Hougaard yearns for scrumhalf return
22 Nov 2012
Francois Hougaard says he is better suited to scrumhalf than wing and admits to feeling like he is stalling Lwazi Mvovo’s Test career.
In a refreshingly candid interview, Hougaard, who started the Test season as Heyneke Meyer’s first-choice scrumhalf but was later shifted to wing, spoke about his positional preference, his form and his feelings on Mvovo’s plight.
Hougaard shone for the Bulls in 2009 and 2010 on the wing, but struggled to make the transition back to scrumhalf (where he’d played most of his career) when Fourie du Preez moved on. This season was one of adjustment, painful at times, as Hougaard battled to come to terms with the tactical demands of the Bulls’ game plan, particularly the kicking disciplines.
Those struggles carried over into the Test arena, before he was finally replaced by Ruan Pienaar for the Rugby Championship. Yet Heyneke Meyer still placed high value on his game-breaking ability and accommodated him on the wing.
Asked to assess his season, Hougaard said: ‘I haven’t been happy with my form. I’m still learning a lot at scrumhalf, but I haven’t played much there. I still train there everyday, but you only get better if you play. I still think that’s my best position.
‘In the long run I’m a scrumhalf. I want to settle in one position or I run the risk of being an average wing and an average scrumhalf. I don’t want that to happen. I know I have so much to work on at scrumhalf, but I’d prefer to cover scrumhalf from the bench for the Springboks [in 2013] if it means I’m not thrown around positionally [scrumhalf at the Bulls and wing with the Springboks].’
With the reduced time and space on offer in Test rugby [compared to Super Rugby] and greater analysis available on him after his impressive cameos off the wood as a wing in 2011, Hougaard has yet to entrench himself in the position. There are mitigating factors, among them the Springboks’ inability to engineer opportunities for him. Hougaard, however, refused to look beyond himself for blame, and continued with a startling admission.
‘The coach plays me ahead of Lwazi on wing, but I feel for him. I would understand and support the decision to play him ahead of me,’ he said. ‘It feels unfair to me because I’m playing in his position and not doing that well. Its easy to tell the guys to keep themselves up on a three-week tour, where they sit on the bench or never play. It’s not nice and not easy, I’ve been there. But I’m here now and I have to take the chance. I’m working hard every day to improve.’
409 Comments
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22 Nov 2012, 05:13 am
DRAGONS!!!!
22 Nov 2012, 05:46 am
Candid indeed………Meyer are you listening?
22 Nov 2012, 05:50 am
He is a great scrum half. He needs time and experience. And a good coach. Go figure.
22 Nov 2012, 06:24 am
Scrumhalves are supposed to be these noisy in your face guys who piss all the big forwards off. A la George Gregan, Justin Marshall etc. Those players that change a match very quickly, see half gaps and away they go. They keep the game very interesting and exciting.
I really miss the Joost van der Westhuizen days.
Hougaardt can do that. And we have exciting players to link up with him. Be it forwards or at flyhalf.
But now scrumhalves are chosen on their ability to box kick. Would it be doos skop in Afrikaans?
22 Nov 2012, 06:39 am
There is something wrong when our test starting wing feels this way, but yet our coach still picks him out of position! Wtf. Taute another player that should be playing and starting at fullback not centre! He is after all the best fullback in the country! Meyer is a fool, its a very bad era the boks are in. We need a coach that will take us to the world cup in 2015 as one of the favorites, but yet we would worry playing a team like Samoa! The boks are in trouble and it needs to get fixed asap!
22 Nov 2012, 06:43 am
@Sandytoes-5:
Ja very strange indeed! Informing the coach that his selections are not so kosher!!!!
I suppose he was misquoted…
We love accomomodating certain players, even if it is out of position. Hougaard has been very poor both at scrumhalf and wing…
Are we starting to see the players frustrations???
22 Nov 2012, 06:55 am
It’s not like he had a brilliant Super 15 campaign at scrumhalf , his boxkicks getting charged down and he clearly can’t play the Fourie Du Preez game Heyneke wants , as his boot is not on the same level , Pienaar is better for this boring *** rugby Heyneke likes.
