Sonny’s surpassed the hype
31 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI says Sonny Bill Williams has become a more rounded player and will trouble the Sharks’ depleted midfield in Saturday’s final.
2011 was the year of the Sonny Bill offload. Backyard games would have seen kids imitating that signature move, a back-of-the-hand pass that ensured the attacking team’s momentum didn’t die with the ball carrier. It was a move that brought Williams and the Crusaders tremendous success in their march towards the Super Rugby final. It was also a move that demanded an astronomical number of column inches in the press.
One year on, and Williams’ offload is no less effective. The difference this year is that his offload is sparingly used and rarely highlighted as the definitive strength of his game.
The Sonny Bill Williams of 2012 is a far more rounded player than the centre who debuted for the Crusaders in 2011. And it is the less glamorous and less imitable side of his game that could floor the Sharks in the upcoming final in Hamilton.
Credit must go to Chiefs coach Dave Rennie and the ethos he has installed since arriving at the franchise. Credit should go to the forwards for embracing that ethos and producing some dominant performances that have allowed the Chiefs backline a platform to excel.
And to say Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden and Williams have excelled as a 9-10-12 combination is an understatement. Cruden has matured as decision maker, and has also played with a physical determination that has belied his size. Kerr-Barlow has been a threat on attack and defence, as has the robust Williams, who doesn’t get enough credit for the way he reads the game or the impact he makes in contact.
Williams was one of the standouts in last Friday’s semi-final battle against the Crusaders. There is always the possibility that he will unleash that trademark offload, but not enough is made of his strength in the tackle and how this compromises the opposition’s defence. He broke the line on just one occasion last Friday, and on the one occasion he unleashed an offload, the Chiefs went on to score.
The hype around the Sonny Bill offload may have died down in 2012, but the rugby fraternity’s obsession with the idea of offloading certainly hasn’t. Indeed, some have pointed to the Sharks’ offloading game as the reason they have surpassed every other South African team in this tournament.
What those people neglect to appreciate, however, is the fact that the Sharks have also dominated the collisions in the matches where their offload count has been high.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer during the three-Test series against England. I asked him about Willem Alberts, who had just come off two strong performances in the first two Tests. It was clear that Alberts was offloading a lot more and thus perpetuating South Africa’s attacking momentum, and so I asked Meyer if it was something Alberts had worked on.
Meyer explained that Alberts was able to offload in those Tests because he had dominated the collisions. He added that players should not become obsessed with the idea of offloading, and that winning the collision should always be the first objective.
In Meyer’s mind, you can’t risk offloading if you aren’t in a strong position, ie well beyond the gainline, to do so.
There were times in 2011 where Williams was guilty of offloading unnecessarily. There were moments when he threw the ball back after he had lost the collision and had been driven backwards in the tackle. Many said the opposition had worked him out, while others accused him of overplaying the tactic.
2012 has witnessed a more powerful and circumspect display. Williams’ performance at the gainline has been a highlight of the Chiefs’ campaign, and his decision making has improved immensely. The Chiefs don’t waste attacking opportunities, and neither does Williams.
Some will call him a glamour boy who is chasing the big payday, or denounce him as an over-hyped player. But on the basis of his performances in the 2012 Super Rugby competition, Williams is already one of the best players in world, and there is as much substance to his game as there is a marketable style.
The odds are against a Sharks victory this weekend. The Chiefs have shown themselves to be an 80-minute team. The forwards will also be fresher than their Sharks counterparts, who recently made their third overseas journey in the space of as many weeks.
The Sharks’ defence will struggle to repel Kerr-Barlow, Cruden and Williams. They’re also down to their third-choice No 12, with Frans Steyn ineligible for selection and Tim Whitehead ruled out with a broken hand.
At the end of the league stage, Steyn showed why he is rated the best inside centre in South Africa. Whitehead has managed to provide a spark that’s been lacking in previous seasons. Those men will certainly be missed.
Meyer Bosman seems likely to fill the void, and while he has the talent and ability to play a Steyn-like game in midfield, he doesn’t have the form or confidence. It is surely something the Chiefs, and particularly that dangerous axis of Cruden and Williams, will look to exploit.
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329 Comments
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31 Jul 2012, 09:14 am
@grant10-47:
145,000 live in Hamilton.
60,000 live outside in the larger territory.
Work it out.
The stadium can hold 25000. Sounds fair to me. Hold more per population than any South African stadium.
But if you have a problem with playing in NZ, how about your teams win more games, simple really.
