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, 15:18 pm
Guys – does anyone know what time the Bok bus will arrive at Twickers?
22 Nov 2012, 15:31 pm
@bokfan1-151:
no idea sorry.
22 Nov 2012, 15:50 pm
The man himself says he would rather sit on the bench than play out of position. How long must Mvovo wait? I hope that most KEO readers remember that the last victory at Twickenham was sealed by a great try by an actual wing called Lwazi Mvovo.
Selections such as these only create divisions between black and white bok fans. Just read any Newspaper you can find today: Racism in SA Rugby. The man himself says this is a stuff up of note and he does not want to become another Brent Russell, remember him? Meyer’s selections this season, even for a koppestamp-addicted Black Blue Bull supporter like myself are indefensible and they are begging for unnecessary scrutiny.
Play Frana at 9 at all costs. If he has a bad game, replace him for that match and next week, start him again ( a la Morne Steyn ). This guy just needs to play 10 to 20 Tests as a Bok 9 so that he adjusts his game and adapts to the challenges whilst playing No9 his way, not the FDP way. Back him, he is a star on the rise. Play Mvovo on the wing, he has earned it.
Our major concerns at the moment lie in the backline, so I ask all of you to join me in a prayer to make sure that by the start of the Rugby Champs next year, this will be the backline Squad:
9. Hougaard / Pienaar
10. Goosen / Lambie
11. Habana / Basson/ Mvovo ( We are Spoilt for choice here )
12. Frans Steyn / De Villiers
13. De Jongh / Fourie / Mapoe
14. Pietersen ( anyone else out there? Ndunganes too old)
15. Taute / Ludik / Coetzee
22 Nov 2012, 15:58 pm
@superboklegacy-153: Hougaard needs a good super rugby season next year. He was poor for the Bulls as well.
If he does not, then he may be overtaken by Reinach, Broom or van Zyl. All 3 these youngsters had very good first seasons.
22 Nov 2012, 16:02 pm
@bokfan1-151: They deliberately don’t say, to avoid feckers like you
22 Nov 2012, 16:06 pm
@Horings-154:
How did the Hougaard hype start anyway? Not from the games he played srumhalf, but from a couple of good performances at wing.
I’ve seen him play some good games at wing, but none at srumhalf.
Unfortunately at the moment his not doing so good at wing either.
Come to think of it……eversince he shaved his mullet, he’s been rubbish…
22 Nov 2012, 16:10 pm
@Horings: I agree he was average this season and he must always be careful not to underestimate the Bok factory, We don’t even know which new youngster is going to create mayhem next season. We are truly blessed but We must not take our players for granted. That Van Zyl is a demon in the making!
22 Nov 2012, 16:16 pm
Hougart is a very good scrumhalf. You bokkies just play the wrong type of game plan for him. Aaron Smith probably wouldnt look good playing under Meyer either but I’d take him over Pienaar any day of the week for a club team.
22 Nov 2012, 16:34 pm
What HM is looking for in SH is rock solid reliability + occasional x-factor (but only occasional). Hougaard just does not meet that requirement, his kicking is so so, he can be mercurial (both brilliant and then mediocre) and he does make mistakes.
Given the ‘structure’ HM is looking for Pienaar is a better fit. Pienaar however does just contribute to the slow, boring, bash crash style of the Springboks and he can be so pedestrian at times
22 Nov 2012, 16:43 pm
@McAwesome-158: it’z nonsense for a coach to insist on coaching one type of scrummy…play like FdP or bugger-off.
22 Nov 2012, 17:15 pm
@Jake_White-110:
Makes sense. Positive post
22 Nov 2012, 17:32 pm
There are situations in international rugby where the scrumhalf needs to relieve the pressure with his boot, whether we play skop and jaag rugby or running rugby. He also does not get charged down when he kicks on the halfway line, but normally in his own 22. All scrumhalves need to have this skill.
Hougaard’s technique when he kicks is all wrong for a scrumhalf and he needs to perfect that before we can pick him at 9 again.
@TooMuchRugby-156: He had a very good game at 9 against the All Blacks at Soccer City in 2010.
22 Nov 2012, 17:44 pm
@TooMuchRugby-155: Eish you cut me deep.
After all the negative dorks like you, the team appreciates loyal and vocal fans.
chop
22 Nov 2012, 17:49 pm
@Jake_White-110: oh! If only we could see that backline!
10 Lambie/Jantjies/Goosen
11 Mvovo
12 De Jongh
13 JPP
14 Habana (for now)
15 Taute
Im not sure about either of the current 9s, though Hougie is faster and more sniping… hopefully one of the young guns will step up.
22 Nov 2012, 18:03 pm
1 thing I appreciated about PdV is he was prepared to listen. Had it not been for Bryce Lawrence a semi-final against NZ would’ve vindicated his methods though I didn’t agree with John Smit selection.
