Shocking Springboks must break shackles
27 Aug 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day newspaper column, says Heyneke Meyer’s game plan and playing philosophy is simply not good enough.
The All Blacks lacked accuracy in attack against the Wallabies, but that was all that was missing from a New Zealand display that made South Africa’s match against Argentina look like something from the Dark Ages.
If what the All Blacks produced in Auckland was high octane, then in Mendoza there was nothing more than grunt and growl. It was a shocker and the Springboks were the most shocking of the two teams.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has spoken of the need to win every weekend. He has spoken of mental toughness and the search for excellence. He has spoken of the potential greatness of players. Actions have always been more significant than words and the player actions in Mendoza, just like in Port Elizabeth in the third Test against England, were a contradiction on everything being said. The 20 minutes we saw against England in Johannesburg’s second Test was a hint of the potential within our rugby, but even that 20 minutes looks a decade ago when compared to the intensity and pace of the effort from New Zealand, the current world champions and without doubt the team setting the standards.
I thought the Australians were woeful as an attacking unit and there was no threat they’d get five points let alone a victory. They defended bravely and showed a desire for the scrap but they were simply beaten up in the collisions and given a rugby lesson.
This is a very good All Blacks team, stronger now than when they edged France to win the World Cup last October. Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will be managed carefully through to the next World Cup but the succession plan of Sam Cane and Aaron Cruden is already in motion. Very little else will change from now to 2015 so those who talk of the All Blacks being a side in decline in 2015 think again. The back three will be at their peak and so too a midfield that will include Sonny Bill Williams. The All Blacks have integrated as many players new players into the system as the Boks have. Two new locks, a new loose forward, a new scrumhalf and variations on the wing. The only position where there is no definitive answer in relation to 2015 is at hooker. They’re in a healthy position and they’re not making any excuses about World Cup hangovers, lack of desire, retirements, inexperience or players coming to terms with the demands of international rugby. They’ve set standards, especially on defence, and to keep two sides of the standing of Ireland and Australia scoreless this year is the kind of action that accompanies any talk of excellence.
The All Blacks were not precise in their attack in Auckland, but that will always be a possibility with the type of high risk, high tempo and absolutely enthralling game they play. In Auckland they offloaded in the tackle 30 times and most of the offloads were effective in advancing the play, sustaining flow, continuity and ensuring momentum. If you tuned in at 9:35am to Auckland and happened to be watching the same rugby channel 12 hours later you could excused for thinking that what was on offer from Mendoza was part of the ESPN Classic packages. My god it was awful.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, on reflection, spoke of the physicality of South Africa and Argentina, whom the All Blacks play next in Wellington. He said it was like watching two rhinos go at each other all afternoon.
His reference to rhino reminded me of former Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen’s rhino reference to the then Springbok coach Harry Viljoen. Macqueen and Viljoen are good mates and they were on a Safari outing when they saw Rhino. Macqueen said: ‘Look Harry there’s your team … big, strong and f**king dumb’.
The Boks certainly moved on from the dummy tag in 2007 thanks to the approach and thinking of some very special players, but the limited quality of player on display in Mendoza is no excuse for the kind of rugby produced.
Meyer, as coach, picks the side and determines game strategy and playing philosophy. What we saw in Port Elizabeth and Mendoza is simply not good enough, in intent, in ambition and in principle.
No player picks himself and not one Springbok in Mendoza would make a current World XV. That’s a reality but it is no excuse to draw to Argentina because no Pumas player would make a World XV either.
Mendoza should be a watershed moment for Meyer, who doesn’t want for rugby intellect but needs to be challenged to break his own shackles of conservatism.
The obvious reaction is to take fire at the players, but that would be misguided. Meyer is the one in charge and a team is a reflection of a coach. If the coach expected more of his players in Mendoza then I – like every South African rugby supporter – expected more of Meyer at this juncture.
