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, 18:32 pm
@stormersboy-296: disturbing imagery
4 Oct 2012, 18:35 pm
And finally.At the NZ refs presentation,Bryce was awarded the Golden
Fleece.Good night all
4 Oct 2012, 18:37 pm
@ryecatcher-301: This will help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ7Ue5emo6I
4 Oct 2012, 18:39 pm
@ryecatcher-302: what? no gold watch, my how standards have slipped since the days of Louis..
4 Oct 2012, 18:40 pm
@gonzo-295: lol ‘last 18 months’, the Wallabies have that many out right now and all at the same time.
4 Oct 2012, 18:40 pm
@PissAnt-289:
> It is blindingly clear that NZ rugby players are just naturally superior athletes
No we have good athletes as well
Spies is probably the best athlete in the Championship and the sh-ittiest rugbyplayer too
> compared to South Africa’s soft *****.
I’ve watched one of the domestic New Zealand games, some of the guys still have to work for a living AND play rugby for the love of it
We pile the money on any youngster with an indication of potential and can’t stop telling them they’re going to be the next best thing, giving them an exagerated opinion of themselves an making them unpleasant little ***** and all round “windgatte”
Like Pollard, will he ever live up to the expectations?
Hougie is a textbook example, FdP annointed him as the next best thing.
Has he ever delivered a memorable game on scrumhalf?
He’s got the money, girls, cars, glamour and huge sponsorship contracts with hair and beauty product companies and the wintie attitude to boot
But is he a test scrumhalf or has he ever delivered?
4 Oct 2012, 18:42 pm
@Big Hit-293:
Unfortunately I was busy – and it seems the moment has passed
4 Oct 2012, 18:50 pm
@victoriabok-306:
NZ has the same amount of tier 1 (pro) rugby players SA has. You might be shocked but most players in SA playing in Currie Cup rugby (including the 1st division sides) are also only semi-pro.
Why do I include our 1st division teams? Well NZ plays all 14 their unions in their ITM cup unlike SA where we split them between the haves, and have nots.
My first post was sarcastic.
Simple fact is, NZ rugby union contracts their top players as the player’s primary contract – meaning they call the shots, and they manage the player and control’s his conditioning (not only in games played).
In SA the franchises hold the primary contracts, they call the shots, and they don’t give a **** about Bok rugby.
4 Oct 2012, 18:54 pm
@PissAnt-308:
> My first post was sarcastic.
I know, I’m just as pissed at these overpaid gym monsters turning into ouchee gym bunnies when they get onto the pitch
And they never deliver
4 Oct 2012, 18:57 pm
@victoriabok-309:
I agree to an extend bud, our youngsters almost never goes through a proper apprenticeship anymore and I am of the belief it needs to start at school level and U/19, U/20 level but specifically schools.
But that’s a whole other topic about 16, 17 and 18-year olds being offered union contracts…
4 Oct 2012, 19:14 pm
@victoriabok-306: 100%in agreement with you. People like JaN ELLIS from the plaas in SWA.
Frik–Well I am not sure.
Piet Greyling.Ended up working for SAB
4 Oct 2012, 19:17 pm
@PissAnt-308:
> In SA the franchises hold the primary contracts, they call the shots, and they don’t give a **** about Bok rugby
Like my Bulls warehousing players and then not playing them (bad) or giving them to never sufficiently accursed Pine to coach (worse)
If we had any resemblance of management at SARU, they would have a sunset clause on all player contracts and adopt a New Zealand contract model as well as a draft system* for young players
*- Not a bad idea, after all the last team on the CC log get the fitrst pick, with Pine in charge we’re bound to get the best drafts
4 Oct 2012, 19:32 pm
@ryecatcher-311:
Frik farmed in the Kalahari
Jan Ellis lives near Rayton, he operates an auction*
*-Sounds k@k in English, hy het ‘n vendusie en ‘n garage en hy’s die afslaer ook, een dag was daar ‘n kalvier op die vendusie en die ouens sê: “Jan spee bietjie iets” en die man speel die klavier met daai groot hande wat ‘n rugbybal in sy lengte kon vashou)
Hulle eht hom een Sondagaand beroof by sy garage en hom met ‘n AK geskiet maar die sterk man het op ‘n manier by hulp uitgekom en dit oorleef
4 Oct 2012, 19:38 pm
@victoriabok-309:
Sarcastic?
