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, 10:41 am
#135 Roy: No one will give their ID on a blog though Roy.
Just hope you banned Lukisbaas. Well think that is his name. He threatened me here with a bullet. That is very serious thats threatening someones life. Also talking about his comrades going to get the farmers. Thats very, very serious. Never ever should someone like that be allowed back here ever.
His is probably the worst posts I have ever read here.
I remember it was two Saturday nights ago on the Stormer thread. post 244. I think he has said it again.
This is a rugby and cricket site and its going downhill very quick with the political stuff that keeps coming up here.
You have to sort those out quick and ban them as soon as they post anything like that.
12 May 2009, 10:41 am
#145 Ashley: Ek het jou al gister afgeskryf.
It’s fine. Let it go.
12 May 2009, 10:42 am
#149 Puma: I think he was banned. Ed was not. But Ed called coloured people h0tn0ts.
Life is so fair on Keo.
12 May 2009, 10:43 am
#137 Disa:
watter ding?
12 May 2009, 10:47 am
#146 Harlequin:
Are you suggesting a trio along the lines of
Burger
Smith
Rossouw ??
It is certainly solid and is that not our world cup winning trio?
again. It depends on our game plan.
they are going to be running hard at us around the fringes, trying to punch holes and force penalties, so we certainly need the personnel to restrict that.
some hard hits backwards from those three will definitely help.
12 May 2009, 10:51 am
#150 lilith: Anything racial should not be allowed here.
Lukeisbaas. What he said to me was a life threat. Saying a bullet was coming for me and then saying his comrades would sort out the farmers. Thats far, far more serious than calling people names.
I never even said much to him to even deserve that. Just asked him to stop going on that night as we were all speaking about the rugby.
Just remember you can be traced on a blog for life threats its very serious. People who think they cant are fooling themselves. Watch what you say here. He could be in very serious trouble. That is hate speech which could get you a jail sentence in this country.
12 May 2009, 10:54 am
#142 Transformation: It will be like a breath of fresh air! And, I believe we will still get the diversity of personalities and opinions (not to mention the sense of humour) that make this site so special.
12 May 2009, 10:54 am
#148 Puma: hello puma, i acknowledge that you are one of few rationale bloggers here, if you so wish to engage me you can reply if you feel it is beneath you that is alright to…how is it that you are offended & feel threatened by lukeisbass’s comments, yet you are not as vocal in condemning ed the lion’s racial slur?
12 May 2009, 10:56 am
#153 Puma: I think getting an ID number is good…. could keep the trouble starters away!
12 May 2009, 10:57 am
#152 green_and_gold:
MORE STATS….. and yeas, I know stats are not everything but it is interesting
Tackle success rate : made : missed
Pierre SPies – 58% : 63 : 45
Danie rossouw – 62.5 % : 60 : 36
Luke watson – 91.6% : 109 : 10
Ryan Kankowski – 73.2% : 82 : 30
does anybody know how many games Luke has played at no 8 vs on the side of the scrum this season?
12 May 2009, 10:59 am
#157 green_and_gold:
I dare somebody to respond to my RUGBY post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
12 May 2009, 11:00 am
#156 Roy: And non saffers?
12 May 2009, 11:01 am
#147 RugbyRulz:
now THAT is a bit unfair, i believe
any facts to underline that?
did we have a fight in the past you still cant forgive me for?
yes, i concede
i would come on here occassionaly, read someone’s comment, believe that it is not based on facts, and ask that person either to explain or bring facts to underline his comment/s!
if that is wrong/ unfair, then i dont know!!
12 May 2009, 11:01 am
#157 green_and_gold: Luke is flyhalf not?
12 May 2009, 11:01 am
Keo people
Trying to catch up here and check what was refered to in earlier posts makes no sense at all. Your sequences and referals are gibberish.
Were you the crowd that was in charge of the Idols vote count?
12 May 2009, 11:02 am
#157 green_and_gold: Luke is an 8 man in a 6 man’ body., as so far as the SA perspective goes.
SA use their 8 man to attack not defend., that is what their 6 & 7 do.
