Habana’s quality shines through
19 Mar 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says Bryan Habana’s performance against the Blues proved that he still has what it takes to match the young brigade.
In a Super Rugby season that is already giving an indication of the next generation of southern hemisphere stars, there were a few veterans who reminded us this weekend their effect and enthusiasm remain as important to the fabric of the tournament.
Bryan Habana, irresistible at the 2007 World Cup and quite the opposite last year, finally got the kind bounce of the ball that seemed his birthright in 2007.
Habana again emphasised the argument that a kick for territory is only as good as the chase. Habana refused to give up on a kick that seemed innocuous and the sprint produced a try for the Stormers and Springbok winger, and one hopes also a reprieve from those who refuse to accept Habana can still make a contribution internationally. Few players can match Habana for dedication and desire, and the support he gets from current and past team-mates says everything about his qualities as a player.
He will never repeat the tournament form that helped the Springboks win the World Cup in 2007. The brilliance of those seven magnificent weeks blinded too many, myself included. When a player sets a standard as Habana did in France, he also sets an expectation that isn’t necessarily realistic.
His move from the Bulls to Western Province after the 2007 World Cup also came at a time when the Province and Stormers coaches invested in a defensive mindset that favoured structure and offered little to the individual attacking ambitions of the back three. Opportunities on attack were limited for Habana in a team with the best defensive record in Super Rugby in 2010 and last year. And when a winger is starved of the ball he is also starved of that swagger that turns a stumble into a sensational break.
I sat next to Percy Montgomery at Friday’s Stormers match against the Blues. Montgomery, in our company suite draw, had Habana to score the first try of the match and when his former team-mate did just that Montgomery pumped his fist in the air in a show of solidarity.
Montgomery, the first South African to play 100 Test matches for the Boks, spent four years playing Test rugby alongside Habana and the next four as part of the Springbok coaching staff. He has never doubted Habana, and is adamant there has been an evolution of his game that wasn’t recognised because of how tightly the wing was marked and how significantly different his role was at the Stormers compared to the Bulls.
Montgomery conceded that where Habana did struggle was in confidence and, as happens in sport, the harder an individual tries the worse it seems to get. The Habana that finished last year’s World Cup was not a spent force, but a tired one. The quality of depth among South African players allows the public, the media and even coaches to call time on a player prematurely. The belief is always that this country’s rugby production line will produce a younger and faster alternative.
Too often (and here I am in the dock as well) there is more comfort in a new face and a quick fix than the laboured recovery of the likes of Habana.
To see Habana flourish at Newlands was my highlight in a weekend where the Stormers, Sharks and Cheetahs were good enough to win and played well enough to deserve their respective victories. Stormers captain and inside centre Jean de Villiers was excellent in leading the victory against the Blues, and if Frans Steyn is the probable Bok option at No 12 for the 2015 World Cup, De Villiers played with enough authority and effect to make it hard to ignore his claims to a season or two more in national colours.
Bismarck du Plessis was the inspiration for the Sharks and Pat Lambie’s radar and all-round rhythm was of a standard that matches the belief in his potential to be consistently influential in determining results. Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss is another whose star shines bright in this year’s tournament, and rookie flyhalf Johan Goosen has a presence that screams permanence. Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is blessed with so many options in every position and there are South Africans dominating in every competition in the northern and southern hemisphere.
The attrition rate in Super Rugby will be a hurdle for Meyer, Robbie Deans and Steve Hansen, but the South African and New Zealand competition challenge is producing a number of selection alternatives to negate injuries. The tournament’s young brigade is thriving, but there are as many veterans matching the new kids, none more so this weekend than Habana and De Villiers.
175 Comments
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19 Mar 2012, 12:13 pm
And what about the Stomers Scrum – Surely the front row needs mention KEO?
19 Mar 2012, 12:14 pm
Very surprised Habana got man of the match.
Perhaps if there was a prize for Most Improved, Habana would have claimed it.
