Brits wasted in front row
30 Mar 2006
Keo, in his News 24 column, writes that a change of position will bring Schalk Brits a change of fortunes.
In 1998 Nick Mallett toyed with the idea of playing Bob Skinstad as an inside centre.
He never went through with it and we will never know what Skinstad would have done in the midfield. Now there’s another forward with stunning skills, who should also think about moving into the backs.
Schalk Brits is a phenomenal footballer. He is not as good a hooker as he is a rugby player. His skills are more suited to wearing the No 12 jersey than the number 2 jersey. The criticism of him at hooker would not apply to Brits, the midfielder.
Every time I see Brits play I am more convinced the one fell off his jersey. That’s the one that goes before the two. In a season of woe and wobbles for the Stormers he has been the one player who has provided those magical moments.
Against the Highlanders he embarrassed their defence with a sidestep where his hips took the defender to London and his feet danced towards Singapore. The change in direction was stunning.
In that same game he set up a try-scoring chance by beating the first tackler with pace, sucking in two more defenders and then squeezing his pass out in the double tackle. It was the stuff you associate with the game’s most creative midfielders.
Brits has also shown strength in the tackle to score a try this season and serious gas over 20 metres to outstrip the Cheetahs defence and score. He has been the Stormers most effective runner in broken play or whenever he gets the ball in space.
What the hell is such a talent doing squashed between two fat boys in the front row?
When Skinstad threw the most outrageous of dummies to bamboozle Australian midfield maestro Tim Horan and score at Ellis Park in 1998 he displayed a skill few midfielders in world rugby had when attacking Horan’s defence.
Some of what Brits has done in this year’s Super 14 has been of similar vintage.
Realistically, Brits is going to struggle to make the Springbok World Cup squad as a hooker. John Smit, the Bok captain, is number one.
The Bulls Gary Botha is another who will be picked before Brits and even Brits’s regional teammate Hanyani Shimange is ahead of him in the national pecking order.
The criticism of Brits, the hooker, has been his lineout throwing and concerns about his scrumming. The national selectors, for the past 18 months, have not picked him because they consider him to lack the basic essentials of a test hooker.
But even they have been forced to acknowledge his qualities as a rugby player.
Currently Brits is the most explosive player in South Africa. He is also the most dynamic when he has the ball and a bit of space.
The crowd knows this and there is an expectancy of attacking brilliance every time Brits gets the ball. The guy this season got the Cape Town crowd more excited than any backline player wearing black, including the mercurial Jean de Villiers.
The Stormers coaching staff is too conservative to move Brits into the midfield and to give him a run. The same coaches run Western Province, so they won’t make the move either.
Any change of position will have to be driven by the player.
Brits needs to know that his international options as a hooker are limited, but as a footballer they know no limits.
South Africa missed a chance with Skinstad. It would be a shame if five years from now the talk is of another missed chance with Brits.
The opportunity is there to reward the qualities of this player and not knock the perceived deficiencies. As a Test hooker Brits is viewed as being vulnerable. As a Test midfielder he would be invaluable.
*Check out what Brits has to say about his Bok prospects in the latest issue of SA Rugby Magazine.
124 Comments
30 Mar 2006, 06:09 am
wet the bed, keo?
agree, although i would prefer to see him in the 13 jersey with jean de villiers on his inside. number 8 or 7 would also suit his game better.
30 Mar 2006, 06:24 am
Has he ever played in the centres before?
If not, he’d be hard pressed to make this change. Even exceptionally talented players like Umaga and de Villiers were made to fulfill apprenticeships on the wing before being moved into the centre role.
There’s a lot more to being a centre than explosive running skills (ie: complex defensive lines, organisational skills etc…) and it would take him several years before he could realistically challenge the Springbok incumbents. Not saying he couldn’t do it but it would be a pity to miss out on his talents in S14 rugby for a couple seasons while he languishes in the vodacom cup trying to re-tread himself.
30 Mar 2006, 06:30 am
How much does he weigh? as a matter of interest?
He is really an awesome player. Another fantastic talent for the “WORLDS BEST COACH” to **** up (yes im talking about Fester) ha ha
30 Mar 2006, 06:32 am
One of those players that can play as a back or forward.Which is why he will allways be a utility player if selected for the Boks.
Brits would never find a place in the Bok Front row OR backrow with the talent we have there.
30 Mar 2006, 06:40 am
He should just be given license to play a less traditional hooker role and play a looser game, further away from the tight exchanges.
After a series of phases, having him pop up in the centre or flyhalf channel would definitely cause the opposition some headaches.
30 Mar 2006, 07:18 am
remember his try at loftus in the CC semie just before or after halftime in 2004. Brilliant. The problem though is if you have been a forward player all your life you tend to run lines towards the ball, for this seems to be natural – you have done this your whole playing career and you want to be in the ruck maul situation and he could just be caught out of position on the defense, when this happens.
the farce game this sat would have been the ideal situation, but SA coaches in general will not be taking this sort of risk.
Keo, would you have written this piece if he were still playing for the Lions?
30 Mar 2006, 07:26 am
ek sal maar wag tot die einde van die super 14 om tese of brits slim was om stormers toe tegaan want dis tussen hulle en die cats om tesien wie is die kakste.
