Habana hits back
19 Jun 2012
Bryan Habana has answered his critics in the best possible way this season – through his performances on the field.
After a disappointing 2011, Habana re-emerged in the 2012 Super Rugby competition as one of the form wings and returned to the national set-up rejuvenated and renewed. He turned in consistent showings for the Stormers, solid performances shot through with a characteristic crowd-raising brilliance. And if the man himself is to be believed, that was just a starting point.
BUY THE NEW ISSUE NOW FOR JUST R5.95 (DIGITAL EDITION)
‘I’ve gone back to basics,’ he says in the new issue of SA Rugby magazine. ‘I’ve found myself in the right place at the right time, whereas in the past year or two maybe I wasn’t in that kind of position.
‘When things aren’t going your way, you tend to overwork yourself. You know you should allow the ball to come to you in space, but when it doesn’t, you go looking for it, sometimes unnecessarily. This season, certain things have made all the difference.’
Habana goes on to explain what those things are, while Stormers attack coach Robbie Fleck provides some insight into Habana’s struggles last year.
The winger also talks about what it’s like working with Heyneke Meyer, competition for the Bok No 11 jersey and mentoring tomorrow’s stars.
Also in the new issue:
Adriaan Strauss – page 58
– Keo on why the Kings should not have appointed a Kiwi coach
– How Cheetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss powered his way into Springbok contention
– The Bulls have given JJ Engelbrecht the opportunities he was denied at the Stormers
– Tim Whitehead has helped to solve the Sharks’ problems in midfield
– Former France prop Pieter de Villiers on how he got into coaching, the technical aspects of the scrum, and why it is such an important part of the game
– A once-proud New Zealand franchise has fallen on hard times. The big question is: Can the Blues find a way back?
– In his most revealing interview since winning the World Cup, Graham Henry talks about the pressures of the All Blacks job, the effect it had on his family, and what he’s up to now
JJ Engelbrecht – page 64
– Wallabies captain David Pocock is not your average rugby player
– Ruan Pienaar had an outstanding season for Ulster
– Former Free State prop Daniel Kotze has become the cornerstone of the Clermont scrum
– Gary Gold on his short stint at Newcastle, the challenge he faces at Bath, and the issue that fractured his relationship with Peter de Villiers
– The Blitzboks‘ poor World Series campaign highlighted flaws in the national sevens system
– All professional rugby players should have a post-retirement plan
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318 Comments
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19 Jun 2012, 13:17 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-142: You still chose to take the conversation in that direction. That’s not on.
There will be a token Kiwi thread closer to the weekend. Save it for then.
19 Jun 2012, 13:19 pm
My 5 wings in order
1 Habana
2 JPP
3 Aplon
4 Mvovo
5 Basson
19 Jun 2012, 13:20 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-143:
Two things on objectivity or an objective opinion before I leave though.
a) It is not influenced by emotion or personal prejudice (go read you first post again at the top of this page).
b) It is something that is presented based on some fact (at least). Refer to your post at 147.
Your opinion is a fair one, as is most on here. But be careful for selling something as objective fact when it is emotionally driven.
Now I have to leave but will catch up on this very entertaining thread tonight.
19 Jun 2012, 13:20 pm
Beast, Bismark, Kruger, Spies, Hougaard, Steyn, Pieterson, Kirchner, Greyling, Strauss, Ralepelle, Van Der Merwe, Brussow, Pienaar, Basson, Mvovo – all approaching or in their prime.
Kitshoff, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Coetzee, Kolisi, Stander, Goosen, Lambie, Taute – all youngsters with fanatastic rugby futures ahead of them. Plus more quality youngsters coming through – Steph-Du Toit, Willemse, Botha, Serfontein, Venter, Small-Smith, Mbovane, Jordaan etc.
The above, together with the seasoned and quality vets in the Bok squad, makes for a very potent blend.
And let’s not forget about Danie Rossouw, Fourie Du Preez and Jacques Fourie – who could still add a lot of value to the Bok set-up.
19 Jun 2012, 13:21 pm
@Unplugged(Unplugged)-152: That would be my assessment too.
19 Jun 2012, 13:21 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-149: I was asking when he will be dropped or if you guys believe that he will retire? No one really gave me any answers, so I gave opinions why he should be dropped thats all. jeez.
So when will Habana’s test career end? Probably never it seems.
19 Jun 2012, 13:23 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-156: When he starts playing kak and there is a real contender to fill his shoes, or when he decides to step down. Neither of which seem imminent.
19 Jun 2012, 13:25 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-153: Definitely not personal prejudice, my opinions are based on observations made by comparing players form. Why cant that be an objective observation without stepping on everyones toes? And if im entitled to my opinion why im I getting this response from you?
