Noakes: Burnout will sink Boks
23 May 2006
Professor Tim Noakes says the top Springboks must be rested for two months or Jake White’s team will pay the price at the 2007 World Cup.
Noakes told Die Burger that he is not surprised about the Boks growing injury list.
“Some of our top players have been playing rugby continuously for nearly three years,” he explained to Herbert Pretorius. “No player’s body can take so much punishment week in and week out.
“It’s no surprise that Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana were injured in the Super 14 semi-final. They are two of the players who have been totally over-utilised the past three seasons.
“It is inevitable that they would be injured at some time or other. These were not freak injuries. Your brain tells you to continue, but your body will rebel at some stage.
“My advice is that key players like Matfield and Burger must forget about rugby for two months. They must not go near a rugby field, because it’s just as important that they get a mental break.”
Using the Sharks performance this season as an example, Noakes said: “After last year’s Currie Cup the players were given a month’s holiday [for the first time ever to his knowledge]. It’s no coincidence that these players were so sharp this year.”
Noakes said South Africa’s rugby bosses cannot hold White responsible for defeats if he does not have rested players to pick from.
“SA Rugby must take the blame for the consequences of their decision if they deny Jake’s request. If this will happen is another story, because usually the coach must face the firing squad.”
77 Comments
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23 May 2006, 09:28 am
Morning all.
23 May 2006, 09:30 am
Jake has been warning us about this. and now it happens, typical.
Make place for new talent, rest the top players and so add depth to our best.
23 May 2006, 09:31 am
True they can’t blame Jake if he looses a few games because of these injuries.
23 May 2006, 09:39 am
During a woldcup year i would say leave out the S14. Play the CC early in the year. Than at least our players get gametime and only use your top players sparingly. I will say two months is enough for a good rest , but no rugby what so ever for these players. Let these players play CC next year but only 40 minutes per game, just to say focus and sharp. Do we realy need the S14 during a worldcup year ? we don’t wanne kill the CC because this is our rugby and we love to see our top teams play against each other
23 May 2006, 09:40 am
Why do they organise extra tests then? A-a?
23 May 2006, 09:41 am
have a look at the teams JAKE WHITE has picked the last two years. nearly the same team from the first test match of the year to the end of year tour, and now jw is the one complaining about player burnout.
23 May 2006, 09:41 am
Exactly – Jake should be given free reign now to blood new depth with the world cup in mind. Who knows, the new guys could, and probably will outperform the injured players. As long as we, as Bok fans remember this if results don’t go our way. The last thing we need now is for Jake to be sacked before the WC.
23 May 2006, 09:43 am
Keo,
How do you reconcile Tim’s comments with your own?
23 May 2006, 09:47 am
Man you guys at the office must be arguing lekker.
RWC not the be all and end all……
Players must get rested so we can make it to and thru RWC….
and on it goes. I think I agree with this article more and actually come RWC….im sure Keo and co will be cvery excited and not give a **** about any curry cup or other compo.
The RWC is pretty danged important….we were denied it for some time…its a big thing and resting players gives us depth by exposing others.
I think to have your very best squad of 22 on the park and ready to go is all you can hope for and expect. You cant expect to win,but give the countries hopes the evry best chance. It doesnt mean players dont get to play betw now and then but not so dannged much. they need to be match fit anyway,so there perhaps should be some panel of advisers who are well listened to,and Noakes should be on that panel,pertaining to which player and when.
I would also enjoy a bit of a rest from S14 and Tnations in world cup year cos by RWC i would be so danmned hungry for rugby.Just a few random intenationals pre world cup would be a great warm up.
23 May 2006, 09:47 am
That’s all the more reason that the squad that was called up, should be even bigger. Jake can’t say that he will not need players like the Ndungane twins, Skeate, Watson, Ackerman, Cook, Brits, Visagie (or Pat Barnard before he gets called up by England)etc. An experieced Springbok running on empty will be no different to any of these players who are very near to Bok selection anyway (some have already been capped).
23 May 2006, 09:47 am
asha1,
We all have been screaming for consistency in selection when jake White was appointed coach. So yes – he has picked pretty much the same team. Just like Woodward did in the years before the 2003 world cup.
23 May 2006, 09:49 am
Andre WP …like your ideas
23 May 2006, 09:51 am
Why don’t the provinces do the testing that Jake does?
Players (and coaches) have short-term vision. They KNOW they have injuries, yet they play, e.g., Conrad Jantjes plays with an injured Achilles tendon, even though he (and his coach) knows that he can never reach full pace with such an injury.
