Turning adventure into torture – why?
14 Sep 2012
MARK KEOHANE writes Sunday will follow Saturday, regardless of whether the Springboks win or lose against the All Blacks in Dunedin. Which makes the conservatism and approach of the Bok management that much more baffling.
I could understand a coach refusing to change in his fourth year, a few months out from a World Cup. I could understand a coach refusing to change a winning formula, if his team was consistently winning and setting the standards. I can’t understand the absolutes associated with Heyneke Meyer and his Springboks in his first season in charge.
Meyer is going nowhere unless by his own accord. But his refusal to recognize, alternatively acknowledge restrictions in the Springboks’ first six Tests is making his life a lot more complicated than it has to be. There is pressure on Meyer, as there will be on any Springbok coach, but Meyer has turned up the heat himself in his response to successive indifferent Bok performances against Argentina in Mendoza and Australia in Perth.
The Bok coach has insisted that it is not his team’s tactical approach or the game plan that has counted against the Boks, but instead has focused on poor execution as being more definitive.
I disagree totally because the approach evident since the drawn third Test against England in Port Elizabeth has been one-dimensional, predictable and hugely unsuccessful because by and large the Boks’ pack has not fashioned a dominance which allows for a purely percentage based game.
There can never be a guarantee at Test level of forward dominance because of the relatively similar strengths of the top five teams, and the better teams often have to rely on winning with little ball possession. It is here where South Africa has shown no threat. In Mendoza they were just awful. In Perth when they had an initial edge up front, the kicking game proved effective. The moment they lost that momentum they looked clueless and ironically when they went behind late in the game after leading 13-3 after 30 minutes they finally produced their most inventive period of play.
Johan Goosen, at flyhalf, was very instrumental to this ball movement, largely because he takes the ball at pace, is prepared to stand flat on attack and will take contact. He is the complete opposite of Morne Steyn, who just doesn’t play that way. For Steyn to be successful the Bok pack has to be decidedly better than the opposition. A few years ago they were when blessed with Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Danie Rossouw and the like. And then there was the massive influence of the world’s best scrumhalf Fourie du Preez on his inside.
Du Preez’s tactical kicking is unrivaled among scrumhalves and the Boks have had neither Du Preez’s kicking game nor his appreciation of game management this season. Meyer is hopeful Du Preez will return to international rugby by the end of the year or at the latest in 2013.
Steyn, in isolation, is not the Boks’ current problem, but currently he is also not the genie in the bottle. The Bok forwards in Port Elizabeth a year ago gave the All Blacks a touch up, had every advantage in the collisions and forced the Kiwis into errors and created the opportunities for Steyn to have five penalty kicks at goal and favourable go forward ball from which to also land a drop goal.
Steyn in Port Elizabeth enjoyed a pack in fiercely dominant mood. But for brief periods in the first two Tests against England the Bok pack has competed at best or been outplayed.
Until the pack improves Steyn will be a non-factor at flyhalf, as will the outside backs as a unit.
What I don’t buy is that while Meyer tries to find a forward unit capable of this dominance there is no flexibility in finding alternative ways of dominance. It is also nonsense that a 20 year-old (read Goosen) can’t start against the All Blacks in Dunedin. If he isn’t good enough to start then he shouldn’t be in the match 22 because there is no guarantee he isn’t required a minute into the Test because of injury.
I have read comparisons being made with Gaffie du Toit’s nightmare in Dunedin and a fear of things going the same way for Goosen. Nonsense. Du Toit had already played for the Boks in the home series win against Ireland. The Bok coach of the time Nick Mallett appreciated Du Toit’s natural ability but from the outset had concerns about the mental resolve of the player. He had to play him in Dunedin to get an answer.
Goosen’s mental resolve has never been questioned. He went from school rugby to Currie Cup to Super Rugby with no issues. And his Test debut of nine minutes showed huge promise and he showed comforting composure.