860 Comments
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27 Aug 2012, 15:53 pm
@Captain Sam Vimes-430: if we can’t beat argentina let us say loucd and clear then that “we are rebuilding and see you at the world cup in 2015″
The Springbok team to face Argentina in Mendoza is: (411 caps – Forwards – 130 Backs – 281)
ARGENTINA’S STARTING XV: ( 367 caps, Forwards – 217, Backs 150)
27 Aug 2012, 15:53 pm
@WP-Forever-393: There are none so deaf as those who would not listen to the ‘Cape’ haters
Hell, the one chap even changed his nic at the time to read: SHARKS FANS ARE TRUE BOK SUPPORTERS or something to that effect. And that after a few Capetonians raised a concern or two about the squad make-up and utterances made by Meyer..
Times, they have a changed, in record time
27 Aug 2012, 15:53 pm
@Monty15-425: You’ve got to give Poepa a lot of leeway here. He’s always only “returning serve”. Everything he does here is always in some kind of indignant retaliation, so totally justified. He’s also very culturally sensitive, so his issues may not be addressed for risk of belittling entire swaths of people. He’s a delicate one, our Poeps.
27 Aug 2012, 15:54 pm
‘Dear Pat,
I write to you with some regret, Patrick. As coach of the team that was formerly a force in world rugby, I have the unpleasant job of informing my players who I pick on any given Saturday. The Springbuck (as Hugh Bladen calls it) stops with me you see.
I need to make a call this Saturday, as I know you were fairly pissed off (those were John Plumtree’s words) about not getting any game time against Argentina in Cape Town. It all comes down to experience Pat.
You see you only have 13 Test caps and are 21 years old. Yes, I know you have 35 Super Rugby caps and have scored 344 Super Rugby points but that doesn’t count you see. Your 22 Currie Cup caps are also fairly irrelevant too as who takes that thing seriously anymore besides Kevin De Klerk? I know you are more experienced than players like Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith and Sonny Bill Williams but that’s not how it works here in South Africa. How many Bulls caps do you have Pat?
’5 more up and unders and we’re done here people’
I would prefer to leave you on the bench Pat. Yes, for the whole game. You look like you could do with another 80 minutes of ‘chill time’ as you youngsters call it. What on earth you did for 80 minutes on the bench at Newlands, Naas Botha alone knows! While you’re on the bench his time Pat, take the time to read my game plan because after watching you in Super Rugby it is clear to me that you just don’t get it.
You persist on attacking the gain line Pat. Now anyone who knows anything about rugby knows that the best form of attack is defence! So kick the ball to the opposition and do some defending man. It’s pretty simple. Zane can explain.
Another thing you need to grasp, is this whole ‘tackling at the ankles’ thing. I know you do it but you really need to stop. Who is going to kick the next up and under if you’re getting involved in the dirty work? Beast Mtawarira?
So now you know what you need to work on, sit back and relax for another 80 minutes and watch Morne’s masterclass. See you on the flipside (isn’t that a cool thing to say to young okes?).
Cheers,
Heyneke Meyer (Unbeaten Bok Rugby Coach)’.
27 Aug 2012, 15:55 pm
@poppa69-428: Poppa basically with the bok game plan any second five wont shine, as the play stops at flyhalf, even with good ball Morne stands so deep its difficlut for any 12 attack the gain line and make meters. Even SBW wont shine in the bok setup as the game plans are so different. So its difficult really to judge Frans steyn.
27 Aug 2012, 15:56 pm
@Transformation-433: I’m convinced that Meyer sees sunlight shining through Potgieter that none of us can see. It’s just perplexing. You find yourself watching his game closely just to see what the hell it is that we are missing, that Meyer sees so clearly, and still we come up blank.
27 Aug 2012, 15:57 pm
@Monty15-442:
did you find it offensive that I suggested there may be drugs in sport, specifically boxing?
or is it that there has NEVER been a poor decision in a boxing match, and as such my words to that effect are unfounded?
is your boxing mate also your boyfriend?
