Nothing blue about JK’s way
11 Feb 2013
After a fortnight of Super Rugby warm-up matches some patterns have emerged that offer the promise of change.
John Kirwan was one of the greatest All Blacks and one of my favourite players. Kirwan on the one wing and Carel du Plessis on the other meant I’d always pick David Campese at fullback in what I viewed as the most lethal back three the game has produced. I still haven’t changed that view more than 20 years after first being convinced the three, individually, and as a unit, had it all.
I’ve followed Kirwan’s coaching career closely and I’ve always been impressed with his desire to learn new things, to embrace different languages and cultures and to immerse himself totally, at times to his detriment as his battles against depression have been as much a discussion on his coaching career, as has his rugby ability.
Kirwan has always been a believer in the game being about the ball and about creating attacking platforms. His teams, by design rather than because of any coaching limitations, have all thrilled with ball in hand but have never had the pedigree of player to back up style of play with results.
Italy was always the team closest to Kirwan after the All Blacks because he played so much of his career in Italy, married an Italian, spent much of his life between Italy and New Zealand and he embraced the Italian culture, language and lifestyle with the same enthusiasm he never denies what makes him an Aucklander.
After spells with Italy as assistant coach and head coach, Kirwan took on the challenge of Japan and they played some sensational rugby leading into the 2011 World Cup and especially at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand where the Japanese side threatened to beat France in a Pool game only to be undone in the final 10 minutes.
Kirwan’s teams scored tries and played the game at a tempo that made for a spectacle. His only downfall has always been the quality of player available in selection.
He has taken on the responsibility to restore credibility to the Blues franchise and reignite Super Rugby in the region that initially dominated the competition. It is a fantastic appointment and having All Blacks World Cup winning coach Graham Henry as a support structure adds gravitas to the idealism associated with Kirwan and his youthful Blues squad.
I am not expecting the fairytale of a play-off position with the Blues but I am expecting to want to watch the side play this season. The Blues, in the two pre-season matches against the Reds and Tahs, blooded 20 previously unknowns in Super Rugby and the youngsters produced the passion and innovation for which they were selected. They lacked defensive intensity, discipline of more mature teams and could be criticised for lacking in key areas as much as blossoming in others.
But what they achieved without question was to get people talking about the Blues again. It was the first victory for Kirwan and Henry.
Jake White, with the Brumbies, adopted a similar approach. He told the youngsters he picked that talk was irrelevant as was asking the public for support. He said support was earned through performance and their Super Rugby season in 2012 would be measured by how they could increase the home crowd attendance as much as it would be by league results.
He did do his maths though and if people were starting to watch again it usually meant something good was happening on the pitch.
There is enthusiasm of a Blues campaign not suffocated with pre-season doom and there is equal energy coming from within Sydney when it comes to the Tahs. Even Campo believes there is reason to be enthusiastic and he has expressed the view of the squad being semi-final potential and with a bit of luck winning the competition in 2012.
The Blues and the Tahs have two attack-minded coaches and this should add a dimension to the tournament. White’s progress with the Brumbies is a campaign within a campaign, as is Dave Rennie’s challenge in sustaining, possibly even improving, what was achieved with the Chiefs in 2012.
For the Highlanders and Reds the expectations are bigger. Jamie Joseph will feel the pressure of turning promise into something with a greater punch and Ewen McKenzie, the probable successor to Robbie Deans as national coach in the next six months, will be determined to have a year more consistent with the title-winning 2011 than the injury-plagued whippings of 2012.
The Canes offer the most promise in New Zealand’s conference with the only question mark still around the menace of the tight five and the depth of those asked to stoke the fires that can make this franchise red hot.
Of the South African franchises the pre-season has asked no new questions and the biggest winner in the pre-season would be the Lions who are now building the platform from which to relaunch their Super Rugby history in 2014.
It is fantastic to see the approach of the Lions and their support base has supported a process that first gives birth to a cub and then hopes for the emergence of a roaring lion.
The Stormers look the most settled in player selection and continuity of picks but they also look the most conservative and it will need a bit more adventure, of the variety produced by Western Province in last year’s Currie Cup, to take them all the way in the competition.
I have picked the Sharks as my team to win the South African conference and win the tournament. I have also picked the Kings to evolve with each weekend because of the quality of the back room staff, especially the Director of Rugby Alan Solomons.
It remains disturbing but not unexpectedly so, that there remains such hatred for a squad of players who never selected themselves, never were a part of the politics that gained the Kings entry into the tournament and never asked for anything but the opportunity to play rugby.
These players are owed support for being South African players, which is not to say they will get it from within South Africa. I am guessing they’ll probably be more embraced overseas if they show a willingness to play the game with flair because the only expectation should be in how they play and improve and not in how many wins they get in year one.
