- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As a proud Bok supporter, it grates me to see my team get taught a rugby lesson three weeks in a row. They’ve been outplayed in all aspects of each game and on the media front. I’m also not that ignorant a rugby viewer to blame the losses on reffing decisions.
As any supporter, I view the game through tinted glasses (mine being tinted green) and my impression is that there has been clear inconsistencies in on field decisions made by the refs in the last three weeks.
I also have no problem with the yellow cards that were handed out to the Boks or the suspensions. In fact, I would gladly see Bakkies banned for longer because it is embarrassing to sit watching a game where a head-butt like that happens with all opposition supporters thinking that Bok supporters condone that type of behaviour (when the majority don’t).
However, that being said, all I ask for is consistency from the ref when blowing a game and I definitely do not feel as though that has been the case.
Two yellow cards were handed out to the Boks in the last three games for “killing or slowing” the ball down in the ruck close to the goal line.
Both without a prior warning (granted in Bakkies case, it might have been a delayed reaction to viewing the head-butt on stadium replay). In contrast, the All Black’s and Wallabies were not treated with the same disdain or harshness when committing similar offences on their own goal lines (read: McCaw and Pocock).
This is seen as inconsistent reffing, and that is what irks any supporter from any team, especially when on the receiving end of the whistle.
Did it cost us the game? No, did it make the big losses easier to swallow. Definitely not.
All teams thrive on momentum and many a times those decisions were momentum killers.
The Northern Hemisphere referees are also not applying the same interpretation to the tackle situation that was applied in the Super 14. In the Super 14, the tackler and any support players involved in tackling HAD to release the tackled player and allow him to place the ball before trying to play the ball themselves.
This interpretation has changed since the beginning of the Tri Nations with the All Blacks and Wallabies adapting well while the Boks have been naive and slow to adapt.
To me, the biggest stumbling block for the Boks is the coaching staff.
Some might say it comes down to the players’ mental attitude which does seem to be lacking. However, if a player is not mentally or physically tuned into playing for his country, then drop him for a young buck eager to make a name for himself.
Of those, there are plenty in the wings in South Africa.
There is no cohesion in the coaching room, and to be blunt, not enough expertise to properly develop the Bok machine to its full potential (neither of the three coaches have a proven track record and its starting to show).
Good players don’t suddenly turn into bad players in two months.
The rules haven’t changed, and yet with two South African teams competing in the Super 14 final, the same core players have been shown up horribly come Tri Nations time. The Boks would do well to make changes with the times, while learning to tackle again.
However, no professional player in any sport can get away without a worthy coach. Many have tried and many have failed.
From all accounts, the senior players have had to step in and direct a team, and as soon as that happened, the wheels were bound to come off at a later stage.
Mark my words the Springboks will be BACK. So be afraid, be VERY afraid.
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.