30 Mar 2006, 07:28 am
Interesting article. He is a machine in open play agreed but would he be that good for 80mins?
30 Mar 2006, 07:32 am
@ Green Blood
I was thinking the same thing about this piece if he stayed with the Lions.
Anyway….
If not a centre why not a flanker (impact)?
Talent like this needs to be used.
Groot skade…
30 Mar 2006, 07:33 am
Hop Hop hoekom doen die keurders nie die regte ding nie.****** drop vir Smit hy is nie die no1 haker nie.
30 Mar 2006, 07:35 am
Dont agree Keo, 6,7 or maybe 8 yes but not in the backrow. He doesnt have the juice
30 Mar 2006, 07:40 am
@ bliksem
Smit like ek ook nie, maar die man is ‘n goeie kaptein (kyk net na die Bulle sonder Leonard, hulle is nie dieselde span nie). Dalk moet hulle so 20 – 30 min voor die einde. Smit stut toe skuif en Schalkie opstuur. Ek weet nie… maar die man moet game time kry.
30 Mar 2006, 07:41 am
bliksem
rugby = spansport JS not the number 1 maar hy het ander trades wat hom no 1 maak, ervaring en gesag. ken die spelpatrone, en die ander 14 ken hom….
maar ja ook nie my eerste keuse nie?
30 Mar 2006, 07:41 am
Wouldn’t want to doom Schalk Britz to be another utility back like Brent Russell, but he is just SOOOOO BLOODY talented!
Wouldn’t be interesting if we changed our mindset completely and used Schalk as a utility play, but as neither a forward or back. In other words, with 30 minutes left in the game, only scrum with 7 men, keeep the 7 backs, and add Schalk in as a roaming play-maker. He could where 12,5 on his back and enter the backline at fantastic angles, create overlaps by drawing more than just one defender etc…
I know there’s more to it than just that. He’s just one of those guys you HAVE to find a place for on the field.
30 Mar 2006, 07:41 am
goeie plan daai skuif vir barney oor na stut toe.is smit rerig so n goeie kaptein?hoeveel games het die sharks al net net verloor met hulle goeie kaptein in die span?
30 Mar 2006, 07:44 am
Moegrat – Agreed he is a brilliant footballer but I really can’t see him with all that pace which is required in the backline.
30 Mar 2006, 07:44 am
bliksem
valid. maar onthou span onder hom op bokvlak het 3N gewen. JS nou uit te gooi is om so goed om vir JW te se, AM is die nuwe hulp afrigter. jy weet mos cap en coach moet wees soos taxi en toeter!!
30 Mar 2006, 07:47 am
bigg jy gaan 4:44 splits moet hardloop by oceans om n 1:40 temaak.nie veel tyd vir kak praat dan nie.die dolle op daai pace kan n ou ook nie lekker chaf nie want hulle konsentreer teveel op die race.dis hoekom ek net n paar wedlope race en die ander as training runs vat.
30 Mar 2006, 07:54 am
And i dont think Gary Botha is our no. 2 hooker. Went to watch the Bulls against the Force last weekend and he looks unfit to me (didnt watch the game on the telly yet so maybe my opinion will differ if i do) Anyways just got tickets for the Stormers game half an hour ago and really looking forward to it, there wasnt alot of tickets left
30 Mar 2006, 07:55 am
Hou hom net waar hy is. Kyk na Mealamu wat nog ligter as hy is. Swak ingooi werk is nie n verskoning nie. Dit kan jy aanleer. Sy ander talente is n gawes waarmee jy gebore word.
Dik Smit is te lig vir stut.
Tussen stutte soos Os, Guthro, CJ, en met Vic en Bakkies agter hom is sy gewig nie n argument nie
30 Mar 2006, 07:55 am
ek is van mening dat as Brits wil skuif dan kan dit dalk na 6/7/8 wees maar hoegenaamd nie na senter toe nie. En dan sal hy ook maar sukkel om die huidige loosies te lig in die Vodacom span.
Ek weet NM het met BS gedink om hom na senter te skuif maar….. nie alles wat NM dink het gewerk nie (sou BS gewerk het op senter?? ek dink nie so nie en dis hoekom NM dit nie gedoen het nie.)
Niemand betwyfel Brits se talente nie….. as hy wil senter speel omdat hy nie die ander hakers kan lig nie?????? Wat is die kans dat hy die ander senters gaan lig????
Now your’e “taking the Stormers coaching staff out” for being to concervative to play him at centre?? If he want’s to play centre shouln’t he start in the Vodacom Cup and show his mettle -a player can’t just “walk into a team” – what about the centres who’s playing.??? Just now all the centres leave the Stormers????… can you think of tha gazillllllion posts on your site when the best cenres in SA leave the Stormers??? Chaos man…
Ag nee wat Keo, jy/s seker nie ernstig met hierdie artikel nie??? … maar dit behoort baie reaksie te kry….
30 Mar 2006, 07:56 am
Bliksem – I have to reply in english – My afrikaans writing is kuk. I have been training very hard for this. It’s the first time I am running and I have been trainig with a family friend who has run 17 two oceans Ultra’s, 8 comrades… She recons I can do it and after all our training. If I don’t then fine… This is a milestone for me and I am very proud of myself. I have now got the running bug and I am going to carry on and next year I would like to do the full two oceans…
30 Mar 2006, 07:58 am
Moergat,
ek neem aan dat jy die kaartjies verniet gekry het?
