Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Kids are alright


History has proven to us that genius manifests at a young age. Even as infants there are signs that point to the future brilliance of those blessed with extraordinary talent. Amadeus created his first composition at the age of 5, Picasso became a legend at 13, and 15 years ago I scribbled my first inappropriate joke as part of a homework assignment, and look at us now.


Pierre Spies, Ruaan Pienaar and Francois Steyn, are the most exciting players in world rugby today, and they're all younger than 23. Pierre Spies is an incredibly strong and fast runner, in fact he's the second fastest Springbok currently, behind only Brian Habana, yet he's big and strong enough to anchor a scrum. He is the LaDainian Tomlinson of rugby. And he's ours.


Ruan Pienaar, is unfortunately labeled a utility back. Yet his game at scrumhalf was incredible. His service from the base of the scrum is fast and accurate. he has a kicking game that rivals any halfback (Or flyhalf for that matter) in the world. Also he inherited the hip swivel sidestep from his dad, that is impossible to predict. And he's ours.


Francois Steyn is the very definition of the word prodigy. He may take the wrong option from time to time, but he always trusts his insticts, and more often than not that is what wins games. Case in point this weekend. if the Springboks had cheerleaders, they would all be in hospital with swoon related injuries after those kicks. And he's ours


No other team in the world has this kind of new talent. Sure there are the Larkhams and Carters of the world, but we've been watching them for years. They have nothing new to offer. We've seen them at their best and their worst, and the verdict is an apathetic ...meh. I can just imagine the collective feeling of tragic nostalgia all over New Zealand when they saw Steyn kicking those goals. They got fucked by Gerald Bosch in the 70's Naas in the 80's and by Joel in the 90's, all who sunk kiwi teams with drop goals. One more world cup lost in such a fashion and they'll change the law to get rid of drop goals, watch.


Assuming they don't get cornholed by bureaucracy and political involvement, they may very well be hall of famers in the making.

Posted by CounterRuck @ 2:32 AM