27 Aug 2012, 15:58 pm
@Transformation-451: Are there still people on this site trying to gloss over the Meyergate scandal?
I am busy drafting a letter on behalf of SARU to Mr Barend van Graan. It goes something like this.
Dear sir,
Please collect the following from our lost property counter at HQ in CT:
1 x Head coach
1 x Forward/Attack coach (your blood…)
1 x Backline coach
1 x ‘D’ coach
Please be informed that the fee to release above mentioned articles, is 5.5 million (I see it more as a full refund for dodgy purchases)
Please act post haste.
The ‘Jurie’ has spoken.
Signed:
Judge, Jurie and Executioner.
27 Aug 2012, 15:59 pm
@poppa69-457: That’s 3 lines. You’re out of order.
27 Aug 2012, 16:00 pm
This whole Mendozagate experience has taught me one thing: a good Superugby/Currie Cup record does not translate to success at Test level, and HM is a good example of that. Also look at Robbie Deans, with numerous Super 12 titles but he still can’t produce consistently at the highest level. Rudolf Streauli had also come off a good campaign with the Sharks when he got the Bok job and I don’t need to remind you what happened! On the other hand, coaches who were plucked out of obscurity or who at least didn’t have any high profile jobs before tend to do well, i.e. Nick Mallett, Jake White, Peter de Villiers, etc.
27 Aug 2012, 16:00 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-452: Heyneke
Before the Mendoza Test: justifying DROPPING Keegan “It is always difficult playing the same team back to back. When I was more inexperienced as a coach you changed things depending on what the opposition wanted to believe. I now believe you have to force your game plan.
“You are only as good as the opposition allow you to be,” concluded Meyer.
After the debacle in Mendoza: questioned about team selection
“It is easy to throw players out and pick new ones, but that is not coaching, that is picking,” he told reporters at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg.
“I have been in this position a few times during my career as a coach and the easiest thing to do is just drop players – but that will not move the Springboks forward.
27 Aug 2012, 16:00 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-458:
how high up on heynek meyer’s list of priorities do you think the western cape is?
as if.
27 Aug 2012, 16:01 pm
Meyer is a twit. He hasn’t got the brains to drop Morne drop Zane and recall Brussow and change the game plan. You okes are gonna be very sad if you think he is not just another PDV clown
27 Aug 2012, 16:01 pm
@Transformation-451: Why does the worlds greatest scrumhalf have a to duck against his name
hahahahahahahah
27 Aug 2012, 16:02 pm
@rossoneri-456: Apparently he was selected for his added bulk to counter the Argies impressive rolling maul exploits. Didn’t make much of a difference in my opinion, in fact its quite ironic that the smallest loosie Daniels happened to make the biggest impact at the maul when he came on….making a turnover. But im not too concerned about Potgieter as i think ( i could be wrong) that he is merely a stop gap, and guys like Burger and Vermuelen are above him in the pecking order.
27 Aug 2012, 16:02 pm
@sharks_lover-450: ag i am just yanking his chain because he is so stubborn.
and he has the temerity to accuse meyer of having a one track mind
27 Aug 2012, 16:02 pm
@Mustard 455
Frans should switch to loosehead prop. In a certain light he could almost be Tony Woodcock’s doppelganger. I feel he could be the Boks’ new Okey Geffin, the goalkicking front rower. Seriously, he looks too hefty and ponderous for the midfield, I’d prefer him at 15. If he hit the line at speed he’d take some stopping, and back there, he’d have more time and space to slot some of those enormous 55m-60m droppies.
27 Aug 2012, 16:03 pm
@trupisero-454:
while you’re at why dont you draft a letter to plumtree asking him what the mother f was up with playing the froggy over patrick for most of the super 15.. huh..?..
is pat a fullback?
why di plm play him there in the super final?
how did that work out..?..
its ok
take your time…
27 Aug 2012, 16:04 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-462: you honest baxxies? hehe I can see the armband now, “justice against them nasty filthy hobbitses what rob us orcs”
27 Aug 2012, 16:05 pm
@trupisero-454: Classic!