30 Mar 2006, 07:58 am
Bliksem – Send me your email and I will give you my real name so you can look in the paper so see my time!!!???
30 Mar 2006, 08:00 am
Ag fok bliksem waar was jy die hele 2005 toe die Smit debat gevoer en gewen was deur die ‘hy is nommer een’ kamp? Smaak my bliksem behoort aan die Strauli kant van bok keuses: kom ons kies enige ou wat `n goeie drie druk!
Jy gaan eenvoudig MOET begin dink voor jy skryf want anders klink jy net doosdom.
30 Mar 2006, 08:01 am
bigg its a dicey thing with splitss like that.you dont want to go out to hard in the first half and run negative splits just to run out of curry in the second half and not being able to run 4:44 splits.The best advice I can give you is to do a 3km warm up before the race and after the warmup to do strides.Streides are running 100 meter stretches at a 400m race pace.This gets your heart rate up and you will feel a lot more comfortable from the start.Its like pulling out a cars choke and having it idle before you drive to work in the mornings.But you have a experienced partner so that helps.I am sure she is knowldgeable but sadly not as much as me so if she needs some advice as well just give bliksem a shout.
30 Mar 2006, 08:02 am
he he, nah works out 220 rand a ticket. Got last weeks for free though but it is such a kak stadium to watch rugby at. (like watching rugby at a cricket staduim) I really do miss the South African grounds where it feels youre on the pitch and its cheaper as well
30 Mar 2006, 08:06 am
Wasn’t Bobo a flank before he was turned into a midfielder?
In terms of gas, I think there is often less difference in pace between a quick forward and an average back than we think. Just watch how Jacques Botes ran away from Ben Blair last week. And Brits has some serious pace for a forward, never mind a tight forward. Add to that his good hands, his step, his eye for a gap and his hard tackling – I don’t think he’s missing any qualities to become a midfielder.
I do, however, agree that he cannot simply be slotted into the backline and hope to perform. He’d need about a season of training to make the evolution. Mind you, right now Fester could swop the entire pack of forwards with the backs and very few people would notice.
30 Mar 2006, 08:06 am
shields 2005?ons is nou in 2006.en ja ek is n doos soos jy vermoed.you are wha you eat se hulle.
30 Mar 2006, 08:09 am
bigg,
Haven’t read all you “running posts” what distance are you planning on running??? The ultra??
I’ve done 19 2 Ocean ultras. The best advice i can give you is to go hell for leather till you get the firts breeze off the sea and then you slow down to a “killi shuffle”. (only joking)
Done a few silvers and i wish you all the luck – not to worry and make sure you enjoy it.
30 Mar 2006, 08:12 am
A few of the above comments have mentioned this before, but I would love to see a frontrow of Smit, Britz and CJ. IMO Smit is a better loosehead prop than hooker…
30 Mar 2006, 08:13 am
Staal ek is maar fokke skrikkerig vir n hell for leather aproach as ek n race die eerste keer doen veral as ek nie die roete ken nie.daars mos altyd n paar surprise slow poisen heuwels voor die einde.
30 Mar 2006, 08:16 am
Bliksem & Staal thanks for the advice appreciate it… Staal I am only running 2 oceans half, my first one. I have got the running bug and next year hope to do the Ultra…
30 Mar 2006, 08:17 am
Our coaches don’t have the balls to do something like this. They didn’t do it with Skinstad and they won’t do it now. They can’t even give Jean a try on flyhalf, which I still think would be an excelent possision for him.
The coaches know the k@k they will get when the move backfires.
30 Mar 2006, 08:18 am
bigg just go and enjoy it and see it as a learning experience.soak in te scenery and the vibe and just enjoy the moment.
30 Mar 2006, 08:21 am
bliksem,
stem saam – het eendag gegaan vir 3:45 splits en het geeindig met 8 krampe gelyk in sopnat weer – maar ‘n mens leer mos uit jou foute!!
Die beste sporting quote was ek van Nike gesien het was ‘m massiewe poster van Nike met ‘n foto van ‘n helse lang pas en ‘n jogger:
Daarop het gestaan – there’s no shortcut to a comeback – net ‘n drawwer sal dit verstaan!!!!
30 Mar 2006, 08:23 am
KEO
I just heard now of the passing away of John Daniels`(Lions) mother. Everyone please take notice and keep him and his family in your prayers. Can we have a notice or a site where people can give their condolences on keo.co.za
KEO ASSIST PLEASE
30 Mar 2006, 08:26 am
Bliksem – Do you still run? I can’t wait to see the vibe. I hear it great
30 Mar 2006, 08:26 am
staal ek hardloop mos een jaar pta news classic.lekker pappie spring daar weg met n spoed.sub 4 min splits.toe slaan ek daai lekker lang opdraande,nie baie steil nie maar lank.was ****** lucky om weg tekom met n 1:45 daai dag.Soutpansbergweg ook,hy is n fokop.
