Meyer must invest in Louw

Meyer must invest in Louw

18 Sep 2012

JON CARDINELLI writes the past two Tests have shown why South Africa needs a loose forward all-rounder like Francois Louw in the starting mix.

What do Louw, Richie McCaw and David Pocock all have in common? The answer is: Not one thing, but many.

They may differ in terms of the level of competency across the various facets of forward play, but the common denominator is that all three men are not out-and-out specialists. They’re not limited to a ball-stealing or ball-slowing role at the breakdown.

Forget the tag of fetcher, it’s a label that’s far too simplified. A modern-day openside must possess the necessary size and skill to be a good lineout option, ball-carrier, and momentum-stalling defender. Above and beyond that, he should have the ability to manipulate the flow of the game through his exploits at the breakdown.

Louw meets Heyneke Meyer’s loose forward criteria in that he is a ‘momentum gatherer as well as a momentum-stopper’. Meyer spoke of these criteria during the England series, but where the Bok coach got it wrong was in his back-row selections for those three Tests and much of the Rugby Championship.

Between Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Jacques Potgieter and Pierre Spies, there was not one player capable of playing that fetcher’s role, and thus there was no balance in the Boks’ approach. The absence of such a specialised skill was later exposed in games against Argentina and Australia.

Having a player like Louw in the starting line-up gives the Boks more options. He has the ability to play to the ball, and also meets Meyer’s criteria of what’s required of a Test loose forward. This was clear in last week’s Test in Dunedin, where Louw carried and defended powerfully, but also added that X-factor element at the breakdown.

Louw has long been considered an excellent fetcher, his performance in the 2010 Super 14 leading to his first Test cap. As the laws have changed and the responsibilities of an openside have changed, Louw has been forced to improve his game in other aspects of forward play. Louw can offer more than an out-and-out breakdown specialist like Heinrich Brüssow as a ball-carrier, physical defender, and lineout option.

In short, he’s the kind of player you need if you hope to enjoy sustained success against the All Blacks and Wallabies.

It took a string of loose-forward injuries for Louw to receive this opportunity, as Meyer has been reluctant to field players who are competing in overseas competitions. However, it has become increasingly evident over the past two years that there is no South African openside based locally or abroad that is in the same hybrid category.

The All Blacks have McCaw and the Wallabies have Pocock. Coaches build game plans around these players. It is something for Meyer to consider as he reassesses his playing strategy ahead of the home leg of the Rugby Championship, and the end-of-year tour.

It was unfair to expect great Test performances from Louw in Perth and Dunedin considering the last time he was involved was at the 2011 World Cup. And yet, the 27-year-old delivered when he started against the All Blacks. With more time to settle, with Meyer’s backing and assurance that he is more than just a stop-gap measure, Louw could become an important and game-shaping member of the Bok side.

I’m not suggesting that Meyer should completely dispense with promising youngsters like Coetzee. The 21-year-old flanker has impressed as an individual this season but that Bok back row has lacked balance whenever he has started.

There may come a time when Coetzee is ready to play a hybrid role and when he has fully developed the skill-set to do so, but at this point Louw is the complete package and must be backed.

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331 Comments

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  • 51.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:32 am

    Francois Louw will make an excellent future bok captain.

    I reckon its between him and Bissy.

  • 52.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:42 am

    @stormersboy-48: Yup… They do play differently… Kanko is an 8 proper.

    Vermeulen, a decent player, is no classic 8 – more a blindside at 8.

  • 53.garth: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:43 am

    Choose 6. Brussouw 7. Louw 8. Vermeulen
    Have Alberts at 4 to partner Etsebeth at 5. These guys are mobile enough and will rule the breakdown.

    Meyer saying the Morne must be nursed back to form is Bullsh it. The guy is limited in his ability and should never have made the Boks in 2009 or now.

  • 54.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:43 am

    @RL-49:

    LOL, never. The kid is class, but the shoulder of his worries me. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve had mates with similar problems, and it seems to hang around.

    They need to put some serious muscle around Goosens shoulder, and fast.

  • 55.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:47 am

    @garth-53: Very interesting…
    Either way, openside demands either Brusssouw or Louw. If one is injured the other must start there. Meyer better not even consider starting Coetzee at openside ever again…

  • 56.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:47 am

    I look forward to next years Super rugby when the following now unfashionable trio, at least on this mad corner of blogdom, farken embarrass the fashionable tunnel vision behemoths in Super rugby…

    Sharks will start 8 Kanko, 7 Coetsee and 6 Daniels with Alberts off the bench.

    Red faces beckon when skills, work rate and ballas beat dumbfuck size everytime. As they did in the business end of Super rugby this year.

  • 57.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:48 am

    @Jeraldjay-51: Agree with that ….

  • 58.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:49 am

    @Jeraldjay-51: Why will Francois Louw make an “excellent” Bok Captain… What attributes are there that AC and the rest of the WP sages missed when they allowed him to toodledoo off to bath while installing JdV as WP/Stormers Captain instead?

  • 59.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:50 am

    oh goodness we are fecked…he is still making excuse for Morne :roll:

    forget how “mentally tough” he supposedly is, he is PLAYING kak!

