Bok game plan needs more balance
26 Nov 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day newspaper column, says the Springboks have no attack and that has to be the focus next year if they are to take on a New Zealand side playing at a pace never seen before.
The aim within the Springbok squad was to win three matches on tour and show the defensive qualities that win World Cup finals. On the surface then, the tour will be viewed as a major success.
The Boks won all three Tests and conceded just one try. Once again they looked impotent with the ball in hand, but this seemed a secondary concern for the coach, captain and squad. They left London as winners.
Only, to win the World Cup in 2015 and win the Rugby Championship in between, the Boks will need greater innovation on attack and a shift in mindset that recognises the need for more balance between attack and defence, and the need for some home truths.
Ireland, Scotland and England are not the measurement of world rugby, and to be the best South Africa have to usurp New Zealand, who currently are playing the game at a pace never seen before, and with a balance in attack and defence that is the envy of every other international team.
The All Blacks leak more tries than the Boks, but they also score more. The All Blacks on their most recent tour have exposed more youngsters to Test rugby, evolved their depth in most positions and still won convincingly. The Boks, in three Tests, picked the best available every time, and some in the squad never got a minute’s game time. Each to their own, but to deny the flaws in Bok rugby at present would be to deny the obvious.
Defence has always been a strength of good Bok teams, but then so has attack. This team currently has no attack and that has to be the focus next year. If not, the Boks will again be a tenacious opponent applauded for character. They will not be the kind of opponent feared because of enterprise.
The Boks never looked like losing at Twickenham against a home side even more inept when it comes to attack. England will always be physical, always be determined and always be a difficult opponent at Twickenham.
The margin of victory was only a point but it may well have been 20. England, with 60% territory and 60% possession, never had the capacity to unlock the Bok defence. Again, they are not the measurement.
The more accurate match to reflect on has to be the All Blacks dismantling of the Boks at Soccer City a few months ago. The All Blacks scored four tries within 50 minutes and asked questions of the Bok defence to which South Africa had no answer.
If the aim is to be a top-three team with the occasional win against the best, then you can’t fault Heyneke Meyer and his Boks this year. If this crop of Boks do have greater ambition, then there has to be greater introspection about an inability to turn dominant periods of play into tries.
If you want to attack the limitations of the Boks in 2012, there is enough to make a convincing argument. If you want to make a case for bravery, commitment and a season that was reasonably successful, you would also find enough for a winning argument.
It all comes down to the interpretation of ambition.
As I write every week, there will always be hope in and for South African rugby, because of good playing numbers. But to set a standard is to take a risk, and in Meyer’s first season there have been few risks taken.
That has to change if the Boks are to be seeded second, with the capacity of being first, or to be second among a group with no prize of toppling the All Blacks.
Meyer will have an easier summer break because of the three tour wins, but I sincerely hope he also has an introspective one. There has to be honesty about the season, which was acceptable without being exceptional.
This squad are being characterised on their ability to defend, but there is just too much defensive in everything about this team, be it in performance or when questioned on performance. Injury to players is presented as a defence to any question that is interpreted as criticism, but only 15 players get to start, and in many positions those currently playing would again be selected — ahead of unavailable players of more experience.
Naturally, the Bok team at Twickenham would be strengthened when Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana and Johan Goosen are again available, and there would be more depth to the forwards when Bismarck du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies and Juan Smith are fully fit.
But the core of what constitutes the best team was at Twickenham, and for this best team to mature into a team capable of being the best in the world, there has to be greater cross-examination and less defensiveness about the obvious shortcomings of the year.
117 Comments
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26 Nov 2012, 15:00 pm
It’s a combination then. Not enough/proper/encouraged coaching. And secondly a game plan that stifles the execution of those aspects.
How difficult can it be to rectify it? Choose the right players with those attributes/potential to do it. And encourage it as part of the “horses for courses” HM approach.
Frustrating stuff. Anyway, I suppose HM knows it all. He is supposed to.
26 Nov 2012, 15:03 pm
@nama1-45:
That is what all the debate has been about. The skills sets. I just took a small figure of the top 30 players. The Springboks in other words. They are expected to know most of the finer skills of the game.
26 Nov 2012, 15:12 pm
@Bokhoring-49:
Agree with that.
What can we lose? Our back line play is currently non-existent.
26 Nov 2012, 15:29 pm
@cuntlyn-51:
But my point is that they do possess some of those skills but that the game plan does not allow for them to exhibit it.
