Rekindling gainline belligerence key
12 Apr 2011
RYAN VREDE writes that the Reds have the capacity to ensure the Bulls’ poor campaign plummets to a new low.
I wrote last week that Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper has become a more complete player. However, while this is true, on the evidence of their season to date, and specifically their performance against the Stormers, it appears that the team as a whole has evolved. They are now equally adept at winning with sparkle as they are at grinding out victories on the back of a relatively pragmatic approach.
Nowhere was the latter more in evidence than at Newlands, where their 19-6 upset was built on the back of a punishing defence not readily associated with the Brisbane franchise. Certainly their impressive variation in attacking play – which saw Cooper and scrumhalf Will Genia probe for field position regularly and largely accurately – and a greater focus on the set pieces than has been the case in recent years, contributed to their success. However, it is their solidity in the collisions that will most trouble the Bulls. I have no doubt that a replication of that performance on Saturday will see them plunge the beleaguered Bulls further into despair.
A large part of their struggles has been their inability to retain possession for long enough to ask telling questions of the opposition. Against the Crusaders senior Springboks consistently lost the ball in contact at crucial times. Furthermore the accuracy of their up-and-unders was poor and kick-chase lethargic, and thus turned out to be no more than a simple way of surrendering possession. This must change.
Previously the Bulls would have identified the Reds as being vulnerable at the tackle point and built their attacking game plan around punishing phase play. That is no longer the case, which doesn’t bode well for the Pretoria franchise given that they have yet to exhibit the variation in play that made them formidable opponents for the past two seasons.
Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie has recognised the need to add whack to their wow factor, and the time he has invested in ensuring his charges aren’t a soft touch is reflected in their appreciable strength in this facet of play. It has made their defensive task easier, allowing for increased opportunities to effect breakdown turnovers, or to slow the recycle, the latter enabling the defensive line to set before the next phase is launched.
Bulls captain Victor Matfield promised their supporters an exponential improvement at the Suncorp Stadium. It is a bold move and delivery will hinge on his primary strike runners achieving a level of dominance at the gainline that they have not come close to all season. Pierre Spies in particular needs a performance that will remind us of his value, while Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha need to provide a counter-argument to the growing view that they are a spent force.
It is perplexing that even in a team with a different complexion as a result of the Bulls’ rotational policy (their term) there is no room for Danie Rossouw. He is the one player who has looked capable of consistently bossing the tackle fight and providing the momentum needed on attack.
The Bulls can only persist so long with players whose reputations are sustaining them. They need those men to deliver and do so consistently.
129 Comments
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12 Apr 2011, 18:33 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-99:
I dont know the details of Tim’s departure – Muir brought him in but left as Muir left.
I have however chatted to some of these more scientific experts and they all had one common problem – rugby coach’s reluctance to involve them.
It is almost that tough guy mindset – ‘we don’t need a kop-dokter or some quack to tell us how to coach or play the game’
And yes, I do believe the mind/mental aspect is vitally important in modern or pro-sport. And we have some of the best in SA too!
12 Apr 2011, 18:34 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-100:
Howdy
12 Apr 2011, 18:37 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-98: Ask ET… Its no sweat… Ebony and Ivory are gearing up for the Somme here
12 Apr 2011, 18:38 pm
Who’s being verkramp now.
Good grief that word belongs in archives! Hasn’t been used since 19 voetsek!
12 Apr 2011, 18:42 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-95: Its Plum’s 3rd year! And we’ve been nowhere in Super rugby. I honestly couldn’t care less about the CC! If things don’t change after the bye we’re heading for another mid-low-table exit. Its about time Plum delivered the goods at Super rugby level!
12 Apr 2011, 18:51 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-101: Yeah, but thats not just with coaches… Anywhere in an Operations part of a company or org you get that suspicion of babble or bulldustbafflesbrains…. Unless of course there is well presented proof or evidence of tangible benefits… Often the technocrats do not do a good job of actually demonstrating how their expertise may benefit the recipients…
I would imagine there could also be a lack of objective type measurements of performance on field… that could show exactly where or why a team did not win. Similarly you may have problems in measuring drivers that dictate a Company/Organisation’s performance (the dreaded KPI babble).
Eg NFL have comprehensive stats that rate a player by his specific position which roll up to and are connected with team level stats. Yes, the games are quite different but it would be interesting to know how integral dynamic in game measurements/stats/KPIs are to coaching decision making in SA. And I am not talking about the toys like GPS or Prozone that seem to be used for the sake of using them…
Any insight on the use of insight?
