SBW has style and substance
5 Jul 2011
RYAN VREDE writes that Sonny Bill Williams’ first Super Rugby season has seen him evolve his game rapidly.
It is a testament to the Crusaders midfielder’s prodigious skill and rugby intelligence that he has, in his rookie campaign against the elite players in world rugby, grown his game to the point where he is now arguably the planet’s pre-eminent No 12.
Williams’s primary strength is undoubtedly his ability to offload in the tackle while negotiating the attention of multiple defenders. He leads the competition in this facet of play with 53 offloads, eight ahead of Quade Cooper.
The consistency with which he is able to do this is staggering. Furthermore, he has exhibited its match-changing capacity on numerous occasions, and, most notably, in the biggest matches of the Crusaders’ campaign. The Stormers will attest to this, Williams’ offloads having twice crafted decisive tries in matches against them this season.
However, a string of former players and coaches – the most prominent of the latter group being Springbok chief Peter de Villiers – have predicted that the manoeuvre is too high-risk to be considered an asset, and has the potential to cost his side. It has also been intimated that nullifying his ability to execute this skill would, in effect, render him a non-factor.
But Williams is no one-trick pony. You only have had to follow his development closely to know this. His performance against the Sharks in the qualifier illustrated just how much he has grown his game. In that match he carried consistently and effectively (83% efficiency at the gainline with three linebreaks and 152 metres gained in 16 carries – an average of 9.5m per carry). There were still the trademark offloads, five of them, and this gave him an air of unpredictability which he carried through to Newlands in the semi-final.
Watching him live gives further insight into his development into a rounded rugby player rather than a pure rugby athlete. This is most evident in how he times his involvement in attacks. Early in the season he often sought to carry in the early phases. It is obvious that he now bides his time, preferring to wait for the defensive line to be depleted, then exploiting mismatches.
Defensively he is more measured, although no less imposing in contact. For a player with a rugby league background where monster hits are commonplace, suppressing this natural instinct must take some doing. But he has largely made that technical and mental transition successfully. He makes his tackle and rejoins the defensive line, and players of this ilk are more undoubtedly valuable than ones who can compromise the defensive structure in search of bone-crunching hits.
It would be remiss to not credit an astute coaching staff for their obvious contribution to these facets of his game. Williams’s rapid progress illustrates the value of good coaching. That said, there is work to be done on his distribution in general play, which doesn’t stand up to comparison with some of his counterparts in the game. But he has shown an aptitude for learning quickly.
Williams will take the field against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday a significantly more complete player than the one who debuted for the Crusaders against the Waratahs in Nelson in March. Then his style was celebrated. Now there can be no doubt that there is substance to the man.
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50 Comments
5 Jul 2011, 10:54 am
Krusty looked decidedly more clownish than ever as the cameras focussed on him immediately after SBW expertly took out 2 Stormers and put Fruean thru the hole.
It won’t make him shut his oversized dumb trap, of course. But it should.
5 Jul 2011, 11:02 am
SBW 2 – Springbok Centres 0
But Pdivvy is correct in saying that his playing style is incorrect – wake up and smell the coffee mate
5 Jul 2011, 11:04 am
I would like to see SBW lower the height of his tackles , he was lucky on the weekend and i dont want him yellow carded in the WC or the final this saturday
5 Jul 2011, 11:06 am
Totally agree – the boy looks great and is a breath of fresh air for rugby. He also seems a humble guy.
Such a shame SA couldnt provide that breath of fresh air. Any spark of originality is quickly coached out of SA players. Think of young JDV, Habana and Frans Steyn.
Im dreading the day Aplon and De Jongh lose their spark due to 1 dimensional coaches
5 Jul 2011, 11:07 am
@stew(stew)-2: Not sure how you get that score guy… I wouldnt agree with that myself
5 Jul 2011, 11:10 am
Please explain why concave back Fourie tackled SBW around the shoulders (while Koster already had him) instead of simply tackling his ball carrying arm, which would prevent an offload in every instance?
Idiotic.
5 Jul 2011, 11:10 am
@stew(stew)-3: why cane we apply the same tactics the cheetahs did to nullify him
as much as i am a fan, i am DISAPPOINTED that our springbok centres could not apply the same methodology as the lowly cheetahs did
COMMON!
5 Jul 2011, 11:12 am
@BringItHomeBoks(bokfan1)-5: Pool match at newlands , semi final at newlands – that makes 2 – 0
5 Jul 2011, 11:16 am
@Papoose(papaown)-7: Well at the moment he is making them look very average – it is time they sent SBW a message because at the moment he is making them look worse than the Bulls centre s !!!