But I thought Jean d Villiers was the standout on Friday.
19 Mar 2012, 12:17 pm
@LethalLynch(LethalLynch)-1:
There is no prize for self congratulations, air punching and back slapping.
Or else the Stormers front row would def have sewn that prize up.
19 Mar 2012, 12:18 pm
No ways that Habana was man of the match!!! one lucky bounce makes you man of the match? he got the fright of his life anyway! shocking!
19 Mar 2012, 12:19 pm
@grant10(grant100)-4: have to agree
19 Mar 2012, 12:20 pm
Maybe Habana is the next Butch for Keo, is Keo not writing Habana’s book ?
19 Mar 2012, 12:23 pm
Now this article on him is a bit undeserved, just like his MoM award Friday.
If you’re going to write up a backline player of the Stormers, surely it should be the ever sparkling Aplon?
Liebenberg, Kolisi, Appies, JdV, Kitshoff to name a few were all better than him.
Habs did the basics right, chasing after kicks, tackling hard and finally not jumping out of the defensive line, all things that any decent wing can do.
But it’s Hurdles’s turn to show what he can do.
19 Mar 2012, 12:24 pm
@capebull(capebull)-5: Me too. I mean I’m happy to see him playing better, but the award must go to one of the forwards. Any of 4 players could have got it IMO, and JDV in the backline stood ahead of Brian in the queue for MOM.
19 Mar 2012, 12:24 pm
Habs was pure class on Friday… And not just the try… His whole game..
19 Mar 2012, 12:25 pm
JdV had a strong game but did nothing to convince me that he should be at 12 rather than 13. He is a talented player and would start for most teams, but I would like a better distributor at 12. JdV runs good lines, often breaks tackles and can step. He is often used on first phaze ball to break the line. All attributes of a 13.
19 Mar 2012, 12:31 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-9:
That try wasn’t even ”pure class”.
That’s a wing’s job, to chase kicks.
A rugby ball is ongehoorsaam and in this case it bounced nicely for him and he did what most other wings would’ve done, stepped the nearest player and (barely) forced his way over the line.
19 Mar 2012, 12:36 pm
i reckon habana has signed to HSM, otherwise there’s no justification for this article.
19 Mar 2012, 12:43 pm
11 agree but his all round game has stepped up from previous occassions…
19 Mar 2012, 12:44 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-12:
A mention of his play would’ve been justified, but a whole article???
19 Mar 2012, 12:47 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-13:
We all agree on that, he did the basics well. He’s now like Chester Williams post 99.
19 Mar 2012, 12:52 pm
I agree with people who say that there were better candidates for MoM than Habana on Friday night.
He did have a solid game though but that is something that is expected of him given his experience and the senior role he is suppose to play in the team.
Keo starting to talk up Habs like this can only mean one of two things: A book deal is in the offing or he is trying to become Habana’s agent.
Reminicent of how he became Luke’s agent. He shared a box with Cheeky in England/Wales during a test match, I think…. only this time around he shared a box with a good mate of Habana, Percy Montgomery.
I’m sure Percy must whisper something in Habana’s ear on Keo’s behalf.
Watch this space.
19 Mar 2012, 12:59 pm
@ 16 Nama
Share your sentiments completely,something’s up! No way Habana was the best player out there,his performance did not warrant this halelluyah article.
19 Mar 2012, 13:06 pm
Really!!!!!
All Habana did on Friday and what he has been doing for the past 6 season was to chase a kick that landed fortuitously for him. He had a clear chance towards the end to make some yardage when he did a scissors with Juan de Jongh and then just end up knocking it on.
I have to agree with the rest, the Stormers young guns in the tight five were the winners for me. Boy can these kids scrum, just imagine what damage they would do given a few more seasons.
19 Mar 2012, 13:08 pm
@nama1(nama1)-16: Cynic
But who knows…..
