Bok back-row blunders continue
11 Aug 2010
JON CARDINELLI says the axing of Francois Louw is a sure sign the Springbok selectors learned nothing from the Australasian beatings.
Louw’s been selected for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash between WP and the Bulls. WP coach Allister Coetzee said he would play the Boks who don’t make the final 24-man squad, and Louw’s selection suggests the flanker isn’t being considered for the 21 August Test against the All Blacks.
Dewald Potgieter will also return to the Bulls, which leaves loose forwards Schalk Burger, Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith, and Pierre Spies in contention for the Soweto fixture. Burger, Smith and Spies will start, and while they’ve been such a formidable combination in the past, it’s clear the current breakdown laws demand the inclusion of somebody who plays to the ball.
Heinrich Brüssow was the top fetcher in the world in 2009, besting prominent breakdown bandits like Richie McCaw and George Smith. After Brüssow’s season-ending injury in early 2010, Louw was identified as the alternative. He made a great start in the preliminaries but then battled behind a losing tight five in the two defeats to New Zealand.
Surprisingly, the Bok selectors opted to replace Louw with Kankowski for the final tour match against Australia. Predictably, the Boks were completely outclassed by a Wallabies back row that boasted a better balance, and more importantly, a specialist fetcher in David Pocock.
The Bok selectors who explained Kankowski’s inclusion as one that would speed up their game were exposed. You cannot hope to put speed on the ball (or deny the opposition a quick ruck recycle) if you don’t have a breakdown specialist. Louw should have played in Brisbane, and he’s a must if the Boks want to combat McCaw and Pocock in the coming three Tests.
Burger and Smith are no slouches on the deck, but their ball-poaching strengths cannot match those of the best fetchers. A trio of Burger, Smith and Spies is geared for ball carrying which is fine as long as the Boks are on the attack, and on the Highveld it will work to some extent. But consider how well the All Blacks and Wallabies retained possession in the Tests against the Boks, and you will realise why a ball-stealer is so vital.
You would hope there’s been some mistake and that Louw will return to the Bok squad next week, but then why would you release him to play in a grinding forward-oriented clash against the Bulls? He will be needed at some point this year and in 2011, as even when Brüssow is fit, the Boks need two fetchers in their squad.
The decision to retain Kankowski is perplexing, as like Wynand Oliver and Zane Kirchner he’s yet to make the step up at Test level. The Bok selectors are blowing an opportunity to start Louw, Smith and Burger as a combination. They’re refusing to try something new. They’d rather favour a tried and tested, but ultimately limited, trio. That may work to a degree, but it won’t win matches.
And if they believe that combination can win matches, where is the planning beyond the Tri-Nations, a tournament that South Africa can no longer win? They need to give Louw opportunities now and experiment with a new No 8 in Burger. Kankowski is not good enough and Spies’s defensive game is lacking.
The Bok management should try something new on this home leg. Playing the same old combinations will ensure they get even less out of this Tri-Nations tournament than they already have.
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281 Comments
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11 Aug 2010, 14:26 pm
no balance dragons
11 Aug 2010, 14:31 pm
This just sounds like one long rant, Cardinelli.
Your WP weren’t picked and now you’re throwing your toys out the cot.
Truth is, Louw is not Brussouw’s replacement. They are completely different players. Stegman is the closest to Brussouw we’ve got.
Most likely, the selectors are taking a long term view with the World Cup in mind. They know Brussouw will be their guy, and Louw won’t be in the mix. Unless he proves himself further in provincial rugby over the next year, perhaps.
The long term view – barring injury – is most probably that Spies, Smith, Burger and Brussouw will be the 4 loose forwards in the World Cup opening game match 22.
With maybe Potgieter leading the midweek team, and hoping to make it into the mix should one of the top 4 get injured before the final.
I may not agree with Burger being there, but that seems like the way the coaches are going.
11 Aug 2010, 14:36 pm
It might not be such a bad idea to retain your most successful combo. The team is in a slump right now so playing a settled combination might bring some stability to the team. Where if you try out new players you might further disrupt the team. Its going to be a tough game but the Boks will come through it stronger.
11 Aug 2010, 14:37 pm
I don’t see the point in sticking to what is tried and tested as @Tacitus(Tacitus)-2 says. We have lost the tri-nations no need to stick to old ways try new things, bring in players that could maybe change things.
The coaches are not looking towards the WC, they are just being conservative.
11 Aug 2010, 14:37 pm
Now you ranting about bull players missing in the Bok team.
11 Aug 2010, 14:39 pm
Look at how the Sharks played this weekend against the Lions. The Lions sure are not the ABs or Wallabies but, with ball in hand it makes for attractive rugby.
Fetcher or no fetcher, replacing Burden with a fatboy means you are never going forward.
Boks have no chance and now they are looking to WP for defence, it seems that the kick and chase is going to be employed again…
So shocking it’s not even funny.
