The Boks defeat of the Wallabies was not supernatural

 

Roar Pro

By Doug McCrossan, 6 Sep 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

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 Peter de Villiers, Rugby Union, Springboks, The Springboks, wallabies

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Before the Springboks vs Wallabies match last weekend, I wrote a note to South African coach Peter Villiers outlining what I felt the team needed to do to gain the advantage. He may well have taken note.

In simple terms, I think the Springbok team must be greater than the sum of the component players – and to achieve this you need cohesion.

This was what I outlined to De Villiers:

Given the sound fundamentals that exist with the Springbok’s game I believe a simple yet key change in their tactical game can turn the tide in their favour.

I propose the Boks take the game to the opponents in composed and controlled phases.

I think the tryline is too prominent in the player’s minds. When they are in the opponents half, they have the tryline in mind and go belting towards it. This mindset results in the players having too much forward momentum and also results in the players isolating themselves from their support.

This is why so much ball is being stolen from them.

Perhaps you can instill in your players the need to work their way to the tryline in a less urgent fashion — in phases of 5 to 10 metres or less, keeping possession.

Only when they are within 5 to 10 metres of the try line should they be even thinking about getting the ball over the tryline and then, of course, God is in the details.

This tactical change requires patience and composure. Of course, any occasional opportunities that present themselves are the exception.

I think this small change in your team’s tactical game is the simple key to winning the games. The Boks fundamentals are good, skill levels are high, and the difference between the sides are very marginal.

It was Napoleon Bonaparte who said it was often the small things that happen in battle that turned the tide in favour of victory.

The Boks must be greater than the sum of the component players.

To accomplish this, instill patience, work the ball up to the tryline with realistic momentum, in controlled and composed phases, with key support in touch with the ball carrier.

I believe this simple change in mindset will make the crucial difference.

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