I was at the Springboks training session the other day, after their first squad for the year had been named, and it was interesting to get a first hand perpective on the tactics the team will take into the English Tests.
The verdict – precise kicking from 9 and 10.
From what I could determine, it looks like kicking will play a big part in the game plan, which fits in with the type of team that new coach Heyneke Meyer has selected (Blue bulls style).
He has clearly picked a team that he knows will play the simple style that he wants to play. It’s a team rich in talent and experience, which is important as he must win in the eyes of all South Africans.
Sure, there’s been a lot of people in South Africa complaining about the squad, and the omission of flanker Heinrich Brussow in particular. And to be fair, a number of Stormers players who have been playing well haven’t been picked.
But Heyneke knows the world will be watching, and playing England at home, he knows winning is the first and foremost priority.
Yesterday, we saw the Wallabies lose (again) to Scotland.
It seems to me, the problem was that the Australian team had no combinations in the centres and at 8-9-10.
You need combinations at this level of rugby. You can’t just pick a bunch of talented individuals and expect them to do the job.
I am sure some will use the weather as an excuse but, sorry, not good enough. This is the ultimate level of rugby and there are no excuses.
In the past, the most successful teams have had great combinations in key positions: Farr-Jones/Ella, Farr-Jones/Lynagh, Hawker/O’Connor, Nonu/Smith, van der Westhuizen/Stransky, Gregan/Larkham, to name a few.
What is concerning me is the move towards creating all-round players and doing away with specialist players, which affects the team and the combinations.
Communicating and understanding each other comes through playing together consistently, which does not happen nowadays. Some would argue that Australia has not produced a successful combination at 10/12/13 since Horan and Little, some 12 years ago.
The Springboks under 20 team played against Ireland the other day.
Ireland controlled the game and the Boks combinations didn’t click into gear. They had a few opportunities to win but combinations and confidence let them down.
At one point near the death, they had a lineout four meters out from the Irish line and lost the ball and the match as a result.
You must stay composed and stick to the basics.
This is what happens when you get together as a new team, without any significant combinations in place.
Look at the Reds this season. Genia has struggled this year because, for much of it, he hasn’t had Cooper alongside of him in the backline. The more great players you have, the more pressure you put on the opposition.
But an even bigger problem in Australia is that we lack combinations in the centers, as we saw in the RWC2011.
Wouldn’t it be great to see a Horan/Little combo again? Stop the opposition and give the outside backs a chance to show how good they are.
Having watched the Springboks backline at training, you could see that it is a backline that has played together and will understand each other under pressure.
Meyer has entered his debut series with an understanding that he needs to pick combinations in key positions to be in with a show of winning.
At this level of rugby, you can’t keep chopping and changing. That’s when things fall apart.
Against England, the Springboks are playing the enemy. There is a lot of pride there. They simply have to win. And I think this squad can do it.
Check out a bbumper weekend of rugby ahead, with the All Blacks vs Ireland and Australia vs Wales. I know what I will be doing.
joeb
Guest
"Check out a bbumper weekend of rugby ahead, with the All Blacks vs Ireland and Australia vs Wales. 'I know what I will be doing'." Hoping for an Irish upset, and a dry track for Oz, no doubt. :) A full house should assist matters. "In the past, the most successful teams have had great combinations in key positions: Farr-Jones/Ella, Farr-Jones/Lynagh, Hawker/O’Connor, Nonu/Smith, van der Westhuizen/Stransky, Gregan/Larkham, to name a few." The Sing/Ella, and the Ella/Ella/Ella combo at Randwick was pretty special too... as was that famous goose-stepper that emerged in '82 and had Bray hysterically leaping from his chair, ;) The Wallabies/Wales encounter should be a beauty.
liam
Guest
the ABs hardly had any combinations at the RWC.... and crumpled a bit. true enough.
Morgan
Guest
Agree with your combinations thought process. Another factor that seems to effect the current game in Australia is a higher ports of injuries than say New Zealand. Not sure why. Injuries kill combinations.
Ivan
Guest
Would be interesting to see with Alberts or Vermeulen at 8.
Jacko
Guest
1 Massive combination that I'd like to see at the Boks again is the 6-7 combination of Schalk Burger and Juan Smith. Dont believe Pierre Spies is the answer at 8.... Someone needs to put up their hand... Alberts or Vermeulen possibly. Then the Campo you mentioned a few legendary combinations there... my combination for the next WC is the 9-10 combo of Hougard and Johan Goosen! That kid really has it!!!
