Boks plan to dilute Pocock’s potency
7 Oct 2011
Gary Gold admits that the breakdown battle will determine the outcome of Sunday’s quarter-final and that David Pocock is the Springboks’ biggest threat in this regard.
Throughout the week, the Bok players have spoken about accuracy at the point of contact. While the Boks have conceded relatively few penalties at the ruck, they’ve coughed up a lot of possession due to poor ball protection. Players like Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies have called for a stronger and more clinical effort ahead of the Test against the Wallabies, a team that’s had the edge over the Boks in the past six encounters.
Their five-from-six win record aside, the Wallabies have troubled the Boks at the breakdown in the Tri-Nations Tests played in 2010 and 2011. Pocock has started for the Wallabies in all six of those matches, and will be expected to cause the Boks similar problems in the coming clash at Wellington Regional Stadium.
On Friday morning in the Kiwi capital, the sun was out and the mercury was pushing a relatively impressive 14 degrees Celsius. Similar conditions are expected for the quarter-final this Sunday, and as Gold stated, this could have a big impact on the way the game is played.
Dry conditions will suit the Wallabies, as they have the backs, and indeed the forwards, to play the game at a high tempo. If the rain stays away, the job of Heinrich Brussow and the other Bok loose forwards will be more important than ever, as they will need to slow the Wallabies’ ruck recycle as much as possible to deny the Aussie backline momentum and space.
‘If you consider the weather, they could play a significant role this Sunday. The breakdown will probably be the defining factor, and the team that masters it, and adheres to the referee’s interpretations the best, will be in a great position to win this game,’ said Gold.
‘For [Brussow and Pocock] it’s such a fine line between being a genius and breaking the law. Their roles are so essential, not only in what they do, but also in their decision-making at that particular moment in time. If they get to the breakdown and the referee calls ruck, the one who reacts quickest, say by leaving the ball alone and counter-rucking, is going to have the greatest effect. They’re two significant forces this weekend and both teams are going to have to be on their toes when those two jackals come close to the breakdown.
‘They are unique individuals, they’re special rugby players. People seemed to think that the breakdown law changes [instated ahead of the 2010 season] would nullify opensiders, and it hasn’t really been the case. It’s just made the cream rise to the top a bit more.’
While the Wallabies have the wood on the Boks, they have dropped a match in the build-up to the quarter-finals. Ireland bested them on a wet night in Auckland, and on that occasion their forwards had no answer to the Emerald Green onslaught.
Notably, the Wallabies were without Pocock on that occasion. Gold said that their were lessons to be learned from that fixture, but conceded that having Pocock back in the mix amplifies the Wallabies’ threat.
‘Ireland were particularly good, some of their tactics were very interesting. Sean O’Brien caused a lot of problems for Australia at the contact point, because it was more a contact point that night than a breakdown.
‘Would Pocock have made a difference? Definitely. I’m not sure if he would have made a difference to the final outcome, it’s impossible for me to say that, but he possibly could have neutralised O’Brien. Australia miss him when he doesn’t play.’
While there’s been plenty of analysis and preparation around the breakdown, Gold said that the Wallabies will provide stiff opposition at the set-phase. Bok vice-captain Victor Matfield always speaks highly of the Wallabies’ lineout and how difficult it is to win this particular battle, but it’s at the scrum where the Aussies may surprise the Boks if they are not prepared.
The Wallabies have produced erratic performances at this set-piece over the last two seasons, but Gold said they would take nothing for granted ahead of this play-off match. The Bok forwards coach also said both teams will have to adapt to Bryce Lawrence’s scrum calls on the day.
‘I’m not sure they Wallabies have had problems with Bryce at scrum time or whether they’ve had problems with scrums at scrum time. But the issue is we’re going to have to exploit everything we can if we want to win this game.
‘They’re an outstanding team and not Tri-Nations champs for nothing. Every aspect of our game is going to have to be razor sharp. Our lineouts will need to be very efficient and our scrums will have to be sharp. I don’t think we did really well against Australia at the scrums during the Tri-Nations, so that in itself is a challenge.
‘It’s not about Bryce, it’s more about the fact that we haven’t performed well enough against their scrum and that’s an area we want to improve on.’
By Jon Cardinell, in Wellington
43 Comments
6 Oct 2011, 23:50 pm
Breakdown dragons
6 Oct 2011, 23:56 pm
Play with 100% commitment and we will win, simple as that. We have the manpower, its what is in the heads on the day that makes the difference. I can’t see the Wobblies beating us.
6 Oct 2011, 23:57 pm
the Wallabies are a good team, however the boks look like they are playing better than they have in the last 2 years. Spies needs to pull up his socks and Steyn better kick and tacke like crazy. I hope FdP and JdV manage to lift their games as well. The Aussie supporters and news people all think the boks are old and the Aussies previous successes means they will have the wood over the boks.
I’m quietly confident in the “talk” from our guys and think the Wallabies seem to think they know how to beat the boks already. Hopefully a false sense of security and I think and hope Rassie and PDivvy have a surprise in stall for them …
7 Oct 2011, 00:01 am
I’m sweating pie-pie.