5 Jul 2011, 11:33 am
@Papoose(papaown)-7: Lowly? Fine.
Just remember the Stormers still have nothing to show in a decade. Big surprise.
(Don’t tell me the ‘Conference Winner’ cup means anything.)
If JDV and JF couldn’t intercept any ‘loose’ passes from SBW, with them being the intercept Kings of the midfield, is Sonny’s way of play really THAT high risk?
And with JDV and Fourie in the Bok midfield, our opposition can always be sure the ball will never reach the wings in a normal backline movement.
Imagine a SH-team with Cooper and SBW next to each other. That will make for a fantastic rugby show!
5 Jul 2011, 11:35 am
@Bouts(Bouts)-10: And add Sadie running his angles outside SBW.
5 Jul 2011, 11:36 am
Does anyone actually listen to a single word from Snor?
5 Jul 2011, 11:41 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-12: Yes. And we listen to Trevor Noah and Seinfeld as well.
5 Jul 2011, 11:42 am
@stew(stew)-3:
yes, him and franks look like they could possibly get carded at the worst time in a game and cause problems for the team.
5 Jul 2011, 11:53 am
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-14: Well, all the top teams have those ‘yellow-card’ type of players currently, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
5 Jul 2011, 12:02 pm
Sonny is a real gentleman and a team man.
If it were otherwise, there is no doubt that he would have sent a couple of your prize centres to hospital for a lengthy stay.
5 Jul 2011, 12:05 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-6:
Exactly,why did Fourie even turn his back to Freuan to make that tackle? Koster had him and all Fourie had to do was keep eye on his man and blobk running lane where he would have been had he kept his defensive alignment.Other than that SBW was largely quiet.The Saders pack & carter’s variation of play territorially won the game.
SBW has brought luster to the game and more bums on seats undoubtedly.Good for the game,the game-ANY SPORT needs a pre-eminent personality which spectators especially young ones can hone in on.
He is good for union, how good he is in the greater scheme especially pressure test footy is still yet to be established.But he has played amazingly well in first tournament, with the best pack in competition,best 10 and best outside backs and team with pedigree in competition…(won 3 titles with Darryl Gibson/Mark Mayerholfer/Mark Robinson as midfielders….)
5 Jul 2011, 12:08 pm
@Bouts(Bouts)-15:
yes your right, he should still work on it though to make him a better player. yellow cards because your careless, sloppy or stupid in the tackle and not because your fulfilling an ‘enforcer’ function are ****.
5 Jul 2011, 12:08 pm
@Inevitable(Inevitable)-16:
Ja, well, only problem for Sonny is that none of our centres are ageing cripples on disability payments. And even if they were, SBW would only be able to beat them on points. If you can’t even get a straight knock-out victory over a guy on disability pension, then you need a bit of panelbeating training from Danie Rossouw or perhaps Kobus Wiese.
5 Jul 2011, 12:10 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-19:
In fact, once Pakslae is DONE with a guy, only THEN will he be on disabilty pension, and thereby eligible to fight SBW….
5 Jul 2011, 12:12 pm
“He(SBW) leads the competition in this facet of play with 53 offloads, eight ahead of Quade Cooper”.
Ryan.
This final is looming as an absolute cracker.
5 Jul 2011, 12:19 pm
SBW is just warming up.
Graeme Henry (sic) has him on a course of sedatives to stop him peaking too soon.
Beware Oke Dokies, he is gunna rip your hearts out.
5 Jul 2011, 12:35 pm
@cane(cane)-22:
Your hearts will be ripped out again this RWC.
I cant wait for the excuses.
4 more years you **** ends, 4 more years
5 Jul 2011, 12:39 pm
Beau relishing big break
Tuesday, 5 July 2011 4.53 p.m.
When the Reds began their 2011 Super Rugby campaign, Beau Robinson was pulling beers at the Irish Heart in Goodna and considered a bolter to make the squad. Now, after an amazing six months, he looms as a key player in their grand final bid.
After a long apprenticeship under Phil Waugh at the Waratahs, Robinson rolled the dice and trekked to Ballymore for the opportunity to train in the extended Reds squad, hoping to get his hands on the No.7 jersey left vacant by Daniel Braid.
Astute coach Ewen McKenzie recognised his talent and granted him the opportunity. His rugged ball-winner has repaid him on countless times this season.
The underdog story is headed towards a worthy final chapter, as Robinson and the Reds meet with Richie McCaw’s Crusaders – the long-time powerhouse of Super Rugby – in what will likely be a sold-out final at Suncorp Stadium.