An English football player, Malcom MacDonald, became a pain-pill addict because he was expected to play with injured knees, which became chronically arthritic after he retired from the game. I think he died quite young.
Players are not willing to forego match fees, so they play as much as possible. Instead of complaining, Jake should just not pick them. If Marius Joubert or Bryan Habana CHOOSE to play every game for months on end, while knowing its long-term effects, they should suffer the consequences and not be picked for the Springbok team. Both our rugby and football professionals have a culture of not taking responsibility (“ownership”) for their own development and fitness management. If they don’t want to grow up, they should stay children and not play with the big men at the World Cup.
23 May 2006, 09:59 am
The World Cup is totally overrated. It is well known that the Tri-Nations is really a much tougher competition than the World Cup, with its pool games against powerhouses like Uruguay, Namibia and Japan.
The majority of your pool games can be played with your B team.
The eventual winner of the World Cup has maybe 3 tough games at most.
The final, the semi-final, and if you are unlucky, one tough games if you are in the strong pool (like SA and England have been in the last two tournaments).
In a normal pool, you have the likes of New Zealand along with say Scotland and two other nobodies.
So New Zealand can reach the quarter-finals without even playing their 1st team.
Then, in the Quarters, they play the 2nd team from another pool, say Wales. Another easy game.
So, it all comes down to two tough games, the semi-final and final, and its all about how you play on the day.
Contrast that to the Tri-Nations, where you play four games against the likes of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
The World Cup is a joke, and it is ridiculous that so much emphasis is placed on it.
I don’t usually agree with Keo, but I agree with him on this – until he switches over again and starts arguing the opposite – its only a matter of time I guess.
So, let’s just say that I agree with Keo’s current thought process, however long it may last.
Thus I leave myself free to disagree with him again tomorrow…or later today, for that matter.
23 May 2006, 09:59 am
I’m repostingthis from another article, because I feel strongly about it after th Bulls defeat:
A pack needs to know how to stabilise and stop a scrum when the other team gets in a better hit. Perhaps they should train for this too? This is is frequently the case, since our forwards do a few things wrong:
1) They wait in “crouch and hold” position for ages for the other team to get ready and go down – thereby tiring themselves out. Just watch – ALL the foreign teams delay as long as possible against SA teams. They even frqunty stop and reset – almost a gme to see how long they can make them wait – all the while fatigueing them.
2) Our forwards don’t all push in the same direction, like they are supposed to. Each of their backs are not aligned parallel to the ground, and (almost) parallel to each other, to push FORWARD (and not sideways like Eddie).
3) Their upper bodies are not close to the ground, so that they dont get pushed upwards by the smaller props of other teams (who have more leverage pushing upwards with their leg muscles while we are relying on weight). In fact, our weight gives them more traction when we push downwards on them.
4) The tight five (at least) must aim in the same direction to get the combination of all their forces. If you want a left swing, everybody must push to the left of the eighth man (not too far to the left, or else you lose the forward component of the forward push), and vice versa. But every body must KNOW what side they want the scrum to swing to – communication!!
5) SA props stand wih their one foot ahead of the other when going in for a hit. This is not as effective as standing with both feet alongside and using your leg muscles as propulsion to get good momentum (i.e. build up as much speed as possible) before hitting.
Our pack consistently outweighs most other teams, but we never seem to gain forward ascendancy -even in the scrums- and this is because the forwards dont understand the physics of the scrum.
Another tactic never used by our coaches, despite having monstrous forwards, is that they dont set up a production line of big fast men, who retreat five meters, build up speed, and receive a pop pass as the go past the base of the ruck, to use their momentum to make 2-3 meters (pumping the legs to make as much as possible) every time. The Crusaders made 2-3 meters 17 times in a row and had a try within 4 minutes at the start of the second half.
It is almost impossible to stop a big man travelling at speed (imagine Os at top speed)- but our big men receive the ball flat and at rest from the ruck, and get pushed back before they can build up speed.
Can you just see a Bok “prop production line” (“the Hammer”) hammering down the midfield, sucking in defenders? I would like to…
There can be variations, such as hammering into the gap behind the rucks, or hammering slightly to the side (not too far to the side, else the forward mmentum is lost) to suck in defenders to one side.
Forwards will need to learn to set the move up and how to throw and receive pop passes.
Hell, it can even be our “trademark” set piece move, like the Bajada is for Argentina. It will also demoralise the other team, because they will be helpless to stop it.
