Boks paint themselves into a corner
25 Nov 2010
JON CARDINELLI says that if England dominate the forward exchanges this Saturday, the Springboks will be exposed for their lack of versatility.
The England 22 will only be confirmed on Thursday afternoon, but there have been suggestions of a side geared towards a slow-moving frontline scrap. Unlike his opposite number, Martin Johnson will make these selections based on the belief that if you beat the Boks at the set-pieces and collisions, they have no Plan B.
It’s a belief that’s been underlined by the more physical hammerings the Boks have endured over the past 12 months. On the first game of their 2009 tour to Europe, the Boks were badly beaten in the forward exchanges by a fiery French side. Ireland were next to take them on in the trenches, and all three of New Zealand’s 2010 wins were achieved through uncompromising forward dominance.
England haven’t beaten the Boks since 2006, but are enjoying a revival that is in large part down to the feats of the heavies. They surprised the mighty All Blacks in the second half of their 6 November meeting, and then smashed the Wallabies in the forward exchanges the following week. They go into this clash with their tails up, knowing that in their current guise, the Boks are a team that battles to last the 80 minutes.
The fact of the matter is confirmed through their two tour wins rather than their defeat to Scotland. The Boks produced arguably their strongest and smartest forward display in the first 60 minutes of the Test against Ireland. They then battled to maintain the momentum in the dying minutes. Conversely, they took an entire half to get their pack going forward the very next week in Cardiff.
England are in confident mood, but the talk coming out their camp suggests they’re anything but complacent. They’ve scalped the Aussies, but they want the prize head of Bok to go with their 2010 achievements. They’ll be motivated from the outset this Saturday, and if the Boks don’t display the necessary accuracy and intensity, they’re in for another embarrassing afternoon.
Johnson’s likely to favour scrumming powerhouse Andrew Sheridan in the front row. Sheridan caused the Boks problems at the 2007 World Cup, despite England’s failure in other departments. The Bok scrum has been inconsistent on this tour, and were troubled by Scotland last week. As Peter de Villiers has said, the hosts will be favourites in this area.
Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer and Tom Croft are useful lineout options as well as powerful ball-carriers. The Bok lineout battled in difficult conditions last week, and with the weather expected to take a turn for the worse in London, they could struggle again. Meanwhile, the English will relish the assistance from Mother Nature. The news that the Boks are bitching about the weather will be music to their ears.
Johnson should also include British & Irish Lions lock Simon Shaw among the reserves. Shaw lent the Lions some grit when he was eventually selected for the second Test in the 2009 series. The battle for ascendancy in the first half an hour is going to be crucial, but Shaw will keep the English fight going long into the second half.
The Boks have powerful ball carriers in their loose trio and midfield. Johnson will favour Shontayne Hape and Mike Tindall in the latter department in an attempt to counter those strengths.
If the Boks fail in their quest for set-piece and gain-line dominance, then they are in trouble. The conditions will be bad and favour the team that is more accurate and has the momentum. There should be minimal opportunities for counter-attacking rugby where players like Gio Aplon and Lwazi Mvovo could come into the frame.
Failure to dominate up front will also pressure the Bok kickers, whose tactical punts haven’t been accurate of late. With ball-in-hand, Morne Steyn doesn’t have a record of creating space for his backline to break. England will look to pressure the Bok pack, but they will also look to pressure the Bok halfbacks. And if they succeed, South Africa will have no answer.
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244 Comments
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25 Nov 2010, 13:52 pm
@ispy(ispy) : I’d rather have a go at Muir to be honest. I would like to explain to him in detail why he should step away from rugby as soon as possible.
25 Nov 2010, 14:44 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon) :
161 ferguson now wants to get rid of rooney
ferguson is scum
25 Nov 2010, 14:46 pm
How are the Boks gonna get the better of the English scrum when
the Scots beat them?
I look forward to saturday to watch the demise of the
PDV Boks
25 Nov 2010, 14:46 pm
@Boksarenumber7(Boksarenumber1) :
Rooney is overrated and draws too much negative attention to the team. Why the big deal?
25 Nov 2010, 14:47 pm
IRB player of the year Nominations (Planetrugby):
Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, Victor Matfield, Imanol Harinordoquy, David Pocock and Kurtley Beale have been nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award.
The winner of the prestigious individual accolade will be announced on Wednesday, December 1, along with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year.
Six nominees have been selected for their outstanding performances throughout a compelling year of international fixtures.
