Smith injury forces back-row rethink
2 Mar 2011
JON CARDINELLI says news of Juan Smith’s injury is a massive blow to the Springboks’ World Cup title ambitions and that national selectors should start considering alternative loose-trio options.
The news broke on Saturday that Smith had torn his Achilles tendon in the match against the Bulls, and that he would need between six and nine months to recover. The medical update on Monday offered a glimmer of hope, as doctors said the injury wasn’t as bad as feared, and that he could be back by August.
The Springboks need Juan Smith. Commentators and scribes the world over recognise Bakkies Botha as the Boks’ enforcer, but in the Test playing fraternity there is a healthy respect for Smith as an aggressive and irrepressible force. His robust ball-carrying get the Boks over the advantage line, and his defence is felt long after the final whistle has blown.
What is perhaps not celebrated enough is his technical expertise. Turnovers may not be viewed as the blindside’s forte, and yet Smith has effected enough breakdown steals to be acknowledged by opposition coaches as a realistic breakdown threat. His performances in the lineout are well-documented, and it is here that the Boks may miss him the most.
While Botha and Matfield are quality options at the front and middle of the lineout, Smith has become a specialist at the back. It’s the hardest ball to win at Test level, but Smith has forged a reputation as secure ball-winner, and that has in turn benefited the Boks’ attack. Winning the ball at the tail allows for optimal attacking ball, and teams that succeed tend to trouble opposition defences.
It’s hoped that this skill set will be on show at the 2011 World Cup, but it’s highly unlikely that Smith will recover in time. Doctors say he’ll do well to be fit by August; a month before the start of the global tournament. And even if he fights his way back to fitness, he’ll lack the match sharpness required for a World Cup assault.
The Boks need Smith at the World Cup, but they need him at his best. He may well recover before the anticipated date, and he may well force his way into that 30-man squad by virtue of his previous showings. But in the meantime, the Bok selectors need to consider alternatives.
Schalk Burger, Smith and Pierre Spies comprised the Bok back row at the end of the 2010 Tri-Nations, and it’s widely believed that if available, this is the combination that will start at the World Cup. But subtract Smith from that mix, and it alters the dynamic. Picking a new blindside may force selectors to reconsider the roles and value of men like Burger and Spies.
Heinrich Brussow is coming back from injury, and should play his first Super Rugby match in a week’s time. Brussow has played together with Burger and Spies with some success (at the end of the 2009 Tri-Nations), and may be brought in at openside with Burger shifting to No 7. However, it still remains to be seen if Brussow can survive under the new laws that demand more of a No 6. Out-and-out fetchers need to evolve; they need to offer more than the ability to steal or slow ball.
Francois Louw is a player who fits the modern day mould, as he not only possesses fetching skills but the means to perform a role similar to that of Smith. While he may not be as abrasive, and let’s face it, not many are, he would be a useful option.
Peter de Villiers and company should also keep an eye on the Stormers’ back row as a combination. This loose trio was the best on offer in the 2010 Super 14, and it was a travesty that Duane Vermeulen didn’t receive a national call-up. As it stands, the Boks have very few good options at No 8.
The Sharks’ contingent will be screaming for the inclusion of one of their blindsides now that Smith is in doubt. Willem Alberts is a hard man to bring down while Jean Deysel is another that fits the abrasive description, but both are very limited in other departments.
There’s plenty to ponder between now and the end of the Super Rugby tournament, but De Villiers cannot sit back and assume that Smith will return. Replacing the irreplaceable is a tough ask, but it’s how De Villiers fills that blindside void or indeed reworks the back-row dynamic that may determine whether the Boks retain the world title or not.
298 Comments
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2 Mar 2011, 14:56 pm
shaun is back *sigh*
2 Mar 2011, 15:03 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-250:
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-248: an old bok supporter?
how old are you?
p.s. i am a newish bok supporter so i am ok right?
2 Mar 2011, 15:06 pm
shaun is the jimmy manyi of stevenage.
2 Mar 2011, 15:06 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-252:
it’s good to have langers back in the mix.
this place needs some new low-hanging fruit
variety being so much of spice of life.
2 Mar 2011, 15:09 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-254: true.
at least shaun has some humour.
capo seems more like a dribbling gimp than a serious adversay.
shaun is also as thick skinned as a rhino.
