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
Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 » Show All
5 Jun 2012, 16:36 pm
@carol(carol)-98:
I’m sure Simon and Gareth are fine human beings.
But are they easily lead?
I am.
8)
5 Jun 2012, 16:36 pm
@cane(cane)-99:
Will blow be a pizza topping? This Mozzarella tastes funny….
5 Jun 2012, 16:39 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-40: I have a sneaking feeling of putting R500 on Argentina getting their first win against the Boks this year, I wonder what the odds are for that result
5 Jun 2012, 16:42 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-103:
Its bound to happen some time, but they probably need some more time to play regular international rugby… Perhaps in a 2 years or so… Although if HM is aiming to make the boks the best team in the world…they might have to wait a bit longer…
5 Jun 2012, 16:42 pm
@carol(carol)-97:
I can understand Young Nicky’s reaction.
what started 3 or 4 weeks ago as a bit fun,
turned into reputation thing.
Personally, I commend her for fronting up.
No one else has.
5 Jun 2012, 16:43 pm
@cane(cane)-99:
Blow and Pizza……..ever tried eating on blow ??
5 Jun 2012, 16:45 pm
It says a lot about a player like Lambie when a kak player like Kircher is preferred over him. LOL
Face it folk a kak fullback is better than a slow Lambie.
Now Lambie has a problem. Well actually 3 problems, problems that are all better than him.
Steyn, Goosen and Elton.
5 Jun 2012, 16:46 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-92:
Picture Keo playing basketball in pelican bay……
5 Jun 2012, 16:47 pm
@RL(RL)-107:
Shut up
We talking about blow and pizza
5 Jun 2012, 16:47 pm
So what happens should we win all three tests? Will the coach then say we have a winning team so stick with it, or will he bring back the injured players who we think are essential to the Boks?
5 Jun 2012, 16:48 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-109:
…..LMAO
5 Jun 2012, 16:50 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-109:
mind you that was a staple diet of axl rose in the late 80′s early 90′s
5 Jun 2012, 16:50 pm
@FFF(FFF)-111:
Indeed
I am siek and sat of this kuk talk already
Let’s talk rubbish
5 Jun 2012, 16:51 pm
@FFF(FFF)-112:
The good ol’ days
5 Jun 2012, 16:55 pm
@cane(cane)-105:
Good wins over evil. Always. Having your name trashed is fine if in jest. With actions there are always reactions.
No disrespect to Carol. She took the brunt unecessarily. I do apologize.
5 Jun 2012, 16:56 pm
@cane(cane)-105:
‘Fronting up’ !
Anyway, Percy is well out of this, he is surfing up the coast on his new ‘Spyder’ surfboard!
Ask me how I know this?
5 Jun 2012, 16:57 pm
Damn. Too late. Now we gotta go for different topic.
5 Jun 2012, 16:57 pm
@RL(RL)-107:
Shame you must really loath that kid…….is it him being a kak player,or kak selections that make you make kak comments, or the kak brandy at the kak cheap price in the kak city you stay in
5 Jun 2012, 16:59 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-115:
Relax chillax
It happened 3000 posts ago
A lot of water has passed under the bridge
Your rep is intact
5 Jun 2012, 17:00 pm
Besides everyone was out of their little minds on Saturday night
5 Jun 2012, 17:02 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-120: Including our Springbok coach it seems…
5 Jun 2012, 17:02 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-119:
Questions = answers – answers = doubt – doubt = rumours – people strive on rumours.
But thank you.
5 Jun 2012, 17:02 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-115:
Hey, please do not apologise to me, no need. I enjoy some robust banter!!
You were defending your boss!
5 Jun 2012, 17:03 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-109: have you ever eaten a prawn pizza – yaaaami lick lick lick
Keo will tell you how to blow. He is a pro
5 Jun 2012, 17:04 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-115: hey jojo…hoe gaan dit?
5 Jun 2012, 17:05 pm
Forget the drugs, Prosecco is the way to go!