7 Oct 2011, 00:09 am
@mako(mako)-2: Mmm, if we don’t play with the 100% commitment then we definitely can loose. We seem to go mentally missing sometimes these days
7 Oct 2011, 00:13 am
Have the convicts named their side yet?
7 Oct 2011, 00:17 am
@umfolozi(umfolozi)-6: nothing on rugbyheaven.com.au yet
7 Oct 2011, 00:18 am
seems they’re a bit jittery, making some late calls
7 Oct 2011, 00:20 am
@mako(mako)-2: They comprehensively beat you twice so far this year — home and away. If you “can’t see” it, you probably can’t see your beer falling to the ground if you loosen your grip on it while standing up far away from any person, prop or furniture.
7 Oct 2011, 00:22 am
yeah, like all of us. I think the season is telling for the SH teams, now all about giving your all and hoping you don’t loose too many players
7 Oct 2011, 00:22 am
Am worried about Spies not getting stuck in. If only we didnt have so many lock problems we could have considered putting Danie/Alberts at no.8- anyway too late now
7 Oct 2011, 00:26 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-9: strange, you beat us in 2007 as well, comprehensively in two tests, but still got knocked out in the QFs, by a team we beat by 36-0 … and we went on to beat that same team twice …
But maybe your right, old team, unfit, over the hill players, so easy, walk in win for Aussies right?
7 Oct 2011, 00:27 am
@umfolozi(umfolozi)-11: Agreed, he is definitely the weak link in the loose, hope he pulls finger
7 Oct 2011, 00:28 am
@danuk(danuk)-13: Having said that, happy Flo is there, definitely best replacement I think we could have
7 Oct 2011, 00:33 am
@danuk(danuk)-14:
Flo has been OK in limited game time. Still think Ashley J was the most unlucky player not to get picked for RWC
7 Oct 2011, 00:39 am
@umfolozi(umfolozi)-15: Agreed, but think Flo was the better choice, because he compete’s at the breakdown. Ashley is a better 8th man I think
7 Oct 2011, 00:42 am
This could be a key weekend, for everyone, given niggles and injuries. McCaw’s foot cannot fill the ABs will confidence either …
7 Oct 2011, 00:43 am
@umfolozi(umfolozi)-15: ha ha you joker! Are you doing some stand-up comedy this weekend?
7 Oct 2011, 00:45 am
ashley johnson from cheetahs are you guys serious?
7 Oct 2011, 00:46 am
next you’ll be caling for earl ‘the pearl’ rose
7 Oct 2011, 00:49 am
he does more work than Spies on current form
7 Oct 2011, 00:53 am
you call his loafing around the field work? Heavens man he’s an overweight token
7 Oct 2011, 00:58 am
Yeah Spies is ripped, but when was the last time he came within 3 players of being the best loose forward on the day. Ashley might be a little chunky, but at least he looks threatening when he does play
7 Oct 2011, 01:28 am
@danuk(danuk)-12: The Tackler is not an Aussie. He is a Kiwi
7 Oct 2011, 01:43 am
We should pay close attention to the Irish tactic of creating mauls at the contact point to effect turnovers by keeping the tackled player up. It should be an effective tactic against both the New Zealand and Australian backs. Because they are looking to offload, they are very upright when then go into contact. With good technique in the tackle, this can be used against them.
7 Oct 2011, 01:54 am
Protecting Fourie du Preez at the breakdown will be critical as well. A key reason why the Australian backs didn’t fire against Ireland was the huge pressure Genia was under. I think it very likely that targeting du Preez will be a big part of the Australian game plan.
A huge question mark is the fitness of our forwards. They will need to get to the breakdown in numbers and quickly, and interpret the referee correctly. Spies is potentially a significant liability. He simply has to come to the party in tight play in this match. The man does not have a strong head.
7 Oct 2011, 02:19 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-9: Tickles-poetry
@jeest(jeest)-24: He’s not a kiwi either … kiwi wannabe at most. One foot still planted in his ventersdorp skool, the other slipping around the muddy isle trying to take grip anywhere, with nuts dangling in the salty ocean between.
7 Oct 2011, 02:44 am
The physical contest amongst the forwards will be critical. John Smit has actually had a great tournament so far, but he’s clearly not good for a full match – in fact, he’s best during the first 20 to 30 minutes. And I have no quibbles with everything that has been said about Bismark. But the effect of bringing him on as a substitute should not be underestimated. I’d hope he’s brought in around the 30 minute mark, with ten minutes to play until half time.
Matfield we can’t do without – but we should recognise his limitations. He is noticeably less mobile than he used to be, and he’s never been the most aggressive forward. Rossouw has also been great, but again, aggressive rucking is not his greatest strength. We are really missing Andries Bekker – not only is he fantastically mobile, but he’s become a real presence in tight play. I’d start him ahead of Bakkies anyday.
