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, 16:54 pm
Bring back Jerry Collins – a truly rare specimen… an honourable Kiwi.
11 Aug 2010, 16:54 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-99:
Mine usually consist of grunts an clicks. So I don’t mind.
11 Aug 2010, 16:56 pm
Great article JC but Louw is not the answer as back up to Brussow, either Stegman or maybe the other Louw
11 Aug 2010, 16:57 pm
Agile *** tyrant
Stegmann is very overrated. I agree Vermeulen deserves to be in the bok mix, he is much better than kankow
11 Aug 2010, 17:01 pm
@WP_(WP_)-104: We dont really have a backup to Brussow as we’ve seen this year unfortunately. I think Stegmann is the next best thing but def not in Brussow’s league
11 Aug 2010, 17:07 pm
Ag Cardinelle, jy praat jou gewone blerrie twak al weer. Hoeveel keer moet ek jou se Kankowski het nog nie eers n behoorlike kans gehad om te speel nie, so hou op met jou persoonlike vendetta deur te se hy kan dit nie maak nie. Wynand het 32 games gekry, ja, vrek, die ou is poateties, skryf gemors oor hom. Maar selfs Flouw het al meer speelkans gehad as Kanko, so dis nie regtig regverdig om te se die ou het nie die skietgoed as ons hom nog nie eers n kans gegee het nie.
Jitte Cardinelli, imagine as Keo jou na jou eerste 4 artikels gepos het omdat die soortgelyk was aan die twak wat jy hier kwyt raak, jy sal mos ook nie dink dis regverdig nie. Maar ja, jy fantiseer seker oor n Flouw Burger threesome, so ons vergewe jou dat jy so aanhou om te push vir sy insluiting. En boonop, hoekom huil jy ook Kanko se insluiting, hy is n agste man. Jy kla oor n flank wat nie daar is nie, en dan se jy dis omdat hulle n agsteman gekies het. As jy Flouw in die begin span wil sien, kerm en kla dan oor hoekom Burger en Smith gekies word.
Jou daaglikse gesanik raak nou net te veel.
11 Aug 2010, 17:08 pm
@WP_(WP_)-104: lees jy ook maar sommer my comments aan Cardinelli. Sanik ook oor n agsteman wat gekies is, maar eintlik moet julle kla dat daar n ander flank in die plek van julle loverboy is.
11 Aug 2010, 17:15 pm
@WP_(WP_)-104:
If that’s the case then Brussow is overrated.
If it’s just my opinion vs your opinion- what of it?
As you know, I firmly believe Stegmann is better than Brussow.
What happened to these two Grey boys?
Look- after highschool the Bulls wanted Stegmann and away he went. Brussow debuted in the S14 a year earlier than Steggies as the Cheetahs had less competition for him there. (2007)
In 2008, Stegmann debuts in the nightmare Bulls year- but is still nominated as Bulls forward of the year.
2009 comes around and Stegmann really leads Brussow but misses a third of the S14 with an unfortunate ban.
But Brussow Bok-debuted in 2008 for 5 minutes, and was then the only choice to backk Burger when the latter got a ban too.
then 2010, Stegmann has another great season, (and he is on his way for another Bulls forward of the year nomination BTW), but what happens? The Stormers actually make the finals and now they’re the cats whiskers and Flou gets chosen ahead of Stegmann- not to mention every uninformed tom d ick and harry jumping on the bandwagon claiming Stegmann is a liability, having a good deal of hatred for the bulls in anyway.
So where does that leave us? In this situation with the Boks out of sorts. Now Steggies got injured in a nothing CC match.
Your opinoin is that Flou is better than Steggies, mine is that Stegmann>Brussow>Flou.
Any questions?
11 Aug 2010, 17:23 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-108: What was that middle bit again…?
11 Aug 2010, 17:25 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-108:
Ok, to summarize (in case a misquotes comes);
Stegmann was good enough to take Brussow’s place in every year since 2008.
But as you can see, every year there was a different issue.
(I forgot to mention that Stegmann also tore an ankle ligament in the S14 final against the CHiefs at Loftus in the process stealing a ball- that also helped cut him out of the June Bok picture for sure. His most recent injury – tearing his hammy whilst securing a T/O ball/penalty also put him out of contenton for the meanwhile, when it seems we could’ve really used him.
See? Everytime something pops up. I Stegmann stayed at eh Cheetahs and Brusswo went to the Bulls, it would be Stegmann that everybody would be calling for at the Boks)
11 Aug 2010, 17:27 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-109:
BUT! Don’t despair! post 110 is just for you!
11 Aug 2010, 17:29 pm
Be back in a bit…
11 Aug 2010, 17:29 pm
The problems with the Boks:
No Watson
No Rose
11 Aug 2010, 17:31 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-111: Have you seen “A Fish Called Wanda”?
So to summarise your summation:
Laste year Brussouw was picked for the Boks. This year he was injured and Flo was picked.
Stegman….lets see… oh yes. Still playing CC. Or not as the case may be at the moment?
11 Aug 2010, 17:38 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-114:
Ja I did see that…
I that stuttering twit that can’t get the job done, aren’t I? *Sigh* Just trying to help.
11 Aug 2010, 17:40 pm
Where is Grant10?
