Blending brains and brawn
12 May 2009
Heyneke Meyer believes a hybrid of tactical precision and mental strength will determine the victor when the Sharks meet the Bulls at King’s Park on Saturday.
Meyer coached the Bulls to the Super 14 championship in 2007 before narrowly missing selection for the Springboks coaching role in 2008. He then coached Premiership club Leicester Tigers before returning to South Africa to be with ailing family members. He is currently the CEO of Sports Max, a company that looks at the holistic development of elite athletes.
Meyer said he expected the game to be relatively conservative in nature and that it would be characterised by an emphasis on forward play and tactical kicking. He noted the Sharks’ prowess from broken field and stressed that the Bulls must starve their supply in this regard, or risk exposing themselves to dangerous counter-attacks.
‘I watched the Bulls play the Cheetahs [last Saturday] and knew that if they opened it up the Cheetahs would feed off their mistakes. That’s exactly what happened. They can’t afford to make the same errors against a very good side like the Sharks,’ Meyer told keo.co.za.
‘What they’ve done so far has made them successful. I’ve heard criticism of their percentage approach but they’re top of the log with a chance of hosting a semi-final. They must have been doing something right.
‘The Sharks are an accomplished unit who are very difficult to beat in Durban. In the 2007 final they pinned us in our half through the boots of Percy Montgomery, Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn. The Bulls can’t allow them to dictate the field position like that because once they get on a roll they’re very hard to stop.’
Meyer said the return from suspension of Rory Kockott would add a skilled tactical kicker to their arsenal and added that the Bulls’ capacity to match them in this facet of play would hinge heavily on the availability of Fourie du Preez. The incumbent Springbok No 9 injured his calf muscle a fortnight ago and is uncertain of being fit for the match.
‘Not taking anything away from Heini Adams and Francois Hougaard, who are good scrumhalves in their own right, it’ll be a massive boast if Fourie was available, especially considering the [tactical] pattern the game is likely to follow,’ Meyer said.
‘He is the best tactical kicking scrumhalf in world rugby, and if you review the Bulls’ season you’ll note that many of their tries have come from box kicks Fourie has put up. He can put the ball on a dime and weights it so perfectly that he gives his wingers enough time to contest the ball. This puts a massive amount of pressure on the opposition. He’ll be a key player if he is fit.’
Meyer did, however, explain that given how closely the teams are matched, technical and tactical superiority would not be the sole determinant of the winners. He said the ability to manage the pressure of the occasion and focus on the task at hand without being influenced by outside distractions – like qualification permutations – will be central to the success of either side.
In recent years the Bulls have often scrapped for a semi-final spot in the final stages of the tournament, the most notable of which came against the Reds in 2007, when they achieved the goal of having to beat the Queenslanders by a 72-point margin.
‘I won’t say it gives the Bulls an edge to have been in high pressure situations over the last couple of seasons, but they will know how to prepare and also have the benefit of knowing that they have beaten the Sharks at King’s Park in a high pressure match [the final in 2007],’ Meyer said.
‘But ultimately what happened before is fairly inconsequential. The Sharks will be determined to beat their great rivals irrespective of whether they are knocked out of the tournament by kick-off or not. You have to remember there is plenty of pride at stake, but more than that, the players will be wanting to make an impression on the Springbok selectors. That’s a huge motivating factor in itself.’
Meyer continued, saying it was imperative that the coaches of both sides have a clear idea of how they want to play and that they communicate that effectively to the players.
‘You have to control the controllables,’ he said. ‘Neither team can afford to wait until Saturday afternoon to decide how they should approach the match because of whatever scenarios the preceding games would have throw up.
‘They coaches should have a clear idea of how they want to play and that should have been drilled into the players from the Monday morning practice already. Players need clear messages so that they can prepare adequately. It’s crucial that both coaches detail exactly how they intend to play from the outset.
‘The Bulls must set themselves to win first and foremost, then focus on getting the bonus point,’ he added.
‘The Sharks will know what’s required by the time the match begins and they’ll probably need five points to book a place in the semis if other results go their way.
‘It’s set up to be one of the best South African derbies in years.’
By Ryan Vrede
791 Comments
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12 May 2009, 09:29 am
#55 Roy: Thank you. Roy. Please observe the current comments also made. I believe Predawn refered to me as a c–t. You may want to clean his mouth too.
12 May 2009, 09:29 am
Howzit is there a keo pool for the Lions tour?
12 May 2009, 09:29 am
Dooh…I see they’re there.
12 May 2009, 09:29 am
If the Crusaders make the top 4 they may just go on and win it…
12 May 2009, 09:30 am
#61 Predawn: 2nd
12 May 2009, 09:30 am
#55 Roy: As far as I can see, there is only one problem to fix.
12 May 2009, 09:31 am
#60 Spooner: You approve of women being abused?
I should have known that about you Spooner. No surprises. You know just because I’m strong and feisty, does not make it right.
But you have already shown that you approve of that kind of abuse so I’m talking to a wall. They are you friends after all.
12 May 2009, 09:31 am
#63 lilith:
I will repeat it over a loudspeaker too if you want. Cnut.
