Bok bulldozers eye axis
5 Jun 2012
Ricardo Loubscher says the Springboks will target England’s 10-12 channel as their primary source of momentum.
The 10-12 combination of Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt started all but two matches of England’s Six Nations campaign and could be the preferred partnership for Saturday’s Test at Kings Park, although Charlie Hogson and Toby Flood are options at pivot.
Injury curtailed Flood’s involvement for the start of the Six Nations and Hodgson and Farrell were then preferred upon his return. However, Flood is the most experienced player in the squad with 47 caps, and in a Test of this magnitude coach Stuart Lancaster may well opt for him to steer the ship. In this case Farrell would shift to inside centre and Barritt to No 13.
However, Loubscher sounded an ominous warning to whoever fronts in the 10-12 channel. Speaking in the context of their attacking game plan, the Springbok backline coach said: ‘We have to earn the right to go wide. We are going to play directly and attack the 10-12 channel. So obviously the wings won’t get the ball in the early phases. If we create overlap opportunities we’ll be in business. We have a philosophy that we believe in. Our job is to get in behind the pack of forwards and to get guys to finish from there.’
Frans Steyn, who’ll start at inside centre, will be used in conjunction with key strike runners to try and generate the momentum the Springboks seek. Loubscher, however, stressed that Steyn offered more and would be used as more than a battering ram.
‘I’m excited to have him there because he has the skills set to play flyhalf as well. You are at an advantage when you have a 10-12 axis that are good decision makers and have the added bonus of a great kicking game.’
Loubscher continued, adding that even though there is a widely held perception that Jean de Villiers is being compromised by being asked to shift to the relatively unfamiliar role of outside centre, he felt it was the position he was best suited to.
‘Considering how we want to play, I would prefer to have Jean at outside centre. We see our 12 as the man to get us over the advantage line, and then when the ball is recycled the idea is to have your best decision maker at outside centre, and that man is Jean,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Monday’s training session shed some light on who would start at fullback. Zane Kirchner ran in the position for the majority of the session and the Bulls man, who has drifted between solid and outstanding in Super Rugby, is expected to oust Pat Lambie.
The pick will be viewed as a conservative one by many, but it would not be unexpected given Meyer’s familiarity with the player and what he offers in the context of their game plan and as a counter to England’s. Speaking of the two, Loubscher expressed the view that Lambie was in fact better suited to flyhalf.
‘They are different players. Zane is strong under the high ball and has strong kicking game. If you look at Lambie at flyhalf he brings an X factor. I think Pat is best suited to playing at flyhalf,’ he said.
‘If you’ve watched him at the Sharks he makes good decisions under pressure and that’s what you would expect from your 10. But it is all about what is needed on the day – if you want your impact at 10 or at fullback.’
By Ryan Vrede, in Durban
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175 Comments
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5 Jun 2012, 15:48 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-47:
Yeah I forgot! Forgive me…
5 Jun 2012, 15:48 pm
There’s a point no-one’s raising. The “target” is to have 4 players of colour in the starting line-up. If Lambie’s at fullback, there are only 3 (Beast, Habana and JP).
5 Jun 2012, 15:49 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-42:
I am not concerned about collateral losses in the form of players being discarded for the good of the team. I am concerned about scoreboard losses because the coach is walking around with blinkers. His gameplan is essentially the same as that employed by PDV and how far did that get us? Rugby has evolved – I have said it before and I will say it again: we are going to have our arses handed to us by the AB’s if we do not catch up. We have to employ a more complete gameplan that is based on creativity and not on the mistakes of the opposition. But hey, time will tell whether or not I am delusional – and this coming Saturday will be the first glimpse…
5 Jun 2012, 15:49 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-47: I agree. HM will bring winning back in fashion and will hopefully steer clear of “judge me at the World Cup”
5 Jun 2012, 15:50 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-41: Thank you. I was not trying to set you up. I believe his best chance of getting a starting berth for Meyer’s Boks would be at 15, as Meyer himself has alluded to this. Yet, Zane gets hauled into the starting lineup – which is against all trends,speculation and common decency. Without me incurring the wrath of Heavens Game, I am surprised so many Sharks fans still blindly believe this man is the Messiah.
