Balance key in back row composition
3 Nov 2010
RYAN VREDE writes that Pierre Spies and Juan Smith’s selection in the loose trio necessitates the inclusion of Deon Stegmann.
Spies, consistently good in the Super 14, failed to replicate that form at Test level in 2010. However, coach Peter de Villiers remained unfailingly loyal to him and is fully expected to name him as his starting No 8 for their tour opening Test against Ireland on Saturday.
Spies, in five Tests in the northern hemisphere, has never recovered from his first – a nightmare display against Ireland in 2006. The Heathrow international arrivals hall seems to sap his power, rendering him a relative passenger. That he arrived this time with a fractured confidence after an indifferent Test season doesn’t aid his cause.
Spies is at his most potent when part of the game plan is geared towards engineering attacking opportunities in space for him. Admittedly, part of his failings can be attributed to the team’s inability to do this consistently. But Spies must (and would have given the high standard he expects of himself) take the bulk of the responsibility for his relative attacking impotency.
Equally he needs to assert himself more defensively. It continues to a personal point of frustration that none of his coaches have adequately taught him good tackle technique because a player with his upper body strength has the potential to be deployed as a defensive weapon, dominating tackle situations and whereby creating opportunities for turnovers. At present he is no more an a bulky obstruction.
Smith’s value cannot be overstated and was in full evidence upon his return to the Springboks’ back row for the home leg of the Tri-Nations. He is a banker at the gain line and defends with brutality that makes you cringe. His performance in those facets of play will be decisive to how the Springboks fare on tour.
However, balance is key in the back row, and with Spies and Smith tasked with making metres and blunting Ireland at the collisions (as well as the secondary roles as lineout jumpers), it is essential that the Springboks start with a specialist openside flank. Stegmann has the qualities that complement the aforementioned duo.
Certainly there is the legitimate concern that Stegmann is not match fit, having missed the bulk of the Currie Cup through injury. However, injuries and the perplexing omission of Francois Louw (he would have been my pick to start at No 6) means Stegmann is the only choice.
It would be a grave tactical error to deploy any of the other options – Ryan Kankowski, Keegan Daniel or Willem Alberts – there. While all three are undoubtedly gifted, none are as skilled at slowing the recycle or stealing the ball as Stegmann is. A player of this ilk has been at the heart of most defensively sound sides, allowing the line to set by ensuring that the ball emerges from the ruck slowly. In addition, teams often profit from turnovers created by these men.
Stegmann won’t offer the Springboks an additional potential metre maker with ball in hand, but they have an enough of those for him not to be a liability in this regard. Neither is he going to reverse anyone in contact, but again, there are those equipped to do so.
He has allowed Spies to play a looser role at the Bulls, South Africa’s most successful franchise, who’ve consistently deployed a specialist openside flank in the last four years (Wikus van Heerden preceded Stegmann in the role). He would now provide the same opportunities for him with the Springboks, and given that the forecast is for clear skies over the revamped Lansdowne Road, Spies could be a factor.
Balance is essential when constructing the back row, and it is an area where the Springboks’ coaching staff have consistently failed this season, following the premature axing of Louw. They cannot make that mistake again. Stegmann’s time is now.
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*Check out my lighthearted take on the Springbok squad selection and their chances against Ireland on the Telegraph’s (UK) blog – http://my.telegraph.co.uk/rugby/ryanvrede/478/peter-de-villiers-must-pick-patrick-lambie-as-springboks-full-back-but-he-wont/
291 Comments
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3 Nov 2010, 12:31 pm
@pompies2(pompies2) :
No, the real work starts after you made the tackle.
3 Nov 2010, 12:32 pm
@pompies2(pompies2) :
OK, we’ve lost eachother. You’re not the counter-rucker when making the tackle, immediately afterwards…that’s what. Anyway, If Steggies isn’t fully recovered JC will feel vindicated that he “isn’t up to international standard”, that’s a slight worry. Afterall we’ve seen players got a little look-in, and then dropped like a hot potato. We could have had Potties there. just think about it, now we have Keegan
Ja wat.