The shortlist combines a blend of vastly experienced players with rising young stars who have graduated from the IRB Junior World Championship to the international stage in the last couple of years.
New Zealand captain and 2009 Player of the Year Richie McCaw heads a shortlist also featuring his teammate Mils Muliaina, South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winner Victor Matfield, France stalwart Imanol Harinordoquy and young Australian stars David Pocock and Kurtley Beale.
“The IRB Player of the Year Award is the greatest individual honour presented annually in our Game,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
“The six players nominated have all enjoyed an exceptional year of international Rugby and have been judged on their performances in the Six Nations, Tri-Nations, June and November Tests,”
“It is an impressive shortlist. Richie McCaw has already made history as the first player to win the Award twice, while Imanol Harinordoquy, Victor Matfield and Mils Muliaina have consistently performed to highest standards over the years.”
“It is also pleasing to see some of the brightest stars of the world game in Kurtley Beale and David Pocock also nominated for their achievements during what has been a fascinating year, setting the scene for what promises to be a memorable Rugby World Cup 2011.”
The nominees were selected by the IRB Awards independent panel of judges, chaired by Rugby World Cup winning captain John Eales, following a year-long review of all Test matches and thorough consultation and deliberation.
The panel comprises some of the biggest names in the game with Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and Eales winning over 500 caps and boasting four Rugby World Cup winners medals between them.
“The panel watch Test matches throughout the year, providing comprehensive analysis on players and making their selection based on performance and number of appearances,” said Eales.
“The shortlist represents a great group of players who have enjoyed an exceptional year on the international stage.”
The IRB Player of the Year Award will be the seventh of the IRB Awards to be presented in 2010.
In May, Samoa’s Mikaele Pesamino was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while New Zealand’s Julian Savea received the IRB Junior Player of the Year accolade in June and Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Carla Hohepa of New Zealand the IRB Women’s Personality of the Year Award in September. Brian O’Shea received the IRB Development Award in October and Colin High was presented with the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service earlier this month.
Previous Winners of the IRB Player of the Year Award:
2009 – Richie McCaw
2008 – Shane Williams
2007 – Bryan Habana
2006 – Richie McCaw
2005 – Dan Carter
2004 – Schalk Burger
2003 – Jonny Wilkinson
2002 – Fabien Galthie
2001 – Keith Wood
25 Nov 2010, 14:48 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) : 205. Sorry Victor, it ain’t gonna be your year…
25 Nov 2010, 14:49 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) : 205. I wonder if PdV stands a chance as Coach of the year
25 Nov 2010, 14:50 pm
The IRB POTY award is a joke. Shane Williams wins it in 08 after doing nothing. Then McCaw wins it in 2009 after only having ONE good test, and was utterly humiliated by Brussow.
25 Nov 2010, 14:52 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) :
Not a chance. LOL, it’s not THAT much of a sham.
25 Nov 2010, 15:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) : 205
So I have guessed 4 out of the 6 correctly.
Surprised about Mils and surprised about Matfield.
25 Nov 2010, 15:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) : PDivvy is definitely taking coach of the year.
25 Nov 2010, 15:07 pm
@Alucard(Alucard) : 208
I agree. It is only the Oscar / Academy Award for Best Actress and the Nobel Peace Prize that carry less credibility as an award.
25 Nov 2010, 15:11 pm
@willievz(willievz) : 210. Matfield or FdP should have taken it in 2009. Not this year. Not so surprised by Mils. Who would you have had instead of those 2?
25 Nov 2010, 15:11 pm
@willievz(willievz) : why would you be suprised? Mils only had a blip in the super14 when he was plagued with injury, otherwise he has been on fire since last year’s eoyt.
25 Nov 2010, 15:12 pm
Player of the Year – Must be Habana, surely?
Coach of the Year – P Divvy, Runners Up Muir and Gold
Cleanest Player and General All Round Top Bloke Award – Kevvy
Most Prolific Cheat – Cheatie McCheat
Referees Pet of the Year – Cheatie McCheat
Pie-Eater of the Year – Frans Steyn
Most Likely to Fall Asleep on Pitch – Ruan Pienaar
Tent Peg Face Award – Drew Mitchell
Player You’d Most Like to See Run Over By a Burning Train – Mike Philps
25 Nov 2010, 15:13 pm
@Gregs(Gregs) : 211. Takinthepiss or are you from the Skop “PdV f’kadilly is the ******** Ali of coaching” school?