12 Apr 2011, 18:55 pm
I’ve just been looking up Plum’s credentials as a player and a coach. Its pretty impressive. He even in the Sevens team for the Boks. Nearly every team he has coached has had relative success – Swansea winning the Welsh Cup and League and Welsh Scottish League…then Wellington getting to 3 NPC finals so there’s no reason why the Sharks shouldn’t be doing better with him.
12 Apr 2011, 18:56 pm
@JR – The Real Make The Circle Bigger(JayDaFiveOh)-105: I think Plum is delivering. Heck, the Sharks have had the toughest schedule in Super rugger this year and they are lying second… Some players like Mosterd have stood up and put themselves in the mix … some important players still to come back (Deysel and Lambie)… I think its looking good at half way…
12 Apr 2011, 19:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-106:
Union as a pro-sport is still very much a young game so the really hard core analysis and case studies are few and far between unfortunately.
But even so, looking at Doc Calder specifically and her CV and how teams and individuals responded to her programs and training I cannot fathom why people still doubt her value.
Rugby in general (not only SA) is very much run and managed conservatively – I suppose it is those baby steps we need to get past like all other pro-sports did in their initial years.
I mean I love the tradition associated with union personally, but I believe there needs to be a balance to include the science aspect of it too.
12 Apr 2011, 19:06 pm
@JR – The Real Make The Circle Bigger(JayDaFiveOh)-107: You also forget that Sharks were like a steam train the 2nd half of Super 14 last year… It was unfortunate the Sharks did not pick up one more win and a couple of bonus points earlier on otherwise they would have been in the playoffs. The Sharks last year were not scoring tries like this year in Super rugby so I would say that is progression.
I also think you forget the state **** Muir left the Sharks in, and the fact that the Sharks admin have had to pull finger after being very complacent for a few years resting on past laurels…. There was a bit of a civil war for a little while amongst the power mongers over this… it seems everyone has kissed and made up though with Shark rugby steaming forth…
Have faith Padawan… Its looking good, as long as Plum ignores Dippy Divs “advice”…
12 Apr 2011, 19:09 pm
Enough from me though.
Just a last point. I have an understanding for coaches and players reluctance to move away from the known.
Rugby in essence is not only an emotional and deeply traditional (even spiritual) aspect of life for all involved with the game – fans and players.
The balance between keeping that, and becoming fully pro is difficult. I always held the view though that rugby could learn from golf on how to do this successfully.
Globally a massive sport, with a massive following, and very professional – yet, it is run (administered) in a very traditional (perhaps even amateurish) way – from the 9 hole chip and put in Pit sonder Water, to the great courses around the world.
12 Apr 2011, 19:16 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-109: Yeah I suppose with Calder their is hard evidence to demonstrate her usefulness. Surely she is in the Bok setup…?
I wonder what the Kiwis use for Stats/measurements… I remember a while back I was visiting in SA and went and watched the U20′s (I think)… Jodie Rose was in that side and also that mad bug.ger of flanker who used to play for the Bulls (forget his name)… They were playing the Kiwis at Kings Park and I remember sitting behind the Kiwi coaching setup – they had about 4 or 5 lads (They had some Kiwi sport science tracksuits on – also forget the name) continually entering stuff into computers or pieces of paper… after a while, Steve Hansen – who was not one of the Kiwi coaches – came and looked at this information or whatever these lads were doing… He seemed very engaged and interested….
This was at Kiwi Junior level….
12 Apr 2011, 19:17 pm
I’m outtahere for now…
12 Apr 2011, 19:36 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-112:
I said my previous post was my last but I had to respond to this.
For fear of sounding like your typical teenage girl in awe of everything but your own… I am yet to experience the absolute attention to detail I have seen from the boys from Oz and NZ.
What has impressed me most however is their willingness (and our lack of it) for a meeting of minds.
Not only do they pay close attention to details and in-game analysis which is used by coaches during the half-time stint, they work together.
The Hurricanes for instance will have no problem in sharing detailed information on the Stormers with the Chiefs on what they picked up as potential areas of weaknesses or strengths – not to mention to Graham Henry the national coach.
Here in SA, I am writing columns on the *****-fight between PDV and franchise coaches on a daily basis let alone the Lions and Bulls sharing critical analytical information…
12 Apr 2011, 20:11 pm
This will probably be said to no one in particular, but Pissant I hope you see it. You are a breath of fresh air amongst the vileness of some posters here!