    “I do not want to knock individuals but the missed kicks were crucial,” the coach admitted. “Morné is mentally tough, though, and look at what happened to Bryan Habana.

    “Bryan is now playing phenomenal rugby again,” Meyer said of the wing who has scored three tries in the Championship after recovering spectacularly from a poor previous season that led many to predict his Test career was over.

    “The mental break will do Morné good and we will look at the situation after the Currie Cup matches this weekend and decide who will play against Australia in Pretoria.”

  • 60.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:51 am

    @londonshark-54: no roids! he’s already been caught for that.

  • 61.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:52 am

    Would be brilliant if Stormers could get F Louw back ……perhaps with this Bok stuff now Flo may want to return…..

    Wakey wakey WP suits….

    There is business to be done…

  • 62.Bokhoring: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:52 am

    Still prefer Brussouw ahead of Louw.

    Louw was not used as a lineout option in any case in the past 2 tests.

    But Louw a good alternative to Brussouw if he is unavailable

  • 63.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:54 am

    @grant10-61: Agree with you. We managed without him this year, but imagine if we did have him.

    Having said this i don’t think that our biggest problems are there.

  • 64.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:55 am

    Meyer is such a neanderthal…..
    Morne himself should just admit that he isn’t up for it anymore and go make some big money playing in France or Japan. Imagine the respect he would earn from SA rugby fans? Everyone knows he hasn’t got it except fckn Heineken.

  • 65.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:55 am

    @Heavens Game-58:
    HG, I said from the outset losing JJ, Sadie, Lionel Cronje, Whitehead and even Jacque Fourie was manageable but the when I heard we lost Flo I knew it would turn out to be a disaster.

  • 66.Bokhoring: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:56 am

    @Transformation-59: Did you see him deflecting Morne kicking issues onto Frans Steyn who missed a couple of long range attempts? We all know Frans only takes the real 50-50 kicks over 50m.

  • 67.gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:57 am

    @stormersboy-63:

    Don’t worry you still have Peter Grant.

    :lol:

  • 68.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:58 am

    @Transformation-60: He didn’t get caught for roids mate. He tested positive for the stimulant methylhexaneamine, same as Chilli and Basson. And a whole bunch of other athletes.

    You can get the stuff in cough syrup.

  • 69.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:59 am

    @gunther-67: Thanks for spoiling my day.

    At least we have Brok as cover at 10. Otherwise my whole life would be meaningless.

  • 70.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:01 am

    @stormersboy-63: perhaps our suits will get it right and sign Jantjes as well

  • 71.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:04 am

    although i have less than zero trust in the wp suits acumen

  • 72.gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:04 am

    @stormersboy-69:

    Indeed.

    His kicking game is coming along nicely.

    Now if we can just stop him getting folded like a polony slice in the scrums we will have the ultimate prop half.

  • 73.gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:06 am

    @grant10-71:

    You should volunteer your services.

    A passionate, articulate fellow like yourself.

    Successful businessman with time on his hands.

    Do you want me to set something up with Rob?

  • 74.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:07 am

    @grant10-70: That would be the best for me right now.

    I am a little concerned about the loose forward situation as i have a suspicion that Schalk won’t be back, Carr maybe not too, which leaves us thinner than we would have liked.

    We have at the moment:

    6. Kolisi
    7. Elstadt
    8. Duanne.

    backup

    Koster.

    No one else is at Super Rugby level imo and even Koster needs to still prove himself there.

    so FLO would make an excellent 5th loosie, obviously starting some games, and rotating with some of the players, and then when the inevitable injuries happen we aren’t forced to play hookers at 6 (which will no longer be an option as he’s moving overseas)

  • 75.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:07 am

    @londonshark-43:
    a wife and adjusting to married life (what the wife wants) in my opion can be more destabalising to a man than having a child.

    some guys lose their drive a bit or a lot while others kick on.
    i would look there first for signs of whats going wrong.

    as importantly is to ask how much he practises a day and how much he practises after the ‘end of practise’ in a day? getting married you easily lose your priorities.
    also, what and how is his kicking coach doing to keep him at his best?

    i wonder if the kicking coach even bothered to study the data on the dunedin stadium, its wind/turbulance effects and the success rations of kickers since its inception?

    also, did the kicking coach factor in the fact that the kiwis are using a different ball to us and have morne practise with the kak balls the kiwis are using?

  • 76.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:07 am

    @grant10-70: Look at how many Lions players have gone to WP out of the the list on the Taute article… I reckon if De Klerk has any influence at all, it will be a farken cold day in hell when any Lions player goes to WP/Stormers.

    Jantjies will only probably go to Stormers if Sharks pass on any excessive demands from the young man.

  • 77.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:09 am

    @grant10-57: Keo read my mind yesterday with this topic

  • 78.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:10 am

    @gunther-72: He’s evolving. Give him time.

  • 79.gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:11 am

    @stormersboy-74:

    I think Schalk is a gooner.

  • 80.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:11 am

    @gunther-73:
    Thanks….but no G….