Those who knock them will conveniently forget the Lions won 15 out of 90 matches and went two seasons without a win. Those who knock them will also never accept that the Kings was never meant to be a Super Rugby story at the expense of the Lions.
The Kings are as much the victims as the short-term victors of SARU’s administration bungling in mixing agendas of race, politics, World Cup hosting campaigns, transformation and Super Rugby participation.
The Lions, the victims in 2013, will be long-term victors because in a pressure-free environment of friendly encounters they are building a player base they never had in Super Rugby.
By Mark Keohane
157 Comments
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11 Feb 2013, 13:08 pm
@willievz-46: true…but in full flight he was something to behold
11 Feb 2013, 13:09 pm
The march of the mighty Blues is underway…..
Yeefuckinghah.
Surprises in store for friend and foe alike I reckon.
The Blues makeover has begun.
11 Feb 2013, 13:10 pm
@BuckTrendy-34: I’m amazed they could keep a straight face.
11 Feb 2013, 13:11 pm
@gunther-50: Not at all.
Never rated him that highly.
But that’s just me.
11 Feb 2013, 13:11 pm
@Angostura-47:
Indeed all on 40 Gauloise a day.
You mean the Camargue?
Great fleur du sel.
And white horses.
11 Feb 2013, 13:12 pm
@willievz-42: yes.
11 Feb 2013, 13:14 pm
yeah buck…
always will have a soft spot for calla…!
very underrated fullback…
11 Feb 2013, 13:16 pm
@willievz-54:
Korrec Willie.
11 Feb 2013, 13:17 pm
@willievz-46: He was a percentage players. Above average, but not great on the world stage.
11 Feb 2013, 13:18 pm
@ufo-57: for sure! you enjoy the rugby at the CTS on Sat?
11 Feb 2013, 13:19 pm
@willievz-42: yes. @BuckTrendy-45: Best reader of the game from15 I have ever seen. He also had superb hands – the ball seemed to stick to him.
11 Feb 2013, 13:19 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-52:
you really do promise a lot…
11 Feb 2013, 13:21 pm
@gunther-55: Ag, the spelling? yes, my bad … but you know what I meant
11 Feb 2013, 13:22 pm
@BuckTrendy-60:
yeah thanks… really enjoyed the rugby bud…
you…?
11 Feb 2013, 13:27 pm
@Angostura-33:
carmagain..?..
@BuckTrendy-38:
oh no
tears
tears
Poppa you beaut
11 Feb 2013, 13:50 pm
@RL-13: they are all quality lads at various degrees of their development as quality writers. We are all on the same page. I am back to blogging in my own capacity again and they are the go to guys for all things newsworthy as well as their individual opinions. Think of it as having two mediums servicing your needs.
11 Feb 2013, 14:01 pm
@keo-66:
And let’s face it .
His needs are special.
11 Feb 2013, 14:05 pm
@keo-66: it is nice to have the old Keo writing again – welcome back. Just a pity about losing tanky. Maybe get pissant onboard to post some of his stuff here.
11 Feb 2013, 14:08 pm
@keo-66:
You need a proofreader
I’m your person
11 Feb 2013, 14:09 pm
Will work for cigs
11 Feb 2013, 14:10 pm
Great article Keo.
(able to finish reading it with half a bottle of brandy and coke to go)
All these moaners and swearers and anti this and that are all loyal supporters. Just keep the snippets coming.
11 Feb 2013, 14:11 pm
@keo-66:
I too have a psychic medium on speedial
11 Feb 2013, 14:13 pm
Anyone notice the Kings are mentioned?
Should make for 300 posts or thereabout
11 Feb 2013, 14:16 pm
@keo: please you can employ whoever u want, just not f.cuking Mormons…
no hiyas bro ^5
11 Feb 2013, 14:31 pm
And gold chains and Brut
11 Feb 2013, 14:31 pm
@pompies2-59: Give me Gavin Johnson over Andre, any day.
11 Feb 2013, 14:35 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-62: I have been telling you this for some while Bakkies…..
They won’t win it this year…..but I’m predicting a new vision, spirit, discipline and hunger amongst the Aucklanders….And THAT on it’s own, sounds a warning.
If their tighties can hold their own in any way shape or form (yes, they might struggle – I admit), we might something of beauty….
Bakkies have you seen your Bulls fellas singing their song yet?
Anyone send you the link yet? Yes/No?
@Transformation-74: Guppifanboy reporting = extended periods of salmonella poisoning. Muchshittingandvomiting.
11 Feb 2013, 14:40 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-77:
yip
it made Gunther cry
11 Feb 2013, 14:46 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-78: With laughter is my guess……………..
11 Feb 2013, 14:46 pm
Some of the best coaches will be going head to head in this competition:
Jake White
John Plumtree
….and the rest.
