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, 18:48 pm
@The Analyst-648:
I agree. HM is the best. But he can’t have 4 years. Sorry. That sounds like the ANC buying time. We are four weeks away from world domination. He just needs to get the neanderthals out and the true Bokke in.
27 Aug 2012, 18:48 pm
@Dusky-647:
Mate – of course it was. They were outplayed at forward. How can you play when you are getting drilled up front?
How can you have Plan B if you cannot execute Plan A because the forwards are getting blasted???
NO TEAM can play when there forwards are getting creamed – even if you have Plan A, B, C, D. Not even the mighty All Blacks can e.g. like the Irish did to them in 2nd June Test.
Come on all. Get some perspective.
27 Aug 2012, 18:49 pm
There hasnt been enough indignation over Johan Van Graan our forwards AND backs coach. I read that this no-name brand is apparently the son of the Blue Bulls CEO. How lovely.
27 Aug 2012, 18:50 pm
@Spiesisworthless1-653:
It is a disgrace.
27 Aug 2012, 18:53 pm
@The Analyst-639:
I’ve been saying that for a while. He is 5 matches into his coaching time with the Boks. His win ratio might look low at 60%. But people forget that his loss ratio is a paltry 0% as we speak. That’s it – not one loss last time I checked.
And all of a sudden they want to throw Heyneke under the bus.
Of the remaining 3 matches in this RC, I would expect wins against Australia home and away. And no Bok team should ever take the field at home wearing the underdog status.
The AB’s will be a massive ask in Dunedin. Not too many Bok coaches go to NZ and come back win a win.
I’m prepared to reserve judgement until after the EOYT. That to me seems reasonable.
27 Aug 2012, 18:53 pm
@Spiesisworthless1-653: Isnt ricardo loubsher the backs coach? or am i mistaken….
27 Aug 2012, 18:53 pm
@Jinx2-645:
Fair point Jinxy.
Naka also talks into the walkie talkie but holds it in his left hand and it looks a lot cooler; not sure why but it does. He also seems a lot more composed.
I’m sure if we meet Heyneke in person he is prolly an excellent bloke but he needs to chill. He seems too operational/hands-on and should assume a more strategic role – can he make the switch or does he crave the control too much?
27 Aug 2012, 18:55 pm
@Jinx2-651:
It won’t happen. It is impossible for a coach to do this in such a short time. I am not sure what Jakes time frame was but he was appointed the year before when Straulie got fired.
I think Heyneke has got it right so far and is doing the best he can.
The boks need to perfect the simple way of playing FIRST before they can move to the fancy stuff. FFS it took the Sharks the first half of the S15 season and losses to everyone (including Lions!!!) before they hit their straps!
27 Aug 2012, 18:58 pm
@Mustard-656: He’s also in the mix, yeah. Assistant coach.
27 Aug 2012, 18:58 pm
@Mustard-656:
I think Laubscher is indeed the backline coach
Would it not be amazing if Wayne Smith could coach our backlines for some time?
It just seems that our understanding and philosophy about backline play is 5 years behind say ABs if not more
27 Aug 2012, 18:59 pm
@Sheriff-657:
Ja. Cos Naka has a Klippies and coke in the right hand under the table. My kinda coach!
27 Aug 2012, 18:59 pm
Heyneke Meyer – Head coach
Johan van Graan – Forwards
Ricardo Loubscher – Backs
John McFarland – Defense
Basil Carzis – Conditioning
Ian Schwartz – Team Manager
27 Aug 2012, 19:04 pm
@I am a stormer-655:
I agree.
Wait until HM has ALL his players, structures and ammo available and has tweaked his team, getting to know them and weeding out good and bad players.
To get the best coaching team and management team this takes TIME and PLANNING.
The poor guy got a serious hospital pass – from the P Divvy debacle, the being appointed in FEBRUARY this year ….. and expected to produce the results???
27 Aug 2012, 19:05 pm
@Mustard-662:
Is this a 100% Bulls crew?
27 Aug 2012, 19:05 pm
Next fixtures on the 7 September. No international rugby this weekend. HM will have to endure the media attacks on the Boks display against the Argies for 2 weeks. Until the Aus game when they turn things around.
27 Aug 2012, 19:06 pm
@Sheriff-664: Yes it is.
27 Aug 2012, 19:06 pm
@Jinx2-649:
When Juandre started playing for the Boks I thought he was another “boontjierank” like Bekker, very good in the lineouts but shy of the physical stuff.