22 Nov 2012, 07:12 am
SARU are the real culprits, every decision is 4 years too late, as they hang on to their overpaid seats
22 Nov 2012, 07:13 am
one of the worst cases of mismanagement of player resource and identification yet. One more dumb fck useless closed minded cowardly decisions by a chicken arsed cowardly self preserving coach who is more concerned with his own cowardly self preserving ego than with getting the most exciting proficient players combined for the most devastating effect.
It is downright criminal the way this bloody moron has stuck this talent out on the wing compromising not only the players capacity, but also preventing other players contribution and compromising the overall effectiveness of the entire team through his cowardly conservation and pathetic fear and narrow minded cowardice.
22 Nov 2012, 07:21 am
@Sandytoes-5: Taute best fullback? jaaaa right
22 Nov 2012, 07:25 am
@wp_boytjie-7:
Well there you have it. Uit die perd se bek. Its a crime to play Hougaard ahead of an accomplished wing like Mvovo.
I agree, H will only fit into a more attack orientated gameplan. He was awful in the games he started at 9. Ive never seen a scrumhalf’s box kicks being charged down so often…
I wonder how HM feels about Hs honesty about him not playing Mvovo…
Another reason why the coach deserves flak for his selection is that Mvovo is black. Even if 2 players are on par, the black player should always get the starting spot, for the good of the game going forward. The media is complaining about deserving black players not getting their chances. In some way I agree. Jantjies could have been on the bench for each game and Mvovo should have started… And Taute who is the future 15 should never have received all those caps at center, JDJ should have started…
22 Nov 2012, 07:29 am
(Blue Bull)sh*t player management from Meyer.
22 Nov 2012, 07:34 am
@Sandytoes-5: Very few coaches have a good record in their first year in charge.
HM is unfortunately the coach with the best credentials for the job. On paper he is the best coach for the job. The only other coach I can think of that has beter credentials is Mallet. But he wont apply for this job ever again. He’s made that clear. And AC is even more conservative in his approach regarding gameplan.
Who should be appointed?
A big positive is that the forwards are becoming a formidable and settled pack, with great depth. The backline’s and gameplan short comings can be sorted out relatively quickly, but HM needs to adapt to a more balanced gameplan and perhaps bring in a decent backline/skills consultant…
Imo next year should be better.
22 Nov 2012, 07:40 am
I wonder what those who defend the indefensible will say now that Hougaard has told it himself instead of us who are called racist when we object to racism, irony?
22 Nov 2012, 07:40 am
@Jeez-13: “Very few coaches have a good record in their first year in charge.” Jake White won the Tri-Nations in his first season, with a 70% winning record that year (2004). Meyer’s been disappointing.
22 Nov 2012, 07:42 am
Impressed with Hougaard’s candid opinion on his view that he maybe blocking Mvovo from a starting spot, sounds like a good team man. Yet after watching Mvovo implode in Perth, I really don’t think he is being blocked by Houggard.
22 Nov 2012, 07:49 am
@Te Rangatira-16:
Good heavens you can say that.
Xhosaskid will have you up before the United Nations.
22 Nov 2012, 07:49 am
Tahir @ 9 an over … Quota Kleinveldt kleingeld @ almost 5 …. there is NO place for quotas in Int sport!!!!!!! you can get away with it in Super Rugby or T20 cricket…. not test matches!!!! I know Tahit is not a saffer – but he is now …. Botha much better ….