Example, JdV we all know has the ability to hit a half gap and off load if there are support runners close to him. The game plan however dictates that he should run straight at the opponents and take a couple to the ground with him which will (hopefully) then leave the opposition with one less defender in the back line.
Game plan nullify the skills our players have.
26 Nov 2012, 15:45 pm
@nama1-47:
Yep, it’s about the support runners as well as the carrier.
26 Nov 2012, 15:48 pm
I said from the start Meyer will be our Henry. The only thing that stands between him and an 8-year tenure is a win in the next World Cup, but he will achieve a higher long term success rate than in any other decade.
The only thing that stood between him and this goal was the first year. I knew it will be a tough one, but he has gone through it not unsuccessful. There are a number of goals Meyer would have had regarding team dynamics which is crucial for a successful tenure:
1. The growth in the number of leaders in the team: I think Louw, Vermeulen, Strauss, de Villiers and Pienaar are now considered to be good leaders within the team.
2. A growth in the experience in the team. To accomplish this he had to pick players consistently and he did.
3. Players playing for each other. It is clearly evident that this team believes in each other and will “die” for each other.
These goals are more important than many other goals we as supporters believe in, but they are characteristics of any successful team.
26 Nov 2012, 15:50 pm
Guys there has been a few ‘homophobic’ comments on Keo lately.
If anyone has anything against *** people, let me know. I am *** and proud.
26 Nov 2012, 15:51 pm
@TASSlES-56: ga.y
See you can’t even type “ga.y” without it being censored!
26 Nov 2012, 15:52 pm
@nama1-53:
I am with you.
In theory ok, because our guys are big. But, only sometimes.
Difficult to fathom this black or white approach. Mix it up, what so difficult? Or does it all of a sudden become a high risk game. Sure, defensive structures will be in disarray if JdJ gets taken out and spill the ball forward on attack. But, learn to restructure quickly. That’s coaching.
26 Nov 2012, 15:54 pm
@cuntlyn-58: shut up. with a name like that, you are clearly a homophobe!
We’re here and we’re *****. Deal with it!
26 Nov 2012, 15:54 pm
@TASSlES-59: * quee.r
26 Nov 2012, 15:56 pm
@TASSlES-59:
Im perplexed. Why did you attack me? And what makes you think I am a homophobe?
26 Nov 2012, 15:57 pm
Anyway, its probably your bad Tassenberg or Oom Tas hangover kicking in.
26 Nov 2012, 16:01 pm
@cuntlyn-61: You hate people like me because we are attracted to men. Small minded way of thinking.
26 Nov 2012, 16:05 pm
I love you my darling. Ok, can we move on and talk about rugby now. (and you right, maybe I should change my keo name)
Happy now?
26 Nov 2012, 16:07 pm
@cuntlyn-61:
Probably a nic thief. The real Tassies usually blogs at night.
My guess is that it is the same guy who blogged under Slumtown’s name last week.
26 Nov 2012, 16:07 pm
@TASSlES-63: There is no way this farken outright cowardlytwat is Tassies…
Give yourself a doodpoes, fckface…
26 Nov 2012, 16:12 pm
Guys, I agree the keo name is probably offensive. I thought it was funny.
Anyway, I read about Tassies and I think he said he lives close to Newlands and he went to watch the match at Hout Bay Yacht Club. I even followed his rugby comments.
I was very surprised about the outburst.
Think you guys are right. I hope the real Tassies will stand up and give this Tassie a real Tassies&Coke klap.
26 Nov 2012, 16:13 pm
HM has a plan. At a guess he is building things in roughly the following order:
1. Character/Culture
2. Squad development
3. Defense
4. Set pieces
5. Territorial game
6. Goal kicking
7. …
…
…
??. Backline attacking moves
If that is about right then what this tour reflects is that we’re at about step 3.5.
26 Nov 2012, 16:16 pm
@funkyzoo-68:
Lets hope next year is Rugby Flair 201 with Prof Meyer
26 Nov 2012, 16:20 pm
@cuntlyn-58:
Yes, I can’t see why we can’t get the balance right.
Running at them hard but also letting the ball move down the back line. I mean really, how many times has JdV passed the ball to his center mate in the past two weeks?
I can only remember two occasions. Last week it led to a mini break by JdJ before he had to go to ground eventually because there were no support runners close to him when he got tackled. On Saturday he had to pass to Hougie because he had no space to work with.
26 Nov 2012, 16:26 pm
@nama1-70:
My point exactly. And it echo’s a the point of a lot of supporters.
HM is certainly aware of it too. Just wonder why? He certainly knows something no one else knows. Or maybe, after all the basic stuff, the fun and games will start next year. I really hope so.
