Steyn blows Dunedin lifeline
15 Sep 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on a deeply disheartening 21-11 Springboks defeat to the All Blacks in which Morne Steyn surely kicked his way into the Test wilderness.
Heyneke Meyer’s painful education as a Test coach continues. Tonight’s lesson was in accountability for selections and it was a harsh one. Meyer didn’t swing Steyn’s rudderless boot, which pushed four crucial goal kicks wide. But he did put him in a position to take those kicks when there were alternatives, one of which, Johan Goosen, embarrassed the incumbent by landing a 50m penalty and nearly sinking a near on 60m effort. Yet it wasn’t only his goal-kicking which vexed. So far was he in the pocket for most of the match that he may as well have been back in Pretoria.
Then there was the mistimed introduction of Dean Greyling, the prop whose inadequacies at Super Rugby level made his initial selection to the squad perplexing. Greyling would further entrench the widely-held perception of Springboks players as thugs with a cowardly forearm smash on Richie McCaw. Then he coughed the ball up with the tryline beckoning in the dying minutes and conceded a string of penalties. He must be heavily punished for his assault on McCaw and never see a Springboks shirt again.
There were others who failed – his beloved Zane Kirchner didn’t inspire once more, hooker Adriaan Strauss looked like a tanked up darts player, Juandre Kruger had no presence at the lineouts.
Where there positives? Perhaps. The forwards were outstanding in the tight exchanges on attack, setting a platform. But it was one that was never exploited thanks to a now chronic lack of attacking imagination. Defenders are seen as targets for rampaging Springboks carriers. Over and not around seems to be the law. The Blacks attack space so well and consistently free their hands to look for an offload opportunity. These things can be coached. The Springboks have the players with the capacity to play this way. That they are reduced to brainless machines that show no ability or desire to veer from a directive doesn’t bode well for the future.
On review they will primarily lament a butchered 7th minute opportunity and Steyn’s poor goal-kicking. The former was particularly frustrating in light of how few clear scoring chances they create. This one could not have been clearer, with Bryan Habana free on the wing. But passer and recipient lacked composure. Habana would, however, later score a try that was a throwback to his best form – break, chip, collect, brilliant.
Outside of the Blacks’ try that was birthed from a poor box kick, the Springboks were undoubtedly the better side for the first half – dominant in the forwards, competitive at the breakdown, sharp to loose balls and desperate on defence. They rumbled and roared through the heavies, driving into good field positions and forcing a string of penalties.
Here was the much-maligned Steyn’s opportunity to repay and justify the faith Meyer had showed in him in the face of severe criticism. Kicking all the points against the Blacks in Port Elizabeth in 2011, Steyn had saved his Test career. It was ironic that his kicking effort tonight, the primary strength of his game, would almost certainly end it, or, at very least, cease it until he rediscovers his form of 2009. There is no strong argument Meyer can mount for his retention. His time is up.
The Springboks trailed 5-3 at the break, but should have lead comfortably. Yet, for all their endevour, nothing about this game was unexpected. The Springboks were always going live with these Blacks for 60 minutes. The final quarter was always going to be the decisive period of the match.
The Blacks grabbed the initiative through a soft Aaron Smith try. Greyling should have been defending the fringe yet was caught in the backline. He further undermined the Springboks’ cause five minutes later when he stupidly, inexplicably, nailed McCaw, who was not involved in play. Idiocy appeared to have found it’s home in Greyling.
To their credit the Springboks redoubled their efforts, but the Blacks grew in confidence and while they never looked fluid on attack, they certainly had the measure of the predictable Springboks on defence.
There were opportunities to cause an upset, but those were squandered. Oh what could have been. This Blacks side is not the force they have been made out to be. They were there for the taking. Meyer’s education continues, but he cannot keep failing examinations through faults of his own.
345 Comments
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16 Sep 2012, 05:29 am
@poppa69-288: It’s nothing to do with NH refs, Barnes played long advantages yesterday and Walsh reffed two of the opening games and they were of the same quality. Peyper and Joubert ref 2 of the last 4, I’m willing to bet they’ll be no different.
16 Sep 2012, 05:34 am
When are the refs going to penalize Pienaar for tapping the ball with his boot back into rucks, thus puting the pack off side?
You guys played your best game we still haven’t got out of second gear and you still couldn’t live with us – that’s the cold truth
Habanas try was pure genius. What a gifted player.
McCaw is a legend, he was outstanding, a marvelous All Black, probably the greatest we have produced
16 Sep 2012, 06:14 am
http://www.espnscrum.com/the-rugby-championship/rugby/match/153852.html
Assuming these are accurate, Dagg did not make a single tackle as opposed to Kirchner who had to make 7.