12 May 2009, 09:31 am
#63 Corndog: code ourslags Night Owls Lions Tour
12 May 2009, 09:31 am
#60 Spooner:
Can’t they ban an IP address?
12 May 2009, 09:31 am
#67 Spooner: See. Proof.
12 May 2009, 09:32 am
#65 Spooner: thats what im worried about, but hopefully we can take them in teh semi at loftus.. we did it 2007..
12 May 2009, 09:32 am
#71 Tacitus: no we can’t
12 May 2009, 09:32 am
#63 Corndog:
yes there is
cant remember the password unfortunately
you’ll have to ask superbul for it (not sure whether he’s online at the moment, though!!)
12 May 2009, 09:32 am
#69 Predawn: ROY SEE AGAIN. PLEASE TAKE THIS TRASH OUT.
12 May 2009, 09:33 am
#71 Tacitus: perhaps something Roy can confirm. But then you can just download a free proxy sever I believe, which gives you a different IP address.
12 May 2009, 09:33 am
#67 Spooner: i agree..
12 May 2009, 09:34 am
#55 Roy:
glad to hear that, roy!!
12 May 2009, 09:34 am
It’s ironic that the one person who causes all the mess cries the loudest when the tables are turned.
12 May 2009, 09:35 am
#77 Spooner: don’t even need the free proxy – telkom does it for you anyway…..
12 May 2009, 09:35 am
#59 ray-bulls_fan:
I am predicting that the sharks to beat the bulls and sneak into the semis, thereby robbing the Bulls of a home final.
Its Van Riebeek’s law: The best South African team will always have their chances of winning the Super 14 taken away by another South African team. Countless times the Stormers have been in contention for a semi only for a bottomfeeding cats side to take it away from them. This was illustrated by the cheetahs victory over the Sharks this year. Its a typical South African mentality.
I’m just praying this game doesn’t injure any more springboks. I would gladly exchange a S14 win for a whitewash of the British and Irish Lions.
12 May 2009, 09:36 am
Lilith…good morning. I abhor what happened yesterday….those guys should be ashamed of themselves for stooping to those levels….most of them probably have daughters, wives of there own and i would be appalled if my girlfriend, daughter or mother was subjected to that….there is simply no excuses.
Now please understand that you need to be less militant and confrontational in your approach. Your intentions are noble…i too hate and despise racism and bullying in any guise or form. To change people one needs to understand them, it is far easier to change a friends opinion than an enemies opinion.
You know i believe you are a highly intelligent and decent lady, i would be proud to call you my friend. I am concerned at your methods of converting people….you will sway people with your warmth and strength of character…not by climbing into the gutter. Soda Joe says it very well…no need to climb into the ditchwater…
I really am concerned about you…. what happened yesterday is exactly what you should be fighting…you promoted polarisation and reconciliation went out the window.
Ed was really embarressed and apologised unconditionally for what he said….i and a lot of others accept the apology for what was a moment of stupidity….
Forgiveness is a powerful tool. Lilith i really care about you…please find it in your heart to rise above the ditchwater.
Lots of love and respect
Grant10
12 May 2009, 09:37 am
#78 ray-bulls_fan: It’s nice when boys agree, and agree all the time that the abuse of a woman was justified.
So continue and agree, and agree some more.
12 May 2009, 09:38 am
#70 AB Bullsbok: Thanks so it’s the whole thing starting with “ourslags” and ending with “Tour”, whoever thinks this up has a lot of time.
12 May 2009, 09:39 am
for crying out loud, cant she be banned and can you remove these ultra long posts if possible?
12 May 2009, 09:39 am
#83 grant10: that’s all well and good if it was an unprovoked attack. However, Lilith invites it by her very own highly charged and often despicable racial mud slinging. And then she cries like a baby and wonders why…
12 May 2009, 09:39 am
#81 Roy:
as i said
ban anyone who steps over the line for an hour or two
if he come back as someone else and do the same
repeat the procedure
you’ve got the time to do it, you know, its not as if you’re writing an great articles anyway!!
12 May 2009, 09:40 am
#83 grant10: Thank you. I’m waiting to see what Roy does and how this situation is handled.
I accept that my comments were provocative, but I never refered to their private parts, or their bodies, or any sexual abuse or called them aids invested drug addicts.
That Spooner and Ray think that attack was justified is incredible. Says alot about them though.
12 May 2009, 09:40 am
#74 Roy: #77 Spooner:
Interesting. Then it is remarkable that this site has survived so long without major controversy. You can’t run a serious site with such a character disrupting everything.
I wish we had a psychologist available to give us some insight into the warped personality type we are dealing with, but even as a layman I can see that we are talking about some serious psychological deviations here.
What emotional need is being fullfilled by the actions undertaken on a rugby site in such a fashion? You get some real freaks out there.
12 May 2009, 09:40 am
Only one solution:
1 – We approve all new registrations on Keo – all details will have to be provided
2 – No more nic changing to attack others
just need to chat to keo to approve this
12 May 2009, 09:41 am
#88 Ashley: You too? Because you were cheering on when I was abused yesterday.
