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, 14:46 pm
@Mutant(Mutant) : Okay so basically, ours are the same, except I’d maybe swap the 10s and maybe have Mvovo on the bench instead of Kirchner. After all Lambie can cover 15 and I believe Mvovo might have more impact.
3 Nov 2010, 14:47 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated) : You just showed your immaturity by that post/tantrum. People can vote for whoever they want. Thats what makes this a democratic country, mate. Mouthing off like that does not impress anyone. You just loose respectability. People are laughing at you.
3 Nov 2010, 14:48 pm
I really can’t stand looking at the log anymore! Ruan is catching Morne!!!!
3 Nov 2010, 14:49 pm
this poll is astounding… Piennar and Jantjies over Lambie? there are literally over 1,000 idiots who read this blog.
3 Nov 2010, 14:53 pm
Is it possible for the same idiots to vote more than once?
3 Nov 2010, 14:54 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo) : What ever moron, let me guess you voted Jantjies.
Lets not get into the flaws of democracy, when a murdering rapist vote gets the same count as Desmond Tutu’s, I’d say its probably not a perfect system.
3 Nov 2010, 14:56 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell) : I know!! Terrible.
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) : Not that I know of.
3 Nov 2010, 14:56 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell) : @RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) :
3 Nov 2010, 14:57 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) : Yes…. Ratel probably voted 300 times for Lambie…the guy whuff the pretty smaail!
3 Nov 2010, 14:59 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated) : Not that its any of your business, but I voted Steyn. I dont agee with the poll results either, but calling everyone names will not change it, now would it?
3 Nov 2010, 15:00 pm
Where is the poll? I don’t see it. Also, what is the poll?
3 Nov 2010, 15:01 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) :
Yes you can, from different computers.
3 Nov 2010, 15:02 pm
Ratel, I think its time for you to change you nick to
“Pat Lambie is under-rated”
3 Nov 2010, 15:04 pm
Cause, Morne Stain is way overrated by now!
3 Nov 2010, 15:05 pm
Ok, so, I’m on the front page, where do I find this controversial poll?
3 Nov 2010, 15:05 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) :
entirely.
mighty has voted until his air time has run out.
on each of his stolen cellphones.
now he is voting on his bosses computer whilst bossman puts out the fire that mighty started in the chip frier.
3 Nov 2010, 15:06 pm
@gunther(gunther) :
chip frier…clearing table 4!
3 Nov 2010, 15:11 pm
@gunther(gunther) :
Didnt had much airtime, so dont bother to vote!
So go ahead and vote for you and maevis; so that PDV can pick Lambie
3 Nov 2010, 15:14 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua) :
maevis doesn’t care for rugby.
she says its not a manly sport unlike wrestling.
anyway the only time she listens to voting instructions from me is during the elections.
i threaten to donate her salary to the ANC unless she votes for the freedom front.
3 Nov 2010, 15:15 pm
FFS we all know Morne will be 10 and Pienaar 12. Who da feck will be 13 if JdV can’t pull off a Lazarus… maybe slot Lambie in here.
I don’t know what all the fuss is… chuck either Spies or Kanko in an extra sized 13 and no one will be the wiser. They both float there anyway.
3 Nov 2010, 15:15 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy) : Its on the same page you’re reading this. Top right=hand side. Poll on who the starting FH should be.
3 Nov 2010, 15:20 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) :
actually sheila it looks like lambchop is starting at 12.
he has been training there anyway.
unless pdv is bluffing to confuse the irish spy satellites that are orbiting jo’burg.
3 Nov 2010, 15:21 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo) : Cool thanks. I vote Elton
3 Nov 2010, 15:23 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy) :
your youth league t-shirt is in the post.
3 Nov 2010, 15:25 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy) : DONT!!!! Ratel will bring your mother into this conversation before you can say “Morne Steyn is over-rated”
3 Nov 2010, 15:27 pm
@gunther(gunther) : Viva Transformation. And Nationalisation.
@Tegejo(Tegejo) : No, it’s worth voting for him just to see the response from him.
Actually I voted for Morne. It doesn’t make sense, given the uncertainty in the midfield, to pick anyone else. Lambie can have one or two goes during the match if the opportunity arrises…….
3 Nov 2010, 15:33 pm
@gunther(gunther) : I saw highlights of the CC final and the lad looked okay at 10. It’s worth a shot easing him in and at 12 he will have a little more space. Never know he may make Morne look good.