In every minute Robinson has played for the Reds, he’s been fearless and relentless in his attack of the breakdown.
He wins the ball at pivotal moments and from the outside looking in he appears like the heart of an underrated Reds pack.
After his years of comparative anonymity on the fringe at the Waratahs, Robinson said that he was adjusting to an increased profile, but proud to be earning respect and reward for his style of selfless play.
“I am still getting used to (the attention) a bit. I’m quite enjoying it. It’s great to be back here and with the way the team’s been going it’s worth it,” he said.
“I’ve always played this way. I’ve just been taught to give it all you’ve got and you should never leave anything in the tank. One hundred percent. And I suppose that’s just how I live by and play my rugby.”
“Growing up in Dubbo that’s just how it was – you didn’t have to be the best player as long as you got stuck in and had a bit of a go.”
“I’ve always prided myself on that and that’s what I plan on doing (on Saturday night).”
“If people are thinking that way about me, that’s the sort of esteem I want to be held in.”
It would have been farcical to predict before the season began, but one of the most highly anticipated battles of the Super Rugby final will be between All Blacks juggernaut Richie McCaw and Robinson, the Reds’ bargain acquisition.
Robinson was excited by the chance to compete with McCaw, but said that negating the master flanker would be a matter of creating momentum and pushing back the defence with strong go-forward.
“You always look forward to coming up against quality opposition and testing yourself. But as I’ve said, I’ve probably got the least amount of influence on how he plays,” he said.
“If we work hard, get up over the advantage line and get front football for the backs that will go a long way to nullifying the influence he has at the breakdown.”
5 Jul 2011, 12:45 pm
@stew(stew)-2: Barry Geel and Ebersohn 1 SBW 0
5 Jul 2011, 12:45 pm
Glad the SBW-Lomu comparisons are over.
Because for those who have forgotten…watch this-(Rare Lomu tries)..
http://youtu.be/OsXTa7UCGlk
5 Jul 2011, 12:46 pm
@jondood(jondood)-23:
We have no heart left jondood.
Suzie (The ***** of Germiston) and and Wayne Barnes removed Ours years ago.
We only now play for revenge.
We don’t care if we don’t we THE CUP.
As long as the Republic of Eye Gougers and the Froggies don’t.
8)
5 Jul 2011, 12:50 pm
@Bouts(Bouts)-10: yerrrrrrrrrrr Oke
Hope we can see tht 1 day for the Baa-Baas
10 Cooper
12 SBW
and the rest?
5 Jul 2011, 12:53 pm
@jondood(jondood)-23:
i know, the nz guys should be carefull what they post. its so much worse this year because this is the one they really, really have to win.
5 Jul 2011, 12:54 pm
@cane(cane)-27: this post is like pure whining distilled… essence of kiwi whinge
5 Jul 2011, 12:56 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-17: you see, sometimes when coaches and players talk about how experience brings about the ability to trust the man on the outside (or this case inside) to do his job, we fans need to take this example and realise the truth in it
Jacque Fourie ofcourse should’ve just kept his eye on Fruean, but Koster is a newby and this is what happens
you cant coach it
its instinct
5 Jul 2011, 12:58 pm
The smallest-ever Springbok , 5ft 3in scrumhalf in the 1955 British Lions series, Tommy Gentles, has died, aged 77.
5 Jul 2011, 13:01 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-30:
Yeah.
5 Jul 2011, 13:04 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-26:
A great watch msh.
I even clicked onto the part 2.
In some of those tries he brushed off 8 players.
5 Jul 2011, 13:05 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-25:
hahahaha
Shaun Treeby/Kendrick Lynn 1 SBW 0
5 Jul 2011, 13:09 pm
@Papoose(papaown)-31:
Fair enough BUT its flawed to a large extent because you are there to do your job and knowing the danger of SBW offloading to oncoming players,Koster being a newby or no newby-the evidence is there-saders backline strategy thus keep your eye on your man.plus while Koster is a forward he has above avg speed and SBW is not the fastest acceleration wise-he was never going to lose that battle.Fourie broke his alignment and cost team that try.Unneccessary
5 Jul 2011, 13:23 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-24:
Robinson is the coal face type and funnily enough is exactly like the man he behind for a couple of years-Phil Waugh. Not amazingly talented (Waugh should have never played ahead of Smith at any point in career-Smith was a freak) but a true competitor.
good luck to him,should be in Wallaby squad as backup openside to Pocock(who hasnt gone too well this year) and bring the end to Richard Brown in Wallaby setup..what Deans saw in that bloke,i really dont know
5 Jul 2011, 13:29 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-32:
i’m sorry for the loss. jeez thats about 1.6 meters tall how bout that?
