De Jongh’s small problem
15 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, in Edinburgh, writes because of his size Juan de Jongh has to be exceptional to force Heyneke Meyer to consider him as a real solution to his outside centre problem.
I wrote at the start of Meyer’s tenure that he is a disciple of size and strength, firm in his belief that a player must have this attribute to be successful in Test rugby.
At the time I cited De Jongh among the players who would struggle to push for a regular starting berth, with Meyer appreciative of his attacking capacity in Super Rugby, but unconvinced that he could replicate his hot-stepping in reduced space and time and consistently dominate the tackle fight on attack and defence in Tests.
De Jongh has, however, got an opportunity to alter his coach’s fairly rigid view, and bid to convince him that he can fill a void Meyer is concerned about going forward. His problem is that he’ll get one shot. As it stands Jaco Taute will be reinstated for the final Test of the tour against England at Twickenham. That is unless De Jongh produces something special against Scotland.
There has been no shortage of suggestions and, at times, accusations that Meyer is a racist for what is perceived to be the sidelining of black players. I’ve worked professionally with him for years, and have never got that impression. That he has a prejudice against smaller players of average ability (in a Test context) is undoubted. De Jongh is one such player. He is capable of feats of brilliance (his try in the Currie Cup final an example) but has not replicated these feats often enough to be considered a must for the Springboks.
In his favour is that he is 24 years old and still has time to grow. Also, Meyer has shown a willingness to have some of his views challenged. By way of example, Ruan Pienaar and Francois Louw have, on the strength of their performances and maturity they’ve exhibited, paved the way for a steadily increasing number of overseas-based players to be involved with the Springboks. Meyer had previously been adamant that he would select his squads from players based in South Africa, unless his hand was forced through injury.
Similarly De Jongh can advance the cause of the smaller backs. He refused to make soaring statements about size, but came across as confident in his ability.
‘I know where I’ve stood with Heyneke from the start. I know what attributes he is looking for from me, but I also know what I need for my game,’ De Jongh said. ‘Everyone has their opinion [on size] but I have an opportunity this weekend to prove people who think I’m too small wrong.’
510 Comments
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15 Nov 2012, 14:20 pm
@XhosaKid-248: yeha he´d much prefer a big donkey like De Villiers who tries to run over the oppositon time and time again and ends up in a heap at their feet and letting them turn over our possession without it ever making it past 12. FFS. I´m so over it.
15 Nov 2012, 14:20 pm
@wnbb-236: @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-244:
Fk my big brown dog.
One CC win in 11 years and its like youve never lost a Super Rugby final or CC.
There is something rotten in the state of Cape Town.
15 Nov 2012, 14:20 pm
I’m not big on soccer … does size matter in soccer? maybe jdj & rhule can help bafana bafana … they do need some help…
15 Nov 2012, 14:20 pm
@Slumtown-220: is heyneke on record to say he always prefers bigger players – i repeat always?
Or is this entire line of thinking just convenient?
sure he thinks he needs a physical no 8. but was prepared to play kanko.
With all the analysis,,, this line of thinking has actually been debunked… but yet is constantly attributed to HM.
JDJ and Lambie and Hougaard in one backline. 3 average size players out of 7.
I don’t think it has yet sunk in that JDJ …. IS in the team…helo
15 Nov 2012, 14:21 pm
@Pypkan-230: Thanks for finding a different source rather than bleeting on like these other troats.
15 Nov 2012, 14:21 pm
Height, weight, Strength in the gym.. speed on the track. Linebreaks every game. metres gained every game….. Its all stats!!!
No matter how many stats from the Wp/ Sharks final you throw at me… it is not gonna change the fact that the cup was lifted by WP.. some stats say Marcell gained more metres, Albert made more tckles etc etc… it does not win you games… the one linebreak from JDJ was enough for Wp to get back in the game and win the ultimate prize…. no matter the phoney stats…
Same with players: to say a 1.77m 90 kg centre is not as good as a 1.78 91kg player…. utter cr@p!!
15 Nov 2012, 14:22 pm
@goodstuff-245:
Yes i realise that.
Hence he wouldnt start at TH for me.
15 Nov 2012, 14:22 pm
@goodstuff-245:
. And he wants us to take him seriously.Xhosa might be right about these so-called experts like Johngalt etc etc.
15 Nov 2012, 14:22 pm
@Dawn-247: Shooter was being a idiot.
15 Nov 2012, 14:23 pm
@shooter-254: well thats what I was questioning but Juan de Jongh does seem to think that his size is an issue in direct reference to what Heyneke is looking for. If Taute is being chosen above de Jongh based on form then one can only assume that the only reason he is making the starting team and not de Jongh is due to said size issue.
But yes I agree with you – a lot of this could all be journo mumbo jumbo to score hits on their blogs. Saying that Heyneke has stated preference for big players so its all a bit grey and obscure as to what is truly going on in the Bok setup at present.
15 Nov 2012, 14:23 pm
@wnbb-258:
I know hes not a TH you moron. Why do you think I said he wouldnt start at TH.
Fk what is wrong with you, seriously.
15 Nov 2012, 14:24 pm
I hope Fourie returns. A JdJ and Fourie center pairing would do wonders for the Boks. Steyn can bugger back off to fullback.
Wishful thinking with Meyer.
15 Nov 2012, 14:24 pm
@John Galt-257: That would be stating the obvious, but yes he would not start at TH.
But I do think he should be in the bok setup next year, definitly a future bok LH.
