‘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, 23:56 pm
I hate this little box in the bottom RH corner of my screen. When did that “innovation” occur?
8 Jul 2010, 23:57 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-198: If you have a bad feeling about the Boks I imagine hyou are nearly sucicidal when you think about the Lions and the forthcoming season?
8 Jul 2010, 23:57 pm
@carol(carol)-196:
my patience is being stressed to the limit with ghana.
need another break before i strangle somebody.
took 1.5 hours tonight to complete an easy 30 minute journey.
why?
because normally civilized citizens lose all sense of decorum at intersections where traffic lights have long failed to operate.
the result?
gridlock of horrendous proportions….simply because man does not trust man to give and take……and basic greed takes over.
thought i was back in lagos
anyway…eventually made it home for some chop and a cold beer.
8 Jul 2010, 23:57 pm
I would like do the chest pounding just for once or maybe a couple of times,is it too much to expect that our Boks must stand and deliver,they are after all wearing a Bok on their chests
8 Jul 2010, 23:57 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-201: Frightfully irritating little box…..
8 Jul 2010, 23:59 pm
Ok I feel like I have been away for a while.
What’s the gossip?
Grant been vindicated?
Transformation converted everyone to soccer & the Mighty Elephants?
Miss Ghana still devastated?
Pink Panther still fighting with you all?
Good to have some rugby conversation.
Someone bring me up to speed.
9 Jul 2010, 00:01 am
I am using Safari on an Ipad and that little box does not exist,only on my desktop on Explorer
9 Jul 2010, 00:01 am
@carol(carol)-202: Who asked you about the fkg Lions. You’re quite cruel for a country lass.
I can’t tell you how much I hate them and their non-entity ambitions.
9 Jul 2010, 00:03 am
@JL1(JL1)-207: I use Firefox. It’s a pain, that serves no useful purpose. Kind of like when they did away with the arrow & post number response for a while. Work of pure genius.
9 Jul 2010, 00:03 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-206: No one gets vindicated on a kakpraat site like Keo
9 Jul 2010, 00:05 am
@JL1(JL1)-210: Surrey Boy. I ahve been away, so forgot. Human beings have a way of forgetting the bad.
You guys having lovely weather I see.
9 Jul 2010, 00:05 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-209: What I do not get are these stupid ads aimed at us in the UK or are they aimed at Saffas travelling?
9 Jul 2010, 00:05 am
@charo(charo)-203: Sounds like rush hour in Oxford Charo….
9 Jul 2010, 00:08 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-206: The gossip is that Grant now supports Spain…I ask you!!!
9 Jul 2010, 00:09 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-211: Very nice the weather,one appreciates it more when you live here.Seems the USA did OK in the SWC except for that disgraceful draw against England.Those players should be flogged for that
9 Jul 2010, 00:10 am
So what does everyone think about Saturday’s game?
And I am calling, long odds maybe, Holland to win the World Cup too.
9 Jul 2010, 00:12 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-216: I am also thinking the Kaaskoppe to take it.Spain blew hot and cold in this SWC
9 Jul 2010, 00:12 am
@JL1(JL1)-215: England on those rare sunny days in summer is sublime, almost unbeatable. Every plant goes in to photosynthesis overload, mini-skirts on slightly plump ankles look great.
I hope the England team received a flogging, pathetic. A sad sad spectacle.
9 Jul 2010, 00:12 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-206:
Yup, wet pantie is still a doooooooooooos boet! Nothing has changed there.
I’m nervous about Sat, gonna be a cracker tho………..
9 Jul 2010, 00:13 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-189:
Rats would give this plonker a good name.
9 Jul 2010, 00:13 am
@JL1(JL1)-217: They have the bad-temper and grumpiness to compress that horrible boring passing game of Spain’s to a rink a dink.
Although Spain were very impressive yesterday.
9 Jul 2010, 00:15 am
Well speak of the devil…………
9 Jul 2010, 00:16 am
@whatever(whatever)-219: Have to come to the defense of the Pink One. Very good value, likes good music, knows his rugby, and gives as good as he gets.
There are FARRRRRRRRRRR worse doos’ on Keo. By miles.
I would regard Agapanthus as a friend.
Don’t tell him though.
9 Jul 2010, 00:17 am
@whatever(whatever)-222: And the nat poep appears as you so rightly pointed out
9 Jul 2010, 00:17 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-220: Whoops, hello Waka. Your thoughts on Saturday. I unfortunately am feeling far less than confident.
9 Jul 2010, 00:18 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-216: I have put Holland to win, mind you have you seen my Football Superbru placing..Not as impressive as my rugby ones!!
9 Jul 2010, 00:18 am
@JL1(JL1)-224: ag come on dude you’re better than that.
9 Jul 2010, 00:18 am
@carol(carol)-213:
hi carol,
been to oxford but never experienced any traffic jams.
believe me, one has to experience a jam in africa….the facade of “civilization” disappears within seconds and becomes “survival of the fittest”.
the only redeeming factor is the way some (only a few) of the drivers keep a semblance of a sense of humour.
for most, it is the worst example of road rage.
didn’t take me long to realise that these guys aren’t yet ready for mechanised transport.
9 Jul 2010, 00:18 am
Tight five dominance will make or break the team
I like the way Jannie has started to play
9 Jul 2010, 00:19 am
@carol(carol)-226: Soccer world cup was very hard, early rounds impossible to predict. I tae my hat off to those guys on top. Very impressive. I made a late come back to mid-table. Beating Grant & Just-Rugby, being held off by RobZim by 0.25. Bastrd.
