ABs reaping benefits of Kiwi system
4 Oct 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes the All Blacks avoid mass injuries and burnout because the NZRU manages the country’s top players accordingly. Why can’t Saru do the same?
A good question was asked of All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster this week. Why is it that the All Blacks seem to sustain fewer injuries than their Australian and South African counterparts?
Why is it that we are now into month 10 of the 2012 rugby season and the All Blacks aren’t missing key players because of injury and fatigue?
‘We do it differently,’ was Foster’s curt reply. ‘And I’m not going to tell you exactly what that entails.’
Foster doesn’t have to, it’s no big secret. The New Zealand Rugby Union has long looked after its most prized assets, that is its players.
Through a central-contracting system, it ensure that the cream of the crop don’t play too much rugby during the Super Rugby competition. The national team is viewed as the priority, and to compromise the success of that national team wouldn’t make much sense. Right?
Unfortunately, there is a different outlook in South Africa.
Every union and franchise looks after its own interests. Top players are contracted to a union as well as to Saru.
What this means is that a franchise has the option to start a Bok player in every Super Rugby game. Ultimately it is the franchise’s success that matters most to the franchise, not the success of the Boks.
It’s for this reason that we have players who arrive for Bok duty overplayed and fatigued. For example, Andries Bekker has long been considered indispensable to the Stormers’ Super Rugby cause, and has started the majority of the matches over the past three seasons. That workload has taken its toll on his body, and injuries have prevented him from playing more games for his country.
There are other examples across all of the South African franchises, and the point is that if South Africa employed the same system as New Zealand, the Boks may have more fit players available for the most important period of the season, that is the Rugby Championship.
The current system has been a handicap to every Springbok coach in the professional era. The system rewards the franchises when it should be geared towards propelling the Boks to that No 1 ranking. It is something that incumbent coach Heyneke Meyer has also made note of on several occasions.
On Wednesday, Meyer pointed to the example of Richie McCaw, the All Blacks captain and veteran who will enjoy a six-month sabbatical next season. This course of action will prolong McCaw’s career, and possibly allow him to play at the 2015 World Cup.
The NZRU keeps tabs on all of the All Blacks throughout the Super Rugby season, and ensures that nobody is overplayed before they join the national set-up for the June Tests or the Rugby Championship.
It’s been an intense season, the most congested in history, and still the All Blacks were able to produce their best performance of the year in Argentina. They are now in South Africa preparing for a physically taxing clash against the Boks on the Highveld, and still there is a sense that they are favourites. Why?
‘New Zealand manages their players very well,’ Meyer said on Wednesday when probed on the subject. ‘You can see what’s been done with Richie McCaw, and there are overall not as many injuries. Everybody seems to be working towards a common goal.’
Keeping players fresh allows for continuity in selection, and as Meyer suggests the All Blacks were able to win the 2011 World Cup because of that continuity. There aren’t as many injury disruptions because the NZRU is doing everything it can to prevent burnout and fatigue-related injuries.
Every South African franchise is chasing results and trophies, and every team is inclined to believe that the more they play their best players, the better their chances of achieving those lofty objectives.
And in that unfortunately all too real scenario, the national team is the biggest loser.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Johannesburg
425 Comments
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4 Oct 2012, 12:11 pm
@Golden Boy-149:
Pops and Brads…sorry for the posts..my idjit brother was on my laptop…my humblest apologies.
4 Oct 2012, 12:15 pm
golden boy. no wucking forries
4 Oct 2012, 12:19 pm
@race of tan-94: Last 12 head to head tests played in SA: NZ 6 wins, SA 6 wins. Last 12 tests played in NZ: NZ 10 wins, SA 2 wins.
4 Oct 2012, 12:19 pm
@TheTackler-153: And the point is?
4 Oct 2012, 12:22 pm
Also whats becoming plainly obvious through this whole Kings debacle is that SARU couldnt organise a pissup in a brewery.
Can you imagine them trying to dictate what players should go where and how they should be physically managed for optimal performance.
Farking ridonculous.