30 Mar 2006, 08:26 am
The Brits switch will never work, I remember a few years they wanted to make Dale Sandton a full back but he just lacked that extra bit of pace that a fullback needs. Also he could never master the up ‘n under
30 Mar 2006, 08:28 am
Keo
you fail to say that Mallet’s obsession with Skinstad was the start of his fall. He ( Mallet )went crazy he broke up a winning combination Venter, Erasmus and Teichman
30 Mar 2006, 08:28 am
Ja I do.I am actually planning to do a race in NZ and Aus if there are any over there in Dec.Just for know gonna concentrate on 10kms and to start running sub forties.
30 Mar 2006, 08:29 am
Yes, Moegrat. I remember that. The Boland coach was impressed with Sandton’s positional play and vision as well as the way he joined the line at pace. His kicking out of hand needed work though.
30 Mar 2006, 08:31 am
If the Stormers don’t have the balls, Brits could simply play centre for the Spears once his team gets relegated…
30 Mar 2006, 08:31 am
bigg a last peace of advice.I reckon if i am running in the cape and standing in a crowded starting field I would make sure that I am surrounded by females.dont want some *** freak molesting you before the race starts.
30 Mar 2006, 08:32 am
Dale Sandton at full back is like moving Brent Russell to prop. It is so obvious that switch would never work.
30 Mar 2006, 08:33 am
Cant believe a hooker of that quality got his Springbok jacket. Life is unfair, poor Botha
30 Mar 2006, 08:33 am
They should try Brits at 8 … quick off the mark with power and a good side-step.
Luke Watson probably played some of his best rugby at 8 for the Sharks. Brits could play a very similar game.
While we are on the stormers … what’s with the male cheerleaders – is that for the crowd or the players?
30 Mar 2006, 08:36 am
That’s the Stormers bench Kevin
30 Mar 2006, 08:36 am
Bliksem – I will look for a couple of chicks to stand with yes… CPT fagots try touch me I will do a Chuck Norris round house kick…
30 Mar 2006, 08:38 am
Bliksem is so ugly not even a street kid would touch him for a thousand bucks.
30 Mar 2006, 08:39 am
bliksem,
het aandag saam met ‘n vriend van my 2 Oceans gehardloop (novice). Ek het hom vertel hoe ongemaklik dit is om ‘n nommer 2 te neem as jou bene so styf en seer is en die tyd loooooop – en daars nie altyd ‘n toilet naby nie – toe besluit hy om 5 immodiums te drink die aand voor die tyd!!!
4 dae daarna het die man eers ‘n draai geloop!!! ons lag vandag nog daaroor.
bigg,
take bliksems advice to heart, relaaaaaax and enjoy and most important – don’t the “macho man approach” ie: try to win the ladies – most of them are very good and fast – just watch them as they glide past.
And if its hot – drink drink drink drink. Err on the causion side.
(Hel ek hoop my spelling is reg op die post)
30 Mar 2006, 08:41 am
bliksem (45)
skitterend
30 Mar 2006, 08:42 am
Oom Ian Kirkpatrick when he coached maties a few years ago wanted to move Schalla to centre… Schalla refused saying the old man was loosing the plot… Still to this day every time oom kirky speaks to schalk, the first thing he mentions is, when you changing positions Schalla…
That old man knows his Rugby…
30 Mar 2006, 08:43 am
i do not think brits must move,stormers scrum doing very good! he MUST work on his line outs! a.bekker getting chopped DISGRACE!! i want to see what g.brits can do in the tight! bekker was the hardworker and ross the attacker they compliment each other extremly well!
30 Mar 2006, 08:45 am
Bliksem is so ugly when he comes to Cape Town the **** leave town.
30 Mar 2006, 08:47 am
Bliksem is so ugly, when he comes to Cape Town the South Easter does an about turn and leaves town in a North Wester.
30 Mar 2006, 08:48 am
Bigg,
DOnt know if you’ve driven the route or not, if you havent here is a few details that might come in handy.
The first 10km are a breeze and a really nice run. Just after 10km you start to climb, look after yourself between 11km and 15km, from there on it really is a lovely run.
Only hassle I had during the last 6km is that the road is forever at an angle so my knees took a little strain, but not too bad.
Hope you have a fabulous run, its the 16th is it?
Drop me a mail on paul@blue-inc.co.za and I’ll have a look at the results.
30 Mar 2006, 08:49 am
kevin w,
ek sukkel self deesdae om te onderskei tussen die spelers en die cheerleaders….
30 Mar 2006, 08:50 am
Talking about Schalk, i’ve never seen him run over anyone and the guy is bloody huge!!! Why is that?? Body position or is it just that he doesnt have the strength??
30 Mar 2006, 08:50 am
REdcard – Thanks for the advice – I have run allot of the route especially southern cross drive. Race is on 15 April and I can’t wait… I will drop you a mail shortly, thanks
30 Mar 2006, 08:51 am
Bliksem is so ugly, when he comes to Cape Town Table mountain covers itself in its famous table cloth
30 Mar 2006, 08:52 am
Bigg another thing to add to Staal’s post.
Running between 1:45 and 1:55 the ladies are really ‘fit’. The faster you run the smaller the boobs and the slower you run the bigger their asses.
30 Mar 2006, 08:52 am
Moergat,
watter Schalk?