9 Jul 2010, 00:20 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-227: If he is a mate of yours then he is a mate of mine
I actually wanted to invite him for a braai
9 Jul 2010, 00:21 am
@JL1(JL1)-229: Good point. With smit at 2, Guthro in incredible form, even Jannie Poep has looked very good.
But still ….
If Bakkies gets fkn sent off or binned or whatever again I will personally shoot the doos.
9 Jul 2010, 00:22 am
@JL1(JL1)-231: I would have you and BP over for a braai any day of the week. At least some semblance of intelligence and sense of humor.
9 Jul 2010, 00:23 am
I reckon Thorne is good but he’ll he is now old,surely the ABs would do no worsre by playing one of the light weights
9 Jul 2010, 00:26 am
@JL1(JL1)-234: Ross is very good. They could always play the Crusaders 8′th man at 4 too he is bulky enough, and slow enough.
9 Jul 2010, 00:29 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-235: Now there is an idea,convert a loose forward to play lock
That VIto and Kaino both disappear when the going gets tough,Henry made a big boob when he let Jerry Collins go
9 Jul 2010, 00:29 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-230: Well Robzim will put Holland to win!!
9 Jul 2010, 00:29 am
Anyway later all
9 Jul 2010, 00:31 am
Me too. Adios. See you through the window.
9 Jul 2010, 00:37 am
@JL1(JL1)-238: To be fair you are far thinner than Andrew Sharridan!!!
9 Jul 2010, 00:37 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-225:
Charmer.
Y’know what, Ive been less interested about rugby. Just completely immersed in the football, lovin it. My daughter is an anorak (just selected for a county team too) and my youngest on his way there, so great times watching sport with yr kids.
Your homeland has put on a great spectacle, you can be rightly proud. Colourful, awesome stadia, has put SA in a good light. I was hoping Bafana Bafana would go all the way, dreams are free, and more proud of the All Whites than I have been of any NZ team in memory (altho NZ rowing 8 in ’72 still springs a tear).
And now a really interesting Final. Everyone seems to have fallen for the Matadors but Im not so sure, those Dutch have a real hard edge to them. They will take in a win-at-all-costs attitude. Strange how prevalent and strong that gene has been in the blood….
As to EP on Saturday ? Not so sure. At this stage Im happy the way NZ is slowly building. Im sure it will still be an up’n'down season results wise – atleast Im, sorta, ‘hoping’ it will be. The attitude is essential. The last thing we Kiwis want now is an unbeaten season going in to the RWC, happy for your boys to continue beating their chests (look around…..). Lots of that about here, crikey. The Boks look strong and have had great seasons for their clubs so must be brimming with confidence, and rightly so. People tell me this ‘rivalry is back’ but Im not sure it ever left ?! Im just hoping for a good match but my real attention with be ON Sth Africa come Sunday, not Saturday. Lets worry about that later.
Just back from 4 days of golf in Madrid. Great to be there for Spains QterF and then Rafas victory at SW19. The palce was going nutssss – VAMOS !!! They sure do love their sport those Madristas. Great town, 1 of my very favourites.
Im off to see Pat Metheny on Sat pm, my boss is shouting me (we have a shared passion for rock). Lovin the I Am Kllot new album, could be their commercial breakthru. Got the Crowded House out of national obligation. Not sure it pulls my strings. Favourite album of the year remains the Black Keys, damn hot. You ?
9 Jul 2010, 00:37 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-239: cheers me old duck…..
Sorry who is Andrew Sharridan when he is at home?
9 Jul 2010, 00:39 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-232:
If that happened, Eden Park would go mo fo crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrazy !
9 Jul 2010, 00:39 am
@charo(charo)-228:
See you Charo, good luck on your next journey!
9 Jul 2010, 03:18 am
@JL1(JL1)-187: Yes I guess you would slime ball, but then you have already conceded the notion they are going to win with your own words ” I would just love it IF the Boks CAN….”
Keep HOPING…
9 Jul 2010, 03:21 am
Far more to the point, this is going to be a cracker of a series..the AB’s wanting their Mojo back, the Boks wanting to keep theirs and the Wallabies trying to create something. What it will come down to are three very simple things. Desire, game plan and execution. No more, no less!! Good luck to all and enjoy.
9 Jul 2010, 03:23 am
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-232: There’ll a be a package taped under seat 12a, row 13.
9 Jul 2010, 07:47 am
I also think that there will be quite a change and a surprise for the All Blacks with our scrummaging.
So we will now have two set pieces which we can launch our attacks from.
I also hope that we can utilize our rolling maul to better effect which sometimes we just don’t use enough.
9 Jul 2010, 08:41 am
@iceman(iceman)-248:
Good point, a reasonable one. Smit definitely adds more solidity to the Boks scrum at hooker than he ever did at prop. Not sure about J.DuP tho, looks rather average. Saw him dismantled by Crusaders this season and struggled elsewhere too (Highlanders). Steenkamp has certainly come on this season, and Franks is still a work in progress for ABs. So should be an interesting battle up front.
Given Bok dominance at lineout last season, it will only take a small improvement there from NZ to unsettle them a bit. ABs now have Kaino and Read supplementing Donnelly so more options there, albeit no Matfield as a go-to man.
What Boks gain with Smit at 2 they certainly lose in the loose without Biz, who was sensational throughout TriN’09. If I was as disrespectful as the pieces-of-***** here (hi, HG !) I would even call him Suarez given his repeated offending. But you wont find hypocrites like that on my watch.
9 Jul 2010, 10:08 am
@nama1(nama1)-168: Flipping blazes that is funny. LOL.
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