4 Oct 2012, 12:24 pm
@flanka-142:
The NZ model isn’t as rigid as you claim. The Franchises must declare a core squad of 26 players (I think it is), out of the 30 allowed. The NZRU can then allocate other players they’d like to see more of to a franchise that can use them. As for selecting franchise coaches, the NZRU sits on the franchise selection board and has the right of veto. SARU has exactly the same right but has never exercised it as far as I know.
We attempted to go a similar route as the NZRU initially, with the formation of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd to control the S14 and Boks as a united entity. Morne dupe was supposed to be in charge but walked out citing that the PC still wanted to interfere.
4 Oct 2012, 12:30 pm
@Brads-34:
well,exactly…that was the point i was trying to make and hence my argument for a complete overhaul of our rugby playing format so franchises benifit and internationals still remain significant but the only way that will happen is for there to be fewer internationals/test matches.
4 Oct 2012, 12:32 pm
@TheTackler-153:
can’t help but think that those stats will change somewhat in the next 4 years.
Positively for SA
4 Oct 2012, 12:40 pm
Whats with these silly wide thinking articles???
Stick to the game at hand
4 Oct 2012, 12:44 pm
@greatest13gerber-159:
Nothing would give me greater pleasure greatest:
According to rugby365:
Rookie flyhalf Johan Goosen will be South Africa’s first-choice goal-kicker against New Zealand in Soweto on Saturday.
The Springbok team management confirmed on Thursday that Goosen had “passed his fitness test” and will be fine to take kicks at goal.
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer delayed the decision on who would be his first-choice goal-kicker, after a heel injury hampered Goosen in the 31-8 win over Australia last week – which saw the kicking duties being handed to scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar after two failed attempts by the No.10.
However, Goosen came through his kicking test on Wednesday afternoon with flying colours and on Thursday was cleared to resume the kicking duties – both at goal and out of hand.
“He is fine,” the Bok management said.
Meyer said Wednesday that he expects nothing less than an 80 percent strike rate against the All Blacks in Soweto on Saturday.
4 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm
If Goosen can nail anywhere above 70% of his kicks we will be in with a shout on Saturday I reckon.
We miss kicks like in Dunedin or at Loftus and we in trouble.
4 Oct 2012, 12:50 pm
@Blokkies-161:
We will win this test because this is the best available Bok team, particularly at 10.
We only lose tests when coaches are arrogant and do not pick the best available Bok team or, at the very minimum, players on form.
4 Oct 2012, 12:53 pm
In fact, I believe that all tests ever lost by the Boks was because of poor selection and player management.
As a whole, our best 22 players have generally been superior to any 22 of another country.
4 Oct 2012, 12:56 pm
@willievz-162: I hope so Willie.
2 other HUGE motivating factors for us will be
1) the fact that they beat us last time in Soweto and the Bokke really don’t want to get beat twice in a row at the only 2 times we have played there, and
2) We really, really don’t want them to get the records for 17 consecutive tests. If they beat us on Saturday their next few games will be on end of year tour where they tend to halways win, so IMO we are the only ones who can stop them achieving that record…..
Bokke by 4
4 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm
@willievz-163: sorry should read “all tests ever lost by Heyneke’s Boks”
4 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm
Goosen will be converting more than 90% of his kicks in the opposition’s half this saturday and in his overall career. The kicks he takes from his own half will bring that percentage down. Some bloggers commented this week that we cannot afford a running flyhalf that cannot kick. Goosen’s biggest advantage is his pinpoint goalkicking.
4 Oct 2012, 12:59 pm
@willievz-163: Bullshit. In terms of talent, we only caught up to the All Blacks recently, but we are still behind them. You are thinking playstation rugby and the real world is a whole different story.
4 Oct 2012, 12:59 pm
@Blokkies-164:
We are a better team than the ABs.
We picked the right team.
We will win.
4 Oct 2012, 13:01 pm
@Horings-167: Let me put it to you this way.
How many All Blacks would make a full strength Bok side?
Possibly only
McCaw
Reid (maybe, a very big maybe)
Carter
Dagg
That’s it.
4 Oct 2012, 13:02 pm
I agree that the quality of depth in NZ is unmatched, but in terms of a matchday 22 we should always have had the upper hand.
4 Oct 2012, 13:10 pm
I just hope that Goosen gets rid of jitters and gains confidence early. Its vital that he stamps his authority on the game.