KEO, please make sure Jake gets this posting? Our scrummers REALLY need this info…
23 May 2006, 10:17 am
Valid points WWW.
There are allot of valid points the public could make that doesnt seem to be sinking into the Boks minds.
Static receivers, Playing the man, Going to ground too easily, not running for the gaps, passing after contact…
We seem to be lacking in the skills that the game has evolved into.
I do not think we are getting worse, I believe the Kiwi teams are evolving faster than we are.
We still believe in hard physical rugby, which is good sometimes but it cannot be everything you build you team on.
We need to learn the new style of rugby as well, and then have the capacity to think on the field.
23 May 2006, 10:24 am
WWW,
What about the physics of pushing the maul sideways, rather than trying to stop its forward momentum?
The best is when the maul is not contested – as the Bulls did once on Staurday, and as the Reds and Cheetahs also did. The commentator complained that it made the maul a joke, but maybe all teams should do it, so that it does, indeed, become a joke? (I suspect the stronger teams would contest, as they also want to use it)
23 May 2006, 10:25 am
How can Habana be over utilised he has hardly got the freaking ball since he moved to the Bulls!
23 May 2006, 10:26 am
Post 6 and 11: Agreed with Asha – guys like Big Vic, JS and Schalk Burger have played in nearly every single test under JW. And there are a few other such players. Every current test player should have an understudy and currently dont, and for this Jake is as responsible as the s14 coaches for player exhaustion.
A further point – I can understand how Bakkies is exhausted and physically drained as he is continually bashed and bruised in every encounter – but Habana?
I think there have been games this season where he hasnt even taken contact and more often than not in the s14 he will have taken contact only a handful of times during the game. He hardly ever puts in tackles, esp on the cover defense, and harldy ever gets caught with the ball.
So please tell me how he suffers from physical exhaustion? Mental fatigue maybe, but surely not his body that is giving in…
23 May 2006, 10:28 am
was this 3 week camp really necessary
you are dealing with talented footballers who could have had a 2week rest instead of going thru all the motions again
there is so much you can tell some international without having to repeat it again and again
most of these guys have been drilled by the same faces before and its time to use common sense and listen to tim noakes insread of basing into one another and the scrum machine on a daily basis
let common sense prevail
23 May 2006, 10:28 am
My point exactly Redcard.
Habana is one of the laziest and most under-utilised players on the field yet is claiming exhaustion…
I think its almost becoming a fad to claim exhaustion cause the players know they have the backing of Tim Noakes.
Does over-exhaustion explain the appalling form of MJ this year? He was out for more than 6 months and was in terrible form upon his return…
23 May 2006, 10:29 am
No Vinnie, MJ has just been found out. He aint that great after all.
23 May 2006, 10:31 am
in the old days the sprinboks got together 2/3 days before a game and boy did they perform
let the camps be for under 10/11 kids and save our men from unecessary and stupid punishment
these camps are a load of ****
23 May 2006, 10:50 am
I dunno about Noakes hey. I’ve read his book the lore of running and it is very technical and incredibly full of useful information but has absolutely no bearing on rugby whatsoever.
His viewpoint of players playing too much rugby is fair and, while I agree with him, its not exactly rocket science.
Also, no cognisance is really taken for players playing in different positions and of different player needs.
I mean somebody like Habana probably puts less stress on his body than an English premiership football player. And those guys play week in week out – somebody like 40 games a season.
I think this is becoming an easy option for some players, note not all, to take a holiday.
I just think these guys are making their money out of the game
23 May 2006, 10:59 am
Then why are we playing the World 15 — THIS GAME HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MEANING.
23 May 2006, 11:00 am
Its coll ktb!
I perosnally cant wait to see how Luke Watson performs against the bokke!
23 May 2006, 11:04 am
The top boks have been overplayed becuase the perceived depth in our ranks has not been fully utilised.
Dare Jake to
1) Start Van Den Burgh and Ackermann instead of Vic/Bakkies.
2) Start any backup Hooker to Smit
3) Actually start Van Heerden in the absence of Smit.
Why wont he do it ? Becuase he’s probably afraid to take a big risk and the fear of the Boks loosing.
You see, JW is only doing his job (Which is to get an acceptable winning percentage) till the next coach takes over.
23 May 2006, 11:12 am
Good question ? why a worldteam ? Bet alot of injuries after that game.
23 May 2006, 11:13 am
Anvil,
I very strongly agree – why the hell cant we put out a second-string side against Scotland?
We could probably do it without even giving away any more jerseys! Just use a few of the guys who Streuli selected 2 years ago!