19 Mar 2012, 13:11 pm
Can these farken JDV rah-rah fools put the Donkey down already…
F Steyn is not only the superior option at 12 for RWC 2015, but every year before too…
JDJ too.
19 Mar 2012, 13:13 pm
It is abundantly clear that Bryan still has the desire to do well and to do so in the Bok jumper.
Professional rugby (or any sport) is tough to say the least; yes it does come with fame etc but you have to deliver week in and week out. Because you’re dealing with human beings that will always be tough.
Bryan may also be a victim of racism that says that he needs to perform 20-30% better than the average player to justify his place in the team. Rugby is a team sport; wings are ‘made’ by the decisions by 12 & 13.
If Bryan was playing next to a Dan Kara for instance, he would have scored a lot more.
My advice would simply be for Bryan to get centred and express himself every time he runs out. Remove the shackles in your own mind and simply enjoy the game that made you famous.
Forget about 2007; 2012 can be even better – he needs to believe that first…
19 Mar 2012, 13:21 pm
Thanks to keo for the behind-the-scenes action; it adds to the drama and suspense:
‘ I sat next to Percy Montgomery at Friday’s Stormers match against the Blues. Montgomery, in our company suite draw, had Habana to score the first try of the match and when his former team-mate did just that Montgomery pumped his fist in the air in a show of solidarity’
We need more of this…
19 Mar 2012, 13:22 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-21: Actually you have a point… If habanero did not have Donkey De Villiers as the 12 inside him he would definitely have scored more tries guaranteed… for the Boks and Stormers…
19 Mar 2012, 13:31 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-23:
12 & 13′s should create, create, create
There is an important phase in Bryan’s career that you must not forget. It was a certain Mr Jake White who provided the opportunity for Bryan to attend a Bok training camp when he was an unknown quantity.
I remember for years the skilled marketing man (White) used to tell the story that people used to say ‘Bryan Who’; boy did he ride that wave
Between him and Mr Allister Coetzee they came up with the ‘rush defense’ and this meant that attacking teams would be forced into passing 50-50s. This created the platform for intercept tries. In PdV’s tenure they employed the kick and chase method
Unfortunately the downside of these is that they became one dimensional and battled to manipulate defenses and score ‘proper’ tries
19 Mar 2012, 13:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-23:
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-24:
Habana’s previous achievements are well documented and respected.
We are talking about his performances in the now.
19 Mar 2012, 13:37 pm
If more players can contribute the way Habana does the Stormers will be far better off.
The only thing I saw different from Habana on Saturday to Habana in 2011 was he that he scored a try.
19 Mar 2012, 13:43 pm
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-25:
My argument is that Bryan’s performances now has been influenced heavily by his formative years, the years leading to the RWC 2007.
I reckon he is that yard or so slower than back then so, a second or two makes a huge difference at the highest levels where players have less time to decide and execute
To my mind he can still complete for the 11 jumper: between him, Basson and Mvovo
19 Mar 2012, 13:43 pm
same can be said for jdv keo. i thought he deserved the mom award. he was colossal on friday nite. glad for habana though. he really works hard.
19 Mar 2012, 13:43 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-26:
Here’s a list of players doing exactly what Habs does, that is give their all each game:
Liebenberg (throw-ins off sometimes)
Eben
Kolisi
Aplon
Pieterson
Vermeulen
De Jong
Grant
There’s nothing special about this Habana. The 2004 – 2008 version, that one was special.
19 Mar 2012, 13:45 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-27:
I agree regarding his formative years where he was made to rely too much on his speed and never quite developed a more rounded game.
Fact is he’s not going to get any better so wouldn’t it be wise to give guys who still have room to improve a chance now to establish themselves?
19 Mar 2012, 13:47 pm
Habs works hard, true.
But It’s like when people tell a fat chick she has a pretty face, it might be true but in the bigger scheme of things it doesn’t really change the fact that she’s fat.