Jannie is having a great tournament. Let’s hope he stay’s uninjured. I am really, really surprised the Beast is not starting ahead of Gurthrow in this particular match. He’s cast from the same mould as Cian Healy, and the physics that worked for Healy against the Aussie scrum will work for him too. I suspect he’d do better than Gurthrow and he has been fantastic on defense. He’s faster and fitter than Gurthrow. Remember, the Beast played flank in his schooldays. I strongly suspect I scrum will start to go backwards when CJ comes on, if not before.
Alberts and Spies are both a problem at no.8. I’d even put Louw or Schalk at 8 before either of them. I think Alberts has the same problem as Spies – a weak head. His play is very one dimensional and the SH teams have worked him out in Super Rugby. Like Spies he doesn’t have the mongrel you need in your loosies, and which Burger, Brussouw, and Louw have in spades. Unlike Spies, he can’t play a full 80 minutes. And Spies does sometimes spark in particular matches. Either Ashley Johnson, Jean Deysel or Ryan Kankowski should have been in the squad ahead of Alberts.
It’s almost like we place too much of a premium on simple size and physique in selections – what’s going in the head and heart can matter much more. Players like Aplon, Keegan Daniels, and Ryan Kankowski (and I could name many others) should have been properly developed into the Springbok squad. Where physique really matters in quite specific ways is in your tight five.
7 Oct 2011, 03:06 am
@TheBoksAreBack(bringbacktheboks)-27:
Tackles does not have anything to dangle…
7 Oct 2011, 03:29 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-29: Look! Another one rises to the bait I dangled!
7 Oct 2011, 03:36 am
Tackles, I understand your Mom tells you that you are still ok but you lost your mojo about 5 years ago pilgrim..
But on a more serious note, did you manage to rent out your caravan during the WC? I know you went all out and bought that can of black paint for $5 and I would hate for you not to have recovered your costs…
7 Oct 2011, 04:02 am
Just think, we could have two breakdown specialists to counter Australia’s one. But instead Bismark will be watching from the bench.
7 Oct 2011, 08:04 am
pocock will see his diluted moer.
7 Oct 2011, 08:06 am
Poor the tackler always trying to get his two cents worth about the springboks, nz,will choke again , the sheep shagging nation he supports, will loose against the shackle draggers,or the springboks,iif they make it that far, Shane Warne used to have a favourite expression, making daryl cullinan “his bunny”, same thing will happen to coln slade and the all blacks, they will hear expression like they did in 2003, four more years, except this time it will another 24 years.
7 Oct 2011, 08:19 am
we will win Sunday, win next week. Smit will be remembered as a great captain, Bissie as a great substitute. Aussies are over rated. Genia and Cooper will implode under pressure, Barnes will be switched to flyhalf and start kicking at Lambie. We will dominate scrums and line-outs (Aussies idiots to not start with Sharpe ahead of their “dissappeared when I faced Ireland” captain). Sharpe will be over agressive when he comes on and be sin-binned. Spies will score fifty meter try running over garden gnome like Aussie backline. I say SA by 20 (oh yes, I’m not biased)
7 Oct 2011, 10:51 am
I really wonder who’s behind FLO has been kissing these days. The guy is average at best. But he is the the team so we have to put up with him…
7 Oct 2011, 11:12 am
Matfield vs Vickerman
Burger vs Elsom
Brussow vs Pocock
Genia vs Du Preez
Cooper vs Steyn
Habana vs O’Connor
Jaque Fourie vs Adam Ashley-Cooper
Lambie vs Beale
The experienced, conservative and overly structured Springboks
VS
The young, unpredictable and reckless Wallabies
7 Oct 2011, 11:16 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-9: You’re right. They beat the ABs comprehensively in the final game as well… meaning ABs will have no chance in a knockout game against Aus.
7 Oct 2011, 11:20 am
@maximus1(maximus1)-34: LOL! That’s true about Shane Warne, but seeing him as he looks now I wonder who’s ‘the bunny’. Liz made him quite an embarrassing figure!! LOL!
7 Oct 2011, 14:06 pm
JC at his very worst again (and Keo for that matter)…. how can a game of rugby be determined entirely on one facet of play – Po vs Br? Its ludicrous to think this! Its ludicrous to think that the game will be determined by either JS or Bissie, or M Steyn or Butch. Enter the ref and his interpretations of the laws…. Its such a dynamic game. The first 20 minutes is about gaining the mental ascendency, mostly through the set phases and defence, the next 40 minutes is about controlling the speed of the game and establishing whose style is the most dominant based on this ascendency, the last 20 min is dominated by physical resolve and fitness and the impact of the bench. Now who’s in the best position in this torunament to win the RWC, emotions aside?!!!
Boks vs NZ semi! Enjoy.
7 Oct 2011, 16:10 pm
Our bench may just edge this one…
7 Oct 2011, 16:10 pm
Our bench may just edge this one.
7 Oct 2011, 19:03 pm
@dangerbok(dangerbok)-28:
Great insight, even if I don’t agree with all. I do think we need Louw badly in this particular contest. Well stated.
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