Gilbert unveil 'iconic' Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 ball

Conor O'Shea is a very intelligent operator. His family are all pretty high level academics and he has that brain power also. He is particularly adept at strategy and evolution of clubs/orgs over a longer period of time. England are lucky to have him now.

I have to be honest though, I can't help but wonder if 100 caps is not Cane's finest achievement? A quick look through his bio, and I can't help but notice there's a real lack of major triumphs.

Yes, he has a WC gold medal, but that was when he was very much an understudy to the great McCaw. Yes there are two super rugby titles, but they were way back in 2012/13 when he was not even captain.

Im struggling to find any great achievements as captain or as an All Black that suggest he's truly a great. Perhaps someone can point out something I've missed?

His leadership qualities are always praised, but why is his medal cabinet lacking golds?

I can't help but think Cane was just a very solid player who was treated as a great due to being the heir to McCaw. A fine servant, who was good but just not great.

For me, his games that always stick in the memory were always revenge missions, which sadly followed famous lows.

I don't remember too many match changing moments when it really counted, while players like McCaw, Savea and Pieter-Steph du Toit a seem to be able to lift themselves in the most important games.

But credit where it's due, 100 caps is a great a achievement, but I'm not sure that automatically qualifies you as a great unless our standards have dropped. Like his many silver and bronze medals, he was close to great but not quite.

But I honestly think the boks need to focus on old game plan to control the tempo. Bombard them with big carries up the middle. Make them defend. Starve them of the ball. Apply the pressure. With a fast blitz on defence. Switch to Tonyball on the front foot. On the counter. Off mistakes. Pile on the pressure. Kick to the corners. Milk the penalties and build the scoreboard pressure.

And finish with a flourish and the bomb squad once you’ve squeezed the life out of the Argies.

Playing Tonyball and a varying speed of blitz defence isn’t working yet. It’s too busy. Build an innings, test match style. Keep them out the game. Score lots of tries at the end.

Whatever the game plan that unfolds - boks to win it.

By 1 Point!

Nohamba

Hendrikse

Williams

Faf - if he manages to hold back time..!