Forward thinking
4 Nov 2010
Gert Smal talks to SA Rugby magazine about Ireland’s return to Lansdowne Road, taking on the Bok lineout again, and the new law interpretations.
You live across the road from Lansdowne Road. How special will the first Test back at the ground be?
It will be amazing. Lansdowne Road has always been the traditional home of Irish rugby and is still the oldest rugby stadium in the world. There is a real desire to make it a fortress for the team, but to do that we have to put in a performance and not worry about the history or the occasion.
It will also be your first Test there as an Ireland coach.
The atmosphere at Croke Park was always pretty special for us, but the spectators were a good distance away from the pitch. That won’t be the case at Lansdowne Road, which will make it more intimate for the players and fans.
You were part of the Bok coaching staff that went on a Grand Slam tour in 2004, but this Bok outfit ?seems to be in a very different place. Do you agree?
No, I don’t. That team in 2004, and the one that played against Ireland in 2006, had the nucleus of the side that went on to win the World Cup and was the start of great things for the Boks. They may have lost their Tri-Nations title, but they still have a squad with good strength in depth and players who are able to compete at the very top of international rugby.
As Ireland’s forwards coach you’re also a selector, which wasn’t the case when you were with the Boks. How much of a benefit is that?
During my time with the Boks the assistant coaches had input when it came to player selection; it’s important to give your views as part of that process. As a coach with Ireland, all selection meetings are based on looking at how well players are performing and which players will fit into the team strategy and game plan for a particular match. We attend provincial training sessions so we can see how players do in training and not just matches. We also have regular discussions with the provincial coaches about the players and the game in general.
Much was said about your role in dismantling the Bok lineout last year. Were you surprised they hadn’t changed their calls?
To say we dismantled their lineout is probably overstating how the lineout battle went. I think we prepared and competed well that day, but all teams adapt for each match they play, so no two are the same. It wasn’t a case of knowing their lineout calls, but rather making sure we competed as much as possible and we got the breaks that allowed us to disrupt them. We will need to be on top of our game in order to compete with the Bok lineout again.
Victor Matfield said you taught the Irish forwards Afrikaans before last year’s Test.
When I arrived here I had hoped that we could use Gaelic, the traditional Irish language, to run lineout calls, but it isn’t spoken as widely as I’d thought. A lot has been made of Victor’s comments, but really, my ability to teach Afrikaans is not up to that sort of standard. And the guys even battled to pronounce my name correctly at first. I worked with many of the Boks for over six years and knew their lineout intricacies and abilities so that was a major help and certainly the Irish guys would have been aware of cues and triggers. But the real ability to compete with an opposition lineout comes from detailed analysis, really studying how a team uses its lineouts to attack. We did reasonably well last year, but I expect the Boks to be every bit as difficult to break down in this area.
Have the Boks changed their lineout system since then?
Like any other team, I think their lineout is always evolving and adjusting to the teams they play. No one game is the same and I think the Bok lineout did well during the Tri-Nations. If they still believe we know their calls they will certainly change them.
As many as 13 senior Boks are set to be rested for this tour. How will that affect your preparation?
I don’t know who will be selected for the Boks but the depth in South African rugby means the team will always be strong. In my view there is no such thing as a weak Bok team and any touring squad will be playing for World Cup places, so we will be preparing to face a strong team. The coverage of the Currie Cup is limited here, but I try to catch as many games as possible.
How would you compare the player depth that Ireland has compared to South Africa?
It does come down to numbers and South Africa has always had a big rugby-playing population so the Boks’ strength in depth is probably the best in world rugby. [Ireland coach] Declan Kidney has been building a stronger squad and he increased competition for places over the past 18 months by exposing players to international games and working with the provinces. I think we’re now in a better place than we were before. He has always said that Ireland’s size is actually our strength, as the players know each other so well, have achieved so much together and have an inner belief about what they can achieve. I agree.
Why have Ireland struggled since winning the Grand Slam last year?
Rugby is about small margins. A missed touch here, a dropped ball there and games can get away from you. This year, there were so many moments that didn’t go our way that could have made a difference. You need these things to happen for you to build momentum in a match and once that happens, that momentum can build from game to game. The tour to Australasia was very important for us. While we didn’t win any games and had 14 players injured before we left, it created opportunities for players to test their abilities at that level and to see how they functioned against two of the top three sides in the world. Importantly, the coaches all felt that the players gave us options for selection.
How much have you grown as a coach by working with individuals from different cultures and rugby backgrounds?
It’s been very important for my development as a coach as you pick up so much information, traditions and understanding of the game. Working with Declan, [defence coach] Les Kiss, [backs coach] Alan Gaffney and [kicking coach] Mark Tainton exposes you to a wide range of international experience and views of the game. We’ve all learnt from each other and hopefully I will use that in future.