26 Nov 2012, 16:41 pm
and the “Disaster/overhyped player of the year end tour goes to : JDJ” – Heyneke 1 – Cape Town Tik Koppe 0!
26 Nov 2012, 16:43 pm
remember Danie gerber playing next to naas …. naas never passed…. somehow the best rugby player in the world (Doring Danie) found a way to score awesome tries…. guess JDJ not worthy to even drink Danie’s piss …
26 Nov 2012, 16:46 pm
@cuntlyn-71:
Let’s hope.
Won’t be able get through another year with the Boks dishing up the kind of rugby they did this year.
26 Nov 2012, 16:46 pm
@suffer_guy-72: JDJ a “disaster” – Which rock you been hiding under?
Farkoff man…
26 Nov 2012, 16:50 pm
the last 2 tests he played in, he wasn’t even on tv for more than 2 seconds …
26 Nov 2012, 16:50 pm
@suffer_guy-73:
Naas passed more than you think. He certainly did not take up the crash ball.
And Danie did not play next to Naas.
26 Nov 2012, 16:53 pm
doesn’t matter if he played next to naas or not… he was in same backline … naas kicked 99% of the time … danie looked for work and scored from broken play — magic, at the right place at the right time … maybe jdj to look for some work …
26 Nov 2012, 16:56 pm
@suffer_guy-78:
JdJ cerainly ain’t no Danie Gerber, i’l give you that, but I think you are mistaken about Naas.
That’s what everybody thought in those years, but actually the Boks scored a lot of quality backline tries in those days, not only from broken play.
26 Nov 2012, 16:58 pm
@suffer_guy-76: So you judge a player by seconds on TV – ohshyte, there goes any hope of anyone who continually lands up at the bottom of a ruck, middle of a maul to ever be rated highly in the suffer_guy “deep” rugby ratings… And if the ball does not get past the caterpillar of forwards lining up for 2nd, 3rd to 8th phase without variation, as the Boks have played all season long then the poor backs outside SH are all farked… TV cams focus where the ball goes, you see?
Simple…
Or Not?
For you?
26 Nov 2012, 16:59 pm
@DumbSupporter-33: well either wya he has to do something to protect himself a bit more cos at the moment he is breaking down far too easily. You forgot to mention the ankle injury too.
26 Nov 2012, 17:03 pm
@cuntlyn-69:
Bet on it. I am pretty confident that HM builds things from the foundations up.
He has a culture of commitment and intensity in place. He has a good handle on the squad options. He has built a very solid defensive platform. He has lineouts working, scrums getting better, place kicks looking better, etc.
I am not sure that fancy pants running rugby is the next priority, although it is clearly a priority in due course. My expectation is that he is most concerned about territorial play. We played far too much of the tour in our own half. So my guess is that the most important thing for the June tests, beyond evolving the things that are already going well, is to focus on accuracy in touch kicks, kick/chase etc.
Much as we would all like an instant transformation to Total Rugby I believe the key is to build patiently from the foundations to the roof, and then add finishing touches. I don’t know HM, but from what I can see if he is allowed to finish the project we’re going to be increasingly happy with his achievements.
Methodically building a great team takes time.
26 Nov 2012, 17:03 pm
@TASSlES-56: OMFG – and to think ive been casually bantering away about rugby to you. If only i´d known…
lol just kidding mate. I dont give a flying hoot what people´s gender preference is – surely its their choice and business? The ones making dispariging comments are just cavemen.
26 Nov 2012, 17:08 pm
Just after the fake Tassies is exposed as that, our dear old Suffer_Guy emerges.
26 Nov 2012, 17:14 pm
@funkyzoo-82:
Don’t you think we can also win the territory game by keeping the ball in hand? Do you only win the territory game with kicks?
26 Nov 2012, 17:14 pm
@Slumtown-83: PISS OFF!!!! I never wrote this. Someone has stolen my nickname and is posting on my behalf!!
26 Nov 2012, 17:29 pm
@SIumtown-86:
Your stalker at it again?
The guy must be mal…having a conversation with himself as Tassies and Slumtown.
Sybil…was that the name of that movie?
26 Nov 2012, 17:50 pm
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26 Nov 2012, 17:56 pm
@TASSlES-56:
@TASSlES-59:
@suffer_guy-72:
@Slumtown-83:
Take heed of post 88 and get help.
26 Nov 2012, 18:08 pm
Well let’s hope the returning big names like Bismaak, Beast, schalk, Spies, F Steyn, Habana, Bekker, Goosen can all change things around next year!
