No change for change’s sake
11 Sep 2012
RYAN VREDE writes that any positional alterations the Springboks make in the coming weeks must be with a longer term plan in mind.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has consistently spoken about not making emotionally-driven selections. He has, however, also stressed that he will give a player two chances to fail before cutting them. This ruthless rhetoric hasn’t been backed up with action.
It was always going to be difficult for Meyer to meet that standard given the string of injuries to key senior and back up players. His resources across most positions are thin. Besides this, some players demand a greater degree of faith than others, provided they have previously been successful in their positions.
Morné Steyn benefited from such faith in 2011 under Peter de Villiers and now with Meyer. There are mitigating factors for his poor form, but none strong enough to justify his continued selection. The return to fitness of Johan Goosen has offered Meyer an alternative to Steyn at flyhalf. Pat Lambie represents another option there, as well as at fullback, where Zane Kirchner’s aptitude for Test rugby has yet to be established. Like Steyn, there is a strong sense that his time is up.
In Francois Louw Meyer gains a player who is a perfect fit for his ideal of what an opensider should be. Meyer has maintained that he cannot accommodate a specialist breakdown scavenger, stressing that he has to be a competent ball-carrier as well. Louw has proven his capacity in both disciplines with the Springboks and Stormers in Super Rugby (before he moved to Bath in late 2011). Given the Springboks’ struggle to manage the tempo and flow of the opposition’s attacks throughout the Rugby Championship (or indeed to profit from attacking unset defensive lines from turnover ball), it is imperative that they strengthen their cause in this regard with Louw’s inclusion.
I also feel there needs to be an investment in Andries Bekker at No 5 lock. Expectations were high for Bekker when he first emerged. It was thought he would be the natural successor to Victor Matfield, a billing he has failed to realise. His inconsistency as a starter in 2012 has been deeply frustrating and there is some concern among the Springboks’ coaching staff that he doesn’t have the temperament to excel in high pressure situations. He, however, remains a player with the ability to stir genuine concern in the opposition’s lineout unit through his presence alone. He needs to greatly improve his general play and devote more time to his analysis of defensive lineout situations. Meyer also needs to panelbeat his mind. But in the absence of any better options, Bekker must be developed.
Ruan Pienaar is in the position to establish himself at scrumhalf after years of living in Fourie du Preez and Ricky Januarie’s shadows. Like Bekker, his mental toughness when the heat is applied concerns Meyer, but he needs to be given the opportunity to prove that his time in Ireland with Munster has refined him in this regard.
Whatever changes are made this week or thereafter need to be made with a clear vision in mind. They cannot be a reaction to public and media pressure – moves designed to appease those parties. Similarly if Meyer opts to stick with the incumbents, he must do so with unwavering conviction, playing them in the home Tests as well and maintaining belief in their ability to successfully execute their tactical directives.
I can deal with either scenario provided there is a clear vision driving those choices.
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35 Comments
11 Sep 2012, 11:49 am
No change Dragons
11 Sep 2012, 11:50 am
Frustrated Lambie wants to impress Meyer
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by Jason Humphries 11 September 2012, 09:36
Patrick Lambie expressed his frustration on Tuesday with his bit-part role with the Springboks during this year’s Rugby Championship but said that he would do everything in his power to prove to coach Heyneke Meyer that he is ready for a role in South Africa’s starting XV.
Utility back Lambie has been on the bench for all three of South Africa’s Rugby Championship matches this season but he failed to make an appearance in the two tests against Argentina and played just 10 minutes in the 26-19 loss to Australia in Perth.
Lambie is certain to be named on the bench again for Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday and said that all he could do to break into South Africa’s run-on XV is to just work harder.
“I’m desperate for some game time. I’ve been training hard, as hard if not harder than the guys that have been starting to try and get into the starting XV. I’m hoping and looking forward to some more game time and making the most of my opportunity. If I get a chance to get on the field I will be doing all that I can to impress the coach and other players,” he told reporters in Auckland where South Africa are basing themselves before making the move to Dunedin on Thursday.
“It was really nice to get on the field against Australia. I sat on the bench for the other two games and didn’t get on, which was very disappointing and a bit frustrating so it was nice to get on albeit for 10 minutes.
“It’s not much time to do anything but I got my hands on the ball a couple of times, cleaned a few rucks and did everything that I could, unfortunately it was a bit too late,” he added.
Lambie was used at flyhalf and fullback by his franchise team The Sharks during this year’s Super Rugby season but Meyer has made it clear that he views the talented 21-year-old as a fullback.
Lambie, who has amassed 14 caps during his fledgling career, said that he did not mind where he played as long as he was starting.
