only as good as your last game". Would Smit in retrospect either have chosen to retire at 99 Tests and save himself the humiliation of missing the try saving tackle that cost his team a win in the final embers of his 100th test match and go out of the game right at the top? That speaks volumes for the coach as well hey, lets not get into PDV.
In my (and thousands of others) opinion Smit does not belong in the starting line up of the Bok team at this years Rugby World Cup whether or not he belongs in New Zealand is well . . up to you, but if you have someone of the class of Bismarck du Plessis and in the form of his life (some say the best hooker in World Rugby) on the bench it shows something is seriously a miss. The South African's saying that Smit's inclusion in the team is because his leadership qualities would be missed on the field, I'm sorry he sometimes cant even keep up with play and this South African squad is littered with not just experience but with captains of their own franchises so that doesn't fly with me. Just one prime example is how the substitution of Smit for Bismarck against Wales in their opening game changed the game in the Boks favour even making more turnovers than Smit in his short stint on the field than the entire game Smit was on the field. How does it feel to be Smit knowing this? How does it feel to be Bismarck?
The Australians, the All Blacks (possible quarter and semi finalists) and the rest of the world would prefer Smit in a Bok starting line up to suit their interest but as a Springbok supporter, you must be honest Bismarck is the best number two (no pun intended) in South Africa and should start, the sooner South Africa realise that the better. Bismarck will start against Somoa this friday and South Africa would have you believe it is their way of giving him some game time, call me a cynic but I have this sneaky feeling its an attempt to save Smit from the hard Samoans .
Sadly it does look like John Smit will be retired "a game too late" and if they persist with him they make it even harder on themselves to retrain that precious gold trophy.
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams (JCBA)
Comments
Post a Comment