He proved me wrong against the Poms and he’s not injury prone like Bekker
27 Aug 2012, 19:07 pm
@The Analyst-663:
I think the concern is the game plan.
In other words, if you get 100% execution against the ABs you will lose 30-10 as oppose to 45-10
27 Aug 2012, 19:07 pm
Read a good tweet this morning…Plan A for HM is playing up and unders. Plan B is Gary Owens
27 Aug 2012, 19:07 pm
the backline plays so far behind the advantage line because the flyhalf is so deep in the pocket. We need to improve speed of ruck ball, by changing scrumhalf to Pienaar, and instruct current flyhalf to play more directly, or change flyhalves. Bulls flyhalf Fouche looks like a good player, but a bit too early to judge. I though that Walsh allowed the argies to get away with playing the ball on the ground too much – wasnt a fair contest. that said we didnt adapt and are too slow to get to the breakdown to contest properly.
27 Aug 2012, 19:10 pm
@Sheriff-660:
The scary thing is SA has the resources to hire the guy! BUT it will take 12-24 months to get him!!
There needs to be a master plan in place to recruit the BEST coaching and management team available.
Why is this so F…..ing hard in SA?
Imagine if Apple fired its CEO and did not have anyone to replace him???? The board would be fired on its arse by the shareholders.
The sooner SA Rugby starts being run like a professional sports organisation with the FULL backing of the resources at its disposal in a professional way, the sooner we will all see the results we want and feel that we can produce.
This is THE ONLY difference between NZ and SA rugby, and is the NZ competitive advantage. That is it.
Don’t blame Meyer. He is a proven S14 title winning coach.
27 Aug 2012, 19:10 pm
Saturday’s result was the best th!ng that could’ve happened to the Boks and rugby !n general. We d!dn’t lose but th!s w!ll be hell of a wake up call. Also the Arg!es are happy ’cause they manage a draw wh!ch w!ll more than l!kely be the!r best result of the Rugby Champ!onsh!p.
27 Aug 2012, 19:11 pm
@Sheriff-668:
Sherrif – NO game plan will work if you do not win the forward battle. Period.
27 Aug 2012, 19:16 pm
Getting there
Almost 1000
Yawn
27 Aug 2012, 19:16 pm
@The Analyst-671: Wayne Smith won’t join SA, the NZ media and NZRU will put pressure on him not to move. He almost joined Lancaster at the RFU but the NZRU pulled out all the stops to keep him.
27 Aug 2012, 19:21 pm
@Big Hit-675:
Heyneke should try to get Todd Lauden again, he was his attack coach in 2007
27 Aug 2012, 19:22 pm
@Humphrey-603:
lol – pretty impressive tho, think he’s fluent in french too.
27 Aug 2012, 19:24 pm
Yawn Dawn
Manne, wat gaan hier aan vandag?
Droom ek, of het die Bokke wragtig gelykop gespeel teen die Argies?
27 Aug 2012, 19:24 pm
@Big Hit-675:
Only thing that will keep him is a promise that he is ‘next in line’ to coach the ABs … which is OBVIOUSLY what he has gotten.
This is what I mean about the ABs and NZ. They are thinking 4 years ahead. GONE are the John Hart days …. it is Pro Ball now days.
I just frikking PRAY the Boks get there one day …. and it will ONLY happen under Meyer.
27 Aug 2012, 19:25 pm
@The Analyst-671:
Why are you defending Meyer?
Meyer has come into the role and articulated his philosophy namely ‘direct rugby’; that to my understanding is: do not seek out the space between the players but rather run directly onto the opponent with the view to dominate him physically.
This view or approach is flawed to the core. The reality is that just because a player is 122 kg and the opponent is say 112 kg; it does not follow that the heavier one will dominate. If the latter’s technique is superior then you get directly the opposite result.
Meyer’s clear bias is towards bigger players which is not different from Jake White’s.
A smarter way would be to say: I want players that can front up physically but most importantly have the skills that can help us create try scoring opportunities.
I think I need to remind you how Meyer became a Super 12 winning coach; Bryan Habana scored a try in the 83rd minute, in other words, it could have gone either way. Frans Ludeke’s win over the Chiefs was a lot more convincing and emphatic.
27 Aug 2012, 19:27 pm
@Sheriff-680:
> Frans Ludeke’s win over the Chiefs was a lot more convincing and emphatic.