11 Feb 2013, 14:48 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-77: advantage Stormers…
The Sharks have lost Super Rugby captain
Keegan Daniel for 6 weeks with a knee injury
and Tim Whitehead for 6-8 weeks with a
broken arm.
*cue Guppy wailing…
11 Feb 2013, 14:50 pm
Jacques Potgieter
*solo*
no i wont – be afraid –
ooohhhh hoooo hoooo
11 Feb 2013, 14:52 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-79:
i really would like to know who the PR/Marketing people are.
who brainstorms this stuff..?..
11 Feb 2013, 14:53 pm
Any one of the flankers could fill in at eighth man.
There are several players that could fill Whitehead’s spot. Move wingers…there are a lot of permutations.
There are a lot of the senior guys that could fill the captain’s shoes.
11 Feb 2013, 14:53 pm
@Transformation-81: The Hobbit starting is not exactly a disadvantage either
Only kidding, hope the fella recovers quickly. I do think Whitehead is a bigger loss for the guppies though. ***guppiewailingneverstopped?***
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-82: I was afraid. Veryfuckingafraid.
11 Feb 2013, 14:54 pm
@Transformation-81: None of them would make a Sharks 15 that I would choose so it’s not as bad as people think. Tim wouldn’t even feature on the bench IMO.
Eben on the other hand would walk into any SA side at 4. So advantage Sharks IMO.
11 Feb 2013, 14:55 pm
i really dont think Frans Steyn is made of the ‘Right Captaincy Stuff’.
i like him, a lot
i really do.
but i just dont see it.
11 Feb 2013, 14:56 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-85:
his eyes betrayed him
11 Feb 2013, 14:57 pm
Best Sharks trio is Coetzee/Alberts/Kanko. Deysel and Botes on the bench. All of them are better than Keegan if you ask me.
12 – 13 will be Steyn – Jordaan.
So no loss for the Sharks.
11 Feb 2013, 15:00 pm
@stormersboy-89:
Agreed….Daniels is not the do or die man for The Sharks…although he does add spark he is not the X-factor that Kanko is or could be.
11 Feb 2013, 15:02 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-87: Frankie Steyn is in the Pierre Spies-kak-as-cappy mold…brainfarts galore
11 Feb 2013, 15:03 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-83: Bulls marketing peeps Bakkies?……I would hazard a guess and say: Folk like you?
@stormersboy-89: Agree. Him starting is certainly no threat…. Although to be fair, Deysel, Alberts and Coetzee offer very much the same dishes off the same menu. …. Interesting to see where Kanko picks up again.
I beieve Whitehead to be the bigger loss purely because guppiesshytegetsreal with one hamstring tweak in the centres…. No that well stocked there, unless JPP is once more considered.
11 Feb 2013, 15:05 pm
@keo-66: I’ll write a weekly article for free. Mahala. Gratis.
11 Feb 2013, 15:07 pm
@stormersboy-89:
kanko better than keegan cullen?!!
kanko had 2/3 good games last year towards the end of the comp when other cats were moeg…keegan cullen was indeed the best guppy loosie after marcell stats wise.
kanko only fixed their faultering lineout.
11 Feb 2013, 15:07 pm
@willievz-76: Much of a muchness bewteen the 2 really. Johnson was a bit better @ goalkicking though, but did not have the same psychological effect on the opposition.
11 Feb 2013, 15:09 pm
@stormersboy-89: Said this exact same thing to Heavens Game last week. He was beside himself. Just couldn’t fathom how Keegan Cullen wouldn’t make the starting loosies.
11 Feb 2013, 15:11 pm
@Transformation-94: Sorry transie. Gotta side with SB. As a trio, SB’s choices are better as a unit. If you were to choose 3 inviduals to play in a loose trio, Keegan comes into the reckoning.
11 Feb 2013, 15:13 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-92: Yes, it does weaken the depth, but not the starting 15. Lambie can play 12, as can Bosman. 13′s are not as simple as you say, with maybe JPP as cover,
Obviously not ideal, but there will always be injuries and it could have been a lot worse.
@Transformation-94: By a country mile. Kanko would have been the Springbok 8th man last year if he had stayed put. Keegan was at best 4th choice. They even tried Coetzee there. Flatters to deceive in my opinion. i don’t hate the guy or anything, just don’t rate him as highly as many other 8th men. He’s a better 6 than 8 IMO.
11 Feb 2013, 15:16 pm
@pompies2-96: Look….HG is a special case. He wears K-Dog jamjams and follows him on twotter…… It’s fanboy adoration more than anything else.
11 Feb 2013, 15:16 pm
@Transformation-91:
well, if he sings anything like Pierre then the Sharkies are truly farked this season.
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-92:
it was cringeable, Pedigree
totally cringeable
i think Ludeke’s playing mind games with the guys
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