12 May 2009, 11:04 am
#149 lilith:
as you wish, girl!
12 May 2009, 11:04 am
#143 Dantalion: Haha… that could be really funny when we find out we are all related to one another. One big happy family!
12 May 2009, 11:04 am
#162 BobZimmerman: LOLOLOL, you’re a hoot. Do people actually watch that garbage?
I call reality TV… Reality BITES! And I mean it really bites.
12 May 2009, 11:04 am
#156 Roy: roy, i take it you’re ignoring my question?
12 May 2009, 11:04 am
#159 Dantalion: good point! bugger!
12 May 2009, 11:04 am
#154 Puma: Like I said Puma. You were unhappy with the comment made, and the blogger was banned.
I’m sure the disgussion got heated with him because you defended Ed’s comment about calling coloured people h0tn0t’s.
So, again. I agree, attacking people’s lives. Not right. Calling people h0tn0t, you think that’s right?
And how was the situation handled fairly?
12 May 2009, 11:05 am
#155 Transformation: I mention that because I was on blogging that night. Never saw the Lions racial slur at all. Was not on the blog that night was out with friends having a dinner before they left for the Far East.
I also really, well hardly ever go back and read the posts that were posted the previous day or night. So have no idea what he said.
Just know what Lukeisbaas said because he said it to me. I have no idea why, I just said to him not to talk like he was to the other bloggers as we were only just talking about rugby and just try and be a nicer person. Like a parent would advice their children. Then he came back and said that to me. Actually I felt terrible being SA knowing that some still think like that. No wonder a lot leave this country. I will never. I love it and have friends of all colour and they are South African thats what we all are. Who cares about colour really. Its stupid.
12 May 2009, 11:05 am
#152 green_and_gold:no…please dont fall into that trap….with Martyn Williams the lions will have a quick flanker that will cause havoc…fight fire with fire…Brussouw the man…we will want to spread it… play it wide…brussouw a must…with juan and spies…luke great bench cover for 6 and 8…lets not go with 3 large loosies…schalk has been poor…he needs to play his way in …none of this he is a different player with the bok jersey nonsense….an out and out fetcher…like brussouw or steggmann….or luke at 6…please!!
12 May 2009, 11:06 am
Lilith I do believe I recall Ashley extending the gentlemanly offer of lunch. He seems the decent type., if I were not thousands of klms away I’d accept.
12 May 2009, 11:06 am
#165 Ashley: You failed to yesterday, why would you start now? I’m not sure I like the kind of gentleman that you are. I prefer the kind that says
“Chaps, you guys are out of line, this is wrong.”
But you are not that kind of guy. So don’t bother.
12 May 2009, 11:07 am
#157 green_and_gold: luke is the real deal…how did schalk fare??
12 May 2009, 11:07 am
#173 RugbyRulz: He said we must have lunch so that he can talk to me to fix my head.
That’s a nice offer hey?
12 May 2009, 11:09 am
#175 lilith: At least he is trying to help you!
12 May 2009, 11:11 am
#175 lilith: Forgive me, I recalled the lunch not the intent… my bad.
12 May 2009, 11:12 am
lilith get on to rugby please !
12 May 2009, 11:13 am
#169 lilith: Now Lilith don’t sort of guess why he said it. I was not blogging the night that Lions said what ever he said. It was on the Stormers thread about two weeks back that he said it to me. I never really said anything bad to him at all.
You too should try and just treat people with respect. I know you can and you will get respect back to you too. Try it it works well. I mean it in a good way.
12 May 2009, 11:13 am
Dear
#177 AB Bullsbok:
See comment below made last Friday. Why are you not trying to help your friend ED there.
275. Leeu van die Wes Transvaal :
May 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Bwaahaahahaha, druk die h0tn0t ‘n drie
12 May 2009, 11:13 am
#166 RugbyRulz: I find it strange that ‘reality’ tv is in fact called that, as is far removed from reality.