30 Mar 2006, 08:52 am
PLEASE…this is a rugby site!
30 Mar 2006, 08:53 am
Schalk Burger Stan
30 Mar 2006, 08:54 am
boe-hoe-hoe-ja!
30 Mar 2006, 08:54 am
Bliksem, noem vir my ‘n beter haker (en kapt) as JS in ons land asb. GB is onfiks en uiters voorspelbaar in sy losspel. HS is ook goed, maar nie eers 1e keuse by stormpies nie en SB lack van die basics. Dit is regtig die enigste kandidate. SB is op aanval briljant, JS weer op verdediging. GB en HS, geen spesiale eienskappe buiten vir konstante spel… Dink voor jy praat.
30 Mar 2006, 09:00 am
Boeja gaan pis iewers anders. Generally is almal hier al vriende en chat, meestal rugby, maar nie limited daarby nie.
30 Mar 2006, 09:03 am
Brits is brilliant from broken play, in the context of forward play.
Play him in the structures of a backline and he will not even be noticed.
He needs More gym and more throwing practice, he has the time as a full time pro.
30 Mar 2006, 09:05 am
Redcard – LOL
30 Mar 2006, 09:05 am
Rednik,
I dont recall him throwing that kak in the CC last year? Perhaps the just dont train that well in CT?
30 Mar 2006, 09:06 am
sampioenman….
ek is nuut op hierdie site!!
ek het geregistreer om oor rugby te gesels!!
ek wil glad nie kwaai vriende maak nie! maar op die stormers se website klink dit soos n dating website! wil net nie he dit moet hier ook gebeur nie!
30 Mar 2006, 09:07 am
Dawn please invite Boeja on a date.
30 Mar 2006, 09:11 am
boeja,
moetie stressie – jy’s baie welkom.
Ons raak maar verveeld met artikels soos hierdie.
30 Mar 2006, 09:12 am
Boeja, en daars BAIE sulke artikels van die spindoctors af…
30 Mar 2006, 09:13 am
Ahh. In that case, verskoon. Welkom. Jy ken seker ook die uitdrukking: Fit in or f… Maar ek verstaan wat jy sê oor die stormers. Ek het darem nie daai probleem by die sharks s’n nie. Net daar praat min mense die TAAL.
30 Mar 2006, 09:14 am
dankie staal!! lees vandag in die burger artikel oor stormers,lyk of o hairless one nou vir al die ouens die skuld begin gee! hy word aangehaal waar hy sê bekker is nie net daar vir lynstane,as ek reg onthou kry hy meer van die opposisie se balle as sy eie balle want dit kom nooit tot by hom nie!? ek dink s.brits is n great speler maar die basiese dinge kort so bietjie skaafwerk!!
30 Mar 2006, 09:20 am
boeja,
ek dink hy maak ‘n groot fout met Bekker. daai ou het rugby geskiedenis agter hom en hy kan ‘n “groot” speler word – wat my verstom is dat KvdM dit nie raaksien nie 0f nie wil raaksien nie.
Dropping Bekker is like shooting the messenger !!!! Die boodskap is eintlik dat Brits nie sy basics reg doen nie soos jy se.
sampioenman,
ek het al ‘n paar toetse gaat kyk daar by die Tjarks, baie geniet—onthou jy daai comeback van die bokke teen die Ab so ‘n paar jaar terug. Man dit was great.
30 Mar 2006, 09:23 am
“Brits wasted in front row”
Keo do you have any evidence to back up this claim? Breathalyzer or blood tests? Did the props complain about his breath? You cant just go around accusing people of drunkeness!
30 Mar 2006, 09:23 am
Yup die een waar ons drie driee in die tweede helfte gescore het? Ek dink ons was iets soos 18 – 0 agter en het toe gewen… As ons van dieselfde een praat! Rugby daar is bietjie anders, die skare is absoluut psycho oor rugby!
30 Mar 2006, 09:24 am
Hehe, funny man Ding!
30 Mar 2006, 09:29 am
Best comeback in a S12 match was the Stormer against the Waratahs (i think) where Neil de Kock moved to the wing. Remembered i snuck away from work that day and got so hammered didnt even go back
30 Mar 2006, 09:33 am
i remember that game Moegrat, didnt the Stormers have a player sin binned and that why Neil De Kock was moved to the wing, and they scored a try that started from their own 22.
30 Mar 2006, 09:35 am
staal jy sharks fan? ek dink nogal hul het baie monde toe gespeel laaste paar games!
het j gesien hoe sleg was cheetah afskoppe teen stormers?kobus moes nie v bekker gedrop het!dink naas gaan great wees!maar ek het gedink MJ en JdV moes op senter gebly het!cape argus het met jake gepraat waar hy ook se s.brits nie opsie vir bok hy kan nie eens sy springers vind!voel jammer vir hom maar as hy dit reg kry gaan hy fantasties wees! vertel my nou eers wie gaan die 2oceans hardloop??
30 Mar 2006, 09:48 am
Spot on KEO – EXACTLY my sentiments for the past months. Imagine this lad at centre and Habana outside him, such pace unleashed in the centre, they would create havoc & fear. Then outside these lads you have NOKWE[ REVITALISED] & chavangha – wow
30 Mar 2006, 09:48 am
boeja,
sorry man, my bloed is blou – soos in ligblou. Mis vir baie jare nie ‘n toets nie en geniet dit baie in Durban want ons maak dit gewoonlik sommer ‘n golf en scuba-naweek.