5 Jul 2011, 13:41 pm
There was never any reason to question SBW’s credentials as a superb centre
Better check the credentials of those who doubted his value, PdV for instance?
5 Jul 2011, 13:50 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-6: “concave back Fourie”- fantastic…lol..now that is what i call funny seriously…mossie is so overrated, with his CONCAVE BACK!!….hahahahahaha!!
5 Jul 2011, 14:02 pm
@malema vs verwoerd(malema vs verwoerd)-40: hahahaha CONCAVE back
best i’ve heard today
WHY does he run like that?
5 Jul 2011, 14:18 pm
@Papoose(papaown)-41: maybe he has a banana stuck in his spine….lol…seriously i think the guy must see a biokineticist, i dont think that kind of posture is at all sustainable in the long term!
i think it also robs him of a lot of pace, it just seems like he cannot get any foroward momentum when putting pedal to the metal, maybe it also affcets his cente of gravity, if it does i dont konw if that in turn affects his speed at all but certainly other parts of his game , might also be suffering, and could possibly have been more powerfull, though better body positioning and posture.
maybe the guy needs his mucsle memory to be rebooted. Has he always runs like that, even when he was MUCH younger- not sure….???
not sure, but it sure looks damn funny! CONCAVE BACK Fourie!! Hehehehehehehe!!!!
5 Jul 2011, 14:29 pm
@Papoose(papaown)-41:
Lol yeah that was good from Tac
I think its just a structural flaw/deficiency in is skeletal makeup.He had huge problems with it affecting his hamstrings early in his career.
Its like Zack Guilford and his froggy-like running gait/style..weird but hella fast
5 Jul 2011, 14:48 pm
@Papoose(papaown)-41: hahhahahahaha agree im still on the floor …laughing…concave..habana must be convex ??
5 Jul 2011, 15:32 pm
@cane(cane)-27: Cheap shot.This article is about SBW isn’t it . No illegal playing from him????Come on> you can do better than that.
5 Jul 2011, 19:22 pm
Yeah Jaque should not have gone for that tackle. Thought the coaches would have analyzed how to defend against him.
Any player must be able to deal with a one on one defense Jaque should have trusted kosher.
So either rush on SBW outside to cut off pass but only when already tackled. i.e dont rush out before the tackle has been initiTed or that creates a gap to exploit. Or stay back and leave some space waiting for the offload.
The first ebersohn did perfectly. The second should work as SBW has average speed so he should struggle to commit 2 defenders through positioning.
5 Jul 2011, 19:24 pm
iPhones suck. Koster not kosher and a initiated
5 Jul 2011, 19:54 pm
flanka says SBW’s rubbish
5 Jul 2011, 20:58 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-26:
sensational, Mish. To say he played ‘like a man against boys’ has never been more apt. Or, atleast as apt as when Jonah played at Wesley College. Now that really WAS funny.
Couldnt find a clip of him playing in the black’n'white stripes unfort, but one 1st XV game Jonah (already 6’5” but probably only 100kgs at that stage) was seen running right thru a whole team and comically took about 6players on his back over the line. Wesley College is about 7mins drive from my home farm in Sth Auckland and is only another 7mins along the road to Pukekohe Stadium, the Home of the Mighty Counties Steelers. Wesley is a farming school, where everyone boards and works on the farm from age 11-18yrs. Its Methodist, and has always been strongly Maori and Polynesian, and its chapel every day. It kicks some serious BUTT on the Lower Field (incl mine) and always has despite being only 220 boys. Every night is rugby practise, for everyone. Auckland Grammar were Auckland schoolboy Champs for so many years (big school at 2000boys) but then would leave the Big Smoke and come out to St Stephens and Wesley and cop a HIDING. Ask Poppa.
And here’s a wee taste of what a visit to Wesley College was like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbz5VLwCHQo
6 Jul 2011, 12:58 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-49:
awesome vid BP,I can see a lot of brown fellaz in that group.Some big boy in there too lol.
Was planning on coming down to NZ for WC but monetary wise its a bit expensive especially looking at travel packages ive seen. My nephew was in Australia working for Investec and he went to Auckland and some of the islands there and saw haka’s done at the different villages.Had some on his phone, very interesting. Reminds me a bit some for the traditions that Zulu’s(I am Zulu) have to a certain extent-the dancing, ancestral chants etc
Very interesting.
Will visit there one day.
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