3 Nov 2010, 12:35 pm
@willievz(willievz) : 100
No trust me Willievz, we are the best in the world in that department..next to the All Blacks
3 Nov 2010, 12:36 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking) :
come now frank.
don’t be sour, rather help duane with his gardening whilst the big boys tour.
he needs a shoulder to cry on after Alberts put a collar and leash on him in the final.
3 Nov 2010, 12:37 pm
@willievz(willievz) : Have to agree. Contact skills aren’t very good.
3 Nov 2010, 12:38 pm
Lions making a major announcement at 15:00 today, expect it to be more than just confirmation on the Mapoe move to the union.
3 Nov 2010, 12:39 pm
I think a lot of people under-estimate the value of the sharks tight forwards in the loose – especially bismarck and hargreaves who steal the most ball for them.
The new laws have changed the breakdown quite a bit imo. The tackler has less impact; the guys arriving next are responsible for slowing the ball down. On your own ball, speed to the ruck is still the most important in terms of maintaining possession and getting quick ball.
This is where the mobile sharks pack excelled and is the reason for their currie cup success.
3 Nov 2010, 12:40 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt) : oh yes? what else are you anticipating?
3 Nov 2010, 12:40 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : OK. I understand what you saying. I was referring to the tackler driving past the ball once the tackle is made. I haven’t written the openside completely after seeing Pocock’s display in the 2nd half this past weekend, but I’m not of the ‘fetcher’ at all costs brigade.
3 Nov 2010, 12:41 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt) :
luke watson to be the new captain next year?
3 Nov 2010, 12:42 pm
@dump_divvy(dump_divvy) :
Couple of rumors going around…
New sponsors being one of them, and then also possibly Lions making Soweto their new home???
3 Nov 2010, 12:42 pm
@pompies2(pompies2) :
You’re not allowed to do that. if I understand what you are saying
3 Nov 2010, 12:44 pm
On the subject of a balanced loose-trio…
Ideally it should be:
6. Should be a supporting and linking player, playing to the ball and ensuring quick recycling of possession, as well as slowing down opposition ball when on defense.
7. Should be a very physical and aggressive (and preferably big) ball-carrier, who can cross the advantage line to ensure go-forward ball and establish momentum. Defensively he should counter the opposition’s ball carrying forwards and lay in some big hits.
8. The nr 8′s positional play is key both when fielding kicks in the backfield, as well as on cover-defense. On attack he will either be a primary ball-carrier, or play a supporting role, depending on his build and size. Linking between the forwards and backs is essential. Most importantly, he should be able to adapt his game to the current situation, both on attack and defense, be it assisting in tackles or retreating to the backfield to field kicks
With Spies at nr 8, our loose trio will never be balanced.
If he has to be included, pick him as a 7 and have him play to his strengths, like Kaino does with success for the AB’s
(Although I can’t ever see him replacing Juan Smith)
3 Nov 2010, 12:45 pm
@semi(semi) : I’m glad you saw it the same way. I might only have 1 braincell, but I was worried that it wasn’t working so lekker. Didn’t notice hargreaves, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t contribute.
3 Nov 2010, 12:49 pm
ok, this is a bit silly now.
In the opinion of many, including myself, SA’s strongest trio combo is:
8 Spies
7 Smith
6 Stegmann
Triple S, Super Springboks. Can’t go wrong.
3 Nov 2010, 12:49 pm
@pompies2(pompies2) : my main thought on the fetcher argument is that a guy who excels at stealing ball can be a major bonus, provided he does all the basic foundational stuff that a loose forward must offer. So, guys like Brussouw, McCaw and Pocock are all helluva strong, make huge numbers of tackles, carry the ball effectively and have a good general skill set. On top of that, they will pilfer 2 or 3 balls a game that you might not otherwise have turned over, and as we know, turnover ball is your best attacking opportunity so that is significant.
So I do see the value of a fetcher, provided that’s not all he is. A guy like Stegman, for me, does not quite have the all-round game that guys like the 3 I’ve mentioned offer. Then on the other hand, a guy like Jean Deysel is not a stereotypical fetcher, nor it Francois Louw, but at their best, they both turn over a fair amount of ball, and offer a lot more all around the park.
3 Nov 2010, 12:50 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) :
Then why is our ruck ball so slow?
