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
12 Apr 2011, 12:10 pm
And the first one said, to the second one there,
“I hope you’re having fun”.
Oooh the Dragon on the run………………….
12 Apr 2011, 12:24 pm
I made mention of this yesterday.
The Reds on Saturday against the Stormers probably gave the best example of ‘head’s up rugby’ you can ever hope to see.
McKenzie in his post-match comments made mention of the fact how they tried the running game in the first quarter or so. Seeing they are not making in-roads into the best defensive side in the competition, they adapted to the situation.
Head’s up rugby = looking what is happening in front of you and playing the situation.
Suddenly the flamboyant Reds team turned into a pragmatic unit. Cooper left his backdoor, no-look passes and his kick-pass strategies on the sideline and together with Genia, outplayed the more pragmatic and supposed tactically superior (kicking and field position) pairing of Duvenhage and Grant.
Evidence of this is in Allister Coetzee’s post match comments which went something like: “They took us out of our defense oriented comfort zone and (Cooper) kicked territorially a lot more than what we expected”
On the one hand, you had a team that assessed and successfully adapted their approach on the day, and on the other, you had a team who had no clue what to do when taken out of their comfort zone.
But…
Thanks to the media’s love/hate relationship with PDV ‘head’s up rugby’ is some sort of swear word in this country. When all it is, for players to assess and adapt on what is happening in front of them while STAYING IN THE TEAM STRUCTURES.
The problem with the Stormers, and for that matter the Bulls, is that because they play such a pattern-based structured (read one-dimensional and predictable approach), it only requires for key decision-making individuals to be 5% off their game (around which these structures are built) or heaven forbid, lose them to injury, for the whole team to be 15 to 20% less effective.
The result, players become increasingly frustrated as the game goes on (discipline) and extremely desperate the more the pressure builds up.
When you lose discipline, and shape, you start throwing desperate passes, your hands/arms/shoulders tense up a lot more and the end result most of the time, is silly penalties, and inexplicable dropped balls or poor technique in contact.
After reading Dewald Potgieter’s column this morning it becomes evident that the players themselves don’t even know what they are doing wrong, or why they are dropping balls all of a sudden.
I cannot say I am surprised. How are they supposed to know when they are coached as drones to only play in one way?
12 Apr 2011, 12:32 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-2: Good write up PA – lot of sense
12 Apr 2011, 12:33 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-2:
Change the word Stormers for Bulls and you can repost that one on another Thread PA.
And it will still be 100% spot on.
Could be worse of course.
Your Team could be My Team.
8)
12 Apr 2011, 12:34 pm
@stew(stewie)-3:
You got a head like rugby ball by any chance Stewie?
12 Apr 2011, 12:35 pm
Family name Griffin by any chance.
12 Apr 2011, 12:36 pm
Bulls will have learnt a thing or three from their defeats.
Reds to get rubbled.
12 Apr 2011, 12:36 pm
Dog called Brian?
12 Apr 2011, 12:36 pm
Sharks play “heads up” Rugby – The Saffer team who has the best chance of winning Super Rugger this year.
Bulls on a 3year old Heynecke Meyer template…
Stormers on a 4yr old Jake White template…
Cheetahs will not be in the knockouts but they are going to knock a good few teams over… They seem to have returned to their roots…
Lions although scintillating at times, are helter skelter – predictable helter skelter.
Bulls and Stormers have been found out. Sharks and Cheetahs have hit their speed bumps and now will play out the rest of the season on home turf….
Looking good for Sharks A and Sharks B….
12 Apr 2011, 12:38 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-7:
Bullies have a long flight home Predawn.
Reds will be tough.
12 Apr 2011, 12:40 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-9:
Don’t be so quick to flag just one or two teams with this.
Against the Crusaders one John Plumtree blamed tactical naivity on attack by his players for the loss.
Against the Stormers, the same Plumtree blamed tactical naivity on defence by his players for the loss.
It is obvious Plumtree expects his players to react better to situations on the field, the fact that they do not against top teams however, leaves me with the question if they are indeed coached (by said Plumtree) to do this…?
12 Apr 2011, 13:00 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-11: Part of the coaching process…
Plum was obviously not bullshitting anyone and these were good WYSIWYG moments – obviously a rarity among SA coaches who say one thing in front of journos and another behind closed doors… It seems SA sports journos are flummoxed by Plum’s Natalian honesty… A bit like Kitch Christie and Ian Mac in that regard…?
Plum also has honestly and rightly pinpointed fatigue as a factor in the loss to the Stormers… Nothing wrong with that…?
Tactical naivety on attack against the Saders was a definite factor in their loss – namely McLeods mess up at a critical moment when Sharks had great momentum in the 2nd half… Bang and Saders counter attack resulted in game over… No coach could prevent McLeod from doing that. A similar thing happened when McLeod made a break against the Stormers and all he had to do was pass right to Ndungane… Try! Player error, not coaching error.