27 Aug 2012, 16:06 pm
@Mustard-443: When your forwards coach is also your attack coach – don’t expect much of that
27 Aug 2012, 16:07 pm
@trupisero-454: bwaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
very funny.
lets just stick with morne. why start complicating things by having an actual decision maker at 10?
if i wasnt so annoyed on sat night i would have laughed at mallet and ashwins comments.
as it is, i was just more annoyed.
ffs, morne must get lost. he cant even kick his penalties?
27 Aug 2012, 16:07 pm
@Mustard-455: can agree to a point… would beinterested to see him play with another flyhalf to gauge his effectiveness, I do think his distribution skills need work.. much like an early Nonu who couldnt pass for rubbish, but he has worked on it to the extent that it is now one of his strengths..
27 Aug 2012, 16:07 pm
@poppa69-469:
ahh the old bait and switch
we wont fall for your divide and conquer tactics pops
eendrag maak mag (unity is strength)
27 Aug 2012, 16:07 pm
@Transformation-470: Willie G to duck…………………………explanation?
27 Aug 2012, 16:08 pm
@nama1-404:
nama1 – of the 15 names on the lists surprise, surprise you chose to isolate and target F Steyn’s rating.
F Steyn owns your thoughts. F Steyn owns you.
27 Aug 2012, 16:08 pm
@sharks_lover-439:
hater- such a harsh word that get bandied around way to easily.
I just don’t rate him as high as some of you okes. He is no Messiah.
@rangerman-444:
Let’s just say I believe you when you say you were throwing out some bait. You love to fish, after all.
Njaa, he was not good in the 1st game last week. Watch it again.
Morne was on his inside against Namibia during the RWC last year when he had such a “great” performance. He was the spark that set the back line alight in that game, according to most. Remember?
He will have to learn to work with that kind of ball because that is what he will get against the top sides.
27 Aug 2012, 16:08 pm
@Monty15-467: We wont see Frans at 15 any time soon. HM has made a commitment to him that he will play 12. The only way i foresee him at 15 is in 2 years time when Jaque Fourie returns, which would mean Jean moving back to 12 (from permitting) and Fransie to 15.
27 Aug 2012, 16:09 pm
i would sooner pick fouche at flyhalf than lambie
serioulsy
the kids got everything and bulk
27 Aug 2012, 16:10 pm
@nama1-435: how is it luck when you put the pressure on and actually look for the charge-down? that’s intent, not fortune. Charlie Hodgson made two of them this year in the 6N and Eng won 2 away games because of it.
Why the need to try to bash Steyn at any opportunity anyway? what is it about him you don’t like?
27 Aug 2012, 16:10 pm
it seems quite clear that our decision maker (under meyers plan) is supposed to be at 9.
but hougie is nowhere close and shouldnt have to be.
the same sharks players were playing an awesome brand of rugga at the end of the s15. plum must be fuming that they are getting a shithouse brand of rugby drilled into them at the boks.
meyer has time but he needs to get cracking and make it count now.
sharpish.
27 Aug 2012, 16:10 pm
lambie is too slow and hesitant
and small
27 Aug 2012, 16:11 pm
@poppa69-457
“is your boxing mate also your boyfriend?”
OMG, does that pass as wit here? Help me find the door. No, not to leave, I urgently need to barf. And, Poppa, with any luck you’ll be standing just outside the door when I projectile-vomit through it.
Please, if you’re going to be as lame as that, forget I’m even here. That inane ****-boyfriend query **** went out before the internet arrived. I’m cringing for you. Utterly.
27 Aug 2012, 16:11 pm
Bok squad being announced tomorrow….
meeting up again in Joburg Thursday….