3 Nov 2010, 12:51 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking) : Spot on,did you notice how well Alberts did the whole cover defense and fielding the deep kicks on Saturday. I was pleasantly surprised.
3 Nov 2010, 12:52 pm
1. Beast Mtawarira
2. Bismark du Plesis
3. CJ van der Linde
4. bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Juan Smith
8. Willem Alberts
9. Francois Hougaard
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Brayan Habana
14. Gio Aplon
15. Patric Lambie
16. Jannie du Plessis
17. Chilliboy Rallepele
18. Allister Hargreeves
19. Pierre Spies
20. Ruaan Pienaar
21. Morne Steyn
22. Francois Steyn
3 Nov 2010, 12:54 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : That’s news to me. You saying you cannot drive past the ball after making the tackle?
Did anyone notice the comment on the reply icon if you hover over it? WTF!!!
3 Nov 2010, 12:56 pm
@willievz(willievz) :
when? Not disproportionally. getting it wrong and having insufficient numbers there can screw you over, I believe the Stormers over anticipated earlier this, the refs still hadn’t settled on it. The Bulls had a furious recycle rate for the most part of the S14.
(And im also tempted to say something RE Rick Januarie….images of Potties running at flank and scrummie come to mind)
3 Nov 2010, 12:57 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking) : That’s the basic requirement and should in no way be compromised. Any additional skill a loosie brings is a bonus
3 Nov 2010, 12:57 pm
@pompies2(pompies2) :
vous ne parlez pas francais?
3 Nov 2010, 12:59 pm
@pompies2(pompies2) : 120
Only saw it now….that explains it, this site is run by the French. Je suis en merde avec francais? Anyway…you aren’t allowed to interfere with the placement of the ball.
3 Nov 2010, 13:04 pm
dictionarydotreversodotnet/french-english/****
Change exclamation to ‘i’
3 Nov 2010, 13:06 pm
should be s h i t. Explains all the merde being written on the site. please turn off the pc brigade. we might act like children, but we can hanlde the profanities.
3 Nov 2010, 13:07 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) :
I saw on several occasions in the 3N that ball carriers such as Danie move that extra yard too far away from support, isolating himself, and then still fail to protect the ball in the tackle or when presenting it at the base of the ruck.
Of course, in the Springbok case, you can also blame support players for not arriving at the ruck quicker. But sometimes you can also blame the ball carrier for moving too far and making a wrong decision.
However, I primarily blame a lack of attacking strategy for ball carriers at close quarters. We rarely seemed to bundle up attacks like the ABs did with supporing runners on a carrier’s shoulder. These players are supposed to (a) provide support if the carrier goes to ground or (b) provide passing options for the carrier if an offload is on.
The only loosie I saw doing this in part was Potgieter.
For the most part, our carriers simply march on without any idea of what they are actually doing.
3 Nov 2010, 13:11 pm
Hello Rugby Lovers
My name is Ned.
Here is my view.
1) We must dominate the tackle/contact point.
2) If we do that, Stegmann will come into play.
3) If that happens – Spies & Smith can make metres.
4) Now we are making metres.
5) Backline gets front-foot ball.
6) We can play our running game.
Kindest Regards
Ned the Lions Supporter.
ps. Have a great day everyone and thank-you Mark Keohane for this Gr8t forum.
3 Nov 2010, 13:15 pm
@willievz(willievz) :
Blame it on the combination of Muir and Divvy. In turn they’ll blame it on the boys for “not being mature enough to play what is in front of them”. The players need to be able to recognize patterns that will allow them to default to a certain setmove or general attacking strategy.
They started playing like the Lions. ie uncoached. The problem is that these kids have had the training since youth..but each player has antoher idea..they need to be combed under the same standard. I can’t answer their problems, but I can tell you, one-on-one South Africans are the most robust and skilled players in the world.
3 Nov 2010, 13:17 pm
@Ned(Ned) : 128
Wow, what a nice guy.
Have a nice day:D
(unless you’re affiliated with Nedbank…in that case rot in hell. Please)
3 Nov 2010, 13:18 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) :
I have to agree with your last sentence.
3 Nov 2010, 13:22 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : I see he used the “S” word…..
3 Nov 2010, 13:23 pm
@willievz(willievz) : 131
Which one?