19 Mar 2012, 13:53 pm
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-30:
In principle yes, but we need to learn to make gradual transitions.
Take the Proteas side for instance: I’m sure there are many calling for Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher to be dropped to give new players a chance
Always remember: new players lack one critical ingredient: experience; it is the experience of these core players that together with AB and Amla bring the composure, the confidence
I think Bjorn will probably take over from Habs in time to come, but he needs to go out and do what Habs has done already.
Also, a guy like Stefan Terblanche actually played better rugby in his 30s due to dedication and improved conditioning. Bryan must begin to think wider than scoring in the corner.
19 Mar 2012, 13:54 pm
can’t understand all the habana-hate… reckon it’s because they’ve hated him for so long now, they can’t stand to see him prove them wrong…
sheesh… the guy always gives 100%… sure I thought the man of the match should gone to one of the front-row… but hell… i’m not gonna spit in my coffee, throw my hat on the ground and kick the dog because of it…
he did have a good game… so well done to bryan for getting it…
bryan will get better and better this season… and it’s great to see him get some positive press at last…
sure… maybe give van den heaver more game time… but i’d still start with habana…
19 Mar 2012, 13:55 pm
Later chaps
19 Mar 2012, 13:59 pm
A friend of mine met up with Sarecencs conditioning coach the other day and one interesting thing that he said is that when the develop players, the believe that rugby players physically peak at 23 and from that point they stop trying to develop them further and rather try and maintain that standard. It kind of makes sense, players get better with experience, positioning, technique.
In Bryan case, he has lost that yard or two, but haven’t improved his technique or positioning. I still believe he is one of the best wingers around, but feel that for the past 4 years his talent has been wasted through poor tactics from certain coaches. How any coach can not see his quality and reduce him to merely chasing a ball all game long is beyond me.
I have to agree with the point that the midfield players need to create space and SA backs are notorious for either bashing the ball up the midfield or kicking away, or when they do shuffle the ball wide, its with a few players.
Bryan has been so starved of the ball that he now pops around the fringes of the ruck, had he been more patient he would have had ample times to score tries.
19 Mar 2012, 14:03 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-32:
I don’t think this is the same as calling for Biff, Kallis or Boucher’s head.
Biff was only in danger in the ODI side, he saved his place by getting runs.
No ways we can drop Kallis. Boucher already stated he’s going to retire this year so problem solved.
But that’s far removed from the challenges of the oval ball in any case.
What made Habana so dangerous was the fact that he could take risks and had the speed to back it up, if he saw he couldn’t snatch a pass he did it at will. Now he can’t do that anymore as he’s lost that zip.
I remember him getting the ball, pinning his ears back and it would appear that his feet were barely touching the grass the way he glided across the surface.
I agree that he has to develop his game, but not at the expense of younger players who have the raw qualities but need time out on the field to grow.
There’s only 80 minutes in a game, how’s Van Der Heever going to reach his potential if he’s going to play 10 minutes per game?
19 Mar 2012, 14:05 pm
@kingcorn(kingcorn)-35:
before the s15 started bryan was clocked as the quickest in the stormers over 40 metres… the metres that count when making a break…
what evidence can you provide that he has lost a yard or two…?
19 Mar 2012, 14:09 pm
@ufo(ufo)-33:
I for one am not hating on anybody.
I cheered the loudest when he got that try, when he went up and competed for that high kick and we got the scrum feed.
But I also see him lacking that spark which set him apart from the rest, the way it looked as if his feet are stuck when he had to turn and catch that slowpoke 14 of the Blues.
The way he couldn’t handle the ball after Aplon put him in the gap on the cut.
I’ll support him passionately when he goes out and play because I know he gives his all.
But in the cold light of day when the final whistle has gone, we need to be honest with ourselves that there are players waiting for a chance to show their worth he’s unfortunately standing in their way, therefor I’ll be critical of his play until those players get a fair shot just like he’s had a fair shot at regaining his form but as we can all see it’s not going to happen.