Keep it up
12 Apr 2011, 20:27 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-115: hey now i not vile
but jokes aside dawn , PA is a seriously nice bloke and always very respectful , with damn good rugga knowledge
12 Apr 2011, 20:29 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-114: morne absolutely true
there is an old saying in SA “ONS BOERE STAAN NOOIT SAAM NIE”
IN THE SAME BREATH WE CAN SAY US SOUTH AFRICANS NEVER STAND TOGETHER
and its absolutely true
12 Apr 2011, 22:20 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-115:
Just trying to keep my nose clean and stay out of ****-measuring contests Dawns – it really is all about the game and not about the people that comment on it afterall!
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-116:
Lots of really good blokes around, but thanks mate, and I will make a plan to come and visit you before the Super 15 is over to watch a game with you in your pub area.
12 Apr 2011, 22:37 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-118: would be great morne
like you i also hate the **** measuring contests and i mostly stay out till the red head in me comes out
12 Apr 2011, 22:39 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-119:
I promised, I will keep it – will email you soon and bring the family along to watch some rugby.
Out for now.
12 Apr 2011, 23:03 pm
Peeps have been placing their teams so thought I’d join in on the fun. Here is one I’d like to test out.
1. Beast - Athlete of note; in the team so I can shout BEAST, if for
nothing else ;P
2. Du Plessis - Duh; I’d make him practice lineout throws all day long though;
3. Mujati - I’d give him a go and see what the hype is about
4. Bakkies - As long as he can keep the inner d@@s in check he would be the best 4
in the world still;
5. Bekker – No Matfield – Bekker better form last 2 years; lineout king; good in the
loose; still does some hard work in the tight-loose
6. Brussouw - Regardless of his injury; potential to be best 6 RSA has ever produced;
need a player to contest break-down; great work rate; good linking player
7. Alberts – The HARD man of the loosies; great work rate; always makes yards and always
tackles the man backwards.
8. Spies - Not as bad as some make him out to be; perhaps a run at wing in 2nd half;
needs to be used correctly; not a crash baller aka Alberts;
Defence IS improving; put this guy into space and he’ll make yards
9. FdP(C) – Superb pass; fantastic decision maker; accurate boot; perfect 9
10. Lambie - Form 10; young but composed; needs time at highest lvl; worried throwing
him to the wolves too early – but I’d back him to make it
11. Hougaard – Another X-factor player; must find space for him somewhere; great step;
great finisher; heart of a lion
12. F.Steyn – long range boot; X-factor; better distributer then given credit for;
no weak points – other than his ego
13. Fourie – Classy strike runner; Steyn will put him into space; this will be a
powerfull defensive centre combo!
14. Aplon – He has to be in the team, great counter attacker; good form; good
finisher
15. Kirchner – Good form thus far; better pace then 2010; really attacking gain line
;has all the solid attributes a 15 MUST have
This team can compete at all levels. Solid scrum – should NEVER get less then parity.
Three lineout forwards you can bank on. Very mobile and balanced loose trio.
Backs are filled with strike runners from 13 – 15 and along with Spies when put into space
can wreak havoc.
In SA Rugby you can probably put 3 or 4 competitive combinations out and the level of the team
will be similiar – just think that strategically we lack so much when we play at international
level. We need to focus more on creating space for what are some talented outside backs.
12 Apr 2011, 23:50 pm
Stormers fault on Saturday was two fold
1. Returning to dumb deliberate kick and chase rugby as a ploy to counter Reds supposed sublime running game strengths
and
2. Employing Schalk Burger who has not one iota of heads up rugby captaincy acumen as the captain to ‘think’ the Stormers to victory
Bottom line is Mckenzie systematically out maneuvered Coetsee in every aspect and with Genia and Cooper as his ‘thinkers’ vs Burger and nobody else in particular because JdV was simply not available it was practically a knife at a gunfight type contest.
Coetsee reverted to JW type non thinking and instructed his charges to kick and f’ng chase because that is what every stupefied saffa rugby brain is programmed to do when everything else don’t fit the perplexing puzzle.
Playing the situation and heads up rugby is the only way to compete in this game, that other abysmally structural dead beaten doorknob rugby is so f’ng passe its down right deader than any possible dodo right now.
13 Apr 2011, 00:03 am
In short Coetsee got out psyched by Mckensie, why the hell he reverted away from his traditional strengths Stormers type rugby and employed dumbfck useless JW abysmal downright deadbeat trash kick chase rugby as his ace trump card which backfired so tactically abysmally one can only bemusedly wonder wtf for and why.