12 May 2009, 09:41 am
#89 lilith: puhleeeease, I haven’t even read those silly long posts of yours. Why would i want to trawl through the filth. Whatever was said, I can say with utmost certainty that you brought it ALL on yourself.
12 May 2009, 09:42 am
#83 grant10: I echo that G10. Lillith/Hater you have a lot to offer this site without getting involved in the vitriole of others.
12 May 2009, 09:42 am
#90 Tacitus: So Tac. The guys that did that to me yesterday are sensible young men in your opinion. They are justified in turning a race argument into a virtual rape on a blog. You appear to agree with their actions.
12 May 2009, 09:43 am
It’s always the ugly ones….:-)
12 May 2009, 09:43 am
#88 Ashley: great idea, if we could automate this…..
12 May 2009, 09:44 am
#82 Harlequin: wouldnt surprise me in the least…a sharks win that is…take a 3 nil win over the b lions any day of the week…this is the WC come early…
12 May 2009, 09:44 am
Lillith and you changing your nic to something disgusting as a direct attack on an individual is fine? and then that something disgusting “POOES” is also one of your body parts is it not? You opened yourself for it…………women like you make me sick, you taunt people (men) and step over the line and then when they react you cry foul…….you are pathetic, typical of a woman that thinks she can hit, swear and abuse her husband and the minute he retaliates you cry abuse………
12 May 2009, 09:45 am
#93 Spooner: Go and Read Spooner and then when you feel ashamed of what you just said, I’ll hear you.
Your problem is that you do not see me as a person at all. You see me as a thing. You forget your humanity.
I was angry at a racial slur that was made, but I never attacked their physical bodies or talk about their privates. Go and read. See how much of that I deserve.
12 May 2009, 09:46 am
The reactions Hater/Lilith got were EXACTLY what she wanted. She thrives on the antagonism and controversy.
And now she pretends she is offended. Puhleeeease.
12 May 2009, 09:46 am
#99 EEE: Where were you when that same crowd insulted Skopskiet and called him “skopskiet is a d00s” Where were you then. Where was your disgust then! Was it only because it’s your friend pietman, then it’s offensive.
Is that the double standards talking?
12 May 2009, 09:48 am
#95 lilith:
Don’t you get it?
1.No one reads your copy and paste marathons. We just scroll past them – and that in itself takes a while.
2. I don’t know and don’t care what whoever said to you on whichever date.
3. Get over yourself, we’re trying to talk about the Bulls/Sharks game.
Summary: No one cares about your issues. Now stop bothering us. Thanks.
12 May 2009, 09:48 am
#100 lilith: no, instead you wnet and used YOUR private parts in a nic “Pietman is a POOES”, a direct attack on an individual, opening yourself up to the disgusting nics that followed, YOU STARTED IT!!!!!
12 May 2009, 09:48 am
#101 Spooner: Oh really. I wanted them to say that I need Pietman’s **** in my mouth?
Is that what you are suggesting?
Still a person here Spooner. Look closer at your humanity.
12 May 2009, 09:49 am
#90 Tacitus: Tac, you too have buttons that when pushed cause you to react in an abnormal way. Its in the human nature. There was some blatant prejudice shown on this site yesterday, fuelled of course by Lilliths reaction but there were 2 sides to the party.
Can you imagine suffering the injustices of the past and then having it rammed down your throat with the use of derogatory names. Enough to push anyone off the edge of reason. Its now time to bury the arguments, apologise and get on with it and if you know something offends someone for goodness sake don’t bring it up.
12 May 2009, 09:49 am
105. lilith : Your comment is awaiting moderation.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:48 am
#101 Spooner: Oh really. I wanted them to say that I need Pietman’s d%@k in my mouth?
Is that what you are suggesting?
Still a person here Spooner. Look closer at your humanity.
12 May 2009, 09:49 am
#84 lilith:
That really is pathetic, Lilith.
By refering to your “metaphorical rape” you actually are likening a few people who maybe said a few hurtful things on a blog to real rapists.
And you are likening yourself to a rape victim.
Thats really disrespectful towards woman who have actually been raped. To say that your experience in any way compares with theirs is just about the most self-righteous thing I ever heard.
You don’t know what those women go through and clearly you don’t care, if you use the term so flagrantly to further your own victimisation syndrome.
12 May 2009, 09:49 am
#103 Tacitus: sallie maklik gebeur nie……..pynlike entjiemens!!!!!
12 May 2009, 09:49 am
#95 lilith: 100 people cant be wrong.. why do you feel everyone was attacking you?? because youre black? NO!! because you brought it upon yourself.. you just carry on and on and on and on… if you dont like it please feel free to never log on to this site. im sure you will be very missed..
12 May 2009, 09:49 am
#95 lilith:
Virtual rape???
The only person mentioning rape in virtually every post and sentence was you…..
again, get over yourself and go onto health24.com
you have severe anger management issues and an extreme need for attention, which you are unfortunately getting.
hopefully you will be kicked off here soon so we can get on with rugby without this **** being spewed onto every single story blog.
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