You say he’ll still improve a lot this season, in which way now?
19 Mar 2012, 14:09 pm
1 down 7 more to go.
19 Mar 2012, 14:10 pm
Quality depth in every position for Meyer…
Barring 3 and 9.
Which is why Fourie Du Preez will likely be playing test rugby again.
But who will back up Jannie Du Plessis?
Kruger
Oosthuyzen
Cilliers
Van Der Linde
Botha
Mujati
Aadrianse
Harris
Malherbe
…
?
19 Mar 2012, 14:11 pm
@ufo(ufo)-33:
Don’t think it is about hate for Habana. It’s more about Keo and how he writes up players that he has a vested interest in or players that he wants on his books.
Big Joe
Luke
Butch
19 Mar 2012, 14:13 pm
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-38:
Let’s start how you measure a player’s ‘worth’?
19 Mar 2012, 14:15 pm
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-38:
the fact is he is STILL the quickest stormer over 40m… so he has put in lots of work there’s no doubt to compete with and beat the young guns…
as PA says… no one puts in more than habana…
i think he’ll improve simply because a game like saturday will help him to relax and not try so hard… and as he relaxes and enjoys it more things will click and the bounce of the ball will start favoring him more and more…
time will tell…
but my choice is still to start him…
19 Mar 2012, 14:18 pm
@nama1(nama1)-41:
that may be the case bud…
but then this would be a case for those who don’t like keo to in fact shoot the messenger…
but the vitriol spewed would suggest that people really REALLY don’t like habana…
19 Mar 2012, 14:21 pm
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-38:
Can you honestly say that Shadow will bring more to the game than Habana?
Has his defence frailties been solved for example.
You must be sure that if you replace Habana that it will be an overall improvement, not just an improvement in the speed stakes. Somehow I also doubt that Shadow will catch Habana over 50/60 m if Habana has a headstart of 2m or that he will leave Habana in his wake if they start together. So, in terms of speed you don’t actually get that much more from Shadow, if any.
What else then does he bring to the table for Habana to be dropped so that he can start?
19 Mar 2012, 14:22 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-42:
good question PA…
habana has obviously put in lots of time over the off-season…
van den heaver… (who i do like too) has also put in lots of time over the off season… but not on the field obviously… imagine how slim and quick van den heaver would be if he replicated habana’s training ethic…
habana’s example is great for the young guns about how to give their all off and on the field…
19 Mar 2012, 14:23 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-42:
I measure it in what he contributes in his position and the team as a whole.
A Prop – Scrum well, clear rucks, good defense around fringes and ability to carry and secure ball in the tight phases, cohesiveness with rest of the forward pack.
Wing – Speed (the more the better) Good finisher, decent defender, ability to chase kicks and field high balls and modern wings need a strong kicking game as well, good linking play with fullback.
Now Habana can do these things, but so can other younger players who have the advantage of youth and room for improvement whereas Habana has stagnated for much too long and cannot get any better than he currently is.
He has been given ample time to discover form but there should be a cut-off date and his has come.
19 Mar 2012, 14:23 pm
With Steenkamp, Mtawarira, Greyling and now Kitshoff all offering much at loosehead, I reckon Meyer should look at Oosthuyzen as a 3 moving forward.
The player has expressed interest in the position and seemed to do well at tighthead during the CC.
19 Mar 2012, 14:27 pm
@nama1(nama1)-45:
I cannot honestly say that because he only gets 10 minutes to show what he can do.
But he showed enough in the Stormers’ opening game when he had a full game that he can become a very good wing and together with Aplon and Joe at the back looks much more balanced than with Habana there.
He has bulked up to improve his defence which was his major flaw last year, so let’s give him a go and see what happens, after all he’s young and can only get better.
19 Mar 2012, 14:36 pm
Those three powerfull scrums at the end of the game won us the match. Kitshoff and Estebeth were amazing.
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