5 Jun 2012, 15:50 pm
@Philou(Philou)-52:
Did you not hear? There are no quotas for players of colour any longer. There is only a quota for Bulls players…they are now seen as historically disadvantaged because they did not win any competitions last year
5 Jun 2012, 15:51 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-53:
When the Skop and Jaag coach was selected why were so many so excited! We knew his love child Steyn and Spies would be there. Krusty is also his fav… It is not a secret…
5 Jun 2012, 15:51 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-32: I guessed this would happen the day they announced HM as the new Bok coach! and when his assistants were announced it just prepared me for the squad even more, so Saturday was not a huge pain to me (either I was prepared or still smarting after the Sharks performance/non-performance)! Some selections are really bizzare, Kirschner being one, and Kankowski, how does he get selected with what 20 minutes SR time this whole season? I’m a Shark and don’t believe he deserves a spot, hell I got worried when he was in the Sharks’ match 22! Lambie is the best 10 in my opinion but a good 15, he offers way more than either Krusty or Morne (except the kicking at posts) but maybe it will be better for the young man to come off the bench and be spared some backlash if the Poms do to us what the Scots did to Oz. Anyway I have packed my black and white shirt away, I have taken out my green and gold shirt, I have tickets to Kings Park and Go my Bokke!
5 Jun 2012, 15:52 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-53: Yes, rugby has evolved but is based on the same principle of forward-dominance. Infact, some of the new rules make it better to hand the ball to the opposition on your terms.
I agree that we need to bring more than stampkar, but we must not lose what we do best and that is bully. Then we swing it wide for the show-ponies
5 Jun 2012, 15:53 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-51:
natuurlik sou jy vergeet
jy’s n wp ondersteuner
winning mate…winning…
what a feeling
5 Jun 2012, 15:54 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-58:
It is no longer about talent but about promises. I’m with you on this…
Be honest and open with the supporters. Don’t pull wool over their eyes…
5 Jun 2012, 15:54 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-53: The problem is that is really how most SA S15 franchises play with the odd difference here and there.
5 Jun 2012, 15:55 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-58: I think Kanko selection has much to do with line-out options. I don’t think he’ll be there when Duane gets back
5 Jun 2012, 15:55 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-60:
Oh yes that Kolisi break re-appeared… Go winning go… Three loses in a row is bad ne…
5 Jun 2012, 15:56 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-55: Nope I have admired Meyer’s achievements but I am no fan of his! He particularly peeved me when he went into that all glorious sulk when he did not get the Bok coach post in 2008.
5 Jun 2012, 15:56 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-53:
expect to be ‘shock and awed’ in to submission
@Bismarck Burger(Bismarck Burger)-54:
exactly.
a simple plan really.
people overlook the fact that the ab’s win ugly more often than they win pretty… but they win all the same.
5 Jun 2012, 15:57 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-66:
Just like the Stormers… Talking about it is a form of healing mate…
5 Jun 2012, 15:58 pm
…the difference is the win against the Pink Bulls was not ugly at all. It was like manna from heaven… As sweet as honey… as clinical as a cover drive…
5 Jun 2012, 15:59 pm
At last some something sensible out of the HM camp. Unfortunately I believe this is the end for Lambie. Sorry Sharkies, but I believe he will be of to Europe soon.
5 Jun 2012, 15:59 pm
@Bismarck Burger(Bismarck Burger)-63:
HM has apparently always been an admirer of Kanko, like Spies with less pheromones……
5 Jun 2012, 15:59 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-64:
5 Jun 2012, 16:00 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-69:
I seem to agree… He will work out players one by one… Such a pity…
5 Jun 2012, 16:00 pm
Yeah Ricardo. You tell them. You have crazy backline moves set up for Saturday. Did you hear that Lancaster!!! We are going to attack your 10 12 channel.
Just so you know.
5 Jun 2012, 16:00 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-71:
Oh that was priceless…something money can’t buy…
5 Jun 2012, 16:00 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-68:
watch it…
5 Jun 2012, 16:01 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-41: “I apologise and here is my reply no I am not happy that a mediocre player like Krusty will start while Lambie sits on the bench”
well you know how the rest of the country feels when a poefta like kankowski is picked before siya…
5 Jun 2012, 16:02 pm
On another topic, has keo made bail?
5 Jun 2012, 16:02 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-73:
ja, but what are they gonna do about it…
5 Jun 2012, 16:02 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-57:
Well, I believe that on the basis of his past success that he was the best candidate. I also believe(d) – guess the jury is still out – that he is a thinker on the game and that he would be best able to assess the direction in which the global game is evolving and would devise a way for us to become world leaders once more. What I did not anticipate was his obvious lack of self confidence to tackle the mission without his trusted allies of Victor and FDP. That came as a huge shock to me. I thought more of him. I believed that he would have the courage and conviction to select the best players for the future and not try to revive the past glories of players who themselves were not prepared to go that route. I am concerned about the message that sends out to younger players and the current crop of experienced and in-form players.
