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I just came to the conclusion the Boks will fail horribly this weekend, and coming from me, that is a lo to sayt! Here is why: the coaching staff keep assigning the wrong people for the wrong game plan.
Let’s go back over the last two weeks.
The Bulls game plan of kick-and-chase, simple right? Solid lineouts, Matfield with strong relentless support in his lock and back row partners.
Then a master at nine with a box kick that can land on a penny after hanging in the air for almost the entire 80 minutes, supported by a ten that can do the same – whichever has the most time to do it.
Good fast chasers with ball skills, pace and great defensive skills in Habana and Hougard.
Now let’s come back to the present.
There is a sudden change because the coaching staff are scratching their heads wondering why the hell things did not go to plan. Well, I’ll tell them.
The forwards did not do their job. The bloke kicking the box kick was Januarie, who seems to be outpaced by that turtle from Finding Nemo.
Jean de Villiers on the wing (my best rated 12), why?
Steyn, who is a great player, needs a time machine to make decisions because it takes Januarie three days to secure and pass him the ball on his feet, never mind the bread basket.
Not only this, but he is the only one effectively implementing the kick-chase. Not that the wings are chasing.
One is too slow and the other is defending his heart out at the back to support the other newby at 15.
Now, let’s predict this weekend:
A new game plan! Run with the ball, remove Januarie (good move), and give the nine jersey to your Tiger Woods fly half who has not played there in ages (they will probably destroy what confidence this talented player has left if he fails); put Kanko in at six.
Wait a minute, is he not an eight man? Winger Jean de Villiers, ring a bell anyone?
Okay, so we are running the ball, right. Don’t start your attacking players, leave them on the bench. Olivier is great for game plan when executed correctly, but not for this type of match.
What about the forwards who have struggled? Well, we are losing a lot more at six with Kanko.
Sure he adds pace, but that is not the blindsides’ job. Put the workhorse Potgieter on the bench, with the attacking players, so we can completely confuse what we are trying to do.
Bring back the pace and combination’s for a fast Brisbane game by starting your attacker Pienaar, Kanko, James, de Jong at inside, Hougard on the wing and Aplon at 15. Bench the grafters like Potgieter, Olivier and Steyn for the last 20 minutes of grunt.
Kick-chase should have been left for the home games at altitude.
Don’t confuse things by picking the wrong game plan, first of all. And, second, if you do pick the wrong plan, at least pick the right staff so we don’t end up looking like fools at the end of a bad score.
The All Blacks were good, but between now and last year, I don’t think that much has changed for the Springboks to look this bad.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.