I would have not hesitated to give him a start. What an experience for the player. Saturday is not a World Cup final or the decider of this year’s Castle Rugby Championship. Why can’t there be supposed risk? What is there to lose?
Steyn has played 40 Tests, including a World Cup in New Zealand and Test matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand. Meyer knows what he has in Steyn and by entrusting an alternative in Goosen or Lambie all he would have done is see if there is a Plan B or additional depth at No 10. Now he won’t know until the next visit to New Zealand in a year. That is what has been so damn frustrating about the unwillingness to view an alternative. If he had picked Goosen or Lambie and it hadn’t worked out, then he reverts to the man who has played 40 Tests.
Meyer remains committed to Steyn, espouses the virtues of the player and defends how well Steyn is playing, but that is also nonsense. Steyn’s goalkicking accuracy is 63 percent in the last six Tests, and Meyer would not have allowed Goosen, Lambie or Elton Jantjies six successive Tests with such a return.
And it is here where Meyer is doing himself no favours because you can’t defend 63 percent, when the player’s primary asset has been his ability to kick at 85 percent.
The issue though is not as simple as select or drop Morne Steyn and I am not saying get rid of Morne Steyn, but look beyond him as the depth of the squad is built. The key to any successful team is depth in the number of players capable of playing Test rugby.
Why this absolute anxiousness from Meyer and within the Bok set up? As much as I hate the emphasis put on the World Cup it is a reality of the sport and the game works in four year cycles. If ever a coach has a luxury it is in the first year post the World Cup when so many players have retired or moved abroad and made themselves unavailable for Test selection. Meyer, in this first year, is treating it as if the World Cup is played in a few months and any window for exploring variables is gone.
I use the word explore and not experiment because there is nothing with which to experiment. The players are known quantities and so no international coach is working with the unknown.
Saturday in Dunedin offered so much promise because Meyer could have turned the week into an exciting one with the prospect of so many possibilities. And he could have done it in a way where no expectation was created either. He could have focused on the chance given to new kids and the growth they’ll get out of 80 minutes of playing the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Instead he has put World Cup-final like pressure on Steyn to save his career and he has turned a Test match into a life or death situation. Why? It never had to come to this. If Steyn fails then it is hard to see how Meyer can’t drop him. And given the strength of the Bok pack I don’t see how Steyn can succeed, given that his type of flyhalf play needs a pack that is dominant.
A more enlightened approach would have allowed for this week to be one of adventure and not torture.
The psychology of it all seems so wrong when it wasn’t particularly complicated to get it right.
290 Comments
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14 Sep 2012, 13:33 pm
just joshing you nama, have a good one buddy.
14 Sep 2012, 13:33 pm
Why so bleddie cumbersome?
14 Sep 2012, 13:36 pm
@nama1-200: Ja you almost blew it for everyone there.
Remember: your newly acquired powers are only to be used for good.
14 Sep 2012, 13:37 pm
@willievz-190:
” Remember that, pre-isolation, SA never played its strongest team either…”
Remember that, pre-isolation, Neutral Refs didn’t exist…………
14 Sep 2012, 13:37 pm
@rangerman-198:
Always good to respect people, Rangerman. Especially your elders.
You should try it sometimes.
14 Sep 2012, 13:39 pm
@rangerman-201:
Respect!!!
14 Sep 2012, 13:52 pm
Why do i wake up early on Saturdays here in the US just to watch my BOK’s hoof and hoof and hoof the ball some more? It seems every coach has a love child in their team, with PDV it was ol rolly polly Ricky and HM has MSteyn and that funny thing at full back…. if only SA was had the gonads to change up!
I bet NZ and OZ crack up with laughter at our inability to do anything 100% ….imagine if we had a coach that actually picked on form players? I dont an F about experience, if a player has the mental aptitude then play the g’damn player jeeez!
14 Sep 2012, 13:56 pm
@rangerman-201:
joshing? Is that sending him of to Scotland?