11 Aug 2010, 14:40 pm
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-2: I totally agree with you. Burger and Brussouw to switch when we play NZ or Aus. We just need those 4 loosies at the WC. Burger can cover all positions (6,7,8) and Danie can cover 7 & 8.
11 Aug 2010, 14:43 pm
JC,
” …Louw was identified as the alternative. He made a great start in the preliminaries but then battled behind a losing tight five in the two defeats to New Zealand.”
Just yesterday you posted an article on how Spies was “surplus” and should be axed.
Why didn’t you mention that he too was playing behind a “losing tight 5″ and entire scrum effort?
11 Aug 2010, 14:45 pm
Come on Tacitus, this is not about provincialism but about finding balance. Despite his bench-press tats and amazing potential your bulletjie Spies has been nowhere this Tri-Nations. Kankowski has also been average in his limited opportunities. Smith is back and barring concussion a good option to bring in. But with Buirger and Smith we need a fetcher of some sort because when we try playing the Australasian sides without one we get dominated at the breakdown, end of story.
I agree Flo is not quite like Brussouw and Stegmann as a fetcher, but he is close, plus he offers more than Stegmann (lineout, ball-carrying and he gives away fewer penalties). I reckon Stegmann is good but has hearing problems as he never listens to the ref’s warnings.
If this story is accurate, then the selectors have screwed up again.
11 Aug 2010, 14:47 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-8:
We know why.
11 Aug 2010, 14:48 pm
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-10:
No, I don’t. Can somebody please explain it to me.
11 Aug 2010, 14:52 pm
I say rather play the settled combinations and go for three home wins. This will boost morale within the camp and bring the team out of the slump. Why will PDV place his job on the line by trying out new players? He can try out new players on the EOYT where the pressure is not so intense.
11 Aug 2010, 14:53 pm
Everyone is biased when it comes to there own team. That is something we just have to live with.
11 Aug 2010, 14:53 pm
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-10:
Because Cardinelli is punting his favourites, just like everyone else on this site.
11 Aug 2010, 14:53 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-11:
No 14 was meant as a repy to you.
11 Aug 2010, 14:55 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-12: By using the same players I think you are going to get a hiding, which is what Div and Smit deserve, so play the same od same old. Don’t develop new players and never look to the form books.
11 Aug 2010, 14:55 pm
@Reserve Naartjie(Reserve Naartjie)-9:
First of all, in case you don’t know Bulls rugby and haven’t watched this years S14, Stegmann made the squad as an 8th man and was used as a lineout option more than once in this years S14.
Secondly, haven’t you had enough of the “Stegmann’s a walking penalty” mantra already?
Tell me how is he a liability? Flou gave away more penalties. Did you know that?
And “WP_” is gonna jump on me now-now, so let me make clear that Stegmann played fewer minutes- but he had far more breakdown stats than Flou and that’s where the penalties were being conceded.
Stegmann’s most penalties in a match were 5 (by Joubert under whom we lost our only 2 games AND ironically enough whom the journos here cant stop complaining about- just to prove my point).
Flou most pens in a match were 4.
How is Stegmann then any worse?
The fact is, if you take all the stats into account, Stegmann was LESS of a liability than Flou.
Get off it already, will ya?
11 Aug 2010, 14:56 pm
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-14:
Aren’t the writers supposed to be above reproach?
11 Aug 2010, 14:59 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-17:
I’m a little tired of repeating that. But it should make it clear that when it comes to penalties conceded, Flou actually screwed up more than Stegmann and those on the bandwagon simply aren’t aware of the stats, don’t know rugby and merrily and blindly follow along with what is dished up to them by any biased and overreacting sports writer.
11 Aug 2010, 15:01 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-17: I think if Flou didn’t have a stand named after his family he wouldn’t be in the team. Did you know the rugby genius Hoskins didn’t know who his grand-daddy is?
11 Aug 2010, 15:02 pm
Yawn, this is the same ol cr.ap from Keo and Keolings – the same unfounded rumours, speculation and emotional criticism…
Funny about the suggestion of Burger at 8 (a failure in his forays there for the Boks).
But nevermind as all have heard “There is nothing new under the sun” with this theatre of bull.****…
It is boring now.
11 Aug 2010, 15:13 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-21: That was the old Burger. The new passing, linking Burger might just do well at 8 now. He seems to be quicker also now than previously.
11 Aug 2010, 15:13 pm
simply unbelievable …..incrdibly stupid and naive…..the 3 stooges enhance there reputation daily.
No matter how you slice and dice Kanko, Spis, J Smith and Burger it comes up the same…..
A disaster.
Watch gents…..we going down ….and this time it may get uglier!
11 Aug 2010, 15:14 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-22: LOL
11 Aug 2010, 15:14 pm
I have no doubt given 3 weeks and a decent coach i would select a team that would moer this Fat Boys Club so stukkend it wont even be funny.
