‘ABs’ lineout still nothing special’ – Smal
8 Jul 2010
Ireland forwards coach and former Springbok forwards specialist Gert Smal says the Boks will continue to boss the New Zealanders in the lineout.
Smal, who as forwards coach of the Boks won the 2004 Tri Nations and 2007 World Cup, also contributed to Ireland’s Six Nations glory a couple of seasons ago. He is widely regarded as among the best forward coaches in the business and has the track record to back up this opinion.
He told keo.co.za that despite the absence of Juan Smith at the back of the lineout, the Boks should still dominate the home team lineout.
Smal’s influence against the Boks in Dublin last year was obvious when the Boks struggled for lineout authority against a team for the first time in years. The Irish, when they toured New Zealand in June, were unable to assert lineout superiority because they lost a forward 15 minutes into the game. The Irish were also missing their best lineout jumper in Paul O’Connell.
Smal remains unimpressed with what he has seen from the All Blacks lineout this season, despite claims from the All Blacks forward coach Steve Hansen that his boys have lost only one lineout throw in three Tests in 2010.
‘They said they had worked on it a lot before they played us, but it’s still nothing special,’ Smal told keo.co.za. ‘Victor is quick on the ground and in the air and if he does his homework, which he will, the Boks will dominate. The All Blacks will try take quick throws and walk in late, but Victor is experienced enough to read them and close the gaps. They’ll also play the safe option to the front and try drive from there.
‘They’ll also try play towards our loosies, and a lot depends how well organised they are. Because Juan – who is the best loose forward jumper in the world – isn’t there, they’ll try manipulate play towards the back.’
Since last year the hosts have changed their lineout formation. Tom Donnelly has replaced Isaac Ross, while they have the unique situation where No 8 Kieran Read makes the calls, a la Matfield. The All Blacks also swapped coaching roles, with Graham Henry taking over the forwards from Steve Hansen for the November tour, but they’ve reverted back to how it was this time last year.
‘You can’t compare Victor to Read. The one is inexperienced, while the other’s been doing it for years.
‘Their coach’s role swapping also didn’t have much of an impact and it all depends on the man power you have. If it had worked for them, they would have stayed that way,’ said Smal.
One of the Kiwis’ main worries is the strength of the driving maul. Smal spoke of how they would try counter the Boks and the importance of referee Alan Lewis’s management of the area.
‘They and the Aussies realise its a big strength of the Bok and European teams. They’ll speak to the ref about the blocker at the back, and say they’re not allowed one in order to expose the jumpers and sack them. They’ll also try take the lifters out before the jumper’s hit the ground. The ref will have to be vigilant there.
‘Obviously the Boks want to use the lineout for other moves, but they’ll use the maul at least three or four times to expose the Kiwis.’
The 2007 World Cup-winning coach is backing the Boks to continue the dominance over their rivals.
‘That Irish game especially would have lulled them into a false sense of security. Ireland had many guys at home and lost a key player early on,’ Smal said in reference to their 65-28 loss with Jamie Heaslip red-carded after 15 minutes. ‘In the beginning they played for territory, but once we were a man down, they tried to open it up. It’s difficult to play them with 15 men, but with 14 it was near impossible.
‘I’m sure the Boks will climb into them and will have too much power. The All Blacks are dangerous from broken play and they’ll try take quick lineouts, but one of the main reasons for last year’s success was the Boks’ purposeful kicking. They’ll do that again and take them ball and all.’
While Smith’s presence in general play around the field has been filled by Francois Louw, the Free State hardman’s ability at the set-pieces is unrivalled by any loose forward in the world. While he’s on compassionate leave for the away leg of the Tri-Nations, Smith will do duty for the Cheetahs and Smal believes the Australasians will try take advantage of his absence at the tail.
He still believes that the Boks can negate this by making more use of Pierre Spies as a tail option, but left no one in doubt that the Spies, Smith and Schalk Burger lineout option among loose-forwards, aligned with the best locking duo of Matfield and Bakkies Botha, with the luxury of Danie Rossouw and Andries Bekker as back up is unrivalled in the current game.