  • 81.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:13 am

    @gunther-79: Yip. Just had a kid too,

    Other things on his mind, like being able to play with his kids and not being in a wheelchair.

    A great player and no one will begrudge him if he calls it.

  • 82.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:14 am

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-75: got proof of your allegations about different rugby balls now?

    eish, man you are sad…

  • 83.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:14 am

    @Heavens Game-76: I really would love Taute at the sharks but then Lambie must play 10 and we need the Sharks and Boks to be in sync. If Lambie is going to be groomed as the Bok 15 then Taute must go somewhere else and the Sharks must go after Jantjies.

  • 84.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:14 am

    @stormersboy-74: Yeah… Sadly Schalk will probably not be back… if he does, he probably wont be the same player either. Same with Jean Smith…

    Will be an absolute medical miracle if both even come near their physical, barnstorming best on a consistent basis.

  • 85.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:16 am

    @stormersboy-81: I reckon this year break will buy Schalla another two years at least…he is too good to pack it in now. Same goes for Juan Smith, he has had a good two year break, he can still come back and offer a lot to bok rugby.

  • 86.willievz: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:16 am

    So Brussow is just a scavenger?

    What hogwash.

    He is a superb all-round loose forward – and especially ball carrier who goes forward in contact and runs superb support lines. Why can’t the journos or coaches see this????

    No other loose forward would have scored that try against the touchline he scored against the Bulls this year.

  • 87.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:18 am

    @Skeppie-85: like Ali Williams did with the ABs?

    two years out of top flight rugby is career ending, Im glad Ali is no longer in our setup…was never the same as before his injury

    the game evolves rapidly..

  • 88.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:18 am

    @stormersboy-74:
    Not sure Schalk will make it back….

    F Louw was the heartbeat of the Stormers loose trio for 2 years….we have missed him big time…

    Problem is WP suits are frustratingly limited …their inability to sort out loan deals in consecutive seasons has been a hallmark of their total inadequacy….costing the Stormers big time imo….

    Sharks will in all likelihood get Jantjes and Taute….

    we will probably pat ourselves on the backs with Cilliers and Rhodes and maybe Maku…..

    But the big fish will in all likelihood slip the WP net….

  • 89.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:18 am

    @stormersboy-68: he was banned, no? bjorn and chili not…

  • 90.Jinx2: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:18 am

    @gunther-79:

    Schalk should give Morne a call….

  • 91.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:19 am

    @Heavens Game-76: I agree….WP Suits are amateurs , absolute wallys…

  • 92.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:20 am

    @willievz-86: They can’t see it because it isn’t true. Brussow is brilliant on the ground but is not a test quality tackler or ball carrier. Sorry but that is the truth of it.

  • 93.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:20 am

    @Transformation-89:

    SA player in drug cheat scandal? no way :shock:

  • 94.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:22 am

    @Skeppie-77: yes….I tell you Skeppie it is refreshing to see debates over who is best suited for the role if that debate is about 2 specialist pedigreed Pitbuls…..that in itself is a forward step…

  • 95.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:22 am

    @poppa69-87: You could be right but I still think both of them have the mental strength and mongrel to make it back. Juan Smith for me is the greatest bok forward since we came out of isolation. If the two of them don’t ever make it back it will have been a sad way to bow out of rugby. Imagine Ritchie Macaw getting injured now and not being able to play again, would be sad for rugby

  • 96.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:22 am

    @Skeppie-83: Fark the grooming… Very different strokes for different folks… The 15 Meyer wants is not the 15 Lambie is, or probably could be with distinction… Lambie has too much imagination for that…

    This could possibly be the lineup at Sharks next year:

    9. McLeod/Reinach
    10. Lambie/Jantjies/Viljoen
    11. Mvovo/Taute
    12. Steyn/Whitehead/Bosman
    13. Jordaan/JPP/Whitehead
    14. JPP/Taute
    15. Ludik/Viljoen/Taute

    Better than the current Bok backs certainly, and enough depth to last an incredibly long season next year.

    Taute will come to the Sharks as a wing/FB… Even then he will have to fight it out to get into the side…

    Same with Jantjies…

    Under Plum, competition is very healthy and if you are good enough and consistent enough a player will get a start without preconceptions…

    Keegan a case in point – he fought his way into a starting birth and as Captain in a franchise with probably the biggest high class loosie depth in SA.

  • 97.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:23 am

    @grant10-94: Like we said yesterday at least we are able to even debate this topic, thank goodness for that.

  • 98.papaown: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:23 am

    Grant10
    Please see how fickle these Keo’lings are.
    1 good performance and now Louw is being hailed as the missing link…WTF

    We are sooo fickle as fans as only as recently as the England tests we couldn’t stop raving enough about Coetsee and Alberts!

    Anyways, my 2 cents, Flouw performed well because he has other attributes besides being primarily a fetcher.

    I would still pick Brussouw ahead of him as he is more devastating in that role, IMHO, he is a demon tackler and carries very well!

  • 99.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:24 am

    @Heavens Game-84: Correct. It would be a miracle.

  • 100.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 09:24 am

    @willievz-86: And Brussow passes well….links better than most ….great player…

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