16 Sep 2012, 06:33 am
@UptheGuts-291:
We dont sit back and try and find other reason as to why we lost.
Simple….you guys mucked it up.
Instead of sitting back and complaining about refs look at your team.
You had more than enough chances like RWC 2011 towin. But you find time to blame refs.
If you would like i will go through the game and find how many times Pienear kicked the ball back into the ruck…..Penalty offside. I saw 4 times at least, seen as you so worried about what commentators say, they actually bought that up.
Habana once again offside at every kick from Morne. So if you like i can go through and count but i really dont see the point, do you?
16 Sep 2012, 06:37 am
Hey kiakaka, you boys were flat tack and only just managed to pip a Bok side missing a few of their top players. Think you will get a suprise in the next game. If nothing else just to shut you arrogant fu ks up! The game was lost by the Boks not won by the Ab’s
16 Sep 2012, 06:41 am
@whatever-305:
********.
We have all said the Boks blew it. Seems a few of your country folk( not us Kiwis )
think the ref blew it for them….once again.
16 Sep 2012, 07:16 am
seriously saffas the books are close to winning. this is not the time for massive changes but a serious look at fine tuning.
the bok forwards are looking really impressive and had the ABs reeling in many depts. although HMs game plan does not look to entertain it s very effective. If Morne was firing and same with Frans the ABs would have been given a good hiding. yes it was frustrating to see no points converted but a new coach and new team will take time to get into their groove.
I actually enjoyed the boks effectiveness in the forwards and it will only take a tweek or two and the boks will be winning again but seriously winning. HM needs to keep his cool in amongst this current chaos and heat from the supporters. he needs to be ice man and I think the home games are going to be a terrible time for the wallabies and ABs only if HM sticks to his guns.
16 Sep 2012, 07:36 am
@wallabie.-307:
Yep, I was impressed by the Bok forwards too, playing that physical brand of rugby they’re famous for,was hoping for a game like that as I think the Abs have been made out to look better than they are ,especially from the Aussies and Irish. Is the HM gameplan that effective? If the backs didn’t look so disjointed then possibly it is.So what you’re saying is that HM should stick to his guns and play the same style, well hope he does cause ABs will win in Soccer City then…….mark my words.
16 Sep 2012, 07:39 am
@whatever-305: looks at the scoreboard…
funny, I thought the ABs won the game, didnt they score more points? oh, youre talking about MISSED opportunities…
coulda, woulda, shoulda…………didnt!
14 straight buddy, hows them apples? hahahaha
16 Sep 2012, 07:39 am
@KiaKahaNZ-302: ‘When are the refs going to penalize Pienaar for tapping the ball with his boot back into rucks, thus puting the pack off side?’
People really want to quibble over this? at the end of the day he could leave the ball sitting there at the back of the ruck for as long as he wanted.
It matters little whether or not he kicks it in as refs aren’t going to rule the ball is out until he puts his hands on it.
16 Sep 2012, 07:42 am
@wallabie.-307: I actually have to agree with you. Behind all the frothing at the mouth and gnashing of teeth at the loss it was in fact a decent showing where it counted most, the forwards (well the scoreboard actually, but baby steps chaps…) and this without Bismarck and Eben who surely would have given SA even more grunt. The game plan (still not sure exactly what it was, as who could tell from the execution ) I will assume as having some merit. The execution from no’s.9 and 10 was diabolical however and obviously influenced the rest of the backline. Although still not convinced about JDV at 13 (too one dimensional and dare I say it, limited). In short whilst frustrated, I’m not pinning needles into by HM voodoo doll this morning.
16 Sep 2012, 07:42 am
@Big Hit-310: isnt it part of the laws BH? if the ABs did that Im sure you’d mention it..
Must be hard though, your team played their skins out and the best they could manage was a draw wih SA, NZ played their worst game of the season and beat them..
I understand though, you have had trouble living vicariously through Bok results for quite a while now, why dont you sit in the corner with Whatever
16 Sep 2012, 07:51 am
@poppa69-312: I don’t think it’s worth mentioning Poppa because next time Pienaar just won’t do it and it won’t change a thing. I don’t see how it helps NZ, at most they’d get one penalty out of it and Pienaar would never do it again.
I’m not happy with Stuart Lancaster or the current England team but an away draw with SA in the SH wasn’t a bad result for that young side. NZ did win yesterday, but they also played them at home with about 500 more caps, they will find it tough in SA too.
16 Sep 2012, 07:55 am
@poppa69-312: The way I see it, the AB’s played their worst game of the season because that’s as good as they were allowed to play. Carry on believing how good they might be if things “click” for them and see where that gets you. That’s a phyrric mind-set my friend. But congrats on your team’s win nontheless.
