Olivier’s time is up
17 Jul 2010
RYAN VREDE writes that Wynand Olivier has not delivered in a Test jersey and today was no exception.
This Test was a defining one for Olivier. Thirty caps into his international career, Olivier would have been acutely aware of the pressure he was under to produce a performance that proved his aptitude for Test rugby. He, however, offered nothing to support his case for continued selection.
Earlier this year I argued for Olivier’s selection ahead of Jean de Villiers based on the belief that he had matured into a complete player who was capable of carrying his Super Rugby form onto the Test stage. Sadly, it appears I was wrong. His prowess seemingly depends too heavily on the comfort of Loftus and the familiarity of those around him in blue shirts.
The inside centre was certainly not the only mediocre performer, those were plentiful, and many of them were in forwards. Their failure to assert themselves on attack, combined with another superb defensive display by the All Blacks and a kick-chase approach that undermined Olivier’s cause, were mitigating factors that have to be taken into account when assessing his performance.
Judging Olivier on his showing in Wellington alone would be unfair. But his contributions there there were fairly reflective of his entire Test career, and therefore warrants attention.
Defensively he was flawless, missing none of his 12 tackles. It’s on attack that his shortcomings are patent. He made seven passes (three in the last two minutes), and only one of which put a player (Zane Kirchner) into space. This is one of Olivier’s strengths for the Bulls, and he remains the only inside centre in South Africa who is equally effective when distributing to his left as he is to his right. Yet that quality hasn’t been evident when he has been in a green and gold jersey.
The coaching staff either don’t realise his value as a play maker, which would be disturbing given that he has exhibited that skill consistently for the Bulls in the last two years, or believe he is better suited to being utilised as a strike weapon after the opposition’s defensive line has been depleted. The latter is, of course, self defeating because the Springboks were seldom able to play through enough phases to achieve that objective.
They by-passed him out thrice with a pass, and on numerous occasions Olivier was conspicuous in his absence because he was committed to cleaning a ruck (he cleaned 13 times this week and last). Logic suggests you want your inside centre handling the ball as often as possible, particularly one with Olivier’s distribution ability.
He carried the ball five times and crossed the advantage line thrice, and while that is a decent return considering the dearth of possession, it’s line breaks that separates the good 12s from the great ones.
Previously his supporters argued that he was never given an extended run in the position. That cannot be offered as an excuse any longer.
His inability to make the step up is particularly disappointing given his Super 14 form in the last two years which has been outstanding. But he has seemingly joined the list of players who haven’t been able to replicate their Super Rugby form at Test level, and the Springboks’ selectors must now seriously reassess his ongoing value to the side.
This is particularly pertinent just 18 months away from the World Cup and the selectors have to be decisive in their next step. Jean de Villiers limped off injured at half time. However, if he recovers for the Test against Australia in Brisbane he must be reinstated to his preferred position.
In recent years De Villiers has had to contend with inferior players occupying the position, but has always rebounded to underline his class. Never was that more evident than in the 2009 Tri-Nations, where his partnership with Jaque Fourie was central to the Springboks’ success.
De Villiers has proven himself a potent attacking force against the southern hemisphere’s finest, but his value extends to his defensive co-ordination. His time is now.
Olivier has had ample opportunity to prove his capacity for the step up and the selectors know what he offers. If coach Peter de Villiers is intent on building a squad capable of defending the World Cup, doesn’t it make sense to create more opportunities for the talented Juan de Jongh?
As previously stated, if Jean de Villiers is fit he must start next week, but De Jongh will benefit from short stints against the best players in world rugby. That way his aptitude will be tested and the selectors will have a clearer picture of where they stand ahead of the tournament in New Zealand.
113 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
19 Jul 2010, 10:49 am
What a terrible article. WOs performance is analysed and he comes through pretty well, even this Journo agrees. So why is his dropping recommended. Jean De villiers has had a shocking season and is horribly off form. His wing play has been horrendous. Good for boks he’s out for 2 weeks. I’m a big JdV fan, but really he has to work in the S15 next year to regain his rightful place. Has shown nothing of the former player. Blaming WO for a solid but not a match winning performance is a bit harsh considering how many times he handled the ball.
19 Jul 2010, 10:53 am
Could anyone please answer for me, how was Morne Steyn’s play? It seems he was kicking to much, maybe he didn’t trust Ricky which fired hime to kick more.
I think at this stage it would still be better to keep the majority of the team the same and let them have more time to gel.
This happened in 2006, the Boks always have a brain **** season and then come good again.
