Brutal Boks to stifle Samoa
27 Sep 2011
RYAN VREDE writes that Samoa’s stated intention to abandon structure will be terminal to their cause against a Springboks side who look to be grasping a newly-introduced defensive system.
Samoa have exhibited a far more structured approach than they are known for, and have looked most dangerous when they’ve earned the right to play expansively through patient multi-phase play. Notably, the Springboks have pointed to this trend as amplifying their threat.
However, it now appears the islanders are set to shelve this approach in favour of a more cavalier variant. Samoa midfielder and senior player Seilala Mapusua gave insight into the team’s thinking: ‘I think we need to go all out and really move the ball around and try and get as far away from structure rugby as possible.
‘We know how strong South Africa are. They are very clinical at the set piece and also at building pressure. They have a goalkicker who will slot it from anywhere. We need to break it up a bit I think.’
Surely any threat they could pose would come from replicating the tactical advances they’ve exhibited in the last three weeks. Indeed evidence of the success of a more pragmatic approach can be traced back to their upset 32-23 victory over Australia in June.
History reflects their traditional expansive approach has never been effective against the Springboks. In six Tests the average score has been 50-10 to the defending champions, who have always had the defensive structure and punch at the gainline and breakdown to blunt Samoa’s intentions. That hasn’t changed, and, with a patent progression in their understanding and execution of a newly-introduced defensive system, it would be tactically naive of Samoa to expect to prosper playing in the manner they intend to.
Defence coach Jacques Nienaber has worked from the blueprint that made the Stormers such a formidable unit, with gainline domination, high work-rate (with a focus on rejoining the defensive line quickly after making a tackle), pressure created by the defenders pushing up hard from the outside and discipline central to its success.
Openside flank Heinrich Brussow is also skilled at punishing isolated carriers, and with competent ruck exponents like Bismarck du Plessis and Schalk Burger in the mix, Samoa’s success will hinge on them bossing the tackle fight and nullifying those men. I have serious reservations about their aptitude in this regard and foresee a fruitful night for Morne Steyn, who is unequalled in accuracy from penalties in the tournament.
With the Samoans’ intentions made clear, the Springboks will have to ensure their first-time tackle accuracy is better than it has been. They have often relied on desperate scramble defence to negotiate threats. Remedying this deficiency will leave Samoa will with little hope of the victory they require to maintain hope of progressing to the quarter-final.
By Ryan Vrede, in Auckland.
Follow Ryan’s World Cup coverage on Twitter
73 Comments
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27 Sep 2011, 16:45 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-49:
Wholewheat brown, I find has less absorbtion than Albany Best of Both.
But then again, the wholewheat is probably healthier
27 Sep 2011, 16:46 pm
@Helen(Helen)-50: LOL
27 Sep 2011, 16:46 pm
@Helen(Helen)-47: your post about menstruation are gross & repulsive. you go on about poppa needing refrain from racist post but you also need to quit the post about blood and period related rubbish. it is really off-putting and unnecessary.
i’ve never met a woman who talk about that stuff in an open forum like you do like it is something fun, likeable or exciting…
use it don’t use it
27 Sep 2011, 16:48 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-35: fox then, do you watch fox?
27 Sep 2011, 16:49 pm
@Helen(Helen)-51: It’s lower GI (and GL) if that helps….
27 Sep 2011, 16:50 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-53:
Periods are a normal part of female life. Accept it.
Why should I be squeemish about something so beautifully natural?
27 Sep 2011, 16:55 pm
@Helen(Helen)-56: you don’t have to be squeemish but you also don’t have to post about it, do you?
do you post about taking a dump? it’s natural
27 Sep 2011, 16:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-57: jic, i’m not trying to censor you or anything like that…just a suggestion
27 Sep 2011, 16:59 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-57:
Don’t get me started. Once I squeezed a brown one so big, I had to cut it with a meat cleaver before I flushed…
27 Sep 2011, 17:01 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-57:
Once, during a severe case of diareahh, when I had to see a client, I had shove a french loaf up there to stem the seapage. It wasn’t pretty and needless to say that evening when I got home, I had a monstrous Bar One to toss over the wall onto the neighbour’s patio
27 Sep 2011, 17:02 pm
@Helen(Helen)-60:
That particular neighbour has now stopped greeting me…
His loss.
27 Sep 2011, 17:05 pm
i give up…anyway gym calls
27 Sep 2011, 17:10 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-62:
I have this silly little habit to not flush and see how close I can get the s h i t to the seat. Usually it takes 3 or 4 weeks depending on my diet and whether the neighbours have the guts to phone the body corporate
27 Sep 2011, 17:19 pm
@Helen(Helen)-63: I just snotted on the keyboard!
27 Sep 2011, 17:40 pm
Speaking of flushing, reminds me of this classic scene from Extras, where Stephen Merchant is on a date…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvfUyWl9ZQs&feature=related
27 Sep 2011, 17:52 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-53:
You and I do not agree on many things, but I am with you on this.
If I wanted to hear jokes/remarks about any ones bodily functions, I would listen to the likes of Leon schuster or barry hilton etc
It is disrecpectful, uncouth and a sure sign poor breeding.
Manners maketh the man……or woman
27 Sep 2011, 18:02 pm
Helen! Marry Me!!!
27 Sep 2011, 18:26 pm
@Sannie Bill Who??iams(Xkreni-WP)-66:
Well said. And Transie.
The arguing, fighting, winding up, personal agenda’s and trolling that goes on in here is nothing compared to these vile posts. They are absolutely disgusting.
I’ve nothing against any kind of humour, Jo Brand is very funny going on about her period for example, but this is just not funny and is completely out of place on here. How any woman can talk about such things on a farkin rugby blog is beyond me.
And yes Helen, I’ll just try and continue to skip on past as I have always done.
27 Sep 2011, 18:48 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-68:
Exactly. I tend to skip this. It’s totally puerile.
I mean, how can you take someone seriously who bleeds for 3 weeks and doesn’t die?
27 Sep 2011, 20:08 pm
Helen is so gross i literally had tears squirting from my eyes trying not 2 laugh.
When she/he first started here i was a bit gobsmacked but i still find myself laughing at some of the dreadful things said, actually sometimes i wonder what shocker is going 2 be next
27 Sep 2011, 20:11 pm
@Helen(Helen)-59: Sheezus!
27 Sep 2011, 20:40 pm
@heavensgame lolol u made me check which post that was, thats the one, tears squirting trying not to laugh again, eish something very wrong with me laughing at that.
27 Sep 2011, 20:49 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-72: Treehugs, oh my never! My wildest imagination could never either…
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