-
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers - Source: Reuters -
Related
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has identified the real reason why his team is waiting until Thursday before flying into Hamilton for Saturday's Tri Nations test.
South Africa's decided to prepare on the Gold Coast rather than fly straight to New Zealand following the loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane.
De Villiers says his players would have been psychologically tired if they'd gone straight to Hamilton because there is nothing to do there.
"Hotel fatigue can kick in and the guys can lose interest very
quickly and they might start thinking of going home already," De
Villiers told reporters in Australia.
"So I decided to bring them here (Surfers Paradise) to keep them
interested so that they can be fresh when we get to New Zealand on
Thursday. We will only know afterwards if we did the right or wrong
thing."
Hamilton's Mayor Bob Simcock says the the Springboks are right to stay away before Saturday night's Tri Nations match.
The banter doesn't bother Simcock, who says there's plenty to do. His suggestions include wandering around the Hamilton Gardens - or going out to Raglan.
But he says if they want to hide away in Australia till the last minute, that's fine.
He says Hamilton has some great watering-holes, but the team shouldn't be investigating them until after the game.
Meanwhile, the Springboks are set to delay the team naming until on Wednesday to allow wing Bryan Habana more time to recover from a hamstring strain.
Is Peter de Villiers right? Is there nothing do to in Hamilton? Feel free to comment below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentadam said on 2009-09-09 @ 20:39 NZDT: Report abusive post
I agree with the coach, Hamilton doesn't even have a YHA backpackers! What do tourists do there?
rupertnz said on 2009-09-09 @ 17:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think the SpringBoks coach is an absolute idiot...all he does is shoot his mouth of, has he not herad the saying "think before you speak"? I feel very sorry for South african people having this gimp as their "ambassador for the game"! I am suprised the South African rugby board havent done anything about him...Go the All Blacks!
siping said on 2009-09-09 @ 04:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
Jeez, how about some objectivity in these comments?Can you seriously tell me Hamilton is up there with Gold Coast? I was in Hamilton about 20 months ago, it IS boring, it is cold, dull, damp and darn depressing, and as for the mayors suggestion of a walk in the park..... hello?
louieroentgen said on 2009-09-08 @ 18:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
As a South African living in New Zealand i am embarased at this DeViliers comments. He should count himself lucky that he could walk the streets of Hamilton and its parks and feel safe. He should keep his mouth shut and stick to coaching because every time he opens it he says something stupid. I am sure the Sprinbok players are even emabaresd at some of his remarks. Hamilton is great, i have been and the people are friendly.
benrebo said on 2009-09-08 @ 13:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
C'mon people - Hamilton IS boring. Hamilton doesn't have a massive ghetto, there are no car-jackings, and there are bugger all people to exploit so you can't get away with a hedonistic lifestyle near as easily as in South Africa. If he thinks boring is worse than living in South Africa, perhaps he could try some other global attractions - Kabul, Baghdad, Gaza etc seem very exciting (on the news)