No, NZders are unmatched in broken play, but at the breakdown our boys can put the ears on anyone.
3 Nov 2010, 13:24 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) :
Hehe, now there I disagree again
3 Nov 2010, 13:24 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy) :
I only noticed that now….”supporter”…in conjuction with Lions, right?
At first I was like O_O…… then I was like -_-
3 Nov 2010, 13:25 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) :
why anybody would bank with nedbank is beyond me.
if one of the big 4 were to disappear up its own poepper it would be that one.
why take that chance?
3 Nov 2010, 13:28 pm
@gunther(gunther) : 136
yeah, but they swiped the pooper too…it’s like deviding by 0.
3 Nov 2010, 13:28 pm
@dump_divvy(dump_divvy) : I agree.
But in the same breath, I have to say that all Francois Louw offers at the moment are penalties for the opposition.
He is in a bad place mentally, and I hope he becomes a stronger player when this storm passes.
3 Nov 2010, 13:30 pm
when is the team announcement?
I think it’ll be fairly predictable with the youngsters on the bench if history is anything to go by.
3 Nov 2010, 13:30 pm
What a ridiculous article! 1st I don’t think Spies or Kanko should be starting, but to pick Stegman over Daniel is a bit ridiculous on current form.
The Sharks IMO have the most balanced loose trio in SA. (I’ve been banging on about this for ages). Now look at the formulation:
Daniel (Opensider – great from a ball retention perspective)
Alberts/Deysel (Huge defense and great ball carrier)
Kanko (Show pony with the pace)
Now if you sub in Smith for Alberts and Spies for Kanko the balance looks pretty similar, so why would Daniel be out of place in this line-up??
Anyway I think our best trio would be:
Daniel
Alberts
Smith
With Kanko/Spies coming of the wood.
3 Nov 2010, 13:31 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : 137 *dividing
3 Nov 2010, 13:31 pm
@gunther(gunther) : bad experience?
3 Nov 2010, 13:32 pm
@willievz(willievz) : Flo is a one-season phenomenon! He played well, went straight into the boks (typical WP), whilst guys like Stegman have been performing for years.
Flo’s technique is terrible, he lies on the tackled player.
3 Nov 2010, 13:33 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated) :
Div will pick Kankowski, Smith and Spies.
3 Nov 2010, 13:33 pm
@gunther(gunther) : @Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : ps. All banks will screw you over for a penny, so it doesn’t really matter where you bank.
3 Nov 2010, 13:36 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated) : The WP thing didn’t work for Vermeulen….Although the Sharks thing looked like it did for Alberts.
3 Nov 2010, 13:37 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck) : 145
Yeah…but I like service with a smile
3 Nov 2010, 13:38 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated) 140: The biggest thing is the northern hemisphere factor – heavy, possibly wet fields. They don;t suit a lot of our players, although I’d still go with that trio you suggested: Daniel and Smith on the flanks with Alberts at 8.
3 Nov 2010, 13:39 pm
The problem with the whole Spies thing is him being picked purely on his potential. Which he obviously has.
The amount of people slagging him off as useless have very short memories. I personally don’t like the guy, one because he’s a Bull and being a teenager have only ever watched my beloved WP taking up the behind from the boys from Tshwane. He also seems emotionally pathetic when I read his interviews, typical lame stuff.
That said I’d like to think I ignore provincialism when it comes to the Boks and an in form Spies is the best 8 in the World barring maybe Parrisse who is just in a league of his own.
The point I want to make is that Spies should be dropped. Told that he will be monitered closely and that good form will see him back in the side. Until he is forced to get his form back I don’t see how it’ll happen. It also has a detremental effect on other 8s in the country who will think there’s nothing they can do to oust him. Competition is very healthy and with the largest and IMO most talented pool of Rugby players in the World we can utilise competition to get the best results.
Much like Evolution does in speciation (That one is for you Taccy my Intellectual/Conservative/Isreal/Tea Party supporting friend).
3 Nov 2010, 13:39 pm
@Mutant(Mutant) : Ya Vermuelen, was unlucky. Alberts been playing well for years too. I reckon it was a straight choice vs the 2 of them.
How many S14 caps does Flo have?????
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