Now Plum could have dropped McLeod, and indeed he did replace him on field against the Stormers, but he hasn’t left McLeod out of the team probably because he understands that these tactically naive mistakes are all part of the experience of learning to be a better player. Lessons that will stand McLeod in good stead at the business end of the season…
McLeod is one example. Other players like Bosman or Daniel could have been used as examples, but to me this doesn’t reflect Plums coaching naivety. Instead it is refreshing to see a coaching setup in SA that isn’t obsessed with “structures” and quite frankly coaching the individualistic intelligence out of a player.
Plum, a “naive” coach… ? You’re having me on.
12 Apr 2011, 13:09 pm
@cane(cane)-5: Pretty much these days !!!
12 Apr 2011, 13:11 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-12:
The fact that he has identified naive, or limited execution or application in his players does not automatically mean he has a solution for it.
Identifying you were tactically outsmarted is something all coaches do and are quite honest about – Coetzee did this, Ludeke also highlighted this on more than one occassion.
The thing that concerns me of the Sharks specifically is that since they lost their one, very influential playmaker (Lambie), the team effort as a whole dropped by quite a margin – recording losses against the Crusaders and Stormers.
Forgive me for not counting (what was a very good victory make no mistake) against the Lions as a benchmark.
It is this reliance and ability to adapt that is most concerning. It is the Bulls losing Du Preez or Matfield, Stormers losing Jean (and the Sharks losing Lambie).
Suddenly their plan A is gone, and there is no plan B in sight.
The Crusaders on the flipside does not to have lost an inch with both Carter and McCaw on the sidelines, arguably two of the most influential players in world rugby – similarly, McKenzie made a host of changes to the Reds team from the Lions game to the Stormers one, the result required was achieved.
12 Apr 2011, 13:11 pm
Bulls are now little more than pastrami. Sliced and diced.
12 Apr 2011, 13:19 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-15: Amen – the universe is balanced again
12 Apr 2011, 13:23 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-14: Totally agree.
Last week the Stormers watched the Lions give the Reds a good run for their money and decided that’s how we will do it(read kick & chase) That was plan A and as we saw that was the only plan.
A thinking man’s team should have realised it was not working after 10 minutes and implemented a plan B.
But this is South Africa. Do what you were coached to do. That’s it. Don’t even consider thinking for yourself as a player
12 Apr 2011, 13:23 pm
@stew(stewie)-13:
Sorry Stew, if you don’t know the Griffin Family of Family Guy.
Cartoons.
And they are irreverently hilarious.
12 Apr 2011, 13:25 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-2: Reading Dewald Potgieters column this morning I got the distinct impression that they know only too well where the problems lie, but realize that discretion is the better part of valour. It appears that for some in the team this year has taken on the guise of a voyage to part with old friends and places never to be re-visited and sing ‘olde lange zyne’ (spelling!!!~!) with some team mates will heralding in a changing of the guard. Kind of like having the best of both worlds, having your bread buttered both sides. I could have told them that is fatal.
Think back to when last you resigned for better prospects or a new challenge in your career. There is some sadness and nostalgia, especially when you have given your best, but the closer the time comes to the inevitable moment to move on the more impatient you become. You can’t wait to get stuck in on the other side and get some go forward momentum in you life. And when it happens, soon you hardly think of the colleagues you left behind.
Isn’t this a bit of what we are seeing with the Bulls? Some guys struggling with the poser whether they have made the right move, and anxious to find that out, while others struggle with uncertainty about the future and whether certain players leaving will impact on them and their own ability to perform, and yet others wondering where the talent to replace the departing will come from, and how the team will be affected. The boys are all human, and everytime when a team mate says ”come on guys, this is the last time…(whatever)…” it actually impacts on them negatively untill they reach a point where they accept it as part of their reality, and with it the negative emotions. It must be difficult to fight to remain focused as a team when you know some members, in fact the core, have in a way forsaken that identity already.
Life’s a ***** and then you die, so my advice is: ”Stuff the future, live the now. Don’t look further than today. Let tomorrow take care of itself. It has a habit of doing so anyway, no matter how hard you try to plan otherwise. What will be will be. For now, just enjoy the ride today and make the best of it.”
Who knows, by doing so, you might discover something new about yourself and your mates that make it worth it to stand together and fight side my side today. Catch the ball, make the tackles, score the points, give your best. Afterall, isn’t that what has brought you this far?
12 Apr 2011, 13:26 pm
@Ogre(Ogre)-19: will = while
12 Apr 2011, 13:39 pm
See Bulls have dropped Stegmann and Fourie du Preez to the bench.
Derick Kuun to start and Francious Hougaard.