John Smit’s form is worrying, but Jake White was good at getting his top veteran players regular rest. Matfield, Smit have been playing too much rugby since last year and need top to be rested. I don’t see why Gary Botha can’t play for the Boks, he was excellent for the Bulls. Spies sounds dissapointing, Juan Smith is the man!!!!!
19 Jul 2010, 10:57 am
Ratel Brussow – Remember when Frans Steyn replaced the injured JDV in RWC2007? He was spectacular, brilliant, incredible, has WO ever done that for the Boks? That is the difference between a mediocre/solid player and a match winner? Either way you look at it, WO has never had the impact FSteyn had when he played 12.
19 Jul 2010, 11:56 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-101:
Agree 100% Ratel. Worst bit of journo nonsense I have seen in a long time (and I live in Pommie land with their terrible tabloids)
WO was solid in defense. You said it. SOme of his tackles were excellent. The only reason why he was inefective in attack was because of Januarie’s very poor service to the back line. Once Ricky got the ball to the backs the Kiwis had time to have a coffe and some biscuits, before leisurely organising their defence. This meant Olivier was constantly on the back foot. Fourie was actually the centre that was not performing as he should be. He again threw away a number of decent scoring chances by holding on to the ball and not passing wide where the Boks had an overlap. It happened on 2 or 3 ocasions.
And the guys saying de Jong should replace Olivier- please, have you already forgotten how Olivier dominated both Fore and de Jong in the S14?
Januarie is the one that needs to be shipped out. John Smit needs to improve big time or also follow Januarie. Juan smith needs to return to the starting line up too asap.
Honestly!
19 Jul 2010, 12:12 pm
@race of tan(race of tan)-103: “Remember when Frans Steyn replaced the injured JDV in RWC2007? He was spectacular, brilliant, incredible, has WO ever done that for the Boks?”
Well, 1stly: FS was playing behind a brilliant pack dominating inferior opposition and with the best 9 in the world at the height of his powers.
2ndly: Brilliant, I’m not sure, he defended well except in the final where he missed a tackle in 1st phase and only a flying Danie saved us. And scored 1 try against USA.
3rdly: Judging WO, behind a dominated pack and a slow 9 is hardly fair, I’m sure any 12 in world rugby wouldn’t look great in these circumstances. Look how terrible JF looks and he is pure class.
19 Jul 2010, 16:31 pm
judging
by the
results of
the poll
smit
should
be dropped
and olivier
be appointed
captain
19 Jul 2010, 16:51 pm
@Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster(Porra)-106:
his time
is now
feel him
he is
here
19 Jul 2010, 18:05 pm
@Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster(Porra)-106:
Haha yes and that poll was quickly removed by the editors of Keo…mmmm wonder why???
Ryan, please can you do an article saying the vast majority of Keo bloggers want Smit to go and Olivier to stay in the Bok team?
Freakin hilarious.
19 Jul 2010, 20:15 pm
@ratelbrussouw – 105. Even behind a dominating pack during the S14 WO could do little more than run straight into the first defender in sight. S14 stats shows WO running 44 times with the ball in S14 2010, and gaining only around 120m. That should say it all.
It’s not personal as it’s not his own fault that he is picked, but he just isn’t nippy enough to be an international centre. Can he break inside, outside, has he ever fooled an opponent by showing the ball and then running? Yesterday I compared him with Edrich Lubbe, but to be a bit fairer to him, he’s closer to Braam van Straaten at nr.12. We can’t afford to play that kind of centre. We won’t even use 10% of attacking opportunities. If they keep on picking WO, they can just as well drop Jaque Fourie, actually the whole backline, and pick something as follows:
15. Kankowski
14. Keegan Daniels
13. Jean Deyssel
12. Wynand Olivier
11. Habana (for the odd intercept)
10. Steyn
There’s no point in having a backline if WO is nr 12.
19 Jul 2010, 20:17 pm
@Boer in Beton – 108: Moenie vergeet dat Steve Hofmeyer se Maak die Bulle almal Bokke soos soetkoek in Pretoria verkoop nie. Dus, vergewe die stemmers, hulle weet nie wat hulle doen nie.
19 Jul 2010, 21:23 pm
@Suidkapenaar(Suidkapenaar)-110:
maybe the
suipkapenaars
don’t know
wat hulle
praat
nie
19 Jul 2010, 21:24 pm
@Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster(Porra)-111:
geddit
?
20 Jul 2010, 10:39 am
Suidkapenaar, waar kom jy aan die idiee dat Olivier nie nippy is nie? Daar skort niks met sy spoed nie. Gee hom kans; julle naysayers sal vinnig sien hoe goed hy is.
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.