“I’ve had an ankle injury so I’ve played all of 10 minutes of rugby in the last six weeks and before that 80 minutes in the last 10 weeks so I’m feeling fresh and raring to go.
“I just want to be in the starting line-up so whether that is at fullback or flyhalf I don’t mind at the moment. It would have been really nice to have got some game time at flyhalf against Argentina but, in saying that, if I get time at fullback this weekend that will be great too,” he explained.
Lambie was quick to play down suggestions that the Springboks are simply a kick-and-chase team but conceded that the Boks could have launched a few more counter-attacks with ball at hand against Australia, something which had been discussed during the team’s post-match review.
“If you look at the stats from the weekend Australia actually kicked five more times than we did so the whole perception that we are just kicking everything away and chasing and hoping for the best is actually false.
“Maybe the mindset had been that we were going to kick contestable kicks back onto Australia so the whole team wasn’t working hard enough to get back to give the guys catching those balls the opportunity to counter-attack. It was something that was mentioned yesterday and I am sure that we will address it this week in training,” he concluded
11 Sep 2012, 11:50 am
Herr Himmler Heyneke
Give Lambie a chance….
11 Sep 2012, 11:53 am
Here comes Ryan again, acting as if he can teach HM anything about rugby.
Every single Muppit on this site knows the info you have written above. This is not journalism, it is regurgitation of public opinion.
11 Sep 2012, 11:53 am
If HM persists with M Steyn on the home leg…..
well lets just say I will be rather dissapointed….
11 Sep 2012, 11:54 am
and if HM does not choose a fit Brussow on the home leg…..
well lets just say I will be rather dissapointed.
11 Sep 2012, 11:55 am
Lambie should be chosen as #10 this Saturday.
Boks have nothing to lose. Another bad game by Morne wont help his confidence.
Lambie will be able to prove his worth against the best opposition available.
Goosen should get another 10 or 20 minutes at the end. Hopefully it isnt chaos by then.
11 Sep 2012, 11:58 am
@grant10-3:
Shut up.
11 Sep 2012, 12:01 pm
Jantjes ahead of Lambie. Can’t understand why he’s not with the team.
11 Sep 2012, 12:10 pm
Lambie MUST NOT play 10… Any set up to fail farkups will justify any faith in Morne Steyn…
Let Steyn show us his mettle against the ABs.
Let Zane show us too…
Lambie and Goosen for a 20 min Cameo at the end… Not 10 mins. 20 mins should be enough to show any difference to the starting benchmarks.
11 Sep 2012, 12:14 pm
Lambie should be at 10, enough is enough lambie to start Goosen to replace give him 25mins at least.
M Steyn to, go back to the B Bulls to regain his kicking abilities. We have Pienaar who can slot penalties over if need be. I think Janjies should be in the mix as well. But feel sorry for both lambie and janjies, as Goosen will take the 10 spot eventually.
11 Sep 2012, 12:16 pm
@Heavens Game-10:
I tend to agree ….
Let HM blue eyed boys get him out the mess….
11 Sep 2012, 12:19 pm
And now he can’t change his mind even if wants to?
Honestly do you guys sit down to pee?
If Lambie and Goosen’s are better lets give them the chance to show us.
11 Sep 2012, 12:23 pm
@grant10-12: 100%
These “experienced” stalwarts must show the youngsters how its done against the ABs.
JDV
M Steyn
Hougaard
Zane
To the forefront…
On another front Beast, Alberts, Vermeulen, Strauss, F Steyn better pull finger and play themselves to standstill…
They are playing with that fear you been talking about… They are but shadows of their previous selves in a Bok jersey and in their S15 guises…
This is worrying me no end.
11 Sep 2012, 12:24 pm
Pathetic attitude to have really.
11 Sep 2012, 12:25 pm
@gunther-13: Yes… Agree. But why not be objective about it at the same time – let the incumbents start, and then bring on the pretenders in the last 20 mins to have a meaningful effect on the game. Not a 10minute whisper in the wind like last week.
11 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
Heavens Game #14 – That fear you mentioned is coming from the coach. A Good coach is able to put his players at ease and protect from the pressures that only the coach should feel.
Everyone bleats on about how a hurt Bok is a dangerous Bok, never seen it, a happy Bok is a dangerous Bok. When you see smiles and relaxed expressions that is a dangerous Bok!!!!
Maybe an injection of youth at 10 etc might inject some enthusiasm in the Bok team!!
11 Sep 2012, 12:43 pm
HM is filled with fear…..
and the Boks know it….and are playing like robots….not prepared to risk or innovate….just going through the motions….
HM needs to relax a bit more….he wont last long if he doesent embrace the pressure and use it in a positive manner….
11 Sep 2012, 12:56 pm
@Heavens Game-16:
I’d say give Goose at least a half.
