Flo’s fantastic opportunity
3 Sep 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes the under-utilised and often unappreciated phenom that is Francois Louw will have a chance to prove a point in the coming weeks.
Two weeks ago, I sat face to face with South African rugby’s forgotten man. Francois Louw was in a typically laid back mood on a bright morning in Bath, and we chatted about everything from rare Nicaraguan coffee to David Pocock’s fetching technique.
The flanker talked at length about a rugby-mad town that would be demanding more of Bath in the 2012-13 season. He spoke about being a leader, about playing the best rugby of his life, and how he planned to change the collective mindset of the Springbok selectors.
‘If you play well enough, they can’t ignore you,’ he said at the time. ‘I want to play so well that they will have to say, “We can’t ignore this guy, we need him, we want him to come back”. If I ever got the call, I would pack that bag pretty quickly. That would be fantastic.’
They were hopeful words, but there was substance in Louw’s assertion that he was in the form of his life.
I subsequently bumped into Gary Gold, former Springbok forward coach and now Bath’s director of rugby, and he grew exceedingly animated in stating a case for Louw as a Bok starter. And as Gold said at the time, Louw wouldn’t be lacking for match sharpness if Heyneke Meyer revised his foreign policy and began a phone call with ‘+44′.
I decided to check things out for myself. Bath had enjoyed an unbeaten run in the pre-season, and their final warm-up fixture against the Cardiff Blues at The Rec promised to be entertaining. There was always going to be value in gauging Louw’s form in such a contest, as he would be competing against one of the premier openside flankers on the planet, namely Wales’ Sam Warburton.
It was a wet night in Bath and it didn’t surprise me to see the halfback pairing of Michael Claassens and Olly Barkley kicking for territory. What did surprise me was the brutal efficiency of Bath’s pack, and the manner in which Louw flourished as a result.
Warburton on the other hand, was a non-factor. Louw outplayed the Welsh openside for steals on the floor, and contributed powerfully around the park. When he eventually left the field the soaked but never silenced Bath faithful stomped on the wooden floorboards to show their appreciation.
It was meant to be a performance that would build confidence ahead of an important Premiership campaign. It was mission accomplished as far as the pre-season was concerned, although Louw would have felt that his mission to convince Meyer of his value was just about to begin.
At the start of his tenure, Meyer stated that he would not pick overseas-based players unless they were better than those based in South Africa. It was easy to ignore Louw at that stage, as Meyer was still hopeful of Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen recovering from their respective injuries. There were also youngsters like Marcell Coetzee and Siya Kolisi to consider, not to mention Heinrich Brüssow and Keegan Daniel.
Injuries have thwarted Meyers plans, and he has been forced to recall Louw. It would be false to say that the Bath openside has convinced Meyer of his value through a strong performance in the English pre-season. It would be more accurate to say that Meyer selected Louw for lack of another experienced openside option.
However, that doesn’t suggest that Louw cannot change Meyer’s mind with an influential showing in what remains of the Rugby Championship.
A year ago, he left for Bath knowing that he had jeopardised his position at the Springboks. Two weeks ago, he spoke as if Bath were his primary focus and as if he wasn’t expecting a Test recall.
But the 27 year old has always believed that he would wear the Bok jersey again. He was adamant that the Boks’ World Cup quarter-final loss to Australia would not be his final international act.
‘I do still think about that game, but to be honest with you, I’ve never watched it again,’ Louw said.
‘It felt like we were doing everything right but we weren’t getting paid dividends for it. We weren’t getting points on the board. It was very disappointing.
‘Having said that, it’s always going to go down as one of the greatest times in my life. To be involved with the Springboks at a World Cup, even with a disappointing exit like that, was amazing. Was that the last Test for me? I hope not. I’m 27 years old, and I don’t feel like I’ve reached a watershed. I believe that I’m playing the best rugby of my career.
‘I definitely don’t want to see that as my last go at it all. Like I’ve said to you, I want to keep improving, I want to reach a level where they can’t ignore me, where they want me to come back. No, I refuse to see that as my last act. I’m going to try and get back into the side. That’s not really in my hands, what is in my hands is playing the best rugby that I can.’
Nobody could have predicted the season-ending injury to Kolisi that would eventually force Meyer to contact Louw. That bag was packed very quickly, and as you read this, Louw should be preparing to play against Australia in Perth this Saturday.
Louw outplayed Warburton on that soggy night in Bath, and he should be expected to give the Boks an edge in what many will view as a World Cup rematch. The significant difference on this occasion is that Pocock, who is out for the rest of the Rugby Championship with an injury, won’t be playing.
Louw would have expected to watch this match on TV, but now he will be in the thick of it. It was interesting to get his take on the Pocock injury prior to his own Test recall.
‘Besides the breakdown, Pocock has a helluva work rate. It will be a substantial loss for Australia. I think that is something that New Zealand have already capitalised on a little bit.