The way we have been playing since Henry Honniball days is with a scrumhalf (think Joost and FdP) who make the decisions. This is purely because we have not had a decent flyhalf who can take control.
The game plan can be much better controlled and implemented with a talented general at 10 than a talented general at 9.
4 Oct 2012, 13:11 pm
@willievz-169: How do you define full strength, because Jaque Fourie is possibly better than Conrad Smith and FdP is better than Aaron Smith, Guthro is better than Woodcock, but if those players are not available then Conrad, Aaron and Woodcock is better than our best. Apart from that I would rather pick Whitelock than Bekker and Franks than JdP.
4 Oct 2012, 13:13 pm
@Horings-167: You mean the real world where we had 3 teams in the S15 playoffs and the Kiwis had 1??????
Fair enough they ended up winning the comp but it looks like our depth is not too bad.
4 Oct 2012, 13:17 pm
@Horings-172:
Aaron Smith? Please. He would not be the first choice 9 at any S15 franchise in SA, bar the Stormers perhaps.
I don’t think Whitelock is better than Bekker, he is about par with J.Kruger.
Forgot about Franks, I would pick him ahead of Jannie, so that makes it 5 ABs in a starting team of 15.
4 Oct 2012, 13:20 pm
@willievz-169: I love the patriotism but that’s a hellavu stretch. Reid is the best no8 in the world and would make our side without breaking a sweat. What about Smith and Savea? Or any number of NZ wings for that matter.
4 Oct 2012, 13:23 pm
Stupid article and question asking ‘WHY CANT SA DO THIS?”
Answer is simple, in order for this to happen, you need administrators that are truely focused on the wellbieng of the players & the Springboks, In RSA, this is not the case.
1) SARFU want the players contracted to the regions so that they are able to pay them less on a BOK contract, save money, and ensure that they have bigger bonuses.
2) SARFU make sure that the players are going to be played into the ground in Super Rugby as they introduce a ludicrous relegation system basically ensuring that the Boks will be hammered in the super season as the bottom 3 teams try avoid the RSA wooden spoon.
3) Provincial outfits are not and have never been structured to be aligned to Sarfu. They do not follow a national plan, do not follow a national development plan for under developed regions, and are not following a national plan for player development. If they did, we would have easy trade across the franchises to ensure that the top 75 players in the country are playing Super Rugby, but like the Lions/Kings fiasco that we currently have,
In short, SARFU are not running rugby in RSA, the provinces are, and the reason is because SARFU are incapable of putting a plan together that the unions will buy into that benefits rugby, their plans only benefit the administrators, their international travel schedule, SANZAR and of course – their individual bonus potential.
TIA!
4 Oct 2012, 13:24 pm
@Skeppie-175: Would you honestly pick Savea ahead of Habana or JPP?
Smith is a worthy debate. Very good player but not sure if he is better than the SA options at 13.
Reid is a very good player but best 8 in the world is a matter of opinion (Parisse and Harinordoquy will have something to say about that).
4 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm
@willievz-174: That is 5 players that is definitely better than ours. I do not think there is one of our players that is definitely better than theirs. Retallick was one of the standout players in the super competition and Smith is one of the All Blacks standout players this year. There is not a weakness in their side and if they lose it will be all because of emotion and Soccer City.
@Blokkies-173: They had 2 teams. Their 2nd best team smashing the Bulls and not one of their teams were worse than the Lions. NZ teams had more wins overall.
4 Oct 2012, 13:30 pm
@willievz-177: Good points…..maybe our style of play has prejudiced our wingers but either way it would be a close call between JPP/Habana and Savea/Jane. Fair point on the no8′s but whatever the world standing he is certainly better than Spies and you cannot put Vermeulen ahead of him at this stage (although that will hopefulyl change in the year(s) to some). Conrad Smith would easily make our side as would Franks at 3 (as you mentioned). Woodcock/Beast would be very close. Mealamu over Strauss but not when Bissie is back. Aaron Smith/Pienaar would also be close.
4 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
@Horings-178: @Skeppie-179: Fair enough gents.
I will pick a combined team – feel free to play around with it or to add to the discussion
Beast
Bismarck
Franks
Etzebeth
Bekker
McCaw
Alberts
Reid
Hougaard
Carter
F.Steyn
Habana
Smith or Fourie
JPP
Dagg
I am willing to play Smith ahead of Fourie to illustrate my point. That makes it 6 ABs in a starting team of 15.