31 Jul 2012, 09:15 am
@Hurricane-51: shhh dont tell him that, hes still fixated on the “squatter camps” in NZ, while being blissfully unaware of the townships in SA..
must not step outside his gated community all too often…
31 Jul 2012, 09:16 am
@capetown-29: look at pierre spies, what the hell has that guy done to get endorsement, book deals etc deals and have such hype behind him when most south africans who don’t support the bulls think he is nowhere? surely it is not his RUGBY!
31 Jul 2012, 09:16 am
@Te Rangatira-7:
Shame. Did I touch a nerve? Go back to building sandcastles little boy. If you have to resort to name calling and insults you have already lost the contest.
31 Jul 2012, 09:17 am
@Tacitus-41:
Yes, Ross is a scientist and he has used a certain methodology to calculate the 8 points “handicap” and he will stand by it.
But that is sport- anything is possible- science cannot predict everything.
Take for example the Blues who travelled to SA and beat the Bulls at Loftus- using the same metyhodology that Ross used, the Bulls must have had an even bigger advantage than the Stormers had (the effect of altitude must be added), but they still loss by 5. Thats how it goes.
31 Jul 2012, 09:19 am
it doesn’t matter who finished above who … its a disgrace for a Super Rugby Final to be played at a place like Hamilton. I bet the Sharks players will take 1000 showers a day when they return to SA …
31 Jul 2012, 09:20 am
@Robzim-55:
That’s because the Bulls are kak this season.
The argument is that not enough Stormers fans are willing to admit that their team – in terms of quality – was also barely mediocre this season.
31 Jul 2012, 09:21 am
@SA rugby is k@k-21:
Says the guy with a nick like yours.. hehehehehe, priceless
31 Jul 2012, 09:22 am
@SA rugby is k@k-49: ask bakkies how many times i’ve called him on his “cheats and scum” rhetoric…even last monday he was still trying to convince me that the bulls wings “were targeted for injuries”. as hurricane just said above, if you want to share a waka with bakkies then fine just don’t cry when it gets torpedoed with you still in it..
31 Jul 2012, 09:23 am
@grant10-56:
” it doesn’t matter who finished above who ”
lol
I think it does and probably like that in most sports.
And the 1000 showers a day comment really makes me question, how old you really are.
31 Jul 2012, 09:25 am
@grant10-56: dude, pipe down!
31 Jul 2012, 09:27 am
@Golden Boy-58: so you dont agree that SA rugby is kiak? 8th equal at the WC, an all time win percentage that has been dropping since coming back from isolation (must be neutral refs) and is currently ranked only 3rd in the world?
my mistake
:
31 Jul 2012, 09:28 am
@Hurricane-48:
You are starting to sound like Pooper.
And that’s not good.
31 Jul 2012, 09:29 am
@ 48 Hurricane it is true… Happened in a smallish town called Vereeniging… Monsters… They still laughed about it in court…
31 Jul 2012, 09:30 am
Speaking of Poep.
Here he is.
With another name change but still the same stench.
31 Jul 2012, 09:31 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-63:
didnt mean to but it was all over the radio on talk back.
They were saying even the South Africans are appalled by it etc etc.
I just asked if you heard about it or is it our useless media again?
Dont get all defensive, was not an attack on the great people of SA, that even incudes you Gunther…….sometimes
31 Jul 2012, 09:31 am
There will be 23 000 more people between EP KIngs & the Leopards in the CC first division final in PE than there will be at the Super Rugby Final… LOL thats just F*cked up!!!!
31 Jul 2012, 09:31 am
@Tacitus-57:
We will gladly admit that they were barely mediocre. At least they can only improve. And after finishing top after the regular season and contesting a semi final with a ‘barely mediocre’ team, we are really excited about the next 4/5 years.
31 Jul 2012, 09:32 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-65: hey rock spider, hoe gaan dit?
:
31 Jul 2012, 09:33 am
@THE MAULER-64:
wow thats meesed up.
Do you guys have the death penalty over there and how long is life in prison.
Over here in NZ its rubbish, life is like 14-19 years i think.
31 Jul 2012, 09:35 am
@grant10-67:
You have to much of a problem with stadium capacity buddy. Would you prefer that they build an 80 000 seater and only pull in 25 000? Will that make you happy? Oh no, then you will complain that they cant even fill the stadium. Besides, most of the money generated is from tv takings anyway. The only ones losing out on gate receipts is the home union.
31 Jul 2012, 09:35 am
Hurricane… Some days a guy gets 10 years then 20… And some days they get a slap on the wrist… No death penalty at all…
31 Jul 2012, 09:37 am
@Hurricane-70: some days Hurri, they buy their way out of prison altogether, much like Bees Roux did…
31 Jul 2012, 09:38 am
@Hurricane-66:
There are monsters everywhere.
Nothing special about South Africa.
Despite what Pooper might tell you.
