Litmus test for Meyer’s Boks
6 Aug 2012
Heyneke Meyer says the Rugby Championship will be the measure of his men.
The Springboks’ 2-0 series win over England in June was an excellent start for the new generation of players and coaching staff. Indeed it surpassed Meyer’s expectations, which were shaped by the limited preparation time he had with the squad.
However, the Rugby Championship was always going to provide a sterner test of Meyer and his team’s aptitude. Australia and New Zealand both showed their quality in sweeping Wales and Ireland respectively in June. Argentina should be easily negotiated at Newlands in a fortnight, but they’ll be tougher to beat in Mendoza on 25 August.
The bulk of the 30-man squad has gathered in Cape Town to begin their preparations, with the Sharks’ representatives set to join the group on Tuesday. Meyer said this has forced a rethink in his approach to the next two weeks.
‘This is the first week where I would have the team without having a Test match. I thought it would allow me to go through some details in our gameplan and work through repetition of that gameplan. I’d also planned on getting combinations together who’d play in the first Test,’ Meyer told keo.co.za.
‘But with the Sharks only joining the camp on Tuesday, I’ve had to change a few things. With the Sharks players central to our plans, we have to find the balance between training and rest.’
Meyer won’t field a vastly different side for the Argentina opener to the one that he backed against England, with the bulk of his starting 15 coming from the Sharks. He did, however, stress that the performances of his players would be decisive to their Test futures.
‘We’ll know where we stand after the Rugby Championship. With no disrespect to England, I’ll have a clear idea about some players, particularly the youngsters, after I’ve seen them against the world’s best teams. I have a lot of belief in the squad, but guys that don’t perform will be at a disadvantage going forward,’ he said.
Meyer added the All Blacks and Wallabies are better placed going into the southern hemisphere showpiece, with both benefiting from continuity in their playing and coaching staff.
‘I’m realistic, it is going to be tough. Robbie Deans is in his fifth year as coach of the Wallabies and has a settled squad and gameplan. Some people point to the Australian sides not making the Super Rugby play-offs, but that isn’t an indicator of how the Test side will go. He can pick a very strong 22 from the players available,’ Meyer explained.
‘New Zealand are always very, very tough. Steve Hansen has worked with all the players before and their approach hasn’t changed but for one or two minor adjustments. They looked like they hadn’t been apart when they played Ireland a couple of months ago.
‘You also have to take into consideration that those teams still have their key, experienced players available. [David] Pocock, [Quade] Cooper and [Will] Genia are still there for Australia. New Zealand have Carter and McCaw. We’ve lost a handful of very good, very experienced players, with Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez being the biggest losses.
‘We’re starting from behind but we’ll do whatever we can to win it.’
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486 Comments
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6 Aug 2012, 16:11 pm
@willievz-449: hell far.ken no! if j.potgieter was still playing for the kings he would be NOWHERE near the Bok camp, heyneke is using the Boks to further his coaching of the players he bought for the Bulls
6 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-448:
I’m wide awake. You’re the one asleep.
Why is it “unlikely,” you ask.
Kirchner is prefered by Meyer at FB. (Also covers outside centre in case of injury to JdV)
So where does that leaves us afa bench players are concerned.
Jantjies to cover for Morne who is off form ito general play and kicking for poles.
Pienaar to cover SH.
Lambie to cover FB/inside centre(if Frans get injured).
Hougaard to cover wing after 60-65 minutes or in case of injury to one of the run-on wings.
What don’t you get about it?
Damn it, it’s hard.
6 Aug 2012, 16:18 pm
Only Bull in my run on team at the moment is Jano Vermaak.
#justmyopinion.
6 Aug 2012, 16:26 pm
@nama1-452:
Lambie to cover inside centre?
Oh dear.
Answer me the question.
Who is more versatile from the bench?
JJ or Juan?
No you are right Nama.
Meyer is a dirty liar and you have exposed him.
A good days work.
6 Aug 2012, 16:31 pm
Cricket alarming.
6 Aug 2012, 16:36 pm
@Transformation-451: Donkerkop Pottie has showed his stuff this season against the best in the business. We need strong ball carriers and he has shown he can.
6 Aug 2012, 16:36 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-455:
Wouldn’t mind a target of 240 in 40 overs.
6 Aug 2012, 16:37 pm
@Jeraldjay-453: The Bok gameplan should give Hougie the space he needs to operate in. Watch this space.
6 Aug 2012, 16:38 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-454:
Man, what is it with you today? You are not usually this stupid.
There is no reason to SELECT JJ on the bench.