With the team Heyneke built
From scratch
Using U/20 players
27 Aug 2012, 19:28 pm
@The Analyst-679:
Also, my first changes would be:
1) FIRE the SARU executive and tear up whatever bullshit charter they have.
2) Appoint a professional Board of Directors – each with only 4 year terms.
3) HIRE a CEO of SA Rugby with the job description to make South Africa Rugby the best in the World.
Simple.
27 Aug 2012, 19:30 pm
The Alalyst @ 565.Amen to that.
27 Aug 2012, 19:30 pm
You have more chance of tearing up the Consitution.
27 Aug 2012, 19:30 pm
Alalyst=Analyst
27 Aug 2012, 19:31 pm
@Sheriff-680:
I defend him because he is playing the game plan at them moment so as not to lose. He hasn’t. He has not had the time nor the right personnel (both players and coaching and management) to do otherwise.
The ‘skills that can help us create try scoring opportunities’ will come once they have mastered the first part.
27 Aug 2012, 19:32 pm
@ryecatcher-685:
Freudian slip there ryecatcher? Showing your true colours?
Grow up man.
27 Aug 2012, 19:34 pm
@victoriabok-681:
And that is exactly my point.
27 Aug 2012, 19:36 pm
YoMama@574.Double Amen
27 Aug 2012, 19:37 pm
Keo’s comments are accurate & a comparison with the ABs right. I too have concerns with Heyneke’s rugby philosophy (& I’m a bulls supporter).
For years we’ve heard that Jake’s success was built on Heyneke’s foundation… Wld love a quote from VM or FdP on Saturday’s woeful performance.
However to be fair, on Saturday the Aussies wld have lost and the AB’s won in the last 10mins (2 quick tries).
27 Aug 2012, 19:39 pm
@The Analyst-673:
It is naive to think that in 2012 you come out as coach and state that your strategy is to dominate with the forwards.
That is par for the course; you have to compete and be secure of your scrums and line-outs and obviously at the breakdown. But it will not let you win games; the differentiator will be to surprise your opponent or keeping him guessing which create opportunities in itself.
Heyneke has had close contact with the Boks ( Victor and Fourie du Preez) for more than 4 years /probably closer to 8 and should have been better prepared in terms of how he wants to play.
Without a dangerous backline at international level your chances of winning are severely limited. Because it’s a game of constant movement, the aspect of pace or speed becomes important. For that reason, you want to get the ball to your backline so they can create the gap or advance over the adv line. By passing to forwards you are slowing things down considerably in at least 2 ways:
1. The passing is not as crisp i.e the ball takes longer to reach the recipient
2. The recipient if a forward is that extra yards slower
This enables the defence to re-organise and defend with multiple layers. Also because things are happening slower a defender can defend several times in one wave of attack.
Surely these are the basics.
27 Aug 2012, 19:40 pm
@Train-690:
Train. Why don’t you go and put on the ABs vs Irish game, 2nd Test in June, and then compare that to Saterday?
That was the AB wake up call. Everyone needs one sometimes.
27 Aug 2012, 19:40 pm
Not in SA so not tuned into latest news… Will Schalk and Juan be back anytime soon? We need them and Bekker needs to be dropped and Hougie needs to go back to the bench (until his got his confidence back)
27 Aug 2012, 19:42 pm
Analyst – agree Irish game was ABs wake up call. I thought the Boks in PE was their wake-up call?
27 Aug 2012, 19:42 pm
@victoriabok-681:
But Frans coached them with Slaptjips as assistant
Why is Frans not allowed some credit?
27 Aug 2012, 19:43 pm
@victoriabok-681: may be true, but Meyer never had the Bulls playing the way Ludeke did, for a time under him they were phenomenal, almost unbeatable.
27 Aug 2012, 19:44 pm
Also Prrhaps JL Potgieter not Test rugby standard
27 Aug 2012, 19:45 pm
@The Analyst-686:
He does not have the plan to win at international level. Period.
Just wait and see.
PdV had the perfect game plan namely total rugby: attack AND defence; forward play AND backline play
Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez bullied team back to the ‘verkrampte’ style of rugby.
27 Aug 2012, 19:45 pm
Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will be managed carefully through to the next World Cup??????????
Are you smoking boom keo?
27 Aug 2012, 19:48 pm
@Sheriff-698:
You must be a comedian
Lol PDV had the perfect plan
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