How have the Irish sides adapted to playing under the new law interpretations and what will Ireland have to do differently for the November Tests?
It was hard to gauge early on in our season. It took time for Super 14 teams to adjust to the new interpretations at the start of the tournament and the northern hemisphere also went through that stage. We are still 11 months and 13 Tests away from the World Cup, so there is quite a bit of time to make any further adjustments. By the time we got to play the southern hemisphere teams in June they’d had four months of the new interpretations. By November, it will be easier to judge how much progress we’ve made.
Is it a concern that many of Ireland’s senior players are over 30 and may be too old at the World Cup?
Age is just a number and it’s all about a player’s ability. We also have a large number of players who are well under 30. I believe you need that balance of experience and youth to give you a strong mix, something that is crucial in a tournament like the World Cup. You need experience to win it, just look at how important Os du Randt was for the Boks in 2007.
– For more on the Grand Slam tour, get the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine.
74 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 » Show All
4 Nov 2010, 06:12 am
Smal street dragon
4 Nov 2010, 06:24 am
Good forwards coach.
I am holding onto my *** for this one.
Hey Tranny how is my main man Mhpo doing?
Tell about a kid called Manatshe? Played for the Pumas on wing. Awesome prospect
4 Nov 2010, 06:34 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack) :mpho has been plagued by injury most of this season.
4 Nov 2010, 06:37 am
Bugger he was for me Brussouws back up. Pity he had Bok written all over him. Greta fetcher and link player too.
What about that laaitjie I saw for the Pumas or Leopards??? on the wong
4 Nov 2010, 06:44 am
wing!!
4 Nov 2010, 06:52 am
Harro prease
4 Nov 2010, 06:54 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack) : i don’t know the kid mate, but i’ll give him a look.
just saw mapoe in Lions jersey on blitz…
Van Zyl must feel like such a poephol
4 Nov 2010, 07:01 am
Ja is pretty tall for a wing. Had that head boy look about him. Not the fat head boy look. Stayed on his feet and always off loaded the ball. I like the players look to make the play intsead of the dompkopf steam roller type that goes to ground.
4 Nov 2010, 07:19 am
This is getting beyond silly now!
The debate over where Lionel Mapoe will be playing has finally been settled with the Lions confirming on Wednesday that the Springbok Sevens star will be joining them next season.
While the 22-year-old will be relieved that the protracted saga surrounding his future is over, and he can now get back to playing rugby, although he may be still be forced to repay the salary he has received from the Sharks.
Frikkie Erasmus, who was the lawyer representing Mapoe and the Sharks during the legal tug-of-war with the Cheetahs, confirmed to rugby365.com that he will no longer be representing Mapoe.
Mapoe has withdrawn his request for leave to appeal against the earlier court finding – which stated his contract with the Cheetahs was legally binding.
However, Erasmus said that the Sharks are continuing with their case – to ask for leave to appeal against the finding, in favour of the Cheetahs.
“Obviously there is a cost implication,” Erasmus told rugby365.com.
The cost implications revolve around the fact that the Sharks have been paying Mapoe’s salary since he left the Cheetahs in May and there is matter of the legal fees.
The Sharks appear to have accepted that they will not have the services of Mapoe, but would like to recoup at least some of the money spent in trying to secure his services.
Free State Rugby Union president Harold Verster says he is relieved “that Lionel will finally be back on the rugby field” after his long absence.
“When we were approached by the Lions we saw this as an opportunity to bring closure to this matter. We have concluded a proper transfer agreement between the Cheetahs and the Golden Lions with payment of a transfer fee to Cheetahs,” he said.
“We wish Lionel well and we are sure this solution will be to the benefit of all parties involved. We were happy with the professional manner in which the Golden Lion’s Robert and Ivor handled the negotiations.”
Golden Lions Rugby Union President Kevin De Klerk said Mapoe will join the team with immediate effect.
“Lionel will form an integral part of our squad that is being built under our coach John Mitchell,” he said.
At the start of the year the Sharks won the legal battle to sign Louis Ludik, Willem Alberts and Gerhard Mostert from the Lions, who have not managed to get their own back by snatching Mapoe from under the Sharks noses.
4 Nov 2010, 07:19 am
Ok this seems like the article with the most activity!
I have heard from a good source within the team the starting line up will be as follows.
1. Beast
1. Bismarck
2. Jannie
4. Bakkies
5. Matfield
6. Stegmann
7. Smith
8. Spies
9. Hougaard
10. Steyn
11. Habana
12. Lambie
13. Zane Kirchner
14. Basson
15. Aplon
Thats how practice went…Jdv has a slim chance of getting in to the starting lineup if his injury clears in time.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US!