By Grant Ball
251 Comments
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8 Jul 2010, 13:56 pm
Jumping Dragons!
8 Jul 2010, 14:07 pm
VM knows no equal!
8 Jul 2010, 14:12 pm
Pierre can cover at the back and even Schalk is known to take some lineout balls from time to time, so we’ll be more than fine in that area. Look for the ‘Blacks to try and walk away from the linout so the mall cannot form. This worked well in the past, creates uncertainty in the Springboks, even Nic used it once or twice….
8 Jul 2010, 14:15 pm
the lineout is a soft spot for Black Panther
8 Jul 2010, 14:19 pm
lineout ball is also good to launch the backline from, so i hope we dont overdo the maul
8 Jul 2010, 14:22 pm
Australasians?
New Zealand is a country located in the South Pacific. Australia is right next to the USA.
8 Jul 2010, 14:23 pm
Habana and JPP both scored from a line out against the B&I Lions last year. Habana also scored against the Aus with the same move.
I wonder if they’ll try that move on Saturday.
8 Jul 2010, 14:26 pm
@mamma_lou(mamma_lou)-5:
When last did we see the boks launch the Backline from any platform?? :0
8 Jul 2010, 14:28 pm
‘I’m sure the Boks will climb into them and will have too much power. The All Blacks are dangerous from broken play and they’ll try take quick lineouts, but one of the main reasons for last year’s success was the Boks’ purposeful kicking. They’ll do that again and take them ball and all.’
except for one tiny, tiny little detail – no “FDP”!!!!
8 Jul 2010, 14:31 pm
AB’s still have no premier lineout lock.
None what so ever.
Best jumper in team is Read.
Donnely is adequate
Thorn hardly gets thrown to
Kaino is decent
But they dont get good enough platform from lineout to unleash outside backs
on bench no better.Boric is no better than Flavell
Messam not even an option
8 Jul 2010, 14:33 pm
I reckon, that is the reason Danie has come in as loosie cover. He IS as good as Smith in the lineouts. Imagine Victor, Bekker and Danie all in the lineout. Scary stuff. Expect old Kevin to **** his pants and throw a few wayward.
8 Jul 2010, 14:35 pm
Another thing the Boks need to look out for is the maul from the AB’s, the media had been focusing on how the AB’s will stop it, but how effective are the Bok’s at stopping the maul seeing as they have had few opportunities to do so
8 Jul 2010, 14:35 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-10: Whitelock has REAL potential. They should be blooding this guy.
8 Jul 2010, 14:36 pm
Reading the above,
Gert gives the AB’s a snowballs chance in hell.
The Boks are Gods………….and the AB’s mere Minions.
We (nz) can’t win…………..it’s Offical, Gert says so.
8 Jul 2010, 14:36 pm
@Guns(Guns)-8: it happens quite often actually. execution not always up to scratch though
8 Jul 2010, 14:42 pm
This is gonna be one hell of a game!
8 Jul 2010, 14:43 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-11: Spies isnt bad either, he is also an option come line out time
8 Jul 2010, 14:45 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-11: he throws a few skew anyway
8 Jul 2010, 14:46 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-13:
Whitelock does have potential…
But so did Isaac Ross last yr..who had an outstanding S14 last yr as well.
I dont see a huge discrepancy in talent stakes between the 2.In fact I think Ross is more talented than Whitelock to be honest.
But look at what happened to Ross…
Cant even get into Saders XV 2010,nor even start for Maori
So praise on Whitelock is premature…much like Ross last yr (Same with “next Richie”-other Whitelock brother George Whitelock)
Big boy level now
8 Jul 2010, 14:46 pm
@nama1(nama1)-7: habana’s try was from the back of a scrum, but 1st phase ball nonetheless
8 Jul 2010, 14:47 pm
this is gonna be an old fashioned war of attrition
8 Jul 2010, 14:48 pm
75 years since the Boks won at Eden Park.
But Gert seems to think it’ll be a skip in the park.