HM seems to be coming round, though he has had to be dragged kicking and screaming and Hougie’s interview lays out plainly what we all new. I don’t trust HM and his gameplan though. So whether he tells us he told Lambie to play his natural game or not, only time will tell.
22 Nov 2012, 18:07 pm
I’m pretty sure the Stormers will destroy the competition next year, with the acquisition of Jantjies and the debate will be over.
#isaidithere1st
22 Nov 2012, 18:14 pm
@papaown-165: Agree 100% with you about PDiv.
Though i didnt agree with Smit starting either, that semi final wouldve vindicated his strategies.
I am more worried about how the final wouldve gone against France! But I know we wouldve klapped the ABs in that semi
22 Nov 2012, 18:17 pm
@papaown-166: Lets hope so! They have flattered to deceive.
They need Bekker to hit top form again (running and using his strength and height to offload).
They need Flouw back – also for running, offloads and turnovers.
The tries they scored in 2010 were incredible and the way they played was beautiful. Thats how the Boks should play. Hard up front, skill at the back. Forwards and backline offloading and combining to score tries. And everything backed up with a sharpshooter kicking close to 100%.
22 Nov 2012, 18:22 pm
@bokfan1-168: If Flo came back to Stormers I would back them to win Superrugby….
We lack a proper opensider currently.
22 Nov 2012, 18:22 pm
At wing-2 positions available-in line, jpp, bh, mvovo and rhule. All players of colour.
At scrum half- a European based player who hasn’t convinced
It seems hougaard is hedging his bets
22 Nov 2012, 18:33 pm
Flo is in great form, Siya did very well, but it seems as if Schalla is out of sight out of mind.
The guy’s pedigree would suggest he will continue where he left off, so I hope he’s good to go for the Stormers and Boks next year
22 Nov 2012, 18:59 pm
Poor from Hougaardt.We can’t have players openly questioning the coache’s decisions or complaining that they are feeling uncomfortable taking another’s position.You are a player Hougie and not a fan!!
22 Nov 2012, 19:14 pm
@bokfan1-164: Some people on this site would judge that backline being too ‘light’. That would be a very interesting backline to watch though. Interesting article from Tank lanning comparing the conditioning of the blitzbokke to the bokke:
http://www.sport24.co.za/Columnists/TankLanning/Blitzbokke-lead-the-way-20121122
22 Nov 2012, 19:19 pm
@Marty-173: Daddy??
22 Nov 2012, 19:50 pm
@bokfan1-163:
Just joking mate. I too support the Boks, I’m just negative about the coach.
22 Nov 2012, 20:19 pm
@nortierd-171: Kolisi is a 7 or 8….great prospect but does not have the deck skills of a Brussow or Flo….same applys to Schalk…an out and out blindsider ….
22 Nov 2012, 20:20 pm
@grant10-176: Absolutely.
Hybrids should not play 6!
22 Nov 2012, 20:37 pm
@grant10-176:
Right, so the Stormers should stick with Deon Fourie at 6, Schalla 7 , Dwayne at 8 and bring Siya on as impact player. He will make an impact
22 Nov 2012, 20:45 pm
@willievz-177: Hybrids a last resort for me Willie….
@nortierd-178: Long season and rotation will be crucial……Schalk will need to prove his over the injuries….Carr also training again….Armand and Elstaht also in the mix….I know D Fourie wants to go back to hooker ….
Depth so crucial…
22 Nov 2012, 20:57 pm
@grant10-179:
Yep, I think Schalk will continue as if nothing happened, Fourie was very good at CC level and if Tiaan is fully fit may step up at 6, he is an important part of the team.
All in all looking good for 2013 regarding the forwards
22 Nov 2012, 21:05 pm
Burger is totally overrated.. been overrated for a good few years.. Burger was instrumental in losing the 2011 WC. Burger was also top of the pile losing the CC in 2010 to Sharks as well as losing S14 to Bulls. WP played far better rugby when Burger was not there.
Much rather have Kolisi at 7 any day. If Fourie is going to concentrate at 2 then AC will probably start Burger at 6 again.
22 Nov 2012, 21:09 pm
Sharks fans must be confused by now: Firstly…………….they hated Heyneke for not selecting Lambie …………………..secondly……………..they adored Heyneke for selecting Lambie in the 22 man squad………………….Thirdly ………………they hated Heyneke again for letting Lambie’s butt gather some choice forest wood………………fourthly…………….,they admired and adored Heyneke again for selecting Lambie as the starting ten…………………..fifthly…………..they hated Heyneke again for supposedly forcing Bambi to play a game foreign to him……….at the time of going to press they adored Heyneke again for telling Lambie to play his natural attacking game.Eish,hard being a Sharks supporter supporting the Boks!!
22 Nov 2012, 21:11 pm
Pienaar better catch a wake up if Boks intend to take the game to England.. England will be smarting after a surprise loss to Australia and they reckon they can take the Boks in a physical encounter.