4 Nov 2010, 07:25 am
The Sharks are probably glad to have shunted Mapoe on. The worst case scenario is they have to wear the out of pocket legals. Meh, that is about as heavy as the toll gets. The Sharks would do well to cop that one on the chin. Bleating about it draws the crows.
4 Nov 2010, 07:26 am
Somebody Frikked up!
4 Nov 2010, 07:44 am
@Falken(Falken) : Ok more like zero activity.
4 Nov 2010, 07:46 am
Great that it’s not some fancy-pantsy named stadium but merely identified by the road in which it is built: Lansdowne Road, Dublin.
4 Nov 2010, 07:47 am
Tyros not afraid to lead Wallabies on the field
Greg Growden
November 4, 2010
Matt Giteau’s decision to relinquish the Test
goalkicking duties, apart from being a smart
move, is the latest step in the
transformation of the Australian team.
It means the young pups, especially those
who have been nurtured by Wallabies
coach Robbie Deans, are running the show.
Sure, the senior players still have a major
input, in particular skipper Rocky Elsom and
Nathan Sharpe, but a good deal of the
direction the team takes and how it plays
on Test day is being determined by the new
generation.
You have a 20-year-old in James O’Connor
taking over the goalkicking. Your key
playmaker, Quade Cooper is 22. The man
who often gets it all started is 22-year-old
Will Genia. The player who is giving the
Wallabies attack an extra unpredictable
edge is 21-year-old Kurtley Beale. And the
player whom every opposition team
describes as Australia’s biggest danger -
David Pocock – is 22. All make a difference.
The Wallabies creche is making an
enormous racket while giving Deans
satisfaction in knowing that he doesn’t
have to be worried about losing their
attention, because they are, after all,
indebted to him for giving them a chance at
Test level.
It is certainly nice for a coach when he
knows he has the upper hand with key
players. All were selection risks. And all have
nsucceeded, having the desired effect of
worrying opposition coaches.
Wales coach Warren Gatland joined that list
yesterday. He raved about Cooper and
Beale’s dancing feet, even laughing at
Cooper’s arrogance in giving All Blacks
captain Richie McCaw some lip and a push
after Australia had levelled the scores on the
bell in Hong Kong. And when Pocock was
mentioned, Gatland was blunt.
In Gatland’s view, so dangerous has Pocock
become that he has to be obliterated by the
Welsh back row, or the home team stands
no chance on Saturday night.
”We have to make sure we do a job on him,
because at the moment there’s nobody in
the world better than Pocock at winning
turnovers at the breakdown,” Gatland said.
Against South Africa in Bloemfontein last
month, the Welsh coach was impressed with
how Pocock effected four clean breakdown
turnovers, which means, ”We have to be
very physical with him.” These are the type
of statements Deans loves to hear, because
it means his gambles are starting to pay off.
Another crucial factor in the Wallabies’
recent improvement has been Giteau
approaching Deans this week and
explaining it was time to hand the goal-
kicking duties to O’Connor. The issue was
not going to go away. Giteau’s inability to
kick the pressure shots was affecting the
team. He took the smart option and passed
on the baton. An enormous weight had
suddenly been taken off him.
For putting the cause of this young and
vibrant team first, Giteau deserves to be
congratulated.
4 Nov 2010, 07:56 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler) : I am sure it is called the Aviva Stadium
4 Nov 2010, 08:08 am
Yoh the Lions making moves ne. So that means they paid the R1.5m the Cheetahs wanted for Mapoe. Lions got money to blow!! So is that the big announcement today at Coca-Cola Park? I expect the Lions to make more signings before this year is up.
4 Nov 2010, 08:09 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler) : @ 14 – It WAS! Not anymore . . .
4 Nov 2010, 08:13 am
@JL1(JL1) : @GoBokkeAndIreland(GoBokkeAndIreland) : I think Tackler is getting old. He is making alot of mistakes nowadays. Like yesterday he had a pearler saying Sonny Bill Williams is bigger than most test lock forwards!! WTF??
4 Nov 2010, 08:15 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami) : He claimed SBW tipped the scales at 290lbs
4 Nov 2010, 08:15 am
@Falken(Falken) : zane at 13? are you sure
4 Nov 2010, 08:17 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami) : @ 19 – Yeah, saw that! Think that was wishful thinking though! I can’t wait to see SBW in action – almost as much as I can’t wait to see Ire vs SA.
4 Nov 2010, 08:18 am
Im just reporting what i heard from someone in the camp!
I dont want to believe it but thats what he said!