12 Apr 2011, 13:39 pm
It’s just a thought, but from what I can read between the lines Dewald is rising or at least attempting to rise above the adversity this imminent disbanding of the team’s core holds, so Ludeke could do a lot worse than recognize that fact formally by letting VM’s mantle fall on DP to rally the remaining team members behind himand start building for the future. Give some of the old boys a rest and do some forwardthinking succession management. Nothing wrong with that.
12 Apr 2011, 13:56 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-14: Hey, easy tiger. It is not the end of the world to lose to the Crusaders especially after their 15 mins of brilliance in the 1st half. As a staunch Sharks fan even I was standing up in Twickers and applauding absolute genius. 15 mins of rugby to compare with the 15 mins of brilliance of the French against ABs in the 1999 WC semi.
It is also no embarrassment to lose to the Stormers at Kings Park after a helluva strenuous schedule for the Sharks in comparison to the relatively sedate run in for the Stormers.
The amazing thing for me is that the Sharks actually could have won these two matches. A pass right or a pass instead of kick might have made all the difference in both games. Inches and minute margins. The only disappointment so far has been their game against the Chiefs. But to give credit to the Chiefs – they played their best game of rugby against the Sharks in their Super Rugby journey so far. Tana Umaga was the Tana of old and the Chiefs rallied behind him.
You say the Sharks have a plan A and no plan B… The Sharks played against a glittering Saders without Lambie and did not embarrass themselves. They also played against a Stormers side who were on top of their limited defence focussed gameplan and also did not embarrass themselves. The Sharks are nicely positioned after their tour and have scored a good few tries… They will score a few more. Jeez, some tactical naivety might have resulted in the Sharks scoring another couple of tries and another 5 pts on the log at least. Plum has rightfully pointed that out.
Nope, not for me this see sawing subjective emotional criticism of my side when a couple of speed bumps have been negotiated.
Sharks and Plum are looking good.
12 Apr 2011, 14:00 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-23: PA, what is the Sharks plan A…? Obviously with Lambie things look good. Without Lambie Sharks have not fallen apart.
12 Apr 2011, 14:01 pm
@Ogre(Ogre)-19:
Well those are all psychological challenges…
So it will lead one to ask, have they got a mental coach?
12 Apr 2011, 14:05 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-23:
Well its clear you are not objective.
BTW, it was the Sharks management decision to go on their travel schedule and although I have personally mentioned this is a factor, it is not an excuse.
3 losses in a row?
The mark of a defeatist is when you turn to could’ves and should’ves.
But hey you got your win against the Lions and 5 points with a bye this weekend – happy days I guess.
12 Apr 2011, 14:07 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-23:
you miss the point.
PLUM accused his players of tactical naivete.
nobody else.
12 Apr 2011, 14:14 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-26: Not being objective is implying that Plum is actually coaching naivety…
Its also not being objective stating “3 losses in a row” without taking into context why or how those losses could have happened.
Defeatist? That is also not being objective if you consider what was being said when “could’ves and should’ves” are discussed in context… Its another point of view and is contrary to what I would call the defeatist one of labelling Plum a naive coach – as you have interpreted from his comments (and not objectively, at that)…
The Lions was a positive especially in the light that the Sharks went there and obtained a bonus point right at the end of the game. Mission accomplished… That’s pretty objective…
Anyway we all have out points of view and as much as mine might not be “objective”, it is crystal clear that yours aren’t either.
12 Apr 2011, 14:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-28: out poitns of view = our points of view
12 Apr 2011, 14:18 pm
But if you want me to admit the Sharks are better off than any other SA team I will, as I did in the past.
They made a clear shift to a more momentum based game, which is great. Now I am interested to see if they can grind out tough wins when they are stopped from playing that type of game – and against the Chiefs and Stormers, they failed so far.
12 Apr 2011, 14:18 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-27: You miss possibly Plum’s point and the context of what he was saying when referring to his player’s tactical naivety… That is my point.
12 Apr 2011, 14:23 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-28: Defeatist!
12 Apr 2011, 14:23 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-28:
I am yet to meet a coach who coaches his players to be tactically naive…
The question is, have Plum got the goods (and skills) as a coach to prevent his players from being naive or in the moment (assessing and adopting in the moment)?
Those are coaching skills which starts on the training pitch. Those are skills and traits coaches, through their training programmes and experts promote.
It is a specific style of coaching which goes way beyond just ‘trusting’ players to come good next week, or the week after.
An example is a comment from Allister Coetzee I read this morning…
You know what he is going back to ‘motivating’ his players? Last year! Where they lost against the Brumbies but bounced back the following week.
That is hardly in the moment thinking.
12 Apr 2011, 14:24 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-31:
Here is the point…
His players being tactically naive is one guy’s responsibility or fault alone – HIS.