Brain Surgeon…………..or Drain Surgeon?
Time will tell.
8 Jul 2010, 14:53 pm
The United Pacific Ferns (UPF)to lose a tight affair by a very small margin.
8 Jul 2010, 14:53 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-10: does Vito jump at all? Somehow i seem to think he is also an option
8 Jul 2010, 14:55 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-22:
So what is it that you disagree with what Smal is saying ?
Just because you don’t like what you are reading does not mean it is not true !!!
8 Jul 2010, 14:55 pm
does anyone know what time tickets will be on sale on monday?
8 Jul 2010, 14:56 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-22: ‘history is there to be changed’ victor matfield about eden park record. after 2009 and 2008 i think hes got a point
8 Jul 2010, 14:59 pm
5+ Marging for the humble “no. 2′s” over the indisputable “no 1.s”.
You heard it here first.
Kiwis, you may well start believing those fairy tales of the “mighty” AB’s losing their “Aura”…
Like Lemons come Sunday…
8 Jul 2010, 14:59 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-28: 5+ margin
8 Jul 2010, 15:04 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-22:
I dont think anyone thinks its going to be a walk in the park
BUT
That doesnt exclude the fact that the lineout is an intergral part of the game especially with current law interpretations AND the AB lineout isnt the best/hasnt been best in yrs.This eminating as far back as 2007-Flavell/Rawlinson etc
But we all know the game has many facets that contribute to the overall result.
But with current laws of game, the lineout has become all the more important.And AB’s dont seem to have weapons at present to counter Bok lineout.
Thats all.
8 Jul 2010, 15:07 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-24:
Vito jumps,adequate but he is no better than Kaino nor Read.McCaw at this stage is better jumper than Vito.Often needs shifting etc in lineout to create gaps rather than outright win his ball at lineout time.
Matfield reads than very well.
8 Jul 2010, 15:08 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-19: Ross a joke. Whitelock more respecting of the art of lineout play. Ross was thrown in way to early. Whitelock needs to gain experience before WC. Sam is also much younger. One for the future.
8 Jul 2010, 15:08 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-22: History makers…
…Boks
WCs
NZ 1/2 (incomplete tourny)
Aus 1 1/2 (1 incomplete tourny + luck)
Eng 1
Boks 2
2009
Boks 4 AB’s 0
Rome has burnt, Henry the fiddler has finished playing, and the Bok barbarians are at the gates…
Kiwis, the “Aura” is an illusion… A comfort “blankie”.
8 Jul 2010, 15:18 pm
@mamma_lou(mamma_lou)-5:
You’re right, set pieces is primary first phase ball, but don’t count on the Boks doing anything with it. The Boks just don’t have the ability to break defences down. This will be their undoing. Not to mention that our kicking game is severely limited now, so our tactics of last year won’t work. We have great attacking players, but can the coaching team get them going? A simple no.
8 Jul 2010, 15:20 pm
Guys can you please tell me what the new rules at the breakdown are for 2010? Only those who really know
8 Jul 2010, 15:21 pm
Hallo guys!
I fail to see the problem here…more than enough length in the lineouts.
A nothingness thread.
8 Jul 2010, 15:21 pm
Juan Smith is a brilliant blindside flank. Quite possibly he
has been SA’s best player for the last 3 years before injury and his family bereavement. But at lineout time, there is someone even better than he…
..and his name is Imanol Harinordoquy.
8 Jul 2010, 15:22 pm
Haha heaven’s why don’t you use that battle of Carthage thing again like you did for the S14 final, Matfield is the Roman general and Burger was hannibal or something to that degree, for this game?
8 Jul 2010, 15:24 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-34: ‘the boks just don’t have the ability to break defences down’ yoh, you are one sour individual, if the Boks bring you such misery why do you watch them?
are you talking about the only team to earn a four-try bonus point last year?
8 Jul 2010, 15:25 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-32:
Ross is talented,excellent athlete.Just think as uve pointed out it was too early to push through to AB’s and RELY on him as primary lineout option
While Sam Whitelock is also talented and shows potential it would be dentrimental to his career much like Ross to plant him at the highest level and fend for himself.Much like Boric a few yrs back as well..