2 Mar 2011, 15:15 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-255:
indeed.
it’s our duty to protect him from poachers.
no matter how small his horn is
2 Mar 2011, 15:20 pm
Shaun is involved in a nasty car crash and is trapped and bleeding. The paramedics soon arrive on site.
Medic: “It’s OK I’m a paramedic and I’m going to ask you some questions.”
Shaun: “OK”
Medic: “What’s your name?”
Shaun: “Shaun.”
Medic: “OK Shaun, is this your car?”
Shaun: “Yes.”
Medic: “Where are you bleeding from?”
Shaun: “Stevenage, mate.”
2 Mar 2011, 15:43 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-250: You know what they say: you can beat your wife and you can beat your dog but nothing beats a *******
2 Mar 2011, 15:44 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-257:
2 Mar 2011, 15:47 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-257: Is that Shaun dude for real or does he take the p1ss.
I mean the man is a tool. In fact an entire toolbox.
2 Mar 2011, 15:57 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-257:
The paramedic then asks Shaun, “How many fingers have I got up?”
“Oh my god” he cries, “I’m paralysed!”
2 Mar 2011, 16:43 pm
Guys, I’ll be joining Superbru a bit late. What is the Keo pool name?
2 Mar 2011, 16:48 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-261:
sies papa.
2 Mar 2011, 17:46 pm
First time in 4 years i have been reading Keo that i have seen everyone agreeing, very unusual, shows what an unsung hero Juan Smith is.
2 Mar 2011, 17:59 pm
@StMichel(StMichel)-189: “Smith is the best blinside loosie since the indomnitable Richard Hill”. No,no, NO!
Smith is the best “blindside” loosie since the LEGEND, Ruben Kruger. FULL farking STOP.
Fool!
2 Mar 2011, 19:23 pm
Farkin hell mickey is back with a short hit and run – flashman at his best and two compliments for the Boks – must be an imposter.
2 Mar 2011, 20:55 pm
@cab(cab)-266: Yep, I reckon this oke is some yokel from that one horse shithole down on the KZN southcoast by the same name.
2 Mar 2011, 22:20 pm
267 lol katman well then again it is world cup time and England seem to be getting stronger so who knows perhaps he fancies his chances.
Mickey baited us for years until the bokke started skopping their gat again
2 Mar 2011, 22:22 pm
St Michel back? By Jupiter he has changed somewhat, he was mighty nice today.
Gadzooks.
2 Mar 2011, 22:23 pm
@cab(cab)-268: That 5 year period between 2001 and 2006 must have been a shocker to be a Bok supporter in the UK…
Thankfully the history books will show it as a rare and brief anomaly.
2 Mar 2011, 22:52 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-247:
The dooos is back, long live the doos!
2 Mar 2011, 23:05 pm
Back Rowers to go to WC:
8 Duane Vermeulen & Pierre Spies
7 Willem Alberts & Francois Louw
6 Schalk Burger & Heindrich Brussouw
Stay at home:
8 Kankowski & Johnson
7 Deysel & Potgieter
6 Steggman & Floors
2 Mar 2011, 23:06 pm
Also must mention that Joshua Strauss & Warren Whiteley are looking v.impressive! Especially strauss, could see him in bok colours
2 Mar 2011, 23:07 pm
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-272: any chance you’re a Stormers supporter?
2 Mar 2011, 23:24 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-274:
I would pick Smith ahead of Flo if Smith was match-fit
That leaves me with 2 cheetahs, 2 stomers, 1 bull and 1 shark
3 Mar 2011, 03:59 am
You cant have Alberts, Spies and Schalla on the filed at the same time. You will need a fetcher in either Brussouw, Watson or Daniels, hell I will even play Mpho our most underated fetcher in the mix too.
3 Mar 2011, 04:11 am
If you play Alberts, then the coach needs to remind him he has 14 teammates…… he’s a bit “kop toe” at the moment and thinks he can score everything on his own. Sort that out and he will be great as a replacement for Smith…
3 Mar 2011, 04:13 am
Just how many online ‘rebels without a cause’ are there in the Malay/San/Hottentot/Boer mixed community that think ‘throwing their names’ on a rugby blog actually makes on iota of difference?