12 Apr 2011, 14:24 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-2: Spot on. As near a perfect summation of the SA rugby mindset.
I’ve always felt this way about the stormers. For some reason, the always cam across as over-coached and this dis-empowers players to a point when reaction time in both mind and body is hampered. This could be down to the defensive strategy employed by the stormers which has to be practiced ad nauseum and becomes almost mechanical.
Aspects of this comes across in the attacking game plan as well, hence my suggestion of stormers shifting focus to enhancing their attacking play. One of the first things I’d do is create the ‘double-wave’ formation, which both straightens the attacking lines and subsequently commits defenders. The first wave would comprise mostly of forwards and the variation to this play would be backline players in the 2nd wave. Of vital importance is for the 1st wave to cross the advantage line, forcing the defence to alter their defensive aligment. This then creates space out wide for the wingers and fullbacks. Perhaps then Habana will get the ball with only the try line ahead of him. He’d stand a good chance of dotting down then.
12 Apr 2011, 14:25 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-31:
no the point pissant was trying to make is that when plan a fails (for whatever reason) their doesn’t seem to be a plan b..
this is something that exists in all south african teams, no matter where they are in the log.
jeez.
talk about a mountain out of a molehill.
12 Apr 2011, 14:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-12: Bollocks. The Sharks were NEVER going to win that game. That the score was close should in it self be a bonus.
12 Apr 2011, 14:27 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-36:
Thank you.
12 Apr 2011, 14:28 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-38:
I’m not sure it’s going to do any good
12 Apr 2011, 14:34 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-39:
I always hope for the best…
12 Apr 2011, 14:45 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-33: You might yet to meet such a coach, which is ironic considering that you seemed to be implying Plum is just such a coach.
I think many coaches and sports journos in SA seem to be lost in SA orthodoxy at the moment. Someone like Plum is not easily but into a box so it seems easy just to classify him as naive.
Contrarily I think Plum might be combining the best of both worlds in terms of Kiwi appreciation of individuality with some of Saffer “structure” and need for discipline… This contrasts quite nicely with the outcomes of Mitchell at the Lions so far…
Your naivety label for Plum seems to have progressed from player execution naivety (post 14) to tactical naivety (post 34)…. It seems you are determined to label Plum as a naive coach…. I think that is naive and not really objective.
12 Apr 2011, 14:47 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-36: I actually did see that. You miss one of my points in that I do not agree with that assessment with regard to the Sharks.
Take it or leave it. Continue the naivety.
12 Apr 2011, 14:49 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-36: PS. Stay off the mountain…
Or crack another joke…
12 Apr 2011, 14:53 pm
sharks play no ‘heads up’ rugby, you don’t score one bonus point the whole season playing ‘heads up’ rugby…
12 Apr 2011, 14:54 pm
@pompies2(pompies2)-37: Now that is naive. Sharks lost nevertheless… No shame in losing to a brilliant team on the day. Sometimes you win some and then you lose others. Thats rugby… and its not defeatist to have no shame in defeat sometimes.
The next game against the Stormers will be very different. Plums “tactical naivety” and “player execution naivety” might just result in a Stormers loss at Newlands…. But I’m naive to think that hey? Plum too.
12 Apr 2011, 14:55 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-41:
I seriously don’t know how to explain this in another way for you than my attempts above.
Plum accused his players of being naive.
The reasons for his players being naive (not being able to adapt to the change of approach by the Stormers on defence as he (Plum) highlighted in his interview) refers to their lack of tactical appreciation, or changing from plan a to b when the moment called for it.
The reason players fail to adopt and change strategies, is either because they do not know how to, or there are none.
And THAT, is the responsibility of the coach.
So its great for Plum to identify this, because he is spot on! Does he however realise that he is the one that need to fix it? Or more importantly, does he know how to fix it (since he identified it)?
12 Apr 2011, 14:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-44: Thank you…
12 Apr 2011, 14:59 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-46: “Accused” is quite emotive.
How about saying Plum “stated” his players were “naive”…
Puts a different slant on what Plum might have been trying to say, innit?
I am sure Plum has fixed the Sharks. Dont worry, they’ll be less naive when they play the Stormers at Newlands
12 Apr 2011, 15:00 pm
Got to go. Work calls
12 Apr 2011, 15:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-48:
Here is the heading to the article I refer to:
Plumtree slams players
Here is a section from the article:
Sharks coach John Plumtree accused his team of naivety under pressure following their 6-16 defeat to the Stormers at Kings Park on Saturday night.
“We played into their hands in the first half and should have kicked for territory more,” Plumtree said after the Vodacom Super Rugby match.
Not my words.
For ***** and giggles, here is a quote from Allister this morning.
“The Reds got us out of our comfort zone on defence. They managed to create time and space for Quade Cooper. His passing was excellent and there was more tactical kicking from them than usual,” said Coetzee.