I would normally presume the former but there are many okes in dreamland at the moment on Keo…
25 Nov 2010, 15:14 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) : 216 ****** = Mo.hamm.ed Ali
25 Nov 2010, 15:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) : 213
I guessed earlier in the week (when I think GI asked bloggers who thought might be the nominations).
I was spot-on about Harinordoquy, McCaw, Pocock and Beale.
I was wrong about James Hook and Ma’a Nonu.
But 4 out of 6 ain’t to shabby
@Transformation(Transformation) :
Mils had an outstanding year, but there are only 6 nominees. I thought Nonu had a bigger impact than him and James Hook was outstanding in a struggling Welsh outfit.
Very surprised about Matfield, I thought he had a very average season by his standards. But then again, an average season for him is a good one for many others.
25 Nov 2010, 15:15 pm
@Atreides(Atreides) : player of the year is: deon stegmann
25 Nov 2010, 15:20 pm
@willievz(willievz) : 218. Fair choices. Not sure about Hook though. Possibly would have had the French Cappy Thierry Dusautoir… Don’t know though.
25 Nov 2010, 15:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) :
Dusautoir was mustard in the 6N, but not as good as their talismanic nr8.
I went for a 3-3 split between forwards and backs, even though I thought in general that forwards were more influential this year than backs.
I can understand the reservations about Hook, but he simply performed week after week in different positions, and the Welsh team would be significantly poorer without his unpredictability and cutting-edge intelligence.
There have been worse nominations (and eventual winners) than Hook
25 Nov 2010, 15:34 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game) : I honestly believe it, because he is soooooo good at being shite.
25 Nov 2010, 15:36 pm
@willievz(willievz) : Matfield should take it this year to make up for last year when he or FDP should have.
25 Nov 2010, 15:40 pm
@Gregs(Gregs) :
The IRB award was an horrific farce last year.
25 Nov 2010, 15:45 pm
@willievz(willievz) : It adds truth to the fact that the CHEAT that won it is somehow favoured by the entire IRB, including the refs(except the ones from SA).
25 Nov 2010, 15:45 pm
@willievz(willievz) : 224 don’t let Black Panther catch you sayin that.
25 Nov 2010, 15:46 pm
@Atreides(Atreides) : “Player You’d Most Like to See Run Over By a Burning Train – Mike Philps” hahhahahaaaaa…lol
I’m sure Bakkies will miss his lover.
25 Nov 2010, 15:48 pm
@Atreides(Atreides) : LOL – awesome and very accurate!
25 Nov 2010, 15:52 pm
@Gregs(Gregs) : well the bracketed part of your post was dispelled on saturday by marius jonker who fawned ALL OVER mcCaw “richie, stop doing that, don’t let it cost you”
25 Nov 2010, 15:53 pm
I see an England victory, and more detrimental to my health, I see myself having to put up with the stick I will get from the English media.. “Boks become baby antelopes”
It will be a dismal Saturady in London for the SAFFA community..
25 Nov 2010, 15:54 pm
@Transformation(Transformation) :
The Panther, as biased as he comes across, is an astute rugby brain.
Deep down he knows that both Du Preez and Brussow would have been worthier winners of the accolade.
How the Free State fetcher escaped nomination in the first place is still beyond me.
25 Nov 2010, 15:57 pm
@willievz(willievz) : well he foamed at the mouth here one time defending the indefensible, must be a kiwi trait
25 Nov 2010, 16:00 pm
@Transformation(Transformation) : ****, didn’t watch that game properly.So our own are also against us now!!! Does PDivvy know this?
25 Nov 2010, 16:11 pm
@Gregs(Gregs) : i was watching with a kiwi supporter, She was killing herself laughing at Marius’ soft tone with Richie…
Even Black Panther a long time critic of Marius Jonker came back & gave him a thumbs up!
25 Nov 2010, 16:30 pm
this is why we will still get pumped by the All Blacks while we pick “specialist” loosies who don’t tackle offensively or attend to ruck or win us ball on the deck.
They are becoming difficult to avoid.
Three big men, three big work loads, three reasons why there is nowhere to hide when you play the All Blacks.
The All Blacks’ omnipresent six, seven and eight have done a heap of tackling, running, offloading and cleaning rucks during the past four weeks.
At times against the Irish it appeared one of 100kg plus frames of Richie McCaw, Kieran Read or Jerome Kaino were involved in every play as they combined for 27 tackles, or 36 per cent of the All Blacks’ total.
In times of old loose forwards were never far from each other as they looked to dominate the breakdown by cleaning out defenders or competing for possession.
Nowadays even the backs can perform those roles meaning the loose trio can spread themselves around.