i think you had it right. New Zealand has the best genetic mix for rugby in the world namely the combination of the European influence, the size and warrior like attitude of the Maori and the speed and power of the Polynesian islanders.
I cannot think of one reason why they won’t (with the occasional hickup) dominate rugby for a long time (like for ever) just like they have been doing for the last 20 years or so. That is unless they get bored of it.
4 Oct 2012, 19:40 pm
@victoriabok-313: lovely story
4 Oct 2012, 19:42 pm
@PissAnt-310:
The death of club rugby.
4 Oct 2012, 19:43 pm
@victoriabok-313:
Frik started off as a PF member in the army. I think he was a major or something. Louis Moolman was als PF- the biggest captain I have ever seen.
HO de Villiers was an insurance salesman for Old Mutual. And Dawie de Villiers was a dominee in he NG church before he bacame a politician. Phd in Theology.
4 Oct 2012, 19:46 pm
@Robzim-317:
HO has done very nicely.
Lovely house in Steenberg.
4 Oct 2012, 19:47 pm
@stormersboy-298:
That’s probably the most disturbing comment I have read here.
Even worse than your manscaping.
4 Oct 2012, 19:50 pm
@Robzim-314:
We’re not exactly chopped liver either
Guys like Bakkies, Victor, Bismarck, Frans Steyn, Juan and Schalk and others on their prime would have made any squad in the world
Our windgatgeit and know-all attitude plus the poor skills training puts our players on the back foot
Add to it the non-existant leadership and pi-ss poor management by SARU and we’d never be on the same page as any team, not even talking about the All Blacks
4 Oct 2012, 19:53 pm
@Robzim-317:
And Dawie, as a government minister just before the devasted District 6 was declared multi racial, invested in a development and purchased property there, along with a number of Nat politicians.
I’ve seen the deeds of sale.
4 Oct 2012, 19:53 pm
@gunther-319:
Reptile in a speedo or a reptile inside his speedo?
4 Oct 2012, 19:56 pm
@gunther-318:
I am not surprised – apparently he has the gift of the gab and a very pleasant easy going personality- that, together with the fact that he was a famous bok, did not do him any harm in selling insurance I guess.
4 Oct 2012, 19:59 pm
@Robzim-317:
> Frik started off as a PF member in the army. I think he was a major or something
My dad said “Hy was ‘n korporaal, die luiste stoorman ooit, en toe hy begin om vir Noord Transvaal the speel het hulle hom ‘n Majoor gemaak”
4 Oct 2012, 20:00 pm
I would never shave a man’s buttcheek crack nor anything else
4 Oct 2012, 20:04 pm
@David-321:
Sorry, it was declared a white area.
4 Oct 2012, 20:08 pm
@Dawn-325:
Scared of dingleberries?
4 Oct 2012, 20:10 pm
@victoriabok-324:
As ‘n rugbyspeler was hy ook lui- ek was op laerskool toe ek hom eenkeer sien speel het vir N TVL teen SWD- hy het net rondgestap op die veld en niksdoen en toe skielik so 5 minute voor die einde die bal gegryp in sy eie 25 en los deur gehardloop- hy kon swenk soos danie gerber en was byna so vinnig soos bryan habana- nie sleg vir ‘n slot nie
4 Oct 2012, 20:10 pm
@gunther-318:
HO’s son M!chael was a very good batsmen for UCT.
Wonder what ever happened to h!m. Should have played prov!nc!al cr!cket.
4 Oct 2012, 20:13 pm
@Jeraldjay-329:
I was at varsity with him.
