BUT He did hold the ball in both hands and hold the defence up in the buld up to Zane’s try, which was good. And he did cross kick well. His kicking out of hand was very good. His place kicking was great. He did not try counterattacking from his own 22, whioch I think is good, unless its really on, and it was not.

So all in all, I think he he did do very well. Still some work to be done though. A chip over teh line at the begginning of the game can make a fast/rush defence hang back, and buy time for his whole backline for the rest of the game.

It is no point pleading to the fundermental flaw in Springbok rugby, the coaching staff ie – Springbok management.
Meyer has strong opinions and will adhere to them, Morne aint going anywhere, Kircher has leaps and bounds to prove to me his capabilites.
Lambie is still a child so it is not the worst thing in the world leaving out the kids who have maturing to accomplish. Although with weaker teams I dont see why Aplon and Lambie cant play, slowly increase their expereince and this would develop them more on a consistant level …its a shame giving other guys much needed rest.
I do agree Aplon is too small and too easy a target. However he does make up ground for a side step and flawless tackle technique. I think his head is a little to big for his shoulders though.

Also, don’t underestimate the role Olivier had in that 2009/10 Bulls team. He was very effective at carrying the ball up because, at Super Rugby level, he manages to get over the advantage line – something he struggles with at international level.

I appreciate your comment about playing conservatively in the first half, but they should have got that bonus point try. Even when passing to inside runners or distributing in the close channels, you should not do it from a static position. And we paid the price for that.

Morne Steyn isn’t an impediment to an attacking backline. The Blue Bulls in 2009 and 2010 played some very fast-paced attacking, expansive rugby with him at 10. If he’s playing conservatively it’s because he has been asked to do so. If Jantjes started he would be asked to play in the same way.

I am sure the “gameplan” in the second half was to get the 3rd and 4th try.

You don’t score tries if your 10 distributes from a static position. Simple.

I think those with any grievance towards Steyn’s performance should direct it towards the coach.

Aaron Cruden has had more than 10 performances this season that make what morne did on saturday look s.hit!

this is the same bloke who was on the cover of SA Rugby magazine sprouting “if you want it (10 jersey), come and get it”, now the only reason he still has it is because the coach smaaks him.

Big difference, colonel.

what twak….what you write is technically correct in some aspects but not relevent to morne this past weekend.

If the boks are turned over every 2-3rd phase…… or at best slowed down to a stand still how do you want a flyhalf to run into a wall of defenders. It’s called crash-bash….and if he was doing that he’d be critisized for doing it.

go figure

The first receiver’s decision on how to receive the ball shapes the phase that will play out, and will impact second and subsequent phase ball in terms of speed.

If the 10 wants to kick, he does not need to run onto the ball necessarily.

But if he wants to distribute, he has a crucial role in keeping defenders guessing. And by running onto the ball and receiving the ball in front of him, he succeeds in this. It also gives him more passing options and injects immediate pace into the offense.

Peter Grant has the same issue Morne does, and this is at the heart of the Stormers’ ineptitude on the offense. Distributes from a standing position, and receiving the ball closer to the basket, rather than the hands in front of his body.