16 Sep 2012, 07:57 am
@Big Hit-313: I agree it will be tough in SA, but I doubt they will play that bad again… was by far their worst performance, but credit where its due they werent allowed to play really.
as for the Pienaar thing, Im not worried by it, its akin to habs knocking the ball out on the full, they got away with it… I really thought only the ABs got away with stuff like that?
meh, being on top I guess it comes with the territory..
16 Sep 2012, 08:00 am
This would definately be my 22 Man squad for the home leg…..
15. Patrick Lambie.
14. J.P. Pieterson.
13. Jean De Villiers (c).
12. Francois Steyn.
11. Bryan Habana.
10. Johan Goosen.
9. Francois Hougaard.
8. Duane Vermuelen.
7. Willem Alberts.
6. Francois Louw.
5. Juandre Kruger.
4. Bakkies Botha.
3. Jannie Du Plessis.
2. Adriaan Strauss.
1. Tendai Mtawarira.
16. Coenie Oosthuizen.
17. Tiaan Liebenberg.
18. Frans Malherbe.
19. Andries Bekker.
20. Heinrich Brussow.
21. Ruan Pienaar.
22. Jaco Taute.
16 Sep 2012, 08:01 am
@wasabi-314: believe me, their performances this season have me dreading the coaching panel we have, the backline is already exhibiting fosteritis, and Hansen proved with the forwards when Henry was head coach that he couldnt fix things..
Im not one for waiting for them to “click” I expect better and they themselves set quite lofty standards
A week is a long time in rugby, as SA proved and as I said before the game..
16 Sep 2012, 08:02 am
@Big Hit-310:
But why is he tapping back in, – is this a ploy because hes not ready to pass, and can therefore create a false play? ie, not too dissimilar to the dummy pass from the base?
I know its pedantic BH, but the AB’s have been accused of everything under the sun so why not ask the question?
16 Sep 2012, 08:06 am
@poppa69-315: Poppa – it wasnt the Boks worst performance at all – in fact it was their best of the year from the forwards, just a horrible display from Steyn at 10, and a mixed from Kirschner at 15.
I thought the Boks forwards physicality was particularly impressive, they played with far more precision, determination and effort than they have for a while
They’re not far off playing a better game, they need more confidence by playing a ball in hand game
Personally I feel the laws are making the game horribly boring and stop start, thwarting any decent launch pad for attack, and becoming too defensive orientated. This years international rugby has not been enjoyable to watch – and that’s across all teams.
16 Sep 2012, 08:07 am
@poppa69-315: Ah my apologies – thought you were referring to SA not the AB’s/.
16 Sep 2012, 08:09 am
@KiaKahaNZ-319: I meant the Abs worst performance of the season, they were bullied off the ball and the tight five simply outplayed comprehensively.. again, credit to the Bok forwards for thier effort, they deserved better.
16 Sep 2012, 08:10 am
@KiaKahaNZ-320: sweet as bro
16 Sep 2012, 08:11 am
@Big Hit-301: There were a couple of times in that game where the ref blew immediately as the tackle was being made – ie Keiran Read for not rolling away was a very tough call as were 3 calls against the Boks .
Point is this ; was it interfering with play -(as you q’d me earlier ) probably not, therefore allow the advantage , which is one area the NH refs do not seem to be in favor of.
16 Sep 2012, 08:13 am
@Big Hit-301: what sort of bet you willing to make on the Peyper and Joubert games?
16 Sep 2012, 08:25 am
@KiaKahaNZ-318: I guess he thinks he’s tapping it back in to slow the game down, but he doesn’t need to, he’s perfectly within his rights just to leave it there as the Argentinian scrum-halves do.
@KiaKahaNZ-323: It’s actually more of a SH ref approach to demand bodies roll away and in the other game Barnes played long advantages.
I’m not sure what the reason is for the ‘boring’ games (for the neutral) but I don’t think it has much to do with refereeing. Let’s not forget NH refs have been taking charge of 3N games for some time now.
16 Sep 2012, 09:09 am
@UptheGuts-244: Frans.People need to ask why Nonu/Smith completeley quiet yesterday.
16 Sep 2012, 09:14 am
@nama1-281: Can you go 2 posts without maligning Frans Steyn?.
16 Sep 2012, 09:15 am
Not a request.Just aa question.
16 Sep 2012, 09:32 am
@KiaKahaNZ-318:
I mentioned it to my mates yesterday as well.
This tapping back of the ball into the ruck by Pienaar should be a scrum for accidental off side. Just like when you kick the ball against a team mate who is in front of you in open play.
@ryecatcher-327:
Jip. That I can do.
I just so want him to be the back line wizard everybody proclaim him to be but it seems everybody was wrong about him.