6 Aug 2012, 16:41 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-458:
Kwagga I see it as exactly the opposite.
The Bok gameplan will limit Hougie’s ability to express himself.
This issue really worries me going forward. Really hope I’m wrong.
6 Aug 2012, 16:44 pm
@Jeraldjay-457:
I would.
@nama1-459:
Of course there is.
Look de Jongh is in the squad so you can take care of the boner of yours now.
6 Aug 2012, 16:44 pm
@Jeraldjay-460: Hougaard needs more time than Fourie did. The Bulls pack struggled to give him that coupled with a rubbish gameplan at times.
I think a bigger stronger pack will give him more time and options. Must say I was very disappointed with his play thusfar after the last two years. Still believe he has the goods though.
6 Aug 2012, 16:45 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-461: lol
6 Aug 2012, 16:46 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-462:
Do you think Hougie’s future role is at wing or scrumhalf.
6 Aug 2012, 16:49 pm
@Jeraldjay-464:
Wing.
A kiwi mentioned 15.
I would like to see the bulls try him there.
6 Aug 2012, 16:50 pm
@Jeraldjay-464: Currently he has more impact on wing than at scrummie although that is where he prefers to play. It’s difficult as he has shown what he is capable of at no9. If he does not shape up though thing could get tricky for HM and the question beckons, who else as he only has Pienaar at his disposal? Jano imo is a grey area for me as I am not to sure if he will slot in at the highest level.
6 Aug 2012, 16:51 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-465: ala Cullen. We had that same discussion the other night after a couple of yskoue biere.
Not a kak option.
6 Aug 2012, 16:52 pm
Gepraat van bier…..laat ek my lemoene vat en boggerof.
Have a good evening gents.
Adios
6 Aug 2012, 16:53 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-454:
“Who is more versatile from the bench?
JJ or Juan?”
Hahaha…
So that was what it is for you about???
For me it never was.
I guess with JdJ now also in the team, we’ll be able to see which way Meyer goes wrt the two players.
6 Aug 2012, 16:56 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-461:
Fark the 240 in 40 overs was said in jest.
That’s what makes this game of “skittle sticks” so special.
6 Aug 2012, 16:57 pm
@willievz-446: Kirchner op 15 en Spies op 8 bekommer my BAIE!
Ek stem oor die “Bloubul rugby” juis my redes om Morne en Hougie te vervang (alhoewel hougie kan n vleuel wees).
Die Bulle het nie eers “BlouBul rugby” die’ jaar gespeel nie!
Sal jy Brussow dan ruil met Coetzee? Of wat as Schalk fiks is?
Wat as Alberts 8 speel, dan is daar plek vir Shalla op 7 en Brussow op 6?
Ek se jou – dis blerrie moeilik om Bok afrigter te wees!
Ten munste is daar nou n oplossing vir 13 – JPP is ongelukkig beseerd…
6 Aug 2012, 17:00 pm
@Jeraldjay-464: It depends on the game the Boks play (or want to play) I would say. Hougie is clearly not comfortable with the basekicking game and its ridiculous that 2 locks & 8th Man have to stand behind each other, with legs stretched behind them and it takes 2 or 3 mins for Hougie to execute a box-kick! Its embarrassing to watch and kills the game.
If Hougie can play his natural game at 9 then maybe, but then again he gets isolated a bit, and will be more so at the Boks (due to current game plan).
Ruaan is a good choice for 9 with the current Bok game, and Hougie can play more of his natural style on the wing (altho he will see the ball less – and again – depends on who is 10)
What do you reckon?
6 Aug 2012, 17:07 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-461:
Let’s agree to disagree then.
The man could not even consistently crack a spot in the Bulls team, all of a sudden he is now a MUST for the Bok bench because he can also “cover wing.”
Sell me another one, Sam.
6 Aug 2012, 17:12 pm
@nama1-473:
The guy rates him.
You said you had no problem with that.
Stop being dishonest.
Your boy is in the squad.
Dry your legs.
6 Aug 2012, 17:23 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-474:
Hahahaha….
6 Aug 2012, 17:26 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-474:
“The guy rates him.
You said you had no problem with that.”
…and I don’t.
He should just be honest about it and not use some spin about JJ being able to “cover wing” also.
6 Aug 2012, 17:33 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-456: ag man, the guys is NOT international quality, whatsoever! running straight into opponents like a crash test dummie is not on!
6 Aug 2012, 17:44 pm
But he does cover wing as well.
Why is this such a problem for you?
