So the Springboks 'rest' their 'injured' players

The Springboks,so we have been told,have chosen to leave behind up to 21 "injured" players,choosing instead to send them to their high performance centre for rehabilitation and specialised training.So what?

Are we too precious here in NZ?Personally I think it is a masterstroke from the South Africans and one that may well pay dividends come the real party time in October.

They did it in 2007 sending a vitual 'B' side down under through that years Tri Nations.Remember that?No,I didnt think so,but I will be sure that you know who won the World Cup that year!Yes,you guessed it,the Springboks.

We have been rightly and roundly criticised and ridiculed for being the best team in the World "in between World Cups"!Cast your memories back to our awesome efforts in sweeping all before us in the Tri Nations of 2003,racking up consecutive 50 point victories over the Boks and Wallabies.Outstanding.And the World Cup,when it mattered?We lost in the semi final to the side we had annihalated just 6 weeks previously.

It is impossible,and I mean IMPOSSIBLE,to expect athletes to remain 'up' and at peak for any longer than 4-6 weeks.So why do we(The NZ rugby public) demand that our All Blacks play every Super rugby game and every test match in World Cup year?Its ludicrous.Players need space,time out and the chance to freshen during a season,if they are expected to maintain their high standards.And we want our All Blacks to be at their absolute peak for the World Cup finals in October.

And the South African public,and the Rugby Union,understand that only too well.I just wish we could be a bit more understanding here too.No one will remember Samoa beating Australia if the Aussies lift the Webb Ellis trophy.No one will remember the consecutive drubbings that South Africa have had these past 2 weeks if the Springboks win the Webb Ellis trophy.But boy oh boy,everyone will remember if we dont win the World Cup,yet once again have easily won another Tri Nations!

Rest players,hey,even ROTATE players if need be.Do what it takes Sir Graham,to win us this Cup.And leave some players behind for the overseas legs of the TN,let them recover from their 'injuries' in the same way that the Springboks are doing now.Then unleash the beasts for the WC.


Straight Shooter-telling it like it is