Both stating exactly what went wrong and getting it pretty much spot on.
12 Apr 2011, 15:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-41:
dear lord.
he accused his own players of being “tactically naive” quote unquote.
nobody is labelling the coach as being naive.
pisser is saying that if the players are tactically naive (plums words), then surely that falls within the realm of the coaches responsibilities?
sheeshkebab.
you have been spending too much time with extraball.
12 Apr 2011, 15:18 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-45: How can I be naive? My assertion before the game would have been, that, given the playing resources, on probability the Crusaders would win the game quite comfortably. That it happened, is down just down to, all things being equal, the most probable result happened.
Was I denying the fact the the Sharks stood a chance? Not at all. Even if the score had been 3-0 to the crusaders, the most likely result would still have been achieved.
You stating that the next game vs the stormers will be is a bit obvious. No two games are the same. Even if you refer to the fact that the Sharks will come out charging like enraged ‘bulls’, you cannot be c0cksure when you say the sharks will, on statistical probability be victorious. The reason for this? The 2 teams are too evenly matched. I think the slight advantage the sharks might have in the forwards will be negated by the slight advantage the stormers have in the backs
12 Apr 2011, 15:22 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-50: Was it also part of the ploy kick behind Habana mostly, given his ‘counter-attacking’ skills. I suspect so. Very few kicks went in behind Poolman in the 2nd half.
12 Apr 2011, 15:29 pm
@pompies2(pompies2)-53:
Two things I noticed.
Reds seldom had Cooper at first receiver on defence – I have not seen them employ this much in the past at all.
Result, Cooper fielded a lot of Stormers kicks at the back and exploited the space with his return kicks (I only saw one Stormers kick successfully chased and turn over conceded by Habana).
Second thing I noticed which gave a clear indication Stormers were playing under strict instructions was Aplon fielding a number of kicks, some between his 22 and half way line.
He attacked the line once from there, the rest of the time he kicked.
The Stormers successfully nullified one of their biggest threats with ball in hand and turned him into a predictable little drone.
The Reds successfully forced every Stormers player to play a game they are not comfortable with…
12 Apr 2011, 15:44 pm
well, this weekends game will see them getting a proper hiding or winning a close one.
I fancy they might sneak one this weekend.
everyone was assuming that they’d get a first away win against the crusaders and forgot that they are looking for a first against the reds.
this has become the biggest game of the bulls season. they absolutely without a doubt need to turn in a tip top performance now.
12 Apr 2011, 15:51 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-54:
teams coached within a structure that they are comfortable with will get you more wins a season than “heads up”.
my line of thinking is very much along that of heyneke meyers. Doesn’t matter what tactics or style of play you prefer…..but the team that plays “their” game better than the opposition plays “their own” will inevitably win.
Heyneke also always acknowleged that you need “x” sometimes, gamebreakers…..and was never scared to recruit. Habana and now,supposedly Basson. think Fourie duPreez last season in the semi final scoring against the crusaders going the other way round the scrum to get in at the corner. Broke the crusaders back that evening. Can’t coach that, did everything technically incorrect but at exactly the right moment in the right game.
12 Apr 2011, 16:00 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-54: The Cooper defensive ploy has been used throughout the season and intelligently so, When would you want employ someone in your defensive structure, who won’t add value. This has both positive and negative sides. The positive being that Cooper will have a chance to either counter attack or play for position with his kicks, as seen on Saturday. The down side to this is that they loose someone who could create havoc off turnover ball from 1st receiver.
The Reds employed a simple, but well devised plan. Why try running through the wall, when going over it will be easier. Ewan Mckenzie alluded to this when he acknowledged the defensive ability of the Stormers and employed a different strategy. This was not without risk, as it could have backfired.
I ten to agree with you as well regarding Aplon. It’s like his counter-attacking instinct is being stifled. In retrospect, the way in which things transpired could be seen a bit odd. Not taking away anything from the Reds. They showed brains trump brawn almost every time.
I suspect they were planning a huge onslaught for the Bulls and merely managed their way through the stormers game. Very smart.
12 Apr 2011, 16:04 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-56:
The problem arises when you are not allowed to play your game, and that is more or less what I am on about.
But I must be off.
12 Apr 2011, 16:08 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-58:
but that is exactly my point, the better team will stamp their game all over the field.
reds did this,stormers did not. addmittedly the stormers have offered little from an attacking perspective so far this season, so all the reds needed to do was keep the stormers defending in their own half. (read bulls blueprint). Without the shots at goal and oppotunity to accumulate points on the board the job was half done.
12 Apr 2011, 16:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-49:
You have just fallen foul of that so conservative(‘verkrampte’ is better) , dominantly S.African tactic of the never-fail wolf-pack attack, the sole purpose of which is for the marauding predators to circle the lone defender causing much confusion.