I heard a bird tweet that John Smit might call it a day after his 100th cap, don’t know if the bird tweeted earlier and I missed it, if it did I’m sorry for the old gossip.
11 Aug 2010, 17:42 pm
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-116:
How’s that?
11 Aug 2010, 17:47 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-117: I just heard a rumour today that he might retire after the Soccer City game..it could be a load of BS.
11 Aug 2010, 17:48 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-117: If it’s true Grant10 is going to be over the moon.
11 Aug 2010, 17:48 pm
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-118:
Now,now. Speedos are not all machine-washable you know.Please give Grant some consideration…
11 Aug 2010, 17:50 pm
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-119:
He probably hasn’t posted yet, seeing as his keyboard shorted out with all the drooling…
11 Aug 2010, 17:50 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-115: No, the Kevin Cline character, the bungling dimwitted villian Otto always said that after people gave him a long story. I think his attention span was somewhat limited. I always say that after a long post. Not that I’m immune to long posts myself, but like everyone else on this site, I’m also not immune to hypocrisy.
PS it’s not that I was particularly bored by your posts, it’s just my social innapropriateness disorder (as my wife diagnosed it) coming out.
11 Aug 2010, 17:51 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-120: Would be weird not seeing him there, if it happens think Matfield going to lead the Boks to the WC.
11 Aug 2010, 17:52 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-122:
Oooo, I don’t think I have that one yet- trade?
11 Aug 2010, 17:54 pm
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-123:
Matties is a year older isn’t he?
I honestly thought Smitty was just gonna hold out till the BIL and retire after a marvellous 2009- but then he didn’t.
I still think Smit is the second best hooker in SA (when fit).
11 Aug 2010, 17:56 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-125: Yes agree when fit, as said before by a few people here, he needs rest and the right training program and only start playing again next season.
11 Aug 2010, 17:57 pm
Wagagagagaga! JC throws a rant because one of his hyped up WP boys might not be picked. The same Louw that got found out badly on tour? Subbed soon after halftime on debut and utterley average in the next match. We have better loosies and he’s surplus to requirement.
11 Aug 2010, 18:00 pm
@King Shaka(zulu shark)-127:
Ja, but Flo is such a cool name. Just feel it roll off your tongue… “Flllloooooooooo…”
11 Aug 2010, 18:01 pm
Right! This is getting rather silly!
Time for something completely different.
11 Aug 2010, 18:02 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-124: What you got to trade? OCD I already have, and Stegman envy i don’t want thanks. I already have Pieter Louw envy. Although, and let me be clear on this, not, I repeat NOT Pieter Louw HAIR ENVY….
11 Aug 2010, 18:05 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-129: Monty Python?
11 Aug 2010, 18:07 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-130:
lololololololol
ADD?
11 Aug 2010, 18:07 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-130:
PhD?
11 Aug 2010, 18:08 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-131:
…and the Boks brainstrust circus.
11 Aug 2010, 18:10 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-130:
Skoppies might be able to interest you in MPD…
11 Aug 2010, 18:13 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-135: LOL yes thanks but I struggle to multitask at the best of times.@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-133: In? I’m a bit “studied out” but I thought that Social Inappropriateness comes automatically with a PHD.
11 Aug 2010, 18:14 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-134: Who would be your nomination for “Upper Class Twit of the Year”?
11 Aug 2010, 18:14 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-136:
In? In the ground dude.
11 Aug 2010, 18:15 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-137:
On this site?
11 Aug 2010, 18:15 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-137:
Pretentious BOD…
11 Aug 2010, 18:25 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-140: LOL. sure why not. I was more on the Shaun langenhoven train, but he’s not very upper class so I guess he doesn’t count..
11 Aug 2010, 18:31 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-141:
No, shame man. I really felt bad after I saw his profile photo- like when negotiators show hostage takers pathetic pictures of their victim’s family etc.
11 Aug 2010, 18:34 pm
I’m out, talking c rap all day has made me hungry.
11 Aug 2010, 18:35 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-143:
But then again, I’d happily take a dump on a JC thread anyday…
11 Aug 2010, 19:12 pm
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-118: seriosly?
About a year overdue.
Will be cool to be able to choose on merit again
11 Aug 2010, 19:21 pm
‘it’s clear the current breakdown laws demand the inclusion of somebody who plays to the ball.’
and how exactly did Louw’s selection on the Bok tour assist with this?
11 Aug 2010, 19:25 pm
Also JC, Burger isn’t a number 8, he’s played there at test level before without a great deal of success. SA don’t currently have a fetcher that can compete with McCaw and Pocock, imo the best bet is to drop pick 3 grafters in the backrow, Smith, Burger and Potgieter (maybe Alberts).
11 Aug 2010, 19:25 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-147: * drop Spies (not up to it)
11 Aug 2010, 19:29 pm
Keo fire up a new thread there simply entitled Poaching Sharks Exposed
Yes that is right Mapoe was ordered to retun to that one horse town, Bloemfontein as the standard SARPA player’s contract that Mapoe signed with his own hand is solid … the same contract that all my Lions are now on.
oh it is true.
11 Aug 2010, 19:31 pm
Okay general question…
How does one rate an opensider (as being better than the next)?
What does one look for?
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