I think he was denied the breast.
31 Jul 2012, 09:39 am
@Transformation-53:
You know the reason, its because Pierre matches a certain perception of what a fantastic rugby player should be – father’s legacy, beeeg muscles, square features, conservative, etc
Humble Hashim is another example, took time for him to be accepted. If can recall that terrible article by Simon, lamblasting Hashim for not endorsing alcohal sponsorships whilst Hashim is such a fine ambassador, individual and player for our country. A reflection of the strength in embracing our diversity
With time as south african society evolves these perceptions will also change and broaden. See the US. It took decades. We getting there. Hell who knows, in 10 years time we may have our own Dennis Rodman of rugby
31 Jul 2012, 09:39 am
@THE MAULER-72:
So its really inconsistent like NZ.
A drunk driver can get caught 7 times then the 8th goes to jail for 3 months while a before him in court another person will get 6 months after being caught 3 times. Terrible.
31 Jul 2012, 09:40 am
@SA rugby is k@k-62:
I don’t know why I am wasting my team replying to the troll but anyway. “my god youre a bitter old fool… seriously, rugby would be a lot better if you didnt support it….” and your nick…clearly you have to see the irony in that statement.
31 Jul 2012, 09:42 am
Very inconsistent here… People who defraud get higher sentences than Murderers and rapists…
31 Jul 2012, 09:43 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-74: oh poor Gunther, there just seem to be more monsters in SA then in other places….as the internet tells us so… why is this?
perhaps if your ancestors had had more decency, it wouldnt be the case now would it?
anyways, time to go, had my fun, Im sure Gunther will come up with some other thing aimed at me thats equally unfunny, but god love him he keeps trying..
31 Jul 2012, 09:45 am
@Golden Boy-77: obviously, it is a play on this sites chief correspondent and a tweet he posted before the 2011 WC, around the start of 2010 actually..
are you a little upset that I am throwing it back in keos face?
31 Jul 2012, 09:46 am
Hansen not onside with Henry’s claims
30/7/2012 2:58 AM Emma Stoney
Former coach Sir Graham Henry may believe the All Blacks were cheated by officials in the 2007 quarterfinal loss to France, but Steve Hansen is shying away from his former boss’ claims.
Henry, in his book ‘Graham Henry – Final Word’ said the All Blacks were “sawn off” by match officials – referee Wayne Barnes and his assistants Jonathan Kaplan and Tony Spreadbury – highlighting the lopsided penalty count, where France were not penalised in the final 50 minutes of the match, and the forward pass that led to France’s match-winning try.
The World Cup-winning coach even contemplated the possibility the match had been fixed and urged the New Zealand Rugby Union to pressure the International Rugby Board to launch an inquiry into the performance of the match officials.
But Hansen, who was assistant coach at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, has distanced himself from Henry’s claims.
“I think everyone in the world knows that the referee and officials didn’t have a great game that night. But that wasn’t the reason why we lost that game I don’t believe,” said Hansen.
“There are a lot of things that we did that caused us to lose it as well. We’ve been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to have another crack.
“We reflected on all the things and worked hard on them and we got our stuff right and it allowed us to win the World Cup last year.
“For me it’s dead and gone. I’m looking forwards not backwards. It’s all about the future. I’ve let it go. I let it go quite a long time ago.”
Former IRB referee selector Bob Francis, the man responsible for appointing Barnes to that quarterfinal, believes Henry’s reputation will be tarnished by the claims
But Hansen refused to be drawn into that debate.
“It’s irrelevant what I think in that regard. I’ve got no comment to make about any of that,” he said.
“You’ve asked me what I thought about 2007. I’ve told you I don’t believe it was just the referees.
“I think it’s a lot of things that we did as well. We were lucky enough to get the opportunity to re-visit those things that we didn’t do well and get them right and be good enough to win in 2011.
“For me, 2007 allowed us to win in 2011. Yes it hurt losing it (the quarterfinal). But it was 2007 and we are now in 2012. It’s time to get on the horse and keep moving forward.”
31 Jul 2012, 09:48 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-74:
Yeah it was talk back and a quite a few South Africans rung the radio station and had a talk about the life in SA and why they left. 90% loved the country but they moved for their kids. They wanted a safer place to bring the children up in.
We have about 30-50 murders a year. You guys have about 44 murders a day.
We over here just cant get our head around it. The talk back persenter just could not get over it.
In one year, the amount of people murdered in SA is the same population as the place i grew up in.
Wow,you guys must have big balls
31 Jul 2012, 09:48 am
yes Hashim doesn’t endorse the Castle logo – which is fine, i respect that .. but he does accept the money from them etc ….. its chick who saves herself for the honeymoon night, but goes and blows every tom, d!ck & harry before her marriage … (cause she is still a virgin come honeymoon night) hahahaha!