How is he defensively? Either Spies or Kanko can assist his channel.
3 Nov 2010, 15:34 pm
WAIT, HOLD ON A MINUTE! ARE THE BOKS STILL IN jhb? I thought they left right after the function on Tuesday. It would have been a great way for SARU to curb their consumption for the evening?
3 Nov 2010, 15:34 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy) : On a serious note, I do rate Elton! Said it when he just started this season. He will be training under Percy for the next couple of months, and that would give him an even bigger kicking boot. He’s my man to take over from MS, with Lambie able to slot in at 15 immediately. I dont rate Frans Steyn, but thats just me.
3 Nov 2010, 15:36 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) :
he played 12 in the cc too.
3 Nov 2010, 15:37 pm
Elton trailing Morne by just 5 votes. C’mon Jantjies!
3 Nov 2010, 15:38 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo) : I happen to agree with you completely. I also posted on this forum some months ago that
(a) Lwazi Mvovo will be a ‘Bok wing before Gerhard VD Heever, and
(b) Elton Jantjies will be a Bok 10 before Pat Lambie.
3 Nov 2010, 15:39 pm
@gunther(gunther) : Well then, between PdV, you and me… we got it sorted.
So where we putting Pienaar? On the pine!
3 Nov 2010, 15:41 pm
There goes our chance to test Lamb at 10, no bloody centres left. Why Doppies not taken or at least Stefan ?? It seems they must replace a Brown with a Brown ??.. MS could slot in at 15 for this match but they will play him at 10. Also watch out for the HORRIBLE prospect of Kanko at 6 with only Daniels on the bench.
I hope I am wrong but so far these last few years it has been the old “hope it works out” plan. F8cking useless **** and Gaz.
Maybe a spanking on the EOYT is for the long term good of the rugby public ????
3 Nov 2010, 15:41 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo) :
it looks like the tri-partite alliance has been mobilised.
3 Nov 2010, 15:43 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy) : yip, just like pdivvy was the bok coach before heyneke meyer hey?
Brilliant. You have such vision it brings a tear to my one eye.
3 Nov 2010, 15:43 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) :
it looks like
hougaard
steyn
lambie
basson
habana
aplon
maybe ruan piano on the bench with zane.
3 Nov 2010, 15:44 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo) :
Please dont “C’mon Jantjies”
ABSA will lose more clients!
3 Nov 2010, 15:45 pm
@gunther(gunther) : I like it, it looks fresh and zippy.
3 Nov 2010, 15:45 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) : Re read you r last sentence again slowly !! When has either Spies or Kanko been rated in defence ? In fact WTF are either of them doing in NH ..
Oh well another day in paradise.
3 Nov 2010, 15:46 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck) : Yeah I’m a genius. What can I say. No-one will see that coming…
3 Nov 2010, 15:46 pm
@gunther(gunther) : what do you mean basson? you left out a center piece.
3 Nov 2010, 15:47 pm
Wasn’t “Sir” Elton nr10 when the Lions lost to the Pumas @ Ellis Park?? … Mr Rugby Lambie is 10X better …
3 Nov 2010, 15:47 pm
@gunther(gunther) : You’re missing a player there. Your sequence is all wrong…
3 Nov 2010, 15:48 pm
Johannesburg – The Springboks have had more than enough time to plan their strategy and will be ready for whatever Ireland throw at them this weekend, said coach Peter de Villiers.
“We know them (Ireland) from a to z,” he said.
“If they are going to change a few things, which we do expect, we will be ready for that too.”
Sounds like Pdivvy feels quite bullish about this game coming up, much like JW did in 2004 when he announced that only two Irishman would make his bok squad. Mmmmm….
3 Nov 2010, 15:48 pm
@bananas(bananas) : I was taking the pi$$. But honestly watch spies and kanko… they both float in the centres. Most decent 8′s link with their back… they don’t play there.
3 Nov 2010, 15:50 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck) :
hougie
steyn
basson
lambchop
jacobs
habana
aplon
sorry I left out adi.
its the inner racist in me.
3 Nov 2010, 15:53 pm
Adi?? lol … you had a better team with the missing player
3 Nov 2010, 15:53 pm
@gunther(gunther) : 4 players of colour in the backline? none in the forwards. i can see where this is going.
3 Nov 2010, 15:54 pm
@gunther(gunther) : I think you mean:
Hougat
Steyn
Habs
Chop (I like it better that way)
Jacobs
Basson
Aplon
Habs at 11 and Bjorn at 14?
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