14 Sep 2012, 14:07 pm
Why would anyone wanna bold their comments anyway
14 Sep 2012, 14:09 pm
“181.stormersboy said:
14 Sep 2012, 13:05 pm
@nama1-176: You use the sharp brackets with either a b (bold) or an i (italics) to open the sequence and then at the end as well, except at the end you insert a / after the 1st <, so with a b in it to start and then a with a b after the / to end.
Simple"
This is too complicated
14 Sep 2012, 14:13 pm
@Dawn-209:
Same reason why people use smiley faces perhaps
14 Sep 2012, 14:14 pm
OK, I’ve been put in my place well and truly. I’ll grab my coat, and have my humble pie, but before I do. Nobody has explained to me why NZ can consistanltly perform at the highest level and win 12 out of 14 games anually but the boks can’t. What makes them so special? Coaching? Game plans? Mental toughness? Fitness? Strength? What is it?
Give me the answer and I will show you how to win the world cup in 2015.
14 Sep 2012, 14:17 pm
<bwhatever</b
14 Sep 2012, 14:17 pm
14 Sep 2012, 14:18 pm
@Dawn-214:
how many steps have you taken today?
14 Sep 2012, 14:18 pm
@Dawn-213: you almost had it.
insert text
without the spaces.
14 Sep 2012, 14:19 pm
OK so that didn’t work too well.
You need to open and close the with b in the middle. same at the end, but with a / after the <.
Got it ??
14 Sep 2012, 14:21 pm
@nama1-196:
Let’s disagree on Strauss and Bekker, I rate Strauss highly, Bekker is a listless floater on the field.
The rest sound reasonable for me, could be though that HM assessed a lack of ball skills among the forwards as the major issue in retaining possession and thus instructed the out of sort Styen to kick it away each time
Give him credit for dumping Mvovo
14 Sep 2012, 14:24 pm
Hei, wat gaan hier aan!
Dit klink harder as ‘n klomp klopse op die Parare
14 Sep 2012, 14:26 pm
@cane-204: they still don’t in NZ – and should they happen to ref fairly they get death threats like poor old Barnesy
14 Sep 2012, 14:32 pm
@cane-204: Clive Norling was a “neutral” ref?
14 Sep 2012, 14:37 pm
@Hondo-218:
“Listless floater”
“Dumping Mvovo”
What’s with the toilet humor?
14 Sep 2012, 14:39 pm
@gunther-215:
229!!!!!!!
Only 7000 more to go.
14 Sep 2012, 14:39 pm
Gents, which is the most reliable weather site in SA
14 Sep 2012, 14:39 pm
@stormersboy-216:
I didn’t use any spaces!
14 Sep 2012, 14:41 pm
“You need to open and close the with b in the middle. same at the end, but with a / after the <."
<bwtf<b/
14 Sep 2012, 14:42 pm
@stormersboy-217:
You are useless at instructions.
14 Sep 2012, 14:42 pm
@Dawn-223:
Try using the printer on a different floor.
14 Sep 2012, 14:43 pm
Looks as if I’m swearing all over the place!
14 Sep 2012, 14:44 pm
@XhosaKid-224: The most reliable weather site in the world, or one of them IMHO is http://www.windguru.cz/int/ Almost always correct.
14 Sep 2012, 14:45 pm
@willievz-221: 1981 was pre-isolation? Ahem.
14 Sep 2012, 14:47 pm
@Dawn-229:
Why don’t you sell caramel pops again, that should assist greatly to reach your target …
14 Sep 2012, 14:48 pm
@gunther-228:
I can’t!
Too much effort!
Our team aint gonna win this challenge with me in it.
14 Sep 2012, 14:48 pm
@XhosaKid-224:
There is a Norwegian one that all the surfers and farmers etc use.
http://www.yr.no
Best That I’ve seen.
You going surfing?
14 Sep 2012, 14:50 pm
@XhosaKid-224:
http://www.yr.no/place/South_Africa/Western_Cape/Cape_Town/
14 Sep 2012, 14:51 pm
@gunther-234:
Every day, especially before I got out to fish or surf.