Lock stocks not impressive..Pity what happened to James Ryan(the redhead)..He would have been a star…Thought Simon Maling left too early at the time as well.
8 Jul 2010, 15:25 pm
@Partizan(Partizan)-38: Yeah or Aplon is Asterix and Ricky is Obelix or something……
8 Jul 2010, 15:26 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-31: It will be interesting to see if the ABs can get any decent lineout ball, for their backrow and backline will test the Bok defensive system.
Big if though.
Lineout will be a huge area of the game, however no more or less than the breakdown. If the Boks reign supreme in the lineout and get parity at the breakdown, they will be able to exert pressure on the ABs and the risky options will be taken more frequently by the team in black.
However, if the ABs get some momentum at the breakdown, the Bok defence will be tested for sure.
For me, the battle of the tight fives holds the key to this game. Whoever wins that contest will earn the win for their team.
8 Jul 2010, 15:27 pm
Must agree with you Alucard, can January be the best no9 in SA? I mean, you win the lineout and take 5years to get it to the flyhalf. This will be our undoing…and let me not start on his (non existing) kicking game. The up and unders he kicked were as predictable as long range shots with the Jabulani ball. Swirling swerving and way of the mark….
8 Jul 2010, 15:28 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-40: Boric is a good enough lineout exponent. He held his own against Bakkies and Matfield in the S14 when the Blues downed the Bulls.
Donnelly is there because he does the basics well and has a huge motor. He’ll run hard for 60 and then Boric will take the field.
8 Jul 2010, 15:32 pm
@Partizan(Partizan)-38:
…Scipio vs Hannibal
The passions are building up to that… after hopefully a victory there will be a bit of rah rah, poetry and all that…
We’ve got to be inspired, hey, and if one is not inspired by a Bok / AB game then you never will be…
Its gonna be Alexander, Monty vs Rommel, or Achilles vs Hectors or just let it go pear shaped with Apocalypse now or Reservoir Dogs…
This is it… The comfort blankie aura may be ripped to shreds this weekend
8 Jul 2010, 15:34 pm
There is one thing I never get… Why hasn’t the wp and the all blacks just switched codes years ago!? They would really love Rugby leauge
Then nobody has to read bullshit about ugly rugby etc. anymore and they can run the ball everytime from anywhere.
When did the all blacks decide anyway that they just want to play one kind of rugby? In the eras gone by they were the complete package. Runners, kickers, scrummers high ball catchers …everything. This obsession with beautifull rugby is killing them. Thats what is cool about union, its the freedom of tactics using fat guys to thin guys fast guys to slow guys. Rugby is so amazing, because of all the variations that are possible!
For the wp… well they are just *** and don’t like contact.
I hope Rassie’s idea of a new code takes of and the wp just leaves the currie cup altogether and play what ever 20 min no kicking game they want to. They only need the 22m line’s space anyway. He can have more than one game running at the same time.
Just some Food for Thought. Use it or don’t
8 Jul 2010, 15:34 pm
@stodders(stodders)-37: Nah
Juan Smith 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Imanol Harinordoquy 1.92 m (6 ft 3.5 in)
8 Jul 2010, 15:36 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-41: For once the Stormersader, Bulls, Sharkie, Vrystaat, Lions supporters are all on the same side…
Except for opinions on the Bushpig… But may he play the game of his life and prove all doubters, including me, wrong on Sat…
8 Jul 2010, 15:38 pm
@stodders(stodders)-44:
Dont think Bakkies played in Blues game,but I get your point nonetheless.
I dont rate Boric much,plus he is a sicknote.Donnely is a decent player,but at 28 already dont see much improvement in his play.A harder grafter for sure.If AB’s had put as much investment in Brynn Evans(i think-the other Otago lock) as theyve done with Boric theyd have a competitive lock duo.
But dont rate Boric.undersized as well.
8 Jul 2010, 15:39 pm
oh and Aplon is k a k
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