Tjarks is baie goed hierdie jaar – dink hulle gaat nog bo die bulls eindig. Niemaand wil iets daaroor se nie maar ek wonder wat is Straueli se invloed?? Of is dit net DM wat die verskil maak?
30 Mar 2006, 09:51 am
Streali is die ou wat seker maak die regte spelers eindig in Natal op…
30 Mar 2006, 09:52 am
ktb, hou kak praat. Chavanga en Nokwe is gratis driee vir spanne soos die AB’s, Eng. en Oz.
30 Mar 2006, 10:18 am
I must disagree. You have in Schalk Brits, potentially the most explosive tight 5 player in world rugby. Why not work on his deficiencies, and turn him into the best damn hooker the world has ever seen?
You then just need to get the 2 props and locks to work a little harder in the tight-loose to give him the freedom to own the loose – and play as a 3rd centre/4th loosie. Plus a loose forward like AJ would help balance out the pack, as he could chip in with some of the T5 duties.
As for the will he be selected question? Well Jake has proven himself to be very conservative in bench selections, but I would be awefully tempted to play both Brits and Russel off my bench. I cant think of 2 players I’d rather have on the bench to help turn a match in the last quarter.
Fact is John Smit owns the no 2 jersey – but why not have Brits on the bench? If Smit was injured, I’d still go with Botha or Shimmie – probably Botha given his provincial ties to the bok locks, but neither offer a dynamic alternative.
30 Mar 2006, 10:26 am
Spook
Yes i think you were right, cant remember who they sin binned but I found respect for de Kock that day, pity that he’s dropped the ball since
30 Mar 2006, 10:32 am
There is no denying he has fantastic skill and handling, but to start pegging him as a centre is wayyyyy premature. Just because a guy can sidestep and throw a dummy or offload in the tackle doesn’t mean he’ll make a good centre.
If that was the criteria, then every one of the New Zealand team would make a great centre. It is a worrying indication of the lack of skill in SA that not every one of the players at this level cannot offload in the tackle effectively???
I’d stick Brits at flank (I believe he has played there successfully before?) before I ever considered him a centre. But that’s just my opinion.
30 Mar 2006, 10:34 am
i quickly scanned through the comments and keo’s question or statement is probably not that far off.
danie gerber reckons brits is the most balanced runner in SA rugby today.
he reckons our players are getting it wrong with their balance and highlights the way tennis and squash players move as examples of how rugby players should run – step of either foot without loosing any pace.
he has a point.
on the other hand, brits never played center, he has played as a loosie in school if i remember the article correctly and he is also on record saying he loves playing hooker because he is so involved in the game (line outs, scrums, tight loose, broken play, etc). he has no ambition to change that which is also fair enough i suppose.
great talent but i agree with one or two guys here, he needs to work hard on the basics of hooker play.
30 Mar 2006, 10:38 am
Sampioen
You hit the nail on the head, I have been wondering the same.
Perhaps a combination of both DM and Potato Head.
DM was said to be a good coach at Tuks.
30 Mar 2006, 10:43 am
Staal,
Waaroor is jy jammer?
Jy is nooit jammer as jy blou is nie. Jy is geseend en bevoorreg…
30 Mar 2006, 10:45 am
en gellukig om teen die force te wen stan
30 Mar 2006, 10:47 am
Yep Dingman, I don’t know why Keo is having a go at Brits for being wasted in the front row. He may have had a few, but he could still function okay. I mean, look at Koelkas van Biljon. That guy is seriously off his tits in the front row all the time. Can’t see straight, let alone throw straight.
30 Mar 2006, 10:56 am
nah, this is too revolutionary, there’s thinking out of the box and then there’s being a nutter.
I’m a great fan of Brits, but inside centre?
I’m not sure i agree with all those that say he’s such a bad hooker, just cause he’s smaller than most does not mean he is not powerful and effective in the tight-loose. Blokes like Serge Betsen, Hill and Njanga aren’t huge guys, but tremendously powerful.
30 Mar 2006, 10:59 am
Screw centre make him the coach.
30 Mar 2006, 11:02 am
Red card, you make a valid point. This is obviously part of festers confusion strategy. confuse your opponents by unsportingly withholding and falsifying team lists and making sure your own locks dont know the lineout calls. this will create an environment of utter chaos which will enable the game to become a lottery that could only be decided by a dodgy referee decision.
If only Greef could play and add to the Chaos.
THE PRAWVINS BOYS KNOW THAT THEY ARE EVEN KAKKER THAN LUDICROUS’S RABBLE!
30 Mar 2006, 11:08 am
I still struggle each week to see what is so great about G\gary Botha. I try ,I want to see it….he doesnt look bad,but whats the fuss about ,he seems adequate and obviously a decent player but I fail to find what the bloubulle faithful see in him that is so ‘uitstekend’.
Agree w Munki,work on his deficencies(sp?) and work on JW’s attitude twds picking him. Im sorry butr Brits ahead of Shimmie anyday. Sorry Splinters,but we would see a lot more of Brits in the last 20 and you only in the last 2 mins if at all.