He’s in finance.
A terrific sportsman.
4 Oct 2012, 20:15 pm
@Robzim-328:
Hulle sê hy was lief om weg te raak gedurende Springbok oefeninge en op die duiksakke te lê en slaap
Eenmaal ‘n Lugmag stoorman altyd ‘n stoorman?
4 Oct 2012, 20:19 pm
@Dawn-325:
It’s waxing not shaving.
And I outsource the sac bit.
Too big for domestic equipment.
4 Oct 2012, 20:20 pm
I remember Piet Greyling being interviewed on Boots n All and was asked by Darren Scott: ” So how’s it going?” Piet’s reply ” Ag, I’ve got a job”.
To which his colleagues p1ssed themselves when he got to work the next morning.
He owned the company. And has retired extremely successfully.
4 Oct 2012, 20:21 pm
@gunther-330:
UCT had a top order from hell.
Sven Koen!g, Br!an Baguley, M!chael De V!ll!ers.
The!r bowlers were Steph Bullbr!ng, Paul Strang and Cedr!c Engl!sh.
4 Oct 2012, 20:22 pm
@victoriabok-327: more like the grapes of wrath
4 Oct 2012, 20:25 pm
@poppa69-335:
your piles playing up again?
4 Oct 2012, 20:27 pm
@I am a stormer-336: nah, i was thinking of how Lambies must be aggravating him, what with all those splinters
4 Oct 2012, 20:28 pm
@Dawn-325: No one mentioned shaving Dawn.
But to be honest, it was all meant in jest.
In response to Dangerman’s hairdresser comment.
PS you back at the office?
4 Oct 2012, 20:31 pm
@Jeraldjay-334: I played cricket with Brian Bags in primary school.
4 Oct 2012, 20:36 pm
@stormersboy-339:
Jeez, I’ve got to read slower
After all the manscaping posts, I read “I’ve played cricket with Brian’s bags in school”
4 Oct 2012, 20:37 pm
@stormersboy-339:
He was a fl!pp!n good batsmen. Busy at the crease l!ke a Jonty Rhodes.
4 Oct 2012, 20:38 pm
@gunther-332:
Not trusting the wife with a sharp razor near the crown jewels?
Cold hands?
> Too big for domestic equipment.
Gunther John Holmes?
4 Oct 2012, 20:39 pm
@poppa69-335:
Not if you’re a Scatophile
4 Oct 2012, 20:41 pm
@Transformation-15: what a lot of bollocks..you 2 (tacitus and yrself) havent got a clue, just think for a moment, NZ is a small nation of 4.5million people, nothing compared to your country. The AB’s are the No.1 Sports Team of the country and so everything the NZRU does protects that status, in essence – they and we look after our own. In SA is dog eat dog and franchise protect their borders, keep it up Jappies, because the longer you stay with your system, the poorer your rugby becomes, eventually of course you lot will go North to play with the ***** Rugby Clubs….thats where you belong…Aus and Arg and NZ can carry on themselves….
4 Oct 2012, 20:45 pm
@victoriabok-340: hahahaha sick b@stard.
4 Oct 2012, 20:46 pm
@Jeraldjay-341: I got a ball in the eye socket from him in the nets as a 12 year old.
He wasn’t the best cricketer in the team mind you.
4 Oct 2012, 20:48 pm
ah well, good luck to both teams this weekend..
time to go catch a plane.
Kia kaha black.
4 Oct 2012, 20:50 pm
a week without Poppa on keo to keep you Saffas in check… I will have to leave that to Cane, hurri, Nils, NZinChina et al
and the “honorary maori” aka The Tackler..
enjoy the game all..
4 Oct 2012, 20:56 pm
@JohnPierre-344:
Jingleberry Muncher is in Da House
4 Oct 2012, 20:57 pm
I need help. In London on Saturday, where can I watch the SA/ NZ game? On the Southbank, close to Southwark tube station.
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