Ranting about Rhule, Raving about Kriel

In my weekly “Rants and Raves” for Independent Media, I take a look back at some positives and negatives for this weekend.

Top Rant

Stormers wing Raymond Rhule’s defensive vulnerability makes him a liability. He is just not good enough for any team with championship aspirations. Take the engaging personality out of the equation and look at the harsh realities of the professional performance. Rhule is not up to standard under the high ball, as again illustrated against Highlanders and All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo. His one-on-one defence remains terrible. Rhule is not an investment and neither is Stormers coach Robbie Fleck, who three years into his tenure simply has not delivered.

read my other two rants at iol.co.za

Top Rave

Bulls and Springboks centre Jesse Kriel is finally starting to play like an international midfielder, who is being coached. The influence of former All Blacks and Lions coach John Mitchell on the development of Kriel has been obvious. Kriel’s electric pace has always been a feature of his game; not so has been the attacking or defensive subtleties associated with the game’s best midfielders. It’s changing for Kriel and the timing of his drift and acceleration to take a flat bullet pass from (Handre) Pollard to set up Warrick Gelant’s try was done to perfection.

read my other 2 raves at iol.co.za