14 Sep 2012, 14:52 pm
@gunther-234: No, I just have an outdoor events tomorrow and Sunday, being a black fellow, open water and cold aren’t my thing.
If farmers are using it, it must be reliable, those okes are proper specialist, like Julius and tenders, kinda thing…..
!!
BTW, do you reckon Faf should be going to the T20 WC
14 Sep 2012, 14:57 pm
@XhosaKid-237:
No.
Neither should Parnell or Richard Levi.
Make sure you put lots of sunscreen on.
The hole in the ozone layer is right above us.
14 Sep 2012, 15:00 pm
@gunther-238:
Do strike me as a guy with a mohawk hairstyle?
14 Sep 2012, 15:01 pm
@gunther-238:
Waseem to you.
14 Sep 2012, 15:01 pm
@Dawn-223:
The average length of a PGA Senior Tour golf course varies…though most are 7,100 to 7,300 yards.
14 Sep 2012, 15:03 pm
@gunther-238: Who would you replace the 3 with, Tsotsobe, M. Morkel, AB, Amla, Duminy, Peterson, Botha, Kallis and Steyn are automatic selections
14 Sep 2012, 15:03 pm
@shooter-241: so just quickly, after morning tea, excuse yourselve, and be back just after the round, in time to clock in your steps.
14 Sep 2012, 15:04 pm
@shooter-241:
Feck me I’d be useless at golf
14 Sep 2012, 15:07 pm
I heard this song for the first time in 1981 in Cape Town City Centre; when did you hear for the 1st time?
*************************************************************************
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
Remember me, I’m the one you danced with
Remember how we danced so tight I could not let you go
I know it’s been a long time, but I’m callin’
‘Cause I’ve got to be with you (First you keep me waitin’)
(Won’t you let me know?) I’ve got to be with you
(Won’t you let me know?)
I never told you that I loved you
‘Cause I could never take for granted you would feel the same
Now I can’t take the waiting any longer
I just got to let you know (First you keep me waitin’)
(Won’t you let me know?) Yes, I got to let you know
(Won’t you let me know?)
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
I bet you’ve come to your conclusion
But now you’re gonna take a little longer to recline
Eventhough you know just what you’ll say
I guess that’s just the way girls play (First you keep me waitin’)
(Won’t you let me know?) Yeah, that’s just the way you play
(Won’t you let me know?)
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
I would really like to believe that
If you want to spend some time with me
You may decide you love me too
Well, it must be worth the waiting
Or I would not be sitting here alone all night long
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try you always keep me waitin’
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try, I’m always waiting for you
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
No matter how I try, oh, why do I just keep on sitting here?
What do I do if I wanna get through to you?
Oh, yeaheah!
14 Sep 2012, 15:08 pm
@Sheriff-239:
You’ll have to repeat that in English Sharif.
14 Sep 2012, 15:08 pm
@Nils-231: Fair enough.
But even in 81 we did not pick our best team…
14 Sep 2012, 15:08 pm
@Dawn-244: you can always caddy?
14 Sep 2012, 15:10 pm
@shooter-248:
whatyoutalkingaboutfool
That’s 8000 steps PLUS A BAG OF GOLF CLUBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m a very sedentary type of person
14 Sep 2012, 15:11 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck-148: It doesn’t seem like you’re making the poaching excuse but just in case I’d like to point out that off the top of my head, the only non-NZ born player the ABs have fielded this year was Ben Franks, who was born in Australia.
You have a point that we have some talented and big polynesian boys but look at our key players – McCaw, Carter, and Read – these guys are white, and Dagg, I’m not sure, maybe part Maori?
I expected professionalism would have caught up with us by now and larger countries like SA, England, and France would have passed us but the coaches we have are still coming through and keeping us afloat. Perhaps it’ll be different when once in a generation players like Carter and McCaw are gone
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