12 May 2009, 11:14 am
T#176 AB Bullsbok: It is truly difficult being a woman sometimes. When a fellow extends and invitation for anything, a woman has to ruminate on so many things. Why is this? Why can it not be for the repast? The simplicity of breaking bread and enjoying interaction?
Ahhh… Tis tuff being a bunny.
12 May 2009, 11:14 am
#175 lilith:
no, i didnt say that
i said that i could take you out to lunch “to take your mind off this stuff”. maybe i’ve put it the wrong way, but i didnt mean any harm.
on yesterday afternoon … as i said, here were about a 1000 lillith’s here
but
you’re right … i most propably shouldve told EVERYONE to stop … whether ANYONE wouldve listened is another story!! i do apologise, though!!
12 May 2009, 11:15 am
Maybe WP should have an idols type contest for a tight five. Prop Idols or something.
12 May 2009, 11:16 am
#181 Dantalion: I am amused at the daily mutterings the day after one of these shows whilst around the water-cooler / coffee machine. Seriously funny stuff of which one could write an half decent sit-com. Could call it The Day After… probably already been done.
12 May 2009, 11:17 am
#179 Roy: tell that to ABbulls bok and Puma, and Porra who said I am not a human being and ought not to be treated like one.
You are not stopping the abuse Roy, do you expect me to keep taking it.
You were not there yesterday either, or Friday, or Saturday. I’ll log off when you give your warning to all.
12 May 2009, 11:19 am
#156 Roy: It could Roy but you wont have many blogging here then. I would never give my ID number to any blog.
12 May 2009, 11:19 am
#180 lilith: I have nothing to do with other peoples posts. If they need to be moderated I am sure Roy is more than capable to do this. You on the other hand darren believe you can spew nonsense all day as you wish!
12 May 2009, 11:20 am
#174 grant10:
Seems so… in terms of clean breaks, defense beaten, and go-forward ball, he is not far off Spies and Kanko, and he has turned over more balls per match than them. He does not really offer the strength at the base of the scrum though.
12 May 2009, 11:22 am
#189 AB Bullsbok: Do you think the Bulls will beat the Sharks?
(now you can be vile and disgusting like you were yesterday when you told me I am hiv infected with c2m out of my mouth, or you could answer this.)
Let’s see.
12 May 2009, 11:24 am
just checking to see if im banned….?
12 May 2009, 11:24 am
#170 Puma: thanks for the response, now i don’t think i need to educate you about how offensive racial slurs are & how they were used in the past. What was posted here is regarded as hate speech in this country. I have asked roy for a clarification but with no reply, maybe he doesn’t deem it fit to answer me, that’s kosher with me.
He is aware that keo is part of a whole host of rugby media, jonh cardinelli is frequently featured in the sunday times and is reference as ”of keo.co.za”, that is how some people find out about this site, this site also hosts a number of brands and they associate themselves with this site because it is successful & generates hits, but i’m sure they would think twice if they were aware that hate speech is permissible here…
12 May 2009, 11:25 am
#186 lilith: Lilith come now speak the truth. When ever did I say you were not a human being? When? I have never ever said that to you and never will.
Think you need to apologize to me.
You see you say things you are not really sure of and that gets people up the wrong way. That what starts a lot of fights with you from others here. You cant just say things you not really sure of. Don’t do it. Take my advice and start to just talk rugby or if its something else why not a bit of fun. You can do it.
12 May 2009, 11:26 am
#184 Ashley: I’m supposed to talk rugga. Roy’s warning.
12 May 2009, 11:26 am
From todays comments alone lilith has turned a rugby blog into an argument – incredible! clearly part of the problem!
12 May 2009, 11:26 am
#194 Puma: There was a comma. Not you, Porra.
12 May 2009, 11:26 am
#189 green_and_gold:
a very interesting fact.
heinrich Brussouw , according to some more useles stats,
has not had the ball turned over once!!
Luke – 12 times
Spies – 10 times
Kanko – 8 times
Brussouws tackle count is the highest in the comp.
of course, it could be because the cheetahs often do more defending in the course of a game.
However, on attack, he has been pretty good, making many yards and getting over the advantage line.
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