4 Nov 2010, 08:21 am
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga) : @ 21 – Our centre options look thin at the moment. If that is our centre pairing, I see trouble for the Boks.
4 Nov 2010, 08:21 am
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga) : Ja I also heard Zane at 13.
4 Nov 2010, 08:23 am
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking) : @GoBokkeAndIreland(GoBokkeAndIreland) : Ja scary!! Yes i also look forward to watching SBW in action. The Hype has been crazy around him.
4 Nov 2010, 08:24 am
1. Beast
1. Bismarck
2. Jannie
4. Bakkies
5. Matfield
6. Stegmann
7. Smith
8. Spies
9. Hougaard
10. Steyn
11. Habana
12. Lambie
13. Zane Kirchner
14. Basson
15. Aplon
4 Nov 2010, 08:26 am
@GoBokkeAndIreland(GoBokkeAndIreland) : Zane’s job will be to tackle BOD hard all day long. It will be tough for him because i dont think he has ever played at 13. Defending at 13 is tricky…..not everyone can do it.
4 Nov 2010, 08:27 am
@Falken(Falken) : 23
Could you perhaps divulge who told you so, and when he/she told you?
4 Nov 2010, 08:29 am
@Falken(Falken) :
27 And the bench?
BTW, SoBW this, SoBW that
nothing a stewige boere PK cant sort out.
4 Nov 2010, 08:31 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami) : Zane has a great stiff arm
Comes in handy on nippy lil buggers.
4 Nov 2010, 08:33 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz) : Ja that could work. Injure BODYOFMASS in the 1st minute. The Boks will be unpredictable this might give us the edge of the IRISH.
4 Nov 2010, 08:33 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : One of the players in the team. Yesterday before they left but he said the team was not confirmed yet…Jdv might just recover from his injury and it is always possible that lightning might hit Zane!
Dont know about the bench!
4 Nov 2010, 08:34 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : My bench would be
16. Chiliboy
17. CJ
18. Flip
19. Alberts
20. Daniel
21. Pienaar
22. Mvovo
4 Nov 2010, 08:35 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami) : @ 28 – BOD is gonna rip Zane and Lambie a new 1! I”ll be surprised if at the end of the day, a few of the backline players aren’t totally stuffed!
4 Nov 2010, 08:35 am
@Falken(Falken) : 33
Lightening has already hit Zane…have you seen his hair?
Anyway, I doubt Stegmann will start (although maybe he is fitter than suspected), and I want to know where Kanko fits in…..
4 Nov 2010, 08:36 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : @ 30 – LOL @ PK! I just wanna see if he’s all hype or if he can handle top flight rugby!
4 Nov 2010, 08:36 am
@Falken(Falken) : Could the Bok get that Falken lucky?
4 Nov 2010, 08:37 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami) :
Pretty much…though I don’t think they’ll leave out Kanko, and Alberts could take a rest.
4 Nov 2010, 08:37 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : I can confirm that Falken has a reliable and credible source in the Bok camp
4 Nov 2010, 08:39 am
@GoBokkeAndIreland(GoBokkeAndIreland) :
BAH! Give me Jean&Jacque anyday. But sure bring on the Fruans and Williams….I love me some ungainly, puffed up, conceited Kiwis.
4 Nov 2010, 08:39 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami) : I think thats how the bench will but Kanko instead of Alberts.
He is still slightly injured, and Adi instead of Mvovo.
4 Nov 2010, 08:40 am
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking) : 40
Ok….confirm it please……
4 Nov 2010, 08:41 am
I’m also betting that someone is gonna end up with a broken arm or collarbone in the SA-Ire match!
4 Nov 2010, 08:41 am
@Falken(Falken) : Ok I can go with that.
4 Nov 2010, 08:41 am
1. Beast
1. Bismarck
2. Jannie
4. Bakkies
5. Matfield
6. Stegmann
7. Smith
8. Spies
9. Hougaard
10. Steyn
11. Habana
12. Lambie
13. Zane Kirchner
14. Basson
15. Aplon
16. Chiliboy
17. CJ
18. Flip
19. Kanko
20. Daniel
21. Pienaar
22. Jacobs
4 Nov 2010, 08:43 am
@GoBokkeAndIreland(GoBokkeAndIreland) : BOD and Darcy
4 Nov 2010, 08:44 am
@GoBokkeAndIreland(GoBokkeAndIreland) : 44
As long as it is CJ vd Linde if it has to be someone.
4 Nov 2010, 08:46 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami) : @47 – The Bok defense is gonna have to work . . .HARD!
4 Nov 2010, 08:47 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis) : @48 – I was thinking it’ll probably end up being either Zane or Lambie!
Pages: [1] 2 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.