‘He did very well against us in that World Cup quarter-final. His absence is something that South Africa should look to exploit [in Perth]. They have to be efficient in that area, but I’m sure whoever they put in there is going to be hungry to prove themselves.’
As fate would have it, Louw now has the chance to put these words into action.
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202 Comments
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3 Sep 2012, 05:51 am
Unfortunately I don’t see this dragon starting…
3 Sep 2012, 05:52 am
Great
3 Sep 2012, 06:13 am
@Olivergm-1:
Hopefully he’ll be in the match 22…If he is, he’ll probably come on in the second half… Or HM might surprise and give him a start!
3 Sep 2012, 06:47 am
Heynke must start with FLO, they need to negate the obvious breakdown threat wich guys like Hooper and Gill pose, Flo is best suited to do this, start him HM .
3 Sep 2012, 06:50 am
And recall Keegan Daniels to the squad, he provides you with something different.
3 Sep 2012, 07:01 am
@touch.pause.engage-4:
how would flo negate the obvious breakdown threat which guys like hooper and gill pose?
3 Sep 2012, 07:13 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-6:
By competing on the ground ?
Something Potgieter ,Alberts and Coetzee can’t do, after Brussow FLo best suited for this role . We have been outplayed at the breakdown in virtually each game since HM took over , FLO will assist to ensure we are competitve in this aspect.
3 Sep 2012, 07:20 am
@touch.pause.engage-7:
so you’re saying a fetcher directly competes with the opposition fetcher/s?
on their ball or ours or both?
3 Sep 2012, 07:33 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-8: I think what he is saying is that Flo wont be waiting for the ball looking to carry (he can be an effective ball carrier as well)….he will be trying to attend every ruck trying to clean out to defend our ball or try and steal/slow down the opposition ball. We had too much ball carriers against Arg, no one was cleaning out. Something that Kolisi is also very good at, cleaning out and tackling.
I would start Flo at 6. Coetzee is brilliant but he looks a bit jaded. He had a big S15 with the Sharks flying all over. and he has played every game for the Boks so far if I am not mistaken. I would have him on the bench for this game.
I would start
6. Flo
7. Alberts
8. as much as it pains me that he is there while not being match sharp i would have to go with Vermeulen at 8.
Coetzee on the bench. He can come on for Vermeulen or Flo or even Alberts. Depends where he is needed.
3 Sep 2012, 07:40 am
Pretty much, so are you saying we don’t need a fetcher type player who can compete with the opposition who employ one ?
3 Sep 2012, 07:41 am
@Sasuke-9:
stealing/slowing down opposition ball on defence makes sense to me. designating a small, lighter weight player to clean out and defend our carriers on attack does not, though?
3 Sep 2012, 07:43 am
Flo’s opportunity???
A nonsense of note, sounds as if the man was begging the Boks to be included
Not the other way around?
3 Sep 2012, 07:44 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-11:
at ruck situations?
3 Sep 2012, 07:48 am
@touch.pause.engage-10:
i dont think its quite like that for a fetcher on attack though .
3 Sep 2012, 07:49 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-11: Flo is not small or lightweight. Thing is a smaller, light weight player as you say has the potential to get to the breakdown quicker than a bigger player, therefore ensuring a ruck is formed and the opposition need to take their hands out. But you have a point though.
The balance of the back row is vital. You cant just have ball carriers in your back row.
3 Sep 2012, 07:49 am
Very average dragon…but would allow the loose trio to have a balance
3 Sep 2012, 07:59 am
@Sasuke-15:
opportunities for counter rucking the small guy for one and the small guy cannot drive through the ruck as effectively as a lock, heavier flank or a front rower can, for two.
the style and type of cleanout is important too.
3 Sep 2012, 08:03 am
“At the start of his tenure, Meyer stated that he would not pick overseas-based players unless they were better than those based in South Africa.”
Genius.
3 Sep 2012, 08:05 am
I think flo would adapt more at the breakdowns as he plays in the northen hem because of the refs coming from the northen hem aswell.. I believe in my mind he needs to start with coetzee or alberts coming off the bench…
Something like
8-vermeulen
7-louw
6-coetzee
Or
8-vermeulen
7-alberts
6-louw
And I hope heineke give my morne o morne the booth and start with
9-hougaard
10-goosen/lambie to oust the playmaking of genia/cooper… Then I know we will come good
3 Sep 2012, 08:05 am
A case can also be made to drop Bekker to the bench, Juandre to start and Flip to the grand stand.
3 Sep 2012, 08:09 am
@xtremebull-19:
I’d go with the latter option, Coetsee to the bench.
3 Sep 2012, 08:13 am
Juandre is poor.