27 Aug 2012, 16:12 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-474: its not me you have to worry about bru… its them kiwi coaches in your country, theyve already screwed over the lions (hence katmans vendetta
)..
Robbie is doing it to the aussies
and gatland has been doing it to the Welsh..
I am merely small fry in the whole divide and conquer strategy employed by Steve tew and all us kiwis..
27 Aug 2012, 16:13 pm
@nama1-477: mate, if you are comparing mornes supply of ball to his backline against namibia to this game then its clear you are reching hard
wake up.
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-479: ag now you are aving a larf.
douche…sorry, fouche, played one awesome game at cc level and suddenly he must play ahead of pat, a cc motm winner?
dont be silly.
27 Aug 2012, 16:13 pm
@nama1-477: Nah dude when you slate someone with every second word you type about that person?? it’s hate. no difference that the old Smitty hate in here, thus the 3rd grade names he is being called like Fat Steyn, but ya whatever floats ur boat,
27 Aug 2012, 16:13 pm
@Transformation-461:
As I have said before, the man comes across as extremely arrogant (and not self confident as what some would have us believe…)
Away from the rugby field, he seems a decent and moral fellow. But it seems he has declared himself ‘all knowing’ when it comes to anything rugby related.
And that is not an assumption from a ‘Capetonian’, it is what HE himself is throwing out there. Howthefuckelse can one interperet some of the things he says?
27 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
@rangerman-466:
wow @ temerity, great word. Meyer is a d o o s
27 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
MONTY15.Welcome to the site.You will find a lot of good,intelligent
and humorous people on both sides of the BOK/AB divide.Unfortunately
you will find a lot of dose as well.
Dose (ask Kevin Pietersen)
27 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
@rangerman-481:
true
he is not doing the job … at all
he has no sense of when to send it to a forward and keep bashing
and when to pass or skip pass to a midfield runner
when to box kick effectively or
when to slow the base clearance or speedily pass the base clearance
he really is a mixed bag at the moment and as the chief decision maker this is not on.
27 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
@Monty15-483:
and yet you felt it necessary to bite and respond..
some mighty dumb fish here today..
27 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
Which coach is more under pressure to win between Dingo and HM??, its going to be interesting, I can’t wait….
27 Aug 2012, 16:14 pm
@rangerman-486:
and it’s not like he proved himself against Pat 
27 Aug 2012, 16:15 pm
@poppa69-473: I don’t think there is any doubt of his aptitude at 12. Remember him playing along side butchie? His has all the skills and vision for a 12. However, i am a bit concerned with the additional weight his carrying. He doesn’t look as lean as he did say in 2009 for eg. and seems sluggish off the mark. And some of his decision making needs works…in this test if im not mistaken i think it was him who threw that cut out pass to Bekker when they had a 4 on 2 overlap which is unforgivingable, if the passes went through the hands it was a definite try. Things like that needs work.
27 Aug 2012, 16:15 pm
@grant10-484: The anticipation will kill me…. ***rolling rolling rolling rolling eyes***
27 Aug 2012, 16:15 pm
@Big Hit-480: nama probably thinks frans is keeping a more deserving player out of the 12 jersey though for the life of me i couldnt think who he would prefer?
charge downs arent lucky packet and scoring tries off them after they are achieved is not lucky packet either.
it takes skill and speed.
if it was sunni, nama and poops would be sliding off their chairs
27 Aug 2012, 16:15 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-468: michalak was the magic that undid the stormers defence, he was firing in brisbane too, it would’ve been stupid of plumtree to yank the frenchie out JUST to play lambie @ 10.
27 Aug 2012, 16:16 pm
@Humphrey-476:
All he owns is his ego. 7/10 just popped up at me.
The other okes ratings were at least acceptable albeit a point or two too high. All of them.
Nobody deserved more than a 5 imo.
27 Aug 2012, 16:17 pm
Trupisero @ 454.Good post.Would be funny if not so sad.Feel for the kid.
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