6 Aug 2012, 17:49 pm
@bokfan1-471: Dit gaan oor kombinasies, nie die individue nie. Ons poel van losvoorspeler-talent is waarskynlik die grootste op aarde, maar ons het nog nie ons beste kombinasie uitgevind nie.
Brussow op 6 is die eerste naam wat ek neerskryf. So as dit afhang van Coetzee of Brussow op 6, is die keuse maklik vir my.
Ek stem saam met Heyneke oor ‘n baldraende 7 – maar in myns insiens kan enige van J.Smith, Alberts, Schalla, Coetzee of J.Strauss die 7 dra. Almal is uitstekende baldraers wat die bal goed beskerm in kontak. Nie Potgieter nie.
8 is die een posisie waar ek nie juis ‘n spesifieke speler verkies nie. Ek glo wel dat jou nr8 ‘n sleutelspeler in enige verdedigingspatroon is.
Ek soek wel 3 lynstaan opsies. Maw, as jy gaan vir ‘n korter 8 wat sy neus op die grond hou, moet jy ‘n langer 7 kies.
Ek dink Schalla kan baie waarde toevoeg op die bank.
6 Aug 2012, 23:07 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-404:
Strange, NZ consists of Islands and it is in the Pacific ocean.
What are you getting at?
7 Aug 2012, 07:38 am
@Transformation-477: Straight over a couple seems to count for a lot in some coaches books…..bietjie suurgat he left your beloved Kings it seems.
7 Aug 2012, 09:27 am
Boks are gonna get smashed against NZ and Aus. HM’s winning record is going to look a little different after this series. How can he pick Morne, Spies and Kirchner? I’m a Bok supporter but do not agree with his strategy and game plan evident against England. Kick it to the back 3 of NZ and Aus and you’ll be taking a breather under your own poles. Smell the roses HM…
7 Aug 2012, 14:29 pm
@greegs-482: I have a bad feeling about this season too.
I am worried about this choice of flyhalf, his choice of nr8, his view of an opensider, his gameplan, and his working relationship with the Bulls.
Not necessarily in that order.
7 Aug 2012, 14:48 pm
@ Willie – I agree 100%. We take so much front foot ball and kick it away. He also plays out of form players. When last did Morne Steyn actually have a good game? Time will tell, altho I do see HM is full of excuses already. Actually its quite simple HM…hold onto the ball and score points, simple!!!
7 Aug 2012, 17:44 pm
@willievz-479: Stem 100% saam oor kombinasies, en dat ons baie keuses he vir #7 – wat sal d bal dra.
Juis ek sien Schalla (voor ek geweet het hy is uit) of Alberts as 7, Brussow as 6 (om te “gaan haal”) en Vermeulen op 8 (my personlikke keuse – veral as jy se #8 is sentraal vir verdediging).
Ek weet nie of Vermeulen fiks sal wees nie – maar as HM voort gaan met 9 Hougaard, 10 Styen en 15 Kirchner – bedoel dit d Bokke gaan d bal wegskop d heel dag en DAN moet ons goeie verdediging he!
So dan is d priorieteit vir my loosies nou hoe tekkel hulle?
Wie kan Morne help?
Ek stem ook 3 lynstane opsies is ideaal, maar kan nie sien hoe Bokke dit sal regkry met die huidige spangroep….?
7 Aug 2012, 17:52 pm
@greegs-482: I am also a Bok supporter and will always support the team and the coach, but I must agree with you – I personally cannot understand some of his selections, and the over-used kicking.
It worked in 2009, but all teams have figured Boks out and wait for them to do it.
When have Boks looked the best this year? The first 40 of the 2nd Test vs Eng – ball in hand and rolling like thunder!
@greegs-484: Most SA teams are guilty of kicking away valuable possession!
The kicks are also often badly executed.
Dont even get me started on the Stormers kicking advantage or penalties away and then NOT FINDING TOUCH!
I laughed out loud when Skinstad (commentating on the Stormers v Sharks Semi) kept saying how Peter Grant is “furious with himself” for his bad kicks! WHY KICK IT THEN?!
Stormers have a MASSIVE overlap, and Shreuder KICKS it away!
Ref calls advantage – Duvenage KICKS IT away and doesnt find touch!
But all SA teams are guilty of doing similar all season. That and (when they finally get the backline going) too many SA players hold on to the ball and go for glory, instead of passing.
Habana did exactly that in the last few seconds of the semi. Forcing Don Armand and Grant to try and protect the ball. Armand went walkies over the ruck, Grant got smashed backwards, and Sharks got the ball.
Habana shouldve passed it. But MANY SA players do the same and often. I dont get it.
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