23 May 2006, 11:15 am
Andre,
It wouldnt be a problem if we just gave a few new guys a run. Its not an official test so isnt a must-run and so we could experiment till the cows come home.
Unfortunately we probably wont and you can bet your last rand that smit, matfield, bakkies, burger, jean, habana etc will be playing.
23 May 2006, 11:28 am
Well dr Noakes – what the f@ck has Chris Jack been doing because he has had a much more demanding last couple of seasons than any Bok player.
He’s still standing and putting in the performances
23 May 2006, 11:32 am
kevin w,
Maybe they should grab ahold of Jacks conditioning stats,speed over 40m,Max bench presses,Max height jumped etc.
and also check out his holiday schedule while there at it.
23 May 2006, 11:49 am
Dr can you then explain, why Marius Joubert was injured last year, he played **** Rugby this year and is again injured.
Compare him with Luke Watson he played cc and S14 with one top performance after the other.
Big Joke was injured and well rested but he actually got weaker, we could actually see how terrible he was week after week, but at least he was well rested.
23 May 2006, 11:56 am
Again guys, dont forget Noakes has been studying long-distance runners for his entire career and he is basing a lot of his hypothesis on over-training in marathon athletes.
23 May 2006, 12:12 pm
We said it last year to Jake, we the public would understand if he takes a development team to these ridiculess year end tours.
23 May 2006, 12:26 pm
the kiwis did it to great effect last year, thumping the great unwashed teams.
23 May 2006, 12:27 pm
this post is flippin holrug gery. soos n stormer fan.
23 May 2006, 12:31 pm
If the guys are so tired, why are they having this camp now ? Send them to the Bahamas for a few weeks.
23 May 2006, 12:33 pm
Ok, so now we know that the players need 2 months without any rugby but, taking the world cup into consideration, when does that 2 month period begin and end? How much proper hard rugby do the players play before the actual event and how long before do they slacken off?
What will the message be if the Boks dont perform to our expectations and the players still get injured? Are the powers that be going to be acccused of wrapping the players up in cotton wool, that they werent match sharp and match tough?
Time will tell , but you can bet your bottom dollar that there are stressful time ahead for JW.
23 May 2006, 12:37 pm
Good day all why don’t they not play the tri- nations in world cup years , or only every second year that will make the Tri-nations more perstidious and give the plays a rest. But they will not do that because they are greedy. If you and i have to work the wole year round for a saliery and only have +-30 days holiday a year . How can some who earns R100,00 a month plus moan about how mutch rugby he palys. If you want ot earn the big buks you must play or get out and stop wining.
23 May 2006, 12:42 pm
its the usual story, happens every year and every year we play all the top players all the time.
Tell me something different.
23 May 2006, 12:47 pm
Wish I could get two months off from work.
23 May 2006, 12:48 pm
grey bloem lost ahahah
23 May 2006, 12:55 pm
Shorty, your body isn’t getting pounded like a rugby player’s body is at the highest level.
Vinnie, of course he is making comparisons…fitness is involved.
Noakes is absolutely right. It’s about time people listened.
23 May 2006, 12:57 pm
Understood mikey,
But its easy making claims when you know you can never be proven wrong.
And although fitness is involved it is a totally different sort of fitness and rugby players do not pick nearly the same sort of injuries as runners do from over-training.
23 May 2006, 12:58 pm
For example, broken bones are not caused by playing too much rugby, other than the fact that you take more contact and therefroe increase the chances of getting a freak knock which could break a bone or tear a ligament.
23 May 2006, 12:58 pm
Blouste,
Its been posted here no less than four or five times already.
Still funny though.
23 May 2006, 13:06 pm
Chris Jack 2005: Super 12 (Final); British & Irish Lions Tour x 3 tests; Tri-Nations Winner; NPC; Grand Slam Tour of the UK. 2006 – super 14 (final).
Bakkies Botha 2005: Super 12 (semi-final); French tests at home; Tri-Nations Loser; CC; Dismal year end tour of the UK. 2006 – super 14 (semi-final).
If fatigue and too much rugby is true the Jack should be the one in bed with a sore whatever!!! Instead he’s running out to contest the final of the world’s hardest provincial tournament.
Those are the stats that should be looked at!
23 May 2006, 13:06 pm
oh **** … i forgot that hard game against Uruguay for Bakkies
23 May 2006, 13:09 pm
shorty, i dont think they will play for100,00 per month
you actually meant R100000,00 per month
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