The game that Stormers played under JdV against Bulls and Force was systematically destroyed by these two cancerous infiltrators, 1. kick chase programmed rugby and 2. Burger led deficiency on the field of play.
Grant and Duvenhage were reduced to robotic rabble and even Aplon was hoofing good ball away. So you tell me if this was not programmed instructions then Coetsee must simply take the flak and get the hell out the way and let the players play the situation in front of them and employ a proper captain on the field who knows how to call the shots as and when they unfold.
And STOP meddling with a working principle which worked under JdV which was to play traditional Stormers running offloading continuity strength rugby which is precisely 180 degrees opposite to the cr@p they were programmed to play last Saturday.
Coetsee and Burger choked on the hyped up Reds running strengths and adopted to play exactly away from their own strengths by bottling up all their own traditional free flowing game and reverting to Bulls like JW embellished trash.
13 Apr 2011, 00:09 am
@sohojo(sohojo)-123: can you lay out a bit more of the nitty gritty – you say ‘systematically out maneuvered in every aspect’ – can you supply these maneuvers in any detail?
Besides the simple kicking to the corners and onto Habana – which does seem to be quite a simple plan, what are the finer details?
13 Apr 2011, 00:33 am
Mckenzie was ahead of the game plan while Coetsee could not think his way out of predetermined prescribed coffin he lay down and died in.
Coetsee looked at the Reds team and said to himself, noway we gonna beat these guys by playing running rugby so lets revert to our traditional dumbfck strengths and kick everything away, down the middle into no mans land give the ball to them, play without the ball, our traditional trashass JW induced defense wins games rugby strengths will see the foe off or heaven or hell forbid.
Mckenzie read the situation completely different. He brought Harris in from fullback to attack the gain line and sent Cooper into the pocket to play the percentage game, exactly contrary to what Coetsee was thinking and had planned for and which he couldn’t switch out of when it was called for because he didn’t have a thinking captain on the field of play.
And so Mckenzie played heads up rugby by playing percentage rugby and kicking to corners over Habana and Poolmans heads and keeping Stormers possession down to minimum. Coetsee played the opposite, he instructed his players including his devastating runners like Aplon to kick, but to kick up field, not even to kick intelligently into positional advantages.
Duvenhage and Grant were reduced to kick chase guinea pigs and so was Aplon.
The systematic cohesive correlated running game that Stormers played vs Bulls and Force was already undermined vs Sharks when Burger changed the pattern in Durban and got steadily further dissipated and the opposite ingrained by the time they took the field vs Reds at Newlands.
Bottom line if Stormers hope to achieve anything this year they have to eradicate the programmed JW type entrenched stale thinking patterns and adopt a heads up possession based play the situation approach much like Reds and Crusaders are doing.
And to do this they need a captain on the field who can think and coordinate players to perform to a cohesive structure but not a predetermined one. A structure evolved out of reading the unfolding situation on the field and adapting to it accordingly, in other words, play the situation heads up rugby, which is the only way to win in this current format of the game. As Bulls have decidedly found out to their abysmal horror and almost categorical denial.
13 Apr 2011, 02:11 am
Ok good points, especially seeing as there was no reply to Mckenzie’s plan. Yet AC is undeniably intelligent enough, and Mckenzie used the same plan last time he beat Stormers.. So I wonder what AC was going for with his plan, perhaps he was hoping Mckenzie would not use the same style as he used last defeat to reds, and go with the more flamboyant reds style. But that does seem tactically naive.
13 Apr 2011, 04:54 am
@Sasori(Sasori)-121: Sorry to see you also had a powerfailure in your part of Pretoria on Saturday morning. You obviously missed the game.
13 Apr 2011, 08:24 am
Realistically the season is over for the Bulls. They must start blooding new blood now in order to ensure that 2012 is not a failure with many of the seniors retiring. So far, the front row seems solid, Chilliboy specifically is greatly improved. We must start experimenting with a new no.5 and Flip van der Merwe must start, with Bakkies replacing him off the bench. Spies, Stegman and Potgieter are not firing and serious thought must be given to van Veltze and Stander.
Brummer needs more game time as Morne Steyn in not in form. Olivier and Pretorius is not working. Handling, decision-making and devence is poor. They need to be replaced be Stephan Dippinaar and Watermayer. Houghard needs more gametime at no.9. I have a soft spot for Akona Ndugane but being in his 30′s is a spent force. We need to blood a young Wing.
14 Apr 2011, 18:07 pm
@out wide(out wide)-127: Whatever, guess your just another Keo-ling with too much “inner d@@s”
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