Yes I think Bobo played flanker at Rondebosch High before becoming a center.
30 Mar 2006, 11:17 am
Ddrek , true about BoBo , fact is his an ordanary centre.
If you fail to see Botha’s impact read the stats.
30 Mar 2006, 11:23 am
Ja,very ordinary centre. Runs after guys but cant quite catch them.
Where will i find the stats on Gary Botha.
I will accept that he looks like he’s trying but doesn’t have the x-factor,like a Brits etc. Even a John Smit ,the way he charges.GB is probably a very ‘useful’ player. i expect more from someone who is harped on about so much. However i will read the stats and hope im misssing something….as we need all good players to be brilliant ones. BOKKE
30 Mar 2006, 11:30 am
ddrek, Botha is solid, and has been a regular bulls player for a few seasons. His strongest asset is his familiarity with Bakkies and Vic (IMO). All you need to do is be a regular starter for the bulls, and bulls fans will pump your bok credentials. At the moment Smit is undoubtedly the best hooker in the country, and must be one of the top hookers in world rugby.
Hell, even their non-starter Bands is discussed in gushing terms, yet he’s delivered nothing but the odd cameo for 3 years.
I long stopped listening to bulls fans talk about their own players – but the same can be said for most provincial supporters. Instead I tend to take notice when someone starts gushing about a player from a team other than the one they support.
30 Mar 2006, 11:37 am
I’d like some stats from his bleep tests, sprint times etc.
Even at the Lions, he was the best attacking option we had. Lots of tries scored from his breaks.
30 Mar 2006, 11:44 am
munki
“I long stopped listening to bulls fans talk about their own players – but the same can be said for most provincial supporters.”
Get a pair of balls and stand by your conviction, can not always cover both bases.
30 Mar 2006, 11:52 am
Thanks Munki
Well i appreciate your comments. I just am bored of all the GB talk as ive never really seen it….i keep thinking I must have really missed a season of his where whe went ballistic.I realise it never happened . I watch him with focus and I dont see a bad player at all.But heck, whats the fuss. You hit it ,thanks.
30 Mar 2006, 12:08 pm
stats are readily available on fantasy league gents – it makes for interesting reading.
30 Mar 2006, 12:19 pm
Munkiboy,
#104
“even their non-starter Bands”
Maybe we should talk about other non-starters like Joe, Guthro, Juan, Enrico etc
Quality players, but they seem to be injured the biggest part of the season for most seasons.
Take Guthro, how many games has he played for the Bulls ?
Big Joe is coming back now after how long a layoff ? How many games has he played/missed for the Stromers/WP since he moved there ?
Now it’s Juan’s turn again.
How can Jake build a consistant team with players that’s always injured ?
Maybe he should overlook their brilliance and stick to players that will play most matches and build an experienced team that way ?
30 Mar 2006, 12:42 pm
Maar naai sal daar genaai word…
Men’s club with a difference
30/03/2006 10:22 – (SA)
Tokyo – A group of 40-year-old men in Tokyo have added a different stitch to the stereotype of Japanese men: a needle and a thread.
Members of a men’s only sewing club in Tokyo meet once a month to recover from the stress and fatigue of their jobs as marketing professionals, computer system engineers and film directors/producers.
As the club’s seven members do not consider themselves experts in sewing, their stitches are not aligned, fine seams are nowhere to be seen, but their works are creative.
“We decided that we don’t have to be perfect,” said 42-year-old sewing club leader, Shoichi Ishizawa, a fashion designer. “We can make a moving salamander toy, but we can’t even sew buttons.”
Their latest project was to make creative covers for “The Protector”, emergency buzzers children carry for safety. The male sewers made key-chain holders for the beepers shaped as primitive bears, spiders and other animals.
Start with a beer
Ever since Ishizawa invited his drinking buddies over for a sewing session in December 2003, their club activities have expanded to holding exhibitions and their membership has opened to children, called the “Minis” and to women, the “Flowers.”
Visitors to their exhibitions are keen on buying the frog-shaped purses, children cling tight to sheep-like toys with a long nose and a cloud of puffs, while others ask where they too can learn to sew.
The key to their success, Ishizawa says, is not to try and learn th A to Z of sewing, but just to follow where your needle takes you.
That said, the leader begins every session by first opening a can of beer as he proposes the day’s projects. Then the members choose a needle from Ishizawa’s set of more than 30, as if they were picking a favourite truffle out of a box of chocolates.
After threading the eye with a colourful thread, they choose a piece of scrap fabric to shape into something creative and maybe even useful.
“It’s just like mothers thinking up a dinner menu out of what’s in a refrigerator,” Ishizawa says. “We don’t measure every kind of seasoning. It’s like we taste too much salt in our dish, so we add curry powder to musk the taste. That’s what sewing means to us.”
“I have nothing else besides work that I do with full concentration,” Masayosu Yoshida, a 40-year-old computer-system-engineer, says. “But when I’m running a sewing machine, my hands know no stopping.”
The sewing circle members are pleased that they have overcome the prejudice and stereotypical image of sewing as a “girly thing to do,” Ishizawa says, adding they enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that comes from completing a project.