11 Aug 2010, 15:14 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-24: You must be Whackhead Simpson
11 Aug 2010, 15:15 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-20:
Doesn’t surprize me.
But rather I think if Flou wasn’t a popular (for non-rugby reasons as well as rugby) WP Player, he wouldn’t be in the team.
Imagine if Flou played for the Lions? huh?
Alberts-style.
In which category is Flou better than Brussow or Stegmann? Ball carrying? Is that it? Is that why he wears 7 and not 6? Kak man.
Stegmann is better. period.
11 Aug 2010, 15:16 pm
mc caw and pocock must think its an early xmas…..
Henry and Deans are loving the circus….and they get paid for watching!
11 Aug 2010, 15:16 pm
@grant10(grant10)-23:
Heheheh…
11 Aug 2010, 15:16 pm
@grant10(grant10)-25: “Real” imagination required for who you would select:
1 to 15 from Weepee and a Captain from Bath…
Farking yawn out loud (YOL)…
11 Aug 2010, 15:17 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-27: steggmann is injured…..ffs.
Should have gone for 6F Louw
7 schalk
8 Dewalt.
Kiwis would have kakked themselves…..now they having a laugh…..
11 Aug 2010, 15:18 pm
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-29: put it in your saver….then we talk 3 weeks later when you work up the balls….
11 Aug 2010, 15:19 pm
we just dont learn….farken incredible….
outta here
11 Aug 2010, 15:19 pm
what a wonderful article.
something for everyone to b i tch about LMAO!
11 Aug 2010, 15:20 pm
Well I rest my case.
Potgieter – great and should have been in the squad
Louw – best fetcher at present.
The mind boggles.
Then they keep Olivier and Kirschner the two – one dimensional players. Oh well didn’t we expect it.
11 Aug 2010, 15:20 pm
@grant10(grant10)-23: Home ground advantage must count for something? I think the Boks would have studied the tapes of the New Zealand games and realised that they must m o e r the AB’s out of the breakdown if the Ref is not going to do anything. They must bring back rucking!! Then you see how quickly Richie will roll away! The cheating b a s t a r d!!!
11 Aug 2010, 15:20 pm
best they play kanko instead of that cowardly Spies….
FFS man!
11 Aug 2010, 15:22 pm
@grant10(grant10)-31:
Yes, I know!
I was just trying to help the fruit out.
11 Aug 2010, 15:23 pm
@grant10(grant10)-32:
Newsflash, Einstein.
Team selection is largely irrelevent under this coaching trio. The likely result is a loss, whoever they choose. It is just a question of by how much and whose careers are most damaged by it.
I can already see you trying to claim credit for “predicting a Bok thrashing”.
Really, you need to lift your game.
11 Aug 2010, 15:24 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-34:
They keep ‘em coming thick and fast here on Keo.
11 Aug 2010, 15:24 pm
First let me say to ALL you high and mighty Bulls – lets see what happens on Newlands this weekend. For a team that buy every player to looks like they have talent I will not start talking about your players. Its not – you have purely borrowed other provinces players.
Secondly – I have no problem with Flo back with Province, I have seen that if you want to screw up a players form then send him to SNOR.
11 Aug 2010, 15:26 pm
According to every rugby website incl this one, Flo is bracketed with Koster as ‘WP still awaiting news on his availability’. So, is he playing or not?
11 Aug 2010, 15:26 pm
@grant10(grant10)-31:
Actually, considering the situation, I would have gone with
8 Spies
7 Flou
6 Burger
11 Aug 2010, 15:27 pm
@oranjewurm(oranjewurm)-41:
Sh*t! It’s not our fault that they want to come play for us!
11 Aug 2010, 15:27 pm
Francois Louw is bracketed with Koster!
That means if Louw is picked for the Boks, then Koster will play, surely.
JC you’re a tool
11 Aug 2010, 15:30 pm
I woulda had:
6 Francois Louw
7 Juan Smith
8 Schalk Burger
19 Spies (To rampage through the oppo in the last 20 when they are tired and he is fresh!)
11 Aug 2010, 15:35 pm
i’d go with
Davon Raubenheimer
Lobberts
Ash Johnston
with January nr 9 & Elton Jantjies @ 10
11 Aug 2010, 15:35 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-35: Kirshner is in the Bulls team so he is also dropped.
11 Aug 2010, 15:37 pm
In case I forgot why it’s been so nice having WP on the bottom for so long is what a bunch of w@ankers they are when on top.
11 Aug 2010, 15:40 pm
Terrible Conclusions drawn in this article.
If anything, this last 2 weeks points to a Juan Smith, Burger Kanko starting line up.
JC, not your best, clearly a Flouw fan.
Should have dropped Spies and played Flouw, my personal opinion.
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