22 Nov 2012, 07:49 am
Can’t
22 Nov 2012, 07:52 am
JDV runs quicker than what Kleinveldt bowls … get Morris or Viljoen – guys with a bit of pace… its a shame Marchant is injured
22 Nov 2012, 07:53 am
@SharkaZulu-15:
Jake White
Year Played Won Lost Drew Win ratio (%)
2004 13 9 4 0 69
I know the SA public see a draw as a loss, but the boks have only lost 3 games so far with HM…
22 Nov 2012, 07:54 am
Gunther, lately in SA, any black guy who addresses racism is actually deemed a racist, weird, “progressive ” guys are the ones who pretend racism stopped with Apartheid
22 Nov 2012, 07:56 am
have always liked this young guy’s attitude on the field and have said if more boks showed the same attitude the boks would be a better team…
really happy to see such a mature off-field attitude too…
even more impressed with Hougie…
22 Nov 2012, 07:57 am
@SharkaZulu-15:
White’s win ratio in
2004: 69%
2005: 67 %
2006: 42 %
2007: 82%
Id rather have the boks have a slow and steady start than going backwards in the future…
I predict a 75% record in 2013…
22 Nov 2012, 08:03 am
64.6
Morkel to Clarke, FOUR
64.5
Morkel to Clarke, FOUR, Morkel has been dismantled. Clarke moves forward to a length ball and plays a punchy straight drive that beats the diving fielder at mid-off
64.4
Morkel to Clarke, FOUR, more width outside the off stump, Clarke cuts again, finer this time to the backward point boundary. South Africa are reeling like a swooning boxer
64.3
Morkel to Clarke, FOUR, just too short and too wide, Clarke stays in his crease and cuts hard to the point boundary.
64.2
Morkel to Clarke, no run, played off the back foot with an open face to point
64.1
Morkel to Clarke, FOUR, Clarke has laid into Morkel, moving forward to a length ball and lofting on the up, through the line and over extra cover
22 Nov 2012, 08:03 am
batting @ almost 6 an over ,,,,
22 Nov 2012, 08:11 am
Xhosakid lately any black guy who shrieks racism every time he opens his fat mouth is taken with a pinch of salt.
Cry wolf.
22 Nov 2012, 08:11 am
@Te Rangatira-16:
mvovo is so average at test level its larfable. no x-factor whatsoever save for a bit of pace. but more worryingly is, as you point out, the mental aspect of his game which goes pear shaped when under mild to moderate pressure.
the events in perth were alarming to say the least. considering the game we play, the weaknesses our top tier opposition seek to exploit in regard our players and style of play at test level, you would think the last thing a bok wing would be is fearfull under the high ball..?..
22 Nov 2012, 08:22 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-28:
Kia ora Houston….todays top wingers have to be secure under the high ball, absolutely essential.Any chink in their armour and most teams will exploit it. Mvovo needs to work on that part of his game and turn it into a strength, where teams will pay if they send high balls his way, at the moment he is too much of a risk at the highest level.
22 Nov 2012, 08:22 am
@Jeez-13: I am sorry but you cant defend Meyer’s first year in charge. It has been poor and his behaviour has been dodgy. I hope he improves next year. We need to win all home games.
22 Nov 2012, 08:24 am
Kyk, ek trek al Vrydagmiddag 4uur my Springbok trui aan, en ek trek hom eers Sondag na kerk uit, ek is trots om die naweek ‘n Bok te wees!!! Dink Hougie gaan ‘n bietjie kSh#tk kry by van ‘n paar chronnies op die site, ek sien hy gaan nou sommer ewe skielik nie goed genoeg wees om enige position in die span te kry nie!
22 Nov 2012, 08:25 am
Be that the case, I still refuse to be a house-nigga,it’s simply for me, where, when I see acts of racism I would rather be taken with whatever pinch of salt or pepper than turn a blind eye. I would rather be called a racist than condone racism, that’s just who I am
22 Nov 2012, 08:26 am
It’s ridiculous for Tahir to be bowling no balls.
South Africa look clueless here.
Being put to the sword.
22 Nov 2012, 08:28 am
” Heyneke Meyer still placed high value on his game-breaking ability and accommodated him on the wing.”
GAWD when the hell last did Hougie display this “game breaking ability??” maybe in the 2010 super rugby final against the Stormers (current Currie Cup Champs) – !
what HM is referring to is what players like Cory Jane do every game they play for the Blacks !
22 Nov 2012, 08:33 am
London – The International Rugby Board (IRB) said on Wednesday it would appeal against the “unduly lenient” one-week ban handed down to New Zealand’s Adam Thomson for stamping on Scotland’s Alasdair Strokosch.