And now they have a new resolution to make something for someone special. – Sapa-dpa
30 Mar 2006, 12:47 pm
Just because Brits has good hands and vision, doesn’t mean he should be sent to the backline, as if his skills are out of place among forwards.
Why not leave him in the forwards, and take the view that all forwards should strive to gain the same skills Brits has, and thereby raise the standards of ball handling, passing, etc among the forwards?
30 Mar 2006, 12:52 pm
Keo
Have you been reading my notes!!??
Haha, this is so close to my thoughts about Brits, it is scary.
I remember last year when everyone raved about yet another good Brits performance and how he must become Springbok hooker, I usually replied saying “Yes, what a brilliant performance for a centre”
I also suggested that at the very least he must play flank because he won’t make it as a Bok hooker.
B16, many of his tries and brilliance has come from being in the midfield, that position fits him perfectly.
30 Mar 2006, 12:55 pm
B16
Agreed.
At least we have good handling in Os, Vic, Bakkies and Schalk.
Dont recall about the rest.
30 Mar 2006, 13:00 pm
Jak, agreed – good loosies and hookers should be able to combine well with the backs, and be able to play with similar skill – I think he’s just doing what any good hooker shoudl do, which is to combine well with the backs, esp in 2nd / 3rd phase play – I don’t think though that it justifies moving him to the backs – that’s a bit drastic.
Also, he’s quick and powerful over say 5 metres (close to the try line) but I reckon most other backs would catch him in a 50 metre sprint.
Lots of forwards have played well among the backs, esp in phase play (Skinstad, Matfield, Brits, etc) but I don’t think he’s a first phase backline player.
30 Mar 2006, 13:09 pm
B16
A 12 does not have to have searing speed, he need to be fast over the short distances, creating gaps and distributing very well.
This is exactly what Brits has done against my team the Bulls.
He sidestepped like no hooker could opening up gaps and he really gave the Bulls a headache.
On the other hand he is not as good at scrimmaging or the general expected forward play. Thus based on the primary skills expected from a hooker, he will not compete as well.
This was my argument with “Brits for Springbokhooker” fans last year: “But he is not a good hooker”
Only other option is to move him to 6 where he can contest for the ball and still be able to link up with the backs.
Point is, he is a brilliant footballer and I would love to see him play where he is best suited.
30 Mar 2006, 13:14 pm
I reckon the Brits should rather play openside flank ahead of centre, he would be explosive as an opensider … he would definitely give Smith & McCaw at getting to the breakdown first
As for centre, it would be an interesting move and definitely thinking outside the box but will the coaches do this, especially with their jobs at stake? Probably not if he is a SA bread coach … now the Aussies would definitely try it.
30 Mar 2006, 13:41 pm
If in NZ, S Brits would have been an all black by now, and most proberbly the incumbent NO 2.
30 Mar 2006, 14:19 pm
Keo
did you consider that it is impossible for a backline coach the antisipate where one of the tight forwards will be in his aplication of his defensive pattern ?
making it possible for a very mobile tight forward to leave his intended marker behind fromm phase to phase and unsettle the backs man on / man out pattern.
if brits was in the line he would be factored into this equation and would be unlikely to see the same results.
Flank maby but …
Big But ….
30 Mar 2006, 14:58 pm
I checked the stats: 181cm and 98kg.
About the same size as a big centre or a small flank? About the same as Gerge Smith..
The thing is that an inside centre must be able to work as a flanker to secure ball in the ruck as well, which is where I think his upper body strength would come in useful. HOWEVER: This si subjct to him haing the pace. He may have looked good in the past beating props on the outside, but can he cut the pace of the midfield, or when opposing hookers cut the line in his channel? He must have at least the pace of a typical inside centre, or else he will be a defensive liability at inside centre. Dunno about his distribution either…
I reckon he could be a very valuable asset at openside flank tho’…
30 Mar 2006, 15:24 pm
how did he get wasted? was it only for one game or does he do it all the time?? isnt there some rule against it
did he run on drunk or did he get it from his waterbottle or what?
sounds very strange
30 Mar 2006, 16:36 pm
Interesting article – wherever you play Brits, hooker or not, he’s a great player. Maybe if he went to OZ like Rathbone,we’de see all the skills & possibilities our coaches & supporters miss.
KEO may be wrong about using him at centre, perhaps the question is ‘if we can keep playing Schalk Burger out of position, why not Brits’
Like Brent Russel, he’s not perfect but are the brains trust making the best use of either players talents.
30 Mar 2006, 17:07 pm
Schalk Brits took a whole bottle of Rohypnol and it only made him blink………….. once!!
30 Mar 2006, 17:16 pm
Keo,
Trying to pave the road for Shimanga? I wonder
Uli Schmidt was smaller and lighter when he broke into the NTvl lineup in 1985, he faced the likes of Shawn Povey, Wessels Lightfoot and Chris Rogers who were all having a 30kg weight advantage on him, and so?
Britz is more than adequate hooker, his throws in can be easily rectified and with the ever changing Sormers locks’ combo it’s difficult to get consistancy, has it occured to you mate?
30 Mar 2006, 17:40 pm
i think keo is right about brits,
he se has displayed skills that are wasted in the middle of the scrum
only once it has been tried (a number of times) will anyone ever know for sure,
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.