3 Mar 2011, 04:16 am
The only player in RSA currently close to the player Juan Smith is… is the ‘bearded burbler’ from the Lions…
Alberts is a monster… but not in the Juan Smith ’30 tackles/cleanouts’ a game sense…
3 Mar 2011, 04:17 am
Lets not forget Ashley. He has been awesonme for the cheetahs and then add Minnie and definelty Struass too but Schala needs to add more to his quiver other than ferociouss tackling.
What ever we do we need at least one fetcher.
3 Mar 2011, 04:21 am
Is it just me or the loss to Ireland and the 600something run draw by Enlgand against India is way too strange.
3 Mar 2011, 04:23 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-281:
Face it things were never going to be 100% ‘kosher’ with a WC in India…
3 Mar 2011, 04:25 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-282: I have gone off cricket since Hansie and Herscheles false catch. It seems dodgy doesnt it.
3 Mar 2011, 04:31 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-283:
Haha I see Warne had a tweet before the Pom/India match in which he said it will be a good match, he predicted a tie!!! Pakistanis in uproar and wants him investigated…
3 Mar 2011, 05:15 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-284: Shane Warne to be investigated by ICC
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/sport/butt-fires-at-warne-tweet/2092476.aspx
3 Mar 2011, 05:22 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-285:
Yip, I think they should take away his diet pills for starters….
What I do find amazing is the number of rumours around match fixing being thrown towards the Ozmob over the years, even before Hansie, and not once had it stuck…funny that!
3 Mar 2011, 05:40 am
Ja funny that Hansie and Shane sat at the same table with the same bookie…
and the captain’s nickname is punter and Warney got away with steroids.
Very funny.
3 Mar 2011, 05:45 am
I am not a cricket buff but I will weigh in. I find it amusing the corrupted are paranoid to the extreme, thinking all are in on the action.
I read an article yesterday regarding back-backing. The writer mentioned buying a 2nd class ticket on a train to Mumbai. He had his printed ticket, with his name on it, boarded the train and searched out his cabin/compartment with his name on the door. He found more than one Indian in his allocated seat, showed his ticket and got the knowing ‘nodding’ head. The inhabitants (not necessarily ticketed) gave him an inch to sit and they journeyed on.
He didn’t buy 1st class… Would it have been different?
3 Mar 2011, 06:00 am
Its now come out that Hadden and Watson are facing an ICC probe for their batting against Zimbabwe
3 Mar 2011, 06:15 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-288:
My 5 cents worth, I have no doubt that Hansie was into it in a big way, I just hope for his family’s sake he got a big enough pay-off to take the jump he did. Surely saved a lot of others in the process.
As for cricket, just not the same anymore…
3 Mar 2011, 06:16 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-289:
And nothing will come of it, you can bet on that
3 Mar 2011, 07:26 am
Back to rugby almost all here agree on Jaun. What a legend I hope we see him in the RWC. A true player.
3 Mar 2011, 07:35 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-288:
Don’t buy a new Land Rover then!
It’s made in Indi now, same etiquette and integrity experienced by the train’s conductors is applicable for the QA of cars made by Tata, don’t fall after the extended warranty they offer either
3 Mar 2011, 07:40 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-292:
Yep, look at the Boks in 2010 without Juan and with him, needs to go no further.
3 Mar 2011, 09:33 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-276: Just because Daniels is short does not make him a fetcher.
3 Mar 2011, 12:00 pm
They should include Juan Smith in the World Cup the man is a legend.
He will have a new role at the World Cup.
Willem Alberts of Schalk Burger will take his place at 7 in the starting team.
He can then be tasked as captaining the dirt trackers team. This way he will get valuable game time against lesser opposition and he will feel as if he is contributing to the Boks cause.
3 Mar 2011, 12:04 pm
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-273: Maybe next year.
4 Mar 2011, 00:15 am
I’m sorry to say but no Juan…no WC. The guy is that important. Saru and the Cheetahs need to get him to full fitness asap and if that is August, no stone unturned to make sure that it is the case. It is no co-incidence we looked like a schoolboy team when he was away on compassionate grounds and looked the goods as soon as he returned. My clear WC favorite is still Aus but there was always that flicker that we’ll be the 1st team to successfully defend. Without Juan..yeah rite!
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