One can now draw all sorts of conclusions from this, or start a debate regarding various points.
One point is that our Bok team should always be competitive against the top tier nations, and that we do not have to stand back for any team.
Another point is that perhaps we lack in other elements such as coaching (both style and philosophy, but also the fact that we are not grooming successors) and contracting of player resources.
4 Oct 2012, 13:38 pm
@John Galt-155: with the amateur structure of the Presidents Council having to ratify alles – the politics of lobbying and interests that f.uck up SA Rugby begin here! – they wouldn’t be able to make ANY decisions anyway!
4 Oct 2012, 13:39 pm
Most relevant article posted on Keo in a long time.
SA aren’t alone in not prioritising the Boks. England, France and Australia have a similar provincial/club pull on players leading to below strength test teams.
It’s player management which maintains NZ’s consistency. It’s not rocket-science, it’s easier to get results with your best team on the field.
4 Oct 2012, 13:40 pm
@willievz-180: On that point we are agreed….we have all the depth and talent in the world but the NZ’s and Aussies have far better structures, coaching etc.
4 Oct 2012, 13:42 pm
@Jeraldjay-145: the issue always comes up…
4 Oct 2012, 13:44 pm
@Transformation-184:
A bit like the Spear.
4 Oct 2012, 13:47 pm
gees, Willie, such rancid bait and the only bites were from Saffas?
4 Oct 2012, 13:52 pm
@poppa69-186: Damn.
You are becoming too smart for me.
Not biting this time
4 Oct 2012, 13:54 pm
@Horings-178: Damn you right about them having 2 teams, sorrie man Maths was never my strong point….
4 Oct 2012, 14:02 pm
@willievz-180: The crucial position in that team, and the one that has so often been the difference between us winning and losing, is Flyhalf. The Kiwis have consistently had a better flyhalf than us for over 10 years now.
And I am not talking about a flyhalf who can kick for poles, I am talking about a General who can dictate play.
When we have a no.10 that can offer even 60% of what Carter does in terms of controlling the game then we will start beating the All Blacks more regularly. Our forwards have always been able to live with the Kiwis (even without a fetcher at times)
Thats why I really hope the Goose reaches his potential.
4 Oct 2012, 14:02 pm
Boring day round here. Everyone talking rugby for a change? Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?
Bakkies, ST BURP, The fellow with the extra ball…..?
4 Oct 2012, 14:03 pm
@56 – As for living in the past, thought you might enjoy this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3vgdfKg3bY
4 Oct 2012, 14:06 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-190: lot’s of new braggadocious kiwis though…it’s like someone opened a gate
4 Oct 2012, 14:07 pm
@willievz-187:
Fark Willie.
For a second I thought you were drinking during your lunch break.
4 Oct 2012, 14:08 pm
@Blokkies-160:
Goosen will come right . A real Honiball / Hennie le Roux clone but superior placekicker.
Lets bend these blacks and end their win streak
4 Oct 2012, 14:10 pm
Willie, Willie Willie.
Frans steyn over Nonu ? puh lease, put down the pipe and slowly back the fck away.. Frans distribution is woeful, any coincidence the boks scored more tries with him out injured then in the previous games where he has played?
He is as over rated as JDP and the beast…
4 Oct 2012, 14:12 pm
@poppa69-195: tl tl tl
4 Oct 2012, 14:13 pm
@Jeraldjay-193:
Just looking to engage the sheepshaggers in some conversation, it’s a favourite hobby of mine 
@poppa69-195: Apart from Nonu over F.Steyn (which is a reasonable call), which other Kiwis would make a Bok side?
Looking forward (no pun intended) to your picks
4 Oct 2012, 14:13 pm
Elgar Watts signs for the Cheetahs…
4 Oct 2012, 14:15 pm
@willievz-163:
Willie – take your hand off your willy, NOW!
4 Oct 2012, 14:15 pm
@poppa69-195:
Pops, Frans is more valuable in terms of place kicking and his a better defender than Nonu.
Nonu’s tactical kicking is non existent which balances out his superiority with ball in hand.
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