Because you have to answer to so many different words and opinions coming at you and swiftly so you begin to lose tract of what you know you have said.
Note too all those coming at you are the losers of Saturday past so you are the topdog who needs to fall to satisfy their blood lust and beatings that they constantly took.
Always keep this tactic in mind.
12 Apr 2011, 16:25 pm
fark this HG , ET love realationship is a laugh a minute !!!
fark what some have to resort to for a bit of acceptance , shame man !!!
12 Apr 2011, 16:33 pm
@ET.(ET.)-60:
It is also obvious that no coach immediately after a game, and when there is another game to be played the next w-end, will refer to his players being lethargic or tired(no play break in 8wks which included the overseas games ending in London) as an explanatory, contributing factor in that loss.
But he has to, and is forced to, give a reason so he hurriedly makes one available whether it is the total truth or just part of the real cause.
He thus for one or even two games , supposedly refers to his players being naive with slight changes of where that accusations is directed at, attac k one game and defence the next..
This, however, may not be the coaches rugby philosophy that his team is , in fact, playing naive rugby in attack or defence or both simultaneously.
Note , however, immediately after the Lions game he DID just make that claim of TIRED play and no naive play call accompanied that as he wished his players to take their well-earned and much required rest week.
Since no one here specifically , directly heard the real reason/s he discussed with his players in the change room it ALL amounts to MERE speculation, as usal, to fit the purpose of the dogmatic wolf-pack attack.
12 Apr 2011, 16:41 pm
-61:
Even if true, and not so as he is a Shark and I am a W.P./Stormer of long-standing, nothing quite out does the original ‘Eeltjie and Beeltjie’ rock and ‘drol’ tandem or emotional duet.
Let the rugby facts of the last weeks speak copiously for themselves as in “Stormers by 12″ and ” Reds not even in my top 6″ when they came to C.T. as 2nd overall and left 2nd. overall and have topped the Aussie Conference for many weeks now.
12 Apr 2011, 16:46 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-50: “Plumtree slams players”?? Did he write that heading?
My opinion on this is that Plum was being frank. My opinion is that he will fix it. Your initial implication has now attained a significant amount of mission creep.
But I do get your point about “Both stating exactly what went wrong and getting it pretty much spot on”… I agree with that.
I also did get your other points but I happened to disagree with them. Simple.
12 Apr 2011, 16:49 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-51: Dear Grunter.
You have missed my point while being so busy with snout up PA’s rear end that you obviously could not see or understand my comments clearly.
As you were…
12 Apr 2011, 16:50 pm
@ET.(ET.)-63: didn’t you very publically withdraw your support for the cape side? something about saving your emotional energy or something like that. Now you’re a supporter again? can it be because they’re (mostly) winning?
Fairweather supporter.
12 Apr 2011, 16:50 pm
YOU ARE THE TOP DOG?
This kind of hero worship on the internet is unhealthy.
A cyber-restraining order is only a matter of time.
12 Apr 2011, 16:58 pm
No one knocks left and right or black and white more than I do amd more consistently, and with social and economic and political purpose.
So who needs or seeks ‘ verkrampte’ , shooting up the indigenous or blacks “acceptance”?
I have had more fights with ***** Shame(remember that nic) than with anyone else here and am merely guided by the total truths of S. A. rugby.
12 Apr 2011, 16:58 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-65:
I understood them perfectly.
You were moving the goalposts so fast, you forgot to loot where you were going and you fell over.
Quite simply the point was made about south african teams in general that saffa teams lack a plan B when plan a goes awry.
It’s something that our teams have always struggled with.
You then started talking about player execution naivete etc etc.
It’s a problem with sa teams full stop.
Not just the sharks.
Fark me how complicated does it have to be?
12 Apr 2011, 17:00 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-69:
where I think pissant is wrong is that this is something that starts at school level.
by the time they get to superrugby the damage is done.
maybe this is what divot meant when he talked about totasl rugby?
12 Apr 2011, 17:01 pm
@pompies2(pompies2)-52: You made a statement using “bollocks” they would NEVER have won the game… My point was – And so? I disagree. Simple.
I know what I said about the next game against the Stormers. And I guarantee you it will be different with a different outcome…. Obviously PA’s label of Plum being “tactically naive” notwithstanding
Calm down now…. Its called debate. Not everyone has to agree…
.. .and not everyone has the need for uniformity of regimented thought that often descends into this conventional rugger orthodoxy which, while at the same time can be a strength for SA rugger, is also its biggest weakness…
Take it or leave it…. My points are not made through a need for acceptance by the Keo gatekeepers of rugby wisdom….
12 Apr 2011, 17:05 pm
Being analytically correct about how a team will feature in a competition is being smart and correct and not to be confused with the desired wishes of the ‘verkrampte’.