15 Nov 2012, 14:25 pm
@goodstuff-255: you Irish?I,ll cut your
troat.LOL
15 Nov 2012, 14:26 pm
@John Galt-252: Before that ,the Sharks went 12 years without any cup.The sharks/Natal province still is the proud record holder of 100 years without any cups.So,what’s your point.
15 Nov 2012, 14:27 pm
@John Galt-252: Sheez you fellas are pWecious…..
15 Nov 2012, 14:27 pm
@goodstuff-263:
Yes, actually i deleted part of my post that said he would be on the bench at LH for that side that Provvas put up.
Deleted it because of the potential competition at LH, Beast, Coenie(he is defintitely no TH, that experiment failed), Gurthro etc etc.
15 Nov 2012, 14:28 pm
@ryecatcher-264: Howdy Catcher in the Rye.
15 Nov 2012, 14:28 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-266:
Oh dear…the old precious chirp.
We were having so much fun Ruckles.
15 Nov 2012, 14:28 pm
@goodstuff-263: He would say that now,would he??
15 Nov 2012, 14:29 pm
@John Galt-267:
So you can side step too.
15 Nov 2012, 14:30 pm
@John Galt-261: Hahahah my teams Frontrowers making so much mess…
It is me who have no clue about frontrowers… never played there and never cared too much…. but it does not make me know less of the game than self proclaimed prohet Mr Xhosa…
Always have been a backline player and for me personally I prefer a brilliant try like JDJ in the CC final over and above the boring pick and drives you sometimes see..
Must be said that the Mauling try for Wp in semi vs lions was something to behold though!!
15 Nov 2012, 14:30 pm
@Nikita-271:
You should see my Gangnam style.
15 Nov 2012, 14:31 pm
Now he has deleted part of his posts!! Ffs,it only gets better with these sharkie supporters.Me thinks it’s a case of getting your th’s and lh’s all mixed up.
15 Nov 2012, 14:32 pm
Does HM like big women too? Just wondering…
15 Nov 2012, 14:32 pm
Read a piece that intimated Taute would in all probability be back for the Poms…at 13.
I hope JDJ shows HM a fat toffee this weekend !
Go JDJ….for all the ‘ smaller ‘ players out there…..!
15 Nov 2012, 14:33 pm
I sense another sharkie blowout on the horizon.
15 Nov 2012, 14:33 pm
@John Galt-269: I hate PWeciousness….
Talk about the upcoming test. Maybe we’ll find something else to disagree on?
15 Nov 2012, 14:34 pm
@Provvas-272:
No worries Provvas, just some supposed kenners having a go.
Wouldnt worry too much about Xhosa, unless you watch BET, you wont understand what he’s saying anyway.
As I said earlier, would be great if JdJ had a cracker. Think he needs more than 1 game at 13.
15 Nov 2012, 14:35 pm
just read the article.
no wonder so much whining has been going on the last few weeks.
ryan seems like he is sucking words out of his thumb and a crowd of wailers are following his every word
go well JdJ. you are no prodigy but i do rate you as an option.
thats all.
15 Nov 2012, 14:35 pm
Ideal centre combo for the future
12- Steyn
13- Jordaan
15 Nov 2012, 14:35 pm
@Provvas-272: You have no clue, period.
15 Nov 2012, 14:35 pm
@ryecatcher-264: Nope, but **** you too, are you a child?
15 Nov 2012, 14:36 pm
9- Hougaard
10- Goosen
15 Nov 2012, 14:36 pm
Some of the nonsense spoken here is much worse than the pollution problem in eMalahleni.
15 Nov 2012, 14:37 pm
Another cheap buddy jokes, very lame
15 Nov 2012, 14:38 pm
@Nikita-285: Carry on. This time there will be a mass walk out, not only from Ethekwini.
15 Nov 2012, 14:38 pm
@goodstuff-283: Sorry, miss read your post, did not see the joke behind it. Ai, I am worked up.
15 Nov 2012, 14:38 pm
@goodstuff-283: hey he was making a joke you fu k wi t.
get yer head out of yer bum.
15 Nov 2012, 14:38 pm
@Spiesisworthless1-281: Actually
12 Jan Serfontein
13 Frans Steyn
would make a pretty deadly combo.
15 Nov 2012, 14:38 pm
@goodstuff-288: ah, well done.
now its my turn to apologise.
15 Nov 2012, 14:39 pm
@Nikita-285: my god youre still around?
15 Nov 2012, 14:39 pm
Funny!!! The complaints about the “traditional rugby powers” hijacking Bok rugby stopped the moment Lambie was handed the no. 10 jersey.
Guess we drive that train again next week if Morne starts.
15 Nov 2012, 14:39 pm
@Nikita-285: shutup wench.
15 Nov 2012, 14:39 pm
@Finfan-287:
Oh still some children on the site.
15 Nov 2012, 14:40 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-278:
Oh Ruckles, anything for you sweets.
Although I think you’ll find if we really sat down and discussed it, we wouldnt disagree with much for this test.
15 Nov 2012, 14:40 pm
@The Rangerman-289: I think he can speak for himself.No need to get your knickers in a knot now.
15 Nov 2012, 14:41 pm
this nikita thing is not female.
its a man.
even if its female physiologically its male inside.
15 Nov 2012, 14:41 pm
@Slumtown-290:Serfontein is class. Looking forward to seeing him in Super Rugby next year
15 Nov 2012, 14:41 pm
@The Rangerman-294:
Did you ****? I smell the stench.
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