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'Bow to me or crucify me': South African journo who tore apart Alun Wyn Jones doubles down on position
By Sam Smith
The South African journalist who took aim at Alun Wyn Jones and the Lions has doubled down on his position as he clarified that remarks he made are not from South African media.
Mark Keohane, who earlier called Jones a 'pensioner' and the Lions 'hobbits', took to Twitter to clarify that 'no rugby media in South Africa' other than himself made the claims.
However, he stood vehemently by his series prediction of a 3-nil win to the Springboks. He called on fans to 'bow' to him once the series is over if he is correct, otherwise they can 'crucify' him.
Keohane believed that his role in the media called on him to make a prediction before kick-off, one that he would live or die by.
Keohane sought to clarify his position after another prominent South African journo Brendan Nel asked overseas media to 'stop taking the sensational 'hobbits' headlines to heart in reference to the original piece which read like a character assassination of Jones.
Nel took a passive parting shot at Keohane, saying 'those who believe that are there for headlines and clickbait'.
And message to you Brendan. I don’t need clicks. That is what I believe, just like I posted in the week of the World Cup final that I believed @Springboks would win.
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) June 19, 2021
Keohane originally made headlines when he claimed Jones will need a wheelchair to get past customs at Johannesburg airport and predicted a 3-0 test series triumph for the Springboks claiming:
“There are some players in this squad who are hobbits while Alun Wyn Jones is not in the top 10 of locks in the world.”
“If the virtual Jones, the hologram, is something from the future, then Jones, the real thing, is something from a playing past that is far more glorious than the plodder who will lead the Lions into battle against the world champion Springboks," he wrote for IOL.
“Appreciate the tour and bow to the occasion, but don’t put Captain Plod on a pedestal and don’t add to the delusion that this is a team of world-beaters."
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That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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