31 Jul 2012, 09:49 am
@Transformation-81:
Yeah i saw Hansen on the news talking about it.
He did not want anything to do with it.
But whats the bet at the time, his thoughts would have been the same a GH.
31 Jul 2012, 09:50 am
@SA rugby is k@k-80:
‘Obviously’ a tweet that was posted a year ago….hehehehehe…sorry but unlike you I do have a life. Which means that I do not waste my time following ‘rugby writers’ on twitter. And really, if you have to justify your nick based on that then I really feel sorry for you.
No really, I am being sincere here.
31 Jul 2012, 09:53 am
@Hurricane-82:
Sadly life is very cheap here.
Equally disturbing is the dehumanised element of some of these crimes.
There are very few people whose lives have not been touched by tragedy in some way.
It’s only amusing to psychotic malcontents like pooper.
I guess it’s nature vs nurture and in his case he was let down by both.
31 Jul 2012, 09:57 am
@Hurricane-70: At the moment it feels as though the sociopaths are starting to outnumber the sane.
Many blame ONLY the socio-political landscape, but that is a very blinkered view and only tells part of the story. (White, black, pink and yellow carry collective guilt in this dawn of Mad Max like violence, and I kid you not, that is exactly what some of this kak can be compared to)
I for one am no longer buying much of the BS peddled to us re: sadistic violence, that psychologists, criminologists and the like are selling.
We have problems, serious problems, and it’s about time the researchers started moving away from their more traditional ‘opinions’ and started working out what is really going down.
Just my opinion of course.
31 Jul 2012, 09:57 am
@Hurricane-82:
Unfortunately this is what happens when you are raised in an environment where police had the authority to hit your fathers brains in at two in the morning in his own home while you as a 3/4 year old had to witness it. Unfortunately this is what the majority of South Africans had to endure under apartheid and the psychological scars are only being seen today.
31 Jul 2012, 09:58 am
@capetown-75:
@grant10-83:
He probably endorse only bacon and eggs?
31 Jul 2012, 09:59 am
@Hondo-89: not bacon, macon – he is muslim
31 Jul 2012, 10:00 am
@grant10-47: We could select a neutral venue where we can be guaranteed the local team won’t be in the final. Cape Town perhaps?
31 Jul 2012, 10:01 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-86: Who is Pooper? And why would this person find what happnes in SA in terms of sadistic violence and death, funny? You joking right?
31 Jul 2012, 10:02 am
@Tacitus-57: Well, our barely mediocre, beat your kak twice. That’s enough for most of us.
31 Jul 2012, 10:04 am
simple really – leave Bosman on the bench.
Play Lambie 12 and Jordaan 13. No other way really. Or start with Bosman and hit the panic button at his first slip up.
Would definitely consider starting players like Riaan Viljoen with Ludik at 14 and bring JP on later to have hi fresh. Riaan and Ludik provide ample cover as we could see on the weekend.
Same with Bismarck, Alberts and Marcell Coetzee. Start Deysel, Sykes and Burden – none of those players will let the team down and they will be fresh and have a lot of first half energy. Then roll on the heavies after the first half. The injection of Bismarck, Alberts, Marcell, JP Pietersen at 40 to 50 minutes could easily upset the Chiefs if the others can hold the fort in the first half.
31 Jul 2012, 10:04 am
Golden Boy … afrikaner boys and girls endured the same in concentration camps … you dont see them raping women with broken bottles,burning their victims with irons or cutting up teenage girls into thousands of pieces …
31 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
with Lambie and Jordaan not having played they will be fresh for the most part of the game. Kanko hasnt played much this year so he should handle better than most – your main problems are props, and Michalak and McCleod in this case. Something one can try and deal with if the other 3/4 of the team is fresh after 40.
31 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
@grant10-95: I see what you are trying to do. But it’s an epic fail. Context and timing are everything. You suck at both.
31 Jul 2012, 10:08 am
@grant10-95:
In concentration camps 80 years ago bud. They they had their chance to vent all their frustration during apartheid.
31 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
Wow.
Honestly to me this has been an eye opener.
The talk back host started to get himself into hot water, asking the question since a black government, has SA got worse?
Now thats when i turned the radio off, had to work but i am sure he would have got a few angry replies to even suggesting that.
Anyway all countries have there problems but makes you wonder are those problems anything over what you guys have to endure.
Proves how much pride some of you guys have with sticking to where you live.
Hats off to the brothers of South Africa
31 Jul 2012, 10:15 am
@Golden Boy-98:
110 years ago.
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