3 Sep 2012, 08:16 am
Lets hope sanity prevails and Flo starts .. Pls can we pack off Potgeiter until he learns some smarts, Aus and NZ are a big step up from Eng and Arg !!
There are not enough cerebral players for me in Boks, you need a Brussow or at least Flo
3 Sep 2012, 08:32 am
@W.P-22:
Compared to the drivel Bekker has been serving these last few weeks? Hardly….
Slipping tackles, loafing in the backline, hardly imposing at line-out time. Take your pic sir
3 Sep 2012, 08:34 am
@W.P-22: No, Juandre has been awsome, best lineout player we have, Bekker is just tall and fast. And I am a stormers fan. Bekker has a poor quiter attitude, this stems from his lack of commitment. His character is not good enough for the toughest rugby games. Look at the games he is poor, he gets upset, looks like he wants to moan. Juandre looks focused and calm, what you need come important lineouts.
3 Sep 2012, 08:34 am
@Doughnut-23:
I agree, it’s been worrying me for a while. At the moment it’s all brawn and no brains.
3 Sep 2012, 08:38 am
The thing about fetchers (Brussow, Flow) is this, the can steal the ball, they can tackle and they can carry the ball.
Ball carriers (ALberts, Coetzee, Vermeulen) can only tackle, carry ball and are extra lineout options.
In the end you choose between an extra lineout option or the abillity to steal the ball at the ruck.
All you need is four lineout options. (Take into account that Richie takes at least 2-3 lineout balls per match for Saders/ ABs and he is only 1.85 meters tall.)
3 Sep 2012, 08:46 am
@goodstuff-27:
Correct , the added bonus you get with Flo is that he is also provides you with a lineout option.
3 Sep 2012, 08:56 am
Please start with this guy, please!!!!!
3 Sep 2012, 08:56 am
Stephen Nell
KAAPSTAD. – Maak Francois Louw sommer dadelik deel van jou lostrio.
Dís die raad van Gary Gold, hoofafrigter van Bath, aan die Springbok-breier, Heyneke Meyer, met die oog op Saterdag se stryd in die Rugby-kampioenskap teen Australië in Perth.
“Ek dink Marcell Coetzee, Francois Louw en Willem Alberts sal ’n goeie kombinasie wees,” het Gold, wat in 2011 nog die Bokke se voorspelers geslyp het, gesê.
“Al drie is sterk baldraers, maar jy sal nou gevaarliker op die grond wees. Marcell is self nie sleg by die afbreekpunte nie. Dié kombinasie sal Adriaan Strauss ook toelaat om in beter posisies op die verdediging te kom.”
Gold sal Duane Vermeulen eers op die Bokke se plaasvervangersbank kies, omdat twyfel ná sy onlangse terugkeer van ’n ernstige kniebesering oor sy wedstrydfiksheid bestaan. Alberts kan intussen as agtsteman speel, meen hy.
Die Bokke se besluit om Louw nader te trek, hou waarskynlik verband daarmee dat ’n trio van Coetzee, Alberts en Jacques Potgieter hulle sonder ’n speler laat wat die baljagter-rol vertolk.
“As jy teen die Wallabies en All Blacks se oopkantflanke van wêreldgehalte te staan kom, het jy ook iemand nodig wat met elke tweede of derde losskrum die teenstander se besit kan stadig maak of omkeer. Ek is uit ’n selfsugtige oogpunt teleurgesteld om Flo te verloor, maar terselfdertyd bly vir hom. Ek weet hoe passievol hy oor die Bokke is.”
Louw het al 10 toetse gespeel, maar dis sy Australasiese reiservaring wat hom waardevol kan maak.
“Dit sal vir hom geen probleem wees om dadelik in die Bokke se beginspan in te skakel nie. Hy het al telkemale daarheen gereis en weet presies hoe om vlugflouheid te oorkom,” het Gold gesê.
“Ons het by Bath ’n voorseisoen van nege weke agter die rug en het vier voorseisoense wedstryde gespeel. Flo is uitgerus en in die beste fisieke toestand ooit.”
Wat die Bokke se probleme betref, bepleit Gold perspektief.
“Ons het in die vorige era deurwinterde leiers van die streekspanne – John Smit (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Bulls), Schalk Burger en Jean de Villiers (Stormers) en Juan Smith (Cheetahs) – gehad. Heyneke het geen ander keuse nie as om ’n nuwe generasie te kweek. Dit gaan tyd neem om nuwe leiers te ontwikkel.”
En die wedstrydplan?
“Ons (vorige afrigtingspan) moes vir vier jaar **** dat ons wedstrydplan verkeerd was, maar het groot seges behaal. Ons weet mos die Bokke word goed afgerig en die ouens weet hoe om ’n wedstrydplan te formuleer. Die boustene vir die volgende Wêreldbeker-toernooi word nou gelê.”