19 Jun 2012, 13:27 pm
I sort of like this cover
19 Jun 2012, 13:27 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-151:
yer lets get back to Oliver, not much to talk about though
19 Jun 2012, 13:28 pm
@puff(puff)-126:
I did consider what you mention here.
Was just thinking back to the 2009 season when the “elders” in the team performed so well and they then demanded some reward with their two year contracts giving them a free ride to the 2011 RWC.
JS was playing the best rugby of his career then…at TH nogal.
More or less the same scenario for HM apart from the fact that the current team cannot claim world champion status as well.
Of the pack that played on Saturday, I think that the two brothers and Alberts will find that 2015 is a bridge too far. Maybe they’ll go there as impact players (15-20 minutes)
Bekker and Schalk, I’m afraid, won’t make it at all.
In the back line Habana, JdV, WO and Morne must only be used for the interim period (next two years, if that long)
We’ll have to see how HM goes about it.
19 Jun 2012, 13:29 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-157: Thanks I can live with that. Will just be sad when retires when he plays kak again… Pissant probably sorted me out pretty nicely with his objective assessment of this discussion. lol Peace out.
19 Jun 2012, 13:29 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-160: Good, then you won’t say much?
19 Jun 2012, 13:29 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-160:
Turned 29 a few weeks ago, could still be around for a while……
19 Jun 2012, 13:30 pm
seems like
habana
is getting back
to his
roots
with his
hoodie
and all
he even does
a little
gangster
hip hop
cross
toyi toyi
jive
when he
scores
nowadays
19 Jun 2012, 13:30 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-163:
actually i wanted to discuss the IRB awards with you, you must have missed that post
19 Jun 2012, 13:32 pm
@Meerkatte(phil72)-164:
Oliver, I hope he has a blinder this weekend scores 4 tries and starts in the 4 Nations.
19 Jun 2012, 13:33 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-167:
So you guys also hold him in high regard then?
19 Jun 2012, 13:34 pm
@Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster(Porra)-165:
Hey, I was just thinking earlier where’s Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster.
Welcome back. Missed your posts recently.
19 Jun 2012, 13:35 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-169:
Go sort #167 out!
19 Jun 2012, 13:35 pm
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-168:
He has achieved more than any other player in the squad, so do not believe he is as bad as his anti-fans are suggesting…….
19 Jun 2012, 13:36 pm
I was just thinking when reading all this mock outrage to a valid criticism of Habanero by Jeez… The thought was how all the hue and cry seems to have died down over replacing the Bismarck battleship with Strauss, who apparently has this “amazing” leadership potential and who apparently is “superior” to Bismarck in some facets of play…
Hmmm, it makes me chuckle hysterically at the rugby knowledge and intellect in this little fantasy forum of a bubble…
Bismarck is best at 2… No Doubt about it, even with very good competition for the hooker position…
In contrast…
Habanero may be best at 11… for the moment, by grace of his iconic status.
19 Jun 2012, 13:36 pm
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-168:
very
19 Jun 2012, 13:37 pm
@Meerkatte(phil72)-171:
Fact or opinion?
19 Jun 2012, 13:37 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-173:
19 Jun 2012, 13:38 pm
HG I see you have been handing people their heads yet again
Beeyyyoouuutttiifffuuullll
19 Jun 2012, 13:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-172: In a little show of hands on the Habana issue, it would be like you and Jeez against me and Heyneke.
19 Jun 2012, 13:40 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-166: You’re off-topic again. How hard is it to focus?
19 Jun 2012, 13:41 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-167: He has a better change of falling pregnant first than scoring four tries.
19 Jun 2012, 13:41 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-143: “Well at least my opinions are objective.”
No, they’re not. Not when you call him by names like this. It shows that you have a preconceived opinion about him.
@Jeez(Jeez)-105:
When will Hasbeenana be over the hill and be done with test rugby?
@Jeez(Jeez)-132:
He’s not older than Hasbeen.
19 Jun 2012, 13:41 pm
Fact,
1,World cup win
2, Tri-nations win
3, British Lions win
4, Super rugby win
5, Currie cup win
In life you get judged on what you have achieved and not on what you promise to achieve……
In a team sport he has achieved all this, and there are are only a hand full of players in the world that has achieved this!
19 Jun 2012, 13:42 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-178:
nope just value your rugby opinion and it would have been interesting to get your take on it, another time perhaps
19 Jun 2012, 13:42 pm
How much changes over two years:
“199.sharks_lover said:
21 Apr 2010, 13:05 pm
heavens game is not a sharks supporter, we don’t have the likes of him as our supporters. Plus he knows nothing about rugby, he only comes here because he knows people are foul-mouthed like him, little small man syndrome sufferer”
19 Jun 2012, 13:43 pm
As a comparison between Habana and, say, one of his competitors… That should Mvovo have received the ball in the same space Habana found himself, he would not have been caught by Michelin Morgan the England 8, and surely would have scored the try on offer…
Habana still has a way to go to get back to his striking best.