Lambie should start at 15.
11 Sep 2012, 13:03 pm
grant10 – I reckon the only change for this Saturday aprt from the inforced injuries is to swap MSteyn for Lambie. Leave M Steyn on the bench, Let Lambie have 60-70 minutes and the give Goosen athe last 10/20 minutes. If things go horribly wrong then bring on M Steyn!! Simples
11 Sep 2012, 13:03 pm
@race of tan-17: Maybe… But backs against eh wall, fire and brimstone also does a world of good instead of some of this psycho profiling mumbo jumbo that Heyneke seems to be obsessed with…
Case in Point – NZ vs Boks, Kings Park… under Mallet… come from behind win against all odds and consequent 3N win… Farken fire and brimstone at half time.
Another case: England vs Boks after Scotland loss… Fire and Brimstone from the first whistle.
No shiny happy Boks there in either case.
11 Sep 2012, 13:05 pm
@gunther-19: Lambie should have started the last 4 games already… Naah, let Zane kill the AB’s with the one-two-step-Moer the sky Mortarbomb…
Lambie can come pick up the pieces of shrapnel at 20 mins.
11 Sep 2012, 13:11 pm
@race of tan-20: if things go wrong bring on M Steyn???
WTF he gonna do about it?
He is the reason things have been going wrong…..[ or at least part of the reasons].
As far as I am concerned M Steyn should never wear green and gold again.
with Jantjes, Lambie and Goosen he should be playing in Pretoria or Japan…
11 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm
@gunther-8:
shut up (susan shabangu)
11 Sep 2012, 13:40 pm
@Heavens Game-22:
That’s churlish thinking.
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-24:
Susan has more emotional maturity than our Grantie.
11 Sep 2012, 13:42 pm
@grant10-23: Hear hear!
11 Sep 2012, 13:49 pm
HM is starting to shoot from the hip like PDivvy. He said the following yesterday: Ek weet julle wil hê ons moet net die bal vat en deur die verdediging hardloop, maar dit werk gewoonlik net in die flieks. Dit werk nie meer op dié vlak nie.”
WTF? Which movies?
11 Sep 2012, 13:49 pm
@gunther-25: Of course its churlish thinking… No apologies from me.
Let Morne and Zane shoot their siege guns right over the front lines, all the meanwhile the cannibals sneak in right through the advantage line – through the open barn door that Donkey….
Naah, Morne, Zane, Jean, Duane, Hougie and Goose all got their opportunity to show their mettle against the current best of the best on home turf… Why must they go into hiding now….
There is no place to hide now… Passengers will get shown up truly come the weekend… No need for the drivers to suddenly become passengers on the bench or on field while sending the sacrificial Lambies to the front…
11 Sep 2012, 13:55 pm
@rabooby-11: Frans Steyn can also kick penalties dont forget! He was great last week.
Even less reason for Morne Steyn to be on the field.
Ruan kicks in the rain
Frans kicks if its far
Lambie kicks if its closer
Goosen kicks in all 3
11 Sep 2012, 14:01 pm
I am a big fan of Lambie but playing him this weekend or any weekend for the Boks will do him more harm than good IF HM insists on him continuing with the current brainless gameplan. I say play Morne Steyn because I would rather have him look bad than Lambie or Goosen.
I would only be happy for Lambie or Goosen to play for the Boks if they are allowed to play the game they are best at. It’s no use playing them if HM insists that they stick to the current gameplan
11 Sep 2012, 14:06 pm
@bokfan1-29: Ja, Goosen kicks in all 3… until he gets injured again… Reechie and Read gonna bend the brittle Goose all day Saturday until that Golden egg is well and truly laid for the rest of the season…
Then you gonna see Naka and Os throwing toys all the way from Bloem…
11 Sep 2012, 14:50 pm
@Heavens Game-10: I say send Lambie home to the Sharks. I don’t want him to be part of this ridiculous Springbok circus.
Actually, just make Heyneke happy and let all the non-Bulls players be replaced by the whole bottom of the log Bulls Currie Cup squad.
This period of rugby is dangerous for players careers. Especially the youngsters. We have had other talented young players ruined by coaches like Werner Greeff, Gaffie Du Toit, Brent Russel, Trevor Halstead – to name a few.
Let Heyneke do whatever he wants, but he mustn’t ruin the youngsters.
11 Sep 2012, 15:16 pm
@Dusky-32:
I agree fully.
11 Sep 2012, 17:13 pm
@Dusky-32: The nail… Farken hit it!
11 Sep 2012, 21:49 pm
Keo
Pinaar plays for Ulster not munster mate, but we get the drift… and thanks to him Ulster made it to the knockout stages of heineken cup
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