3 Sep 2012, 09:02 am
Te veel Afrikaans te vroeg in die oggend>
3 Sep 2012, 09:04 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-11: Louw weighs 112kg, he is by no means a small player. To put that into context, Spies is 107kg, Cpetzee 108kg and Schalk Burger also 112kg. Only Alberts 119kg, Vermeulen and Potgieter, both 114kg is heavier than him.
That is what makes Louw such a great loose forward to have in the team, he is as effective as a fetcher and a cleaner at ruck time, and at 6ft 2 inches he is a good line out option as well.
3 Sep 2012, 09:08 am
Juandre does not get stuck in period. His walkabout against the Crusaders was embarrassing.
3 Sep 2012, 09:11 am
I do admit of late Bekker is no better. Elstadt and Etsebeth for locks!
3 Sep 2012, 09:14 am
@grant10-30:
honestly, does gold have any credibilty to give advice?
@Pypkan-32:
ok thanks.
he’s heavier than i imagined him to be, going by his physique/build.
i think jetlag might be a consideration with the coaches though.
3 Sep 2012, 09:21 am
@W.P-33: against England Juandre was industrious Bekker is decidedly behind work-rate wise.
3 Sep 2012, 09:23 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-35: yes he does…
3 Sep 2012, 09:24 am
Flo’s selection is proof that HM is learning from his mistakes. He knows now the boks need a fetcher.
Brussouw and Flo will probably feature in the starting lineup from now on.
Im more concerned about Vermeulen making the #8 jersey his own.
I hate to say it but the balance just wasnt there after Spies got injured and the back 3 havent clicked very well. Vermeulen needs to step up and take over from Spies as the first choice 8. And now that Kanko is playing abroad the picking order is probably as follows:
1.Vermeulen/Spies
2.Spies/Vermeulen
3. Kanko
Seems Daniel failed his test and Alberts is best suited at 7…
3 Sep 2012, 09:24 am
the boks and HM have been forced into a corner here
without brussouw, Flo is the only option
IMO i dont rate Flo as test match quality, hes always been a good s15 player but nothing more than that
Potgieter has been a good CC player but nothing more yet he seems first in line in the backrow??
regardless of who he picks, FLO or Brussouw or Potgieter, we are going to LOSE!
HEYNEKE OUT
3 Sep 2012, 09:27 am
id really like to see Paul Jordaan and Raymond Rhule get a chance in the bok squad
we cant keep carrying players like Habana and JDV- theyre over the hill
seriously we need change at 13 and 14 ASAP
the sooner these guys get a chance, the better for the country going forward for the next few years
3 Sep 2012, 09:28 am
I see now that HM has dropped a few Sharks players their supporters no longer like the guy.
At least us Stomers/Province supporters are being proved right…
Soon the Bull supporters will be singing – another one bites the dust with the choir…
3 Sep 2012, 09:30 am
@jacoshark-40:
… and how many more Stormers players. How about Etsebeth/Bekker then they are all out…
I say maak al die Sharks bokke and then Durban is happy…
3 Sep 2012, 09:32 am
@Gumboots-41:
you as a stormers/wp fan are accustomed to the disgusting style of rugby the boks are employing
im not at all surprised youre happy with HM and the style
3 Sep 2012, 09:33 am
IT is funny now that SPies is injured we seem to be a bit light in the no8 position.
I would like to see:-
6.Flo
7.Alberts
8.Spies
3 Sep 2012, 09:34 am
@Gumboots-42:
bekker out- hes a clown, wway too soft for test rugby
etsebeth is worldclass- the only player in the whole boks squad that has been consistently dominant in his position
id much prefer the etsebeth-kruger combination
i thought they were very strong in the england series
3 Sep 2012, 09:36 am
@Transformation-37:
on what grounds?
he was an average assistant coach of note.
lets see how he does at bath before singing praises.
3 Sep 2012, 09:36 am
jacoshark #45 – What do you mean Bekker out? Is he injured again?
3 Sep 2012, 09:38 am
@jacoshark-39: I would give HM some time, he needs to get Wayne Smith in real fast … support staff are as important as Head coach.
As you say Brussow injured as is Shalk and Biz who would probably have played as fetcher types. Coonie also fetchs so I wonder if HM fighting the system in capping a whole rank of players …
I sound defensive of HM I know and totally agree with you that Pots is absolute cr*p and will never make the Juan mould so what he is doing there beggers belief.
In addition you cannot only play kick chase .. we need a plan for backline .. see wayne smith.
3 Sep 2012, 09:38 am
Let’s hope that Louw improves on he’s previous bok performances.
3 Sep 2012, 09:39 am
@race of tan-47:
no, i just wouldnt choose him
he is not hard enough for test rugby
he is what most ppl would call a “ruck inspector”
doesnt get involved at all
same with adriaan strauss
btw, wouldnt be surprised if bekker were injured
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