19 Jun 2012, 13:43 pm
@Meerkatte(phil72)-181:
Wow! Congratulations… Impressive indeed. Add England series win to that resume too…
19 Jun 2012, 13:44 pm
wptid
I think it is safe to say he has changed his opinion.
you should maybe ask him why.
19 Jun 2012, 13:45 pm
Spies will be playing his 50th test in PE. Somehow he is our most capped 8 ever?
19 Jun 2012, 13:45 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-176: Huzzit fernly… (Shhhht)
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-183: See this now Fernster… I think us Sharkies must be invading Keo Captains of Industry turf or something… The dredging has started….
19 Jun 2012, 13:46 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-183: Relationships like that often start off on shaky ground and take time to develop. Like Shrek and Princess Fiona.
19 Jun 2012, 13:48 pm
HG lots of stormers supporters missing in action today
seems like you took a couple out.
19 Jun 2012, 13:48 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-173: I thought we over rated ourselves and that the New Zealand(including the Pacific Islands) team has far more talent than us and we must accept this and move on? So how in heavens name can you even rate a talentless Bok like WO if our team is so K A K?
19 Jun 2012, 13:50 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-177: I am sure Jeez does not dislike Habana… and does not begrudge him his place in the team… But however good Habanero is currently compared to his low stds of last season or even the beginning of this super rugby season – he is nowhere near as good as Habs 2006/07 vintage. Thats not to say he isnt good but rather to say he is almost the Spies of the backline. Actually his form dip and present return to a semblance of his past excellence actually is pretty parallel to that of Spies.
19 Jun 2012, 13:50 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-184: i doubt Habana will ever regain his “electrifying space”, and so can never truly be back to his best… imo
19 Jun 2012, 13:51 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-186: Still a very interesting post seeing that Hg is now at his worst behaviour……Fritzlising and gerbilising Stormers supports left,right and centre on here.
19 Jun 2012, 13:51 pm
flufferforlife1
what is your obsession with him?
19 Jun 2012, 13:53 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-190: Ja, maybe I had to have a little chat, but we dont want to ruin what has been a pretty good rugby thread so far.
19 Jun 2012, 13:54 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-172: I agree that some of the rugby knowledge of bloggers here is not up to standard, but unfortunately that includes you.
Even though Bismarck is the best we have, if you cannot see the obvious qualities Strauss have, you are indeed a daft prick.
19 Jun 2012, 13:54 pm
61.Heavens Game said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:16 pm
@sharks_lover: 55. I don’t judge – I comment on Rugby, but can’t resist having a dig at some of the petty chirps. I also can’t help taking a dig at you RT chaps – and you talk about frakking JUDGING. You judge to the extent of setting up a website just so that you could control what commentators say. You have your right to another website and I belong to a few Rugby commentary website, but dammit the justification of yours is nothing more than snivelling cowardice.
Go to Planet Rugby, and if you haven’t posted more than 100 times be prepared for a shagging from everyone. The “polite” greeting is ******* N00B. So grow a pair, unless you one of the so-called females who frequent this site.
62.sharks_lover said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:19 pm
@Heavens Game: i touched a nerve i see?? grow up little boy
i greet the people worth greeting
to me little one ur a zero on a contract , as for me being a caowrd little W/Child come tell me to my face
63.sharks_lover said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:19 pm
coward
64.Heavens Game said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:20 pm
@sharks_lover: 57. I am entitled to any view I want. Who the fark are you to judge my view. I have observed, labelled and commented about RT. Take it and grow some or start another website. G10 might start one in competition with you called “SmitTalk” or “Sh1tTalk”.
65.sharks_lover said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:21 pm
anyhows enough attention for you kid
66.sharks_lover said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:22 pm
and who are you to judge us ?? you dont have a clue prick now sod off
67.Heavens Game said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:22 pm
@sharks_lover: 62. Did I call YOU a coward.
And now for the “come tell me to my face” lets haul out my **** in the playground trick.
Now that is cowardice.
68.Heavens Game said:
14 Apr 2010, 16:23 pm
@sharks_lover: And here a farking Mormon smiley handshake for you ^5.
I forget “hiyas”, you frakking frail excuse for a Shark supporter.
19 Jun 2012, 13:56 pm
@Meerkatte(phil72)-181:
He was more a passenger than a player in the winning of the 1st three cups, wasn’t he.
During the RWC in 2007, the coach prefered a 19 year old kid, fresh out of matric, ahead of him in the games that matter.
During the Lions he warmed the bench.
During the 3N he again warmed the bench.
Would it be fair to say that Chilliboy also won al that trophees?
19 Jun 2012, 13:57 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-184: I agree and I was sitting in Southern stand and made the same comment and said that if Mvovo or Basson got that ball it would have been try time.
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