With Youngs and Care at 9 and a pretty mobile back line England are going to run at Boks. So if Boks are hoping to win this game it is going to hinge around how Pienaar recycles and distributes ruck ball.. If he slows the game down the way he is programmed to do he will play straight into England’s hands
Meyer should have had Hougaard at 9 and Taute at 15
Pienaar and Kirchner with perhaps a stuttering Lambie if he gets slow ball from Pienaar could cause Boks a whole lot of heartache
22 Nov 2012, 21:15 pm
@grant10-176: Please explain how an out-and-out blindsider was IRB player of the year as an opensider?
22 Nov 2012, 21:24 pm
@bokfan1-167:
So boks would have won against NZ in the RWC 2011?
lol….ok suppose we would never know and thats a fact….you would never know.
Going on how we hammered Ozzie in the semi you probably would have had no show.
Blaming Bryce for your loss is a cop out. Course Bryce had a rubbish game but a teeam with over 70% possession and territory and throwing forward passes…..just playing a dumb game did not help.
22 Nov 2012, 21:24 pm
@trupisero-184: The other night for no reason you chose to have a full go at me…even using my surname on the blog in some strange attempt to get at me……..Why would I ever want to converse with you? If you believe Schalk is an opensider then so be it….you obviously do not respect my opinions and your sick attempt to get personal stuff onto the site means I would rather not discuss my opinions with you.
22 Nov 2012, 21:27 pm
@skopdiekan-181: It is a pity D Fourie is not wanting a full time conversion to openside Skop, he has been a revelation ….
Yeah, I agree….AC will probably revert to Schalk at 6….giving free lunches to all the specialist deck opensiders out there again….sadly
22 Nov 2012, 21:28 pm
@skopdiekan-181:
Most dishonest and ignorant post on keo for years. Burger lost us the wc? Lol.
22 Nov 2012, 21:29 pm
@skopdiekan-181:
Can’t agree with saying Burger is overrated, but it’s your opinion and view.
Regarding how he was instrumental in losing the World Cup, also don’t agree.
I thought the biggest drawback was when Steyn got injured and JdV came in. There one could see he was past it and we could not get going, similar to the current situation with him still there.
Also, the Aussies managed to get Brussow off, yet for all the talk of our so called hard players, we couldn’t manage to return the favour and get Pocock of the field, be it with legal clean outs or even some underhanded tactics.
I agree that Kolisi could start, that he showed this year, but to discard someone with so much experience, not something one takes lightly.
Kolisi can still learn a lot from and benefit by playing with Burger that could stand him in good stead.
22 Nov 2012, 21:31 pm
@wnbb-182: it may be tough being a sharks supporter at times, but not as tough as your mothers gwat. Shes got a **** like a bleddy rhino horn!
22 Nov 2012, 21:32 pm
@Brendope-188: yeah Burger lost the WC in 2011 … along with Smit, Spies and FdP… where were you when he coughed up the ball under our posts for the only try scored in the game.. and the rest of the game stood at first receiver and died with the ball at the breakdown or had it ripped off him by Pocock 9 times from every 10 attempts at breaching the advantage line … you obviously not a rugby spectator maybe you watching all the pom pom girls.
22 Nov 2012, 21:32 pm
@grant10-186: Don’t waste your time with him G10.He is nothing but a coward.
22 Nov 2012, 21:32 pm
Jaslaaik, you can’t even say cli.t
22 Nov 2012, 21:34 pm
@skopdiekan-191: no one will notice when you go away and kill yourself, so you may as well do it now. Cheers.
22 Nov 2012, 21:35 pm
@Brendope-190: my mother is dead for thirty years now this year.great post by the way!!
22 Nov 2012, 21:37 pm
@nortierd-189: JdV was the only player in that entire 80 minutes who actually broke the advantage line.. and almost put Lambie away but passed forward… the rest of the time from minute one to 80 Burger hammered away at it on his solo mission to be the big hero ball carrier fulcrum of Boks charges.. the most stupid strategy ever devised by any rugby coach ala Rassie Erasmus brain wave idea which resulted in Aussie scoring the only try of the match with Burger at first receiver, and every time Burger tried breaching the advantage Pocock stole it off him or stopped him dead in his tracks.. even on Aussie try line Burger couldn’t get across the line.. that was how ineffective he was as Boks go to man.
22 Nov 2012, 21:39 pm
@wnbb-195: Good. Then she will not be able to reproduce again and infect the rest of the human race.
22 Nov 2012, 21:40 pm
@nortierd-189:
Yep, Brussow going off was the handing over off the match really.
The game that Bryce reffed was open, sad but true.
Brussow would have thrived on that and would have cleaned Pocock out as i thought Brussow was the best fetcher in the world at the time.
22 Nov 2012, 21:40 pm
@Brendope-194: you must be some little pipsqueak moron with a brain the size of a pea.. what kind of pisswilly little idiot morons actually come pretend they know anything relative to rugby here.
this place is becoming more and more juvenile delinquent infested by the day.
22 Nov 2012, 21:43 pm
@Brendope-197:
Give it rest ya tool.
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