Thomson, yellow-carded during the world champions’ 51-22 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on November 11, was subsequently cited for stamping on Strokosch.
But despite independent IRB judicial officer Jean-Noel Couraud finding him guilty of an offence at a hearing in London last Wednesday, the Frenchman imposed a ban of just one week.
However, the global governing body can initiate an appeal under a revised regulation in its own rule-book which took effect on June 1.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/IRB-appeals-All-Black-Adam-Thomsons-ban-20121121
22 Nov 2012, 08:39 am
@Sasuke-30: Im not defending his record thus far, just think bok supporters need to take all the factors into account and have some perspective and show some patience for a change.
22 Nov 2012, 08:39 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-35: Yes expose these corrupt Kiwis. Frenchie probably paid off.
22 Nov 2012, 08:39 am
I just hope heineke will give this backline 20 odd minutes come game time
9(11)Hougaard
10(20)Jantjies
11(23)Mvovo
12de villiers
13de jong
14pietersen
15(21)Taute
I think we will get at least 2 tries oUt of them
22 Nov 2012, 08:41 am
@Jeez-36: We are patient its just we expected so much more from Meyer but to draw against England and Argentina is unacceptable. Coupled by his weird tactics and poor selections it is frustating. He is slowly getting it right in terms of selections and tactics. I hope he gets it right next year.
22 Nov 2012, 08:43 am
@Te Rangatira-29:
yes hi to you too TR, agreed on the need for wingers to be confident under the high ball, absolute must these days. you could even say modern test level wingers need to have the skill set of fullbacks as much as they need to have the skills of wingers.
22 Nov 2012, 08:44 am
@Sasuke-30: Everyone called far Jake White’s head when the boks had a far worse winning ratio (2006: 42 %), then we won the world cup and now JW is considered as one of the best bok coaches… In time the boks will develop into a top team… Jeez the guy deserves to make some mistakes in his first year …And there are a lot of positives going forward
22 Nov 2012, 08:46 am
@Sasuke-37: @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-35:
here, use this to wipe your girly tears..
22 Nov 2012, 08:47 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-35:
IRB sending the right messge, not only to players who offend with regards to foul play, but also to their own Judicial officers to find some consistency across the board.
22 Nov 2012, 08:49 am
@poppa69-42: Use what? There is nothing there?
@Jeez-41: yes but he had two very good years before that so we knew what he is capable of as a coach.
22 Nov 2012, 08:50 am
@Te Rangatira-43: dont pander to the Saffas mate, Greylings attempt on mccaw was way more vicious and he was dealt to very leniently..
I see houston et al are very comfortable with his two weeks, even considering greyling ran a good 5 metres to effect the flying forearm..
22 Nov 2012, 08:50 am
This dire situation has gone far beyond simple player selection, but this is a testament to the reckless management HM continues to embed.
Unless there’s a revolt, a breaking of these shackles our backline seems stifled by…then let’s just resign ourselves to more of the same regardless of who plays shall we…
But that won’t happen with Pienaar…he’s all too happy to play this gameplan, so he gots to go!!
22 Nov 2012, 08:50 am
@Sasuke-39:
2013 should be better… A semi settled squad, even though the backline still needs a lot of work, youngsters building on their experience gained in 2012…The forwards are firing now and will continue to be as dominant.
Returning players, to name a few, like Goosen and Bismark are probably the two players which will make the biggest difference, perhaps FDP and JFourie in 2013 too…
I expect HM to focus and improve the back’s skills development and backline play. He’s been moaning about not being able to finish in the ‘goal zone’ , so he wont just let that part of their game stagnate. If he truly is a ‘fixer’ the backline play will be a priority going forward.
22 Nov 2012, 08:51 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-40:
Yep, most wingers should be able to play full back when asked to and visa versa. Though I would be wary of putting Savea or Mvovo at the back.
22 Nov 2012, 08:52 am
If he feels so bad about it why does he not decline the offer to play wing, surely nobody is forcing him?
22 Nov 2012, 08:55 am
Poppadoos, grow a pair you doos, then go do the rounds, your pathetic comments just stink
out the place!
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