Has the stated agenda of “it is not wrong to be wrong sometimes” or “you do not always have to be right” been forgotten already? Certainly not by me who so unfortunately calls too many outcomes too correct for too many whatever the argument is.
12 Apr 2011, 17:07 pm
@ET.(ET.)-68:
My good golly, even h e l l’s is unacceptable.
12 Apr 2011, 17:07 pm
@ET.(ET.)-60: Yeah ET. Am busy too this side. Hopping in and out of here… Will have to do it justice later…
You will note that I did not slate anyone personally as can be the case when here for some good old “flaming” fun…
I was actually making some points with good intentions…. But hey it seems some curs have definitely being flushed out… and have shifted goalpost continually… And then you get some fools who think commenting on Keo is through a need for “acceptance”
12 Apr 2011, 17:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-65:
That one never knows the whole story. He is the vulture that incessantly circles and zeros in on a particular word(better, if has groin reference) or opinion and concentrates like h e l l on that and that only with short bursts and NO debate and insists that his ‘understanding ‘is the g os pel only.
12 Apr 2011, 17:14 pm
The days of ‘snot ‘ and ‘trane’ are somewhat behind them now and they have worked up some misguided spunk, unfortunately all misplaced because it is agenda driven and thus devoid of consistent truth.
12 Apr 2011, 17:17 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-69: Contrarily… again… I think the goalpost shifting has been done by you… I noted the point about Saffer teams in general not having a plan B, but with regards to the Sharks I disagree…
An example would actually be the Crusaders game – 1st half to 2nd half… Big change in “Plan” for the Sharks….
If you read my initial post you would see I was implying, in jest, that for the Bulls and Stormers in particular they have had Plan A’s for a few years with no change….
So, I suggest go and change that nappy… The only mountain being mad out of a molehill is by you
12 Apr 2011, 17:18 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-61: Go give Grantie a backrub… You’ll get some of your need for acceptance there
12 Apr 2011, 17:18 pm
The war of the Flea it was and the war of the Flea it will remain to be.
Bite them on the balls and run come back later and bite them on the belly-button and still later on the ‘hol’.
12 Apr 2011, 17:19 pm
@ET.(ET.)-62: Good point.
12 Apr 2011, 17:20 pm
@ET.(ET.)-63: LOL… Jeez, I better not LOL at your comments… I might not be deemed acceptable by the gatekeepers or the “wolf-pack”
12 Apr 2011, 17:24 pm
The point really is that no team can play “heads up” rugby when they are mentally fatigued. Decision making in a rugby match occurs in a split second. Even if you prepare to execute a specific move the chances of that move coming off are impacted by so many factors , defensive alignment and reaction, the pass, conditions etc so that pre-planned moves often don’t come off. Players have to have the confidence therefore in their ability and in those outside of them to make the right decisions instictively. When you are mentally tired that ability deteriorates.
12 Apr 2011, 17:27 pm
@ET.(ET.)-68: Hel.ls Shame (your name for me) and the ExperimenTal Lab Bob.bejan (my name for you) giving ‘em hell…. Who would have thought….
ET, it seems the need for conformity and orthodoxy has truly being flummoxed…. These “liberal” fools in their petty wolf-packs can’t understand individualism….
Rugby fascism and uniformity of thought is alive and well on Keo….
But I don’t think we need to conform, do we? Especially when the truth is at stake
12 Apr 2011, 17:32 pm
Oh dear.
It’s hopeless.
Happy felching boys.
12 Apr 2011, 17:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-74:
They do not care about correctness or accuracy of your view-point, what matters is that you are the smart-arsed one and the only non-loser this week.
So they just wham and bam without rhyme or reason.
12 Apr 2011, 17:39 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-82: This “heads-up” term is a bit of a misnomer I reckon…. Yeah, that fatigue factor…. Its something even the brightest sparks involved with sport don’t have a complete handle on…. Often only spotted in hindsight…. But no less valid.
12 Apr 2011, 17:41 pm
@ET.(ET.)-85: Yup, And so the wheel turns…
12 Apr 2011, 17:44 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-84: Don’t relax your rose bud… S.cat and relaxed bowel movement is unbecoming for a Bulletjie… You okes need to appear correct at all times, don’t forget that
12 Apr 2011, 17:45 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-83:
Conservatism, conformity, dogma are the watchwords of this ilk of the New S.Africa, does not matter if you are black or white(poor M.Jackson).
Individualism has no place in their thinking, hence that staid Bulls and Stormers cannot play when the opposition does something vaguely different.
Poor Lambie is going to suffer for that individualistic streak he shows as he waltzes past the conservative hamBurger. He may not be in that RWC squad.
Think what they would have done to the individual brilliance of a Cliff Morgan or Barry John or JPR Williams etc., etc.