“The more work you do leading up to the game during the week makes it a lot easier on the field,” Kaino explained yesterday. “We catch up a lot, Richie, Reado and Liam [Messam]. On this tour we’ve just talked about how we can improve from past weeks and how we can spread our influence on the field without being in the same place at the same time.”
It’s not about splitting the field into thirds, or watching the other two loose forwards as being smart about where you are needed and how you can contribute, Kaino said.
“I think this tour we’ve really worked on it and made good steps in the right direction. We have our game plan and that’s what we talk about during the week, the moves and the themes we have during the week and we talk about how we can spread ourselves out.”
The trio has become part of the furniture in the past two seasons since Read eased past Rodney So’oialo as the incumbent test No 8.
This season they have started 10 of the 13 tests together. The three exceptions were the second June test against Wales when Kaino was injured, the Sydney Bledisloe Cup where he replaced Victor Vito and two weeks ago when Liam Messam played blindside against Scotland.
“I hated it, not being in there,” Kaino said. “But it just shows how much influence Kieran and Richie have and how tight we can be because Liam just jumped in there and it was like he’d been playing there all season.
“The way they play just complements whoever slots in next to them.”
But while McCaw and Read get most of the kudos, it was Kaino who got the team applause before training in Bath yesterday after topping the charts following the review of the win over Ireland.
Ad Feedback The 27-year-old does admit he’s happy with his form, something he credits to a stern talk from the All Blacks coaches during the Super 14.
“It was huge for me. I think they had been drumming that message for a couple of seasons with me, but it just never really registered. That consistency message came across loud and clear when they came to visit. I’m really trying to work hard on it and here I am on the other side.
“I’m feeling fresh. They gave me a week off in Scotland and I can’t wait to get back into it. It’s the home straight this weekend too, so you get to go home and see the family and its summer.”
25 Nov 2010, 16:37 pm
JC,
You wrote:
“It’s a belief that’s been underlined by the more physical hammerings the Boks have endured over the past 12 months. On the first game of their 2009 tour to Europe, the Boks were badly beaten in the forward exchanges by a fiery French side. Ireland were next to take them on in the trenches, and all three of New Zealand’s 2010 wins were achieved through uncompromising forward dominance.”
I agree. But it would be interesting to read some views on the different kinds of methods employed by the French (ferocious counterrucking), Irish (pressurising the scrum) and New Zealand (shifting a heavy pack of forwards across the park) to achieve forward dominance.
25 Nov 2010, 16:37 pm
the IRB Player of the year awards for 08 and 09 were jokes.
McCaw played half a season in NZs worst season, and won the award where Fourie du Preez masterminded SAs dominance.
Shane Williams was great, against 2nd rate opp. thats all,
Personally i feel the IRB awards are a joke and no bearing on the true player of the year.
they can give it to anyone this year, the list of nominees are not even the top players of the year
25 Nov 2010, 18:45 pm
Farcical!! That is the word I will use for the IRB awards.. How Fourie Dupreez has not won the award amazes me.. The man has been the most consistant number 9 in world rugby for years….
25 Nov 2010, 18:49 pm
@Transformation(Transformation) : You are a Shona Oke arent you?? Anyway fellow Zimbo, Makorokoto Amhlophe (Depending on your allegiance)!! I thought you were Murungu!!
I have been wrecking my head for that “Uribenzi”, as I have heard it before.
25 Nov 2010, 18:50 pm
@Tbozknows(Tbozknows) : I think we are better off than you guys, when the Boks loose we just tell the locals the ref was very bad and they always believe us. We then all go and watch a camel race in the desert.
25 Nov 2010, 18:55 pm
@crowbar(crowbar) : It is the exaggeration of the sport pundits that winds me up. They start calling their players world class and the best in the world.. Really it gets boring!!
25 Nov 2010, 23:24 pm
I woudl have started with M<aLambie, and seen what he can do, before replacing him with Morne.
26 Nov 2010, 10:40 am
@SjamBok(SjamBok) : Do you think Lambie is up to task against England??
I think we should stick to our boring plan based on the personnel available. We need to play Blue Bulls Rugby.(I am a Sharks fan) I figure that the forwards oriented approach will win us penalties.. Morne Steyn will kick.. We should only start to get expansive once we have maintained a good lead. That is where Lambie comes into things..
27 Nov 2010, 10:11 am
mccaw has been head and shoulders best player in the world this year. but getting it last year was a joke as it was probably his poorest year after his return from injury.
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