5 Jun 2012, 17:07 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-122: So does this mean you are back??
5 Jun 2012, 17:07 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-125:
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Every cloud has a silver lining I’m told. Knowing very little is often too much at times.
5 Jun 2012, 17:08 pm
I for one really rate Brad Barritt.
I can’t help but wonder what would’ve happened had we ‘capped’ him with Bok colors. Just imagine if we could’ve had an extra option of Barritt and Waylon Murray in midfield. That combo had potential.
We’ve got to watch the English midfield-two ‘big boys’ there, with a 12 that can think and distribute as well?
5 Jun 2012, 17:08 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-127:
As a blogger, yes.
5 Jun 2012, 17:08 pm
@cane(cane)-105: when is she going to “front up” with rugby opinions? skynz have melanie robinson and keotv has jojo but melanie actually has 2 GOLD women’s world cup medals and our jojo only has a tongue in cheek video showing off her figure.
tell you squeeze to ante up
5 Jun 2012, 17:10 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-127:
We need some more girlie’s here!
5 Jun 2012, 17:11 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-130: Welcome (back) to the mad house.
I would say that things get pretty lively on this side of the fence, but you’re obviously used to it by now.
5 Jun 2012, 17:11 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-128:
One tip, only Skoppie is allowed to talk in riddles!
5 Jun 2012, 17:12 pm
@carol(carol)-132: True. Too much testosterone the last few days……
5 Jun 2012, 17:13 pm
@carol(carol)-134: PS did you attend the celebrations? I watched the concert last night. Lots of “old fogies” on the stage.
Jimmy Carr is always good for a laugh though….
5 Jun 2012, 17:14 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-135: I still want to know what’s going to happen when we win this series 3-0. Is the coach going to keep a winning team? Or will he bring back the players we perceive to be imporant to be there?
5 Jun 2012, 17:15 pm
@FFF(FFF)-108: Or walking the yard, trying to get rid of the soil excavated during operation tunnel. Bandana om die kop.
5 Jun 2012, 17:15 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-135:
Can you snort that too?
5 Jun 2012, 17:15 pm
@carol(carol)-134:
For those who can’t read between the lines – try sniffing them. It works sometimes.
5 Jun 2012, 17:18 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-136:
Look at my FB, I have posted some Jubilee Party photos taken yesterday at our farm.
We did watch the concert, have to say Robbie Williams was magnificent! Can hardly talk today, so much singing!
5 Jun 2012, 17:21 pm
Strange how Loubser got it spot on the correct format to play De Villiers to his strengths but Fleck and AC don’t
The only real crux to this issue is the best 12 in the country ain’t in the squad..
and the worst backup centre in the world is..
Shows how dubious some peoples recognition of what right from wrong is.
Like I said before lucky for HM this is ‘only’ England.. if it were NZ he’d be toasted cheese by Sunday. Despite that he better watch out for Tuilagi. he ain’t gonna mince around the outside channel none so HM made ONE good call thus far giving the reigns to his team to the best candidate in the country JdV, however if WO somehow gets on the park I pity the overrated donna son.
5 Jun 2012, 17:23 pm
@cane(cane)-105:
I commend her front too.
5 Jun 2012, 17:24 pm
@carol(carol)-141: I’m looking but I don’t see them.
?
5 Jun 2012, 17:24 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-140:
JDV as skipper, your thoughts?
5 Jun 2012, 17:25 pm
@LightZone(LightZone)-137: “There’ll always be criticism, but I’d like the country to get behind the team. I think this is the best squad going forward,each guy now needs to pick up his hand and show he needs to be in the team.”
make up your own mind
5 Jun 2012, 17:25 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-144:
How odd, satelite delay….One of my mates in Durban has just commented so it must have made it over the ocean!
5 Jun 2012, 17:27 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-143:
Put your testosterone away, it is only Tuesday!
5 Jun 2012, 17:30 pm
@carol(carol)-145:
Wasn’t one we were expecting but it is a temporary one all the same.
5 Jun 2012, 17:33 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-149:
Makes it sound like you are slightly disappointed, Jean will be mortified!
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