Moreover, I am not too perturbed about the inclusion of Spies, Morne and Kirchner. They are to be expected for reasons that you mentioned. However, I am absolutely flummoxed at the inclusion of JJ Engelbrecht at the expense of De Jongh, Kankowski instead of Kolisi/Brussouw and the exclusion of Aplon. It sounds alarm bells to me that I cannot get rid of.
5 Jun 2012, 16:03 pm
Also, Mr Lancaster, if you would like to know our line out calls, please contact the Boks for further details.
5 Jun 2012, 16:05 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-77:
Was he in lock down for doing blow, or was that just allegations
5 Jun 2012, 16:05 pm
The thread of arrogant dismissiveness about ‘the poms’ from some ‘japies’ that runs through a few of these blogs is not healthy. I’ve never rated Scotland,but what happened today…
5 Jun 2012, 16:06 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-76:
he is not krusty, he is side show bob.
kamkowski must be thankful for the little he gets. he scored a jackpot here… but everybody knows… the house always wins…
8)
5 Jun 2012, 16:07 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-73: with charlie hodgson there that channel should be renamed “Heaven’s Gate”
5 Jun 2012, 16:09 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-77:
I do hope those nice clean cut boys Ryan and JC,
are not involved in this *** and drugs stuff.
5 Jun 2012, 16:10 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-78: nothing! between barritt there’s two swing gates…hodgson & tuilagi!
5 Jun 2012, 16:10 pm
@papashanga(papashanga)-82: I am sure the Shark Boks will be able to teach the other guys all about respecting any team before a match
5 Jun 2012, 16:12 pm
Yes, I believe the POMS will come out fighting. Never underestimate an Englisman. They are fighters, even if they have to resort to underhand tactics. Our so-called “bruisers” should’nt be too confident that they will win the fight. In any case the only real bruisers I envisage to be in the starting line-up will be Bismarck and Alberts.
5 Jun 2012, 16:12 pm
@cane(cane)-85: Both JC and Rehaan are virgins (although Rehaan is a non-practicing virgin). And the only drugs they do are cooked up from non-prescription, over-the-counter stuff.
5 Jun 2012, 16:15 pm
Another wanger-swinging mythological North South Sharks Siya Kanko Stormers 500+ comments coming up.
5 Jun 2012, 16:16 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-89:
Listen.
It is REYHAAN.
Not Rehaan.
5 Jun 2012, 16:16 pm
@FFF(FFF)-81: No, the lock-down bit was added for dramatic effect. Otherwise there wasn’t much material for this episode of Law & Order.
The allegations are for real though.
5 Jun 2012, 16:18 pm
Okes, I have a R1000 bet going on who will start at fullback. I will lose that bet if this report is correct. Any inside information?
5 Jun 2012, 16:21 pm
@cane(cane)-85:
oh caner….
you are so naive
8)
5 Jun 2012, 16:21 pm
It will be interesting to see what Loubscher does with the backs in the long run… I guess nobody will mind if the boks play winning test rugby and having a strong kicking game, but for heavens sake a team should be coached to ensure that the backs are sharp enough and have the best skills to score tries when they have the opportunity to do so … Lets hope this is also part of the plan.
Divvys boks never looked like a team who had the confidence to attack with succes… I think Steyn has a lot to do with that… If a flyhalf can play positive attacking rugby with confidence it instills a sense of optimism with the rest of the backs. Steyn hardly provides that x factor needed to achieve this…
But will Loubscher have what it takes to change this?
5 Jun 2012, 16:21 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-86:
my point exactly.
5 Jun 2012, 16:22 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-77:
Been a bit busy this Diamond Jubilee Weekend, but slightly troubled by Nikita’s reaction here on Sunday Night to the Keo allegations!
5 Jun 2012, 16:24 pm
@cane(cane)-85:
When I briefly met Simon he appeared to be terribly sensible!
I think confectionary would be his downfall!
5 Jun 2012, 16:30 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-89:
I’d pay hard cash to get into Keo’s Newlands Corp Box.
- An unequaled view of the game.
- A party to end all parties.
- The off chance of meeting Young Nicky.
- Blow.
- Keo’s little black book of great telephone numbers.
- Pizza perhaps.
We only live once.
5 Jun 2012, 16:36 pm
Brokebacks still complaing about their 3
Guppies complaining about their Lambie
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