Contrari-wise look at the continuous s e xu al references of the staid Goebbels here now again with “felching”. That is ‘male’ conformity at its ‘verkrampte’ best.
12 Apr 2011, 17:45 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-64:
Yeah, the original point was clearly with regards to the Stormers and Bulls. I do think Plum makes himself guilty of this to an extent as-well, but if there is one coach in SA rugby (probably because he did not learn his rugby here so much) that could surprise me, it would be Plum – I have no faith in Coetzee and Ludeke.
Not Drotske for that matter either and Mitchell is still building anything remotely close to a culture.
Do I doubt Plum’s ability? Yes I do – but for reasons other than stated above.
12 Apr 2011, 17:46 pm
plum’s ability referring to what is being currently discussed of course – the skills to coach players to think on their feet.
12 Apr 2011, 17:49 pm
@ET.(ET.)-89: Yes, the truth.
12 Apr 2011, 17:50 pm
@ET.(ET.)-89:
What totally stuns them, to the extent they have no plan B ,is that we are like the harmonious notes of the old grand piano.
Good old ebony and ivory, living together in now perfect harmony (after being for so long at each others throats only to see the light when they failingly tried to ban me).
12 Apr 2011, 17:53 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)
Hope you noted PA originally created his escape hatch with the first sentence of his post #38(I think).
12 Apr 2011, 18:08 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-90: Mitchell has a huge task in front of him. I have no idea who the Lions Union admin top dog is… Different to the Luyt era where you knew exactly who was King of the Hill… I wonder if Mitchell knows who the top dog in the Lions is….
Contrarily (again), and I have never rated Drotske as a coach, I get this almost perverse sense that something positive is happening at the Cheetahs. I also get the sense that the players are starting to thrive under the leadership of their Captain and really play for him… Now this is subjective…
Plum learned a lot of his Rugger in good old Natal. From his club days with the Crusaders club to his time under Ian Mac, I reckon he learned much about rugby as a player and as a coach…. Those were immensely dynamic times in SA rugby (early 90′s)… So, with whatever raw skills he picked up as a Kiwi laaitie, those were moulded into a proper player with the bananaboys. Again subjective… but I tell you what, Sharks rugby is what runs through Plums veins despite his Taranaki and Wellington connection. He is a Shark through and through – 80 games in the black and white is testament to this.
Plums ability as a head has come on quite nicely at the Sharks. Winning a CC in his 1st year is not too shabby… Winning Super rugby in his 2nd will be the cherry
12 Apr 2011, 18:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-95:
The Cheetahs and Drotske is an enigma to me to be honest.
As far as Plum goes, technically I don’t think you’ll get much better in SA – it is in his man-management that I would put a question mark over because he is THAT direct and straight.
A point I believe most coaches in SA are missing is the importance of the scientific element so necessary for pro-rugby today.
Plum’s arrival coincided with the departure of a certain Tim Goodenough at the Sharks – a ‘mind’ coach.
Just last night and the Ikeys victory in the Varsity Cup, and their comeback in the season after suffering two heavy defeats against the Maties and UJ at home. The difference to a large extent? They called upon the services of a ‘coach’ that does not coach using tackle bags and cones, the same person that has two RWC medals to her name – Doc Calder.
Like I said, technically there is not much you can teach Plum, he is a master – but for me a massive part of the problem with our approach in SA rugby is not in the technical aspect of the game – it is how to think the game & develop those skills that helps you make better decisions in the heat of the moment quicker.
We then require the likes of Tucker, Noakes, Calder etc – all people all SA coaches regards as unnecessary.
12 Apr 2011, 18:19 pm
@ET.(ET.)-93: Yeah ET. Still can’t believe the hypocrisy of those farkwits that tried their best to ban you. And now some okes try and get down and dirty for some flaming… I’m up for that… Sure you are too…
Okes like PA, WillieVS, David and even Pompies I respect though because they generally like to talk rugger and don’t really engage in some good old trench warfare… Matter of preference and commendable if they stick to that… Its great to have the opportunity for debate with these bugg.ers because they know what they are talking about and I’ve learnt a lot just by reading their comments….
The rest of the “skinderbek” (as you put it?) fools… its gloves off
12 Apr 2011, 18:25 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-97: who tried to have ET banned??
12 Apr 2011, 18:26 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-96: So some soft skills needed for Plum…? That’s an interesting POV…. Is there no one at the Sharks with that sort of psych input after the departure of Goodenough…? Converely, maybe Goodenough was not contributing in a meaningful way (e.g. Often like an HR malfunction in a company… Sometimes their babble can just end up being an obstacle and counter productive)
I think you wrote in one of your comments somewhere that there is a lack of specialist input on the mental side with many of the teams… Interesting because that was a big part of Woodwards setup.
12 Apr 2011, 18:28 pm
and good day HG and ET and MOrne
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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