26 Nov 2012, 18:17 pm
Nic stealing is so last century
26 Nov 2012, 18:21 pm
I think the forwards had a good game on Saturday.Again the back line was poor.The main reason for that was Ruan Pienaar.He takes to long to decide what he wants to do with the ball,placing tremendous pressure on the next receiver as the defences are ready to deal with the ball carrier.His job is to be the link and not the decision maker.As the ball comes out of the ruck he should be passing the ball immediately or taking a run if the space is there.Nick Groom is a perfect example.When duvanage was in the wp team, wp couldnt buy a try .but as soon as the nippy and quick scrum half Nick Groom replaced him ,the backline started to fire.
Ruan Pienaars up and unders were again poor,giving possession away to England.I was at the game against Scotland last week and the Scottish press gave him a rating of 7 for the game,which I thought was very generous.Put a nippy ,quick passing scrum half in place of Pienaar and there will be at least a few precious seconds given to the backline to create space.
Any team given time to organize their defence whilst going backwards are going to be difficult to get through.He assists them in their task.
26 Nov 2012, 18:29 pm
@nama1-53: I think you touch on the right point. Heyneke’s strategy is about brute physicality and a high degree of some basic skills execution (note the some). Personal creativity and x-factor does not come into his approach. His approach is a sledgehammer, and as such I’m afraid the style we play will always reflect that, regardless of the players he selects.
Ironically I believe the more skilled and less physical players suffer the most/look the worst because of this and I think someone like Gio Aplon would suffer in his team
26 Nov 2012, 18:31 pm
@chriscross-92: yeah, we really miss a quick passing, snipey scrumhalf. Unfortunately Heyneke is trying to emulate FDP, ala kick and chase, so I think most scrummies will struggle, unless they are FDP of course
26 Nov 2012, 18:32 pm
@nama1-70:
If JdV crashes up and take a few opposition players out, but ball does not come out quickly. Then we back at square one. By the time ball out, defence in position again.
26 Nov 2012, 18:34 pm
@nama1-74:
Man, how do we wish!
26 Nov 2012, 18:39 pm
@funkyzoo-68: Agree, what worries me is that he seems very much to believe you will win based on just that, where the ABs and Wallabies don’t always require forward dominance to win. My worry is that his priorities for success are very much:
1. Gain line efficiency
2. Field position
3. Set piece
4. Defense, as in stop the player moving forward and turnovers
Where the ABs probably have similar but also:
1. Line breaks and meters gained
2. Ball retention and distribution
3. Defense as in slow down plat or turnovers
Our players seem to be practising different skills and actually look worse than our top S15 or CC teams
26 Nov 2012, 18:48 pm
@funkyzoo-82:
Your points make sense and despite all our emotional outbursts here, HM is certainly working methodically.
But, cant you coach a few things at once. I.e. backline moves and pin point kicking? Over simplifying, but just to illustrate the point.
I can understand that defence is a mind set and should be drilled in. The forwards are drilled well now and the team defends well. Would be great if he speeds up the rest.
26 Nov 2012, 19:06 pm
I don’t buy this Meyer culture schmulture trip
Meyer has screwed up massively through his first year and the only reason he came out of it with some credibility is because he has some players in the squad who pull together in spite of his fckup decisions and poor management.
Meyer made some good calls mostly around the following players
JdV as captain was his saving grace from day one.. any other captain like for instance Pierre Schmidt or even Matfield or FdP and Meyer would have been a dismal failure this year.
Secondly by default he dropped Potgieter and Spies and Kankowski and Daniel and introduced Louw and Vermeulen into the loose trio..
That alone is what steadied his ship in the forwards.. imagine Meyer would have gone on EOYT with the likes of Spies, Kankowski, Potgieter, Daniel and Coetsee as his trio.. the same way he started the year off.. he would have collapsed into a heap of dismal ash.
He also eventually saw his folly and dropped Morne Steyn.. though he stuck with Kirchner and reluctantly bowed to pressure to play JdJ ahead of his first choice Taute at 13. His sticking with Pienaar has been an abject fault in his game plan but the character shown by others covered over that flaw in his team make up.
JdV, Louw, Vermeulen, Etsebeth, Strauss, Alberts and JPP have been carrying the show… nearly the entire Blue Bulls byeenkoms have fallen by the wayside..
if it weren’t for the staunch support and character shown by the WP contingent led by JdV in his squad.. Meyer would never have gotten through his first year unscathed.. and that’s a fact
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