What was your take on his performance yesterday?
16 Sep 2012, 09:39 am
What’s “meh”?
16 Sep 2012, 09:49 am
@Dawn-330:
A sound made by a goat.
Why?
16 Sep 2012, 09:51 am
@nama1-329: Nana.I think that his
(and Jeans)performance depends to ma large extent as to what position MS
takes up.If MS is 10m deeper than he should be it affects the whole backline
and makes it more difficult to cross the gainline.
Did you notice FS breaking the gain line within minutes of JG
r eplacing MS.?didyou notice how unhappy Jean is?It all starts w ith
the flyhalf.Did you also notice how Conrad Smith ANDnONU WWRERE
16 Sep 2012, 09:56 am
Sorry Nana.Fat fingers.Nonu and Conrad Smith tackled out of game?
There was no defence in the flyhalf channel.Anyway,just a few thoughts.Enjoy
your Sunday.
16 Sep 2012, 09:59 am
@nama1-329: Sloppy typing.Sorry.
16 Sep 2012, 10:06 am
@nama1-254: Af yesterday I agree
on Jantjies.Our flyhalves are a nice problem
to have.Goosen
Jantjies
Lambie.
16 Sep 2012, 10:08 am
@ryecatcher-332:
Yeah, I saw that line break. Was a good one. Pity that our players still struggle to run good, support lines because if he could off load there in the tackle, who knows…
Look, I really am trying to look for the positives from him but it’s just that the negatives outweigh the positives in the RC so far. Not necessary in yesterday’s game.
I thought our loosies were very good. Now, if only HM will start with Coetzee at 7 and bring on Alberts with 25-30 minutes to go.
16 Sep 2012, 10:26 am
These lames always blaming refs for everything and forget how much the refs have helped them in their success 1995 vs France in durbs and 2007 vs England and are quick to force others to support that **** whereas they don’t want to select them or must be forced by the quota system and still select mediocre **** so as to perpetuate the stereotype. Saying Zane should wear the protea not the springbok still shows the **** still embedded in their supposedly well developed minds. We and my bras support the allblacks because they play rugby with brains then strength which is characteristic of us and no dumb *** will tell us who to support. Ekse majita let’s be in numbers in soccer city it annoys their asses and forces them to use that derogatory name they learnt so well. We’re no conformists #ASIJIKI
16 Sep 2012, 11:55 am
Pops always says “meh”
16 Sep 2012, 15:05 pm
@nkqo6-337: No conformists? You’ve literally tried to reference every possible stereotype and you say you don’t conform? Don’t be ridiculous.
I’m sorry, but for all the people commenting on CC being watered down and a **** competition etc… it’s a whole helluva lot nicer to watch than the dreary nonsense delivered in the RC. All 4 teams look pretty terrible… no innovation or creativity.
All Blacks are being physically bullied by everyone and rely on moments of brilliance, Aussies just cling and try to survive, Argies play about as negative as one can, but the Boks, cherry on the cake, are dishing out the worst kind of rugby I’ve ever watched.
CC is soooooooo much better.
16 Sep 2012, 15:54 pm
@nkqo6-337: LOL, dont blame you supporting the AB’s- way less embarassing than watching your useless bra Zane Kirtchner succeed at being the worst fullback in the world week in week out.
16 Sep 2012, 23:26 pm
The sites most boring & tedious comments yet,and that takes some doing.Come Morpheus,Come.
17 Sep 2012, 05:30 am
I have to admit that I didn’t even watch the game. The nature and outcome was a foregone conclusion. HM needs to realise that, at best, his mates in the coaching team haven’t stepped up. At worst they are useless. The players, almost to a man, have proved themselves in previous tests and the S15. He needs some serious help in the coaching department. If he can’t realise that he’s dumber than even I thought and should go; now. Bring back PdV and **** Muir et al!!
17 Sep 2012, 07:56 am
@poppa69-309: 14 straight what exactly?
I have to say the ABs are on the decline, the low quality of Steve Hanson is showing earlier than I would have thought. The AB forwards were as useless as the bok backline. Rischie made some good tackles but was not nearly as effective as he should be, I think FLouw had more pilphers/ penalties forced on the opposition.
We almost won a game against the All Blacks in Duniden even when we missed 7 penalties and Screwed up two overlap try opportunities?
The only players in the AB team that will make it to the next world cup as world quality players is Dagg and Read, the rest look flat.
17 Sep 2012, 08:00 am
@Big Hit-325: The fact is that there is only a couple of proper refs in the SANZAR nations, only Walsh and Joubert are really accurate at test level, while any other NZ/ OZ refs are diabolical!
18 Sep 2012, 15:51 pm
PETITION AGAINST MORNE
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