Rusty
Roar Guru
I like it...sure it would be great to have Lambie instead of Sideshow Bob but that is not a bad squad. Sharks Frontrow New lock pairing of the form players Sharks open and blind Buls 8-9-10 Axis Steyn 12 is a great result JdV at 13 is a bit of a worry Wings are good Lambie for Kirchner but still a solid option
Ivan
Guest
Meyers thinkiing is perhaps obvious - He wants to select size. when the 4N starts - from what hes been saying i imagine he will go with a 960kg pack. Beast,Biz,Oosthuizen,Etzabeth,Bekker,Burger,Alberts,Vermeulen. That pack could potentially steamroll anyone, and with Goosen in Meyers plans - with an advancing pack, that can only mean a running game is coming..... But not in the England series.
Ivan
Guest
The prospect of having a 960kg pack in the 4N..... Beast,Biz,Coenie (can play 3), Eben,Andries,Schalk,Willem,Duane..... sounds scary considering each of those are bruisers on their own. each can steal ball, each tackles really hard, each breaks the advantage line regularly. then with Fdp back in top form, play him with Goosen. Put Hougie on left wing, Put habana at 13 next to Jean at 12 put frans at 15 Mvovo on right wing OR Hougie,Goosen,Habana,Frans,Jean,Mvovo,Lambie
Ivan
Guest
If he goes the way we think he will... Hougaard,Steyn,Habana,de Villiers, Steyn, Petersen, Kirchner
Ivan
Guest
Exactly, Combinations.... Which is why, when all players are available - HM will select 1-3 - Sharks (with 1,2 Cheetahs on bench 4-8 Stormers 9,10 Bulls
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Agree - nice to get a broader view and not just focus on Australia...
Lorry
Guest
Sir K1W1ana i think you're on the wrong blog, look for daily telegraph website...
Suzy Poison
Guest
Agreed Rusty. Campo's view point on Saffa rugby is refreshing. I think England have a very good chance of beating the Boks, on Saturday, because of the time they have spent together, thru the Six Nations. However, the more I hear from Heyneke, the better he sounds. Brussow omission is logical with the way referees are penalising the breakdown. Meyer seems to have clearly thought out his best team. This makes me more confident, that although, I still can’t see the Boks winning on Saturday, they at least, have the potential to win the series. As for last night’s game against Scotland, The Wallabies were going backward in the forwards. Scotland hit them hard, and the scrum penalty was just reward for their hard work and determination. I hope that Meyer takes note, the Boks haven’t had the best scrum for a while. Lucky we have the Frenchmen Pieter De Villiers (not the clown) to help us, work on our scrum, but it might take a while, and I predict that England will again dominate the Boks scrum. I think it’s about time, we Southern Hemisphere types, stopped our arrogance. I believe the gap between the hemisphere’s no longer exists. It’s a very even playing field. Any team can win on any day. The last World Cup, showed France were a single point off, beating the All Blacks at home. The Welsh were very unlucky against the Boks, and Ireland beat Australia. Only England and Scotland were disappointing. And since then, England has come on leaps and bounds in the Six Nations. I would be surprised if England and Wales did not win a few games, and both England Wales could potentially win the series 2-1 or even , God Forbid, 3-0. Yes, it’s about time we gave credit to the North. Scotland played bloody well last night. Everyone is harping on about how poorly the Wallabies played, but they only played as well as they were allowed to.
mania
Guest
rod davies has no balls. he's scared, panics and woeful on defence
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Will be interesting watching the Boks go around at the weekend. I think Meyer might bring a much more expansive game to the Springboks than what has been seen in the last 3 seasons.
Sir K1W1ana
Guest
Bring Ioane into centre, Harris into fly-half and then for goodness sake, Rod Davies on the wing. He needs a centre to create space for him. Goodness knows why this speedster is still on the sideline. Deans can't pick his nose. Relied too heavily on imports from other provinces to gain success with the Crusaders. (Oopps! My PC apologies to the Islamic world).
Suzy Poison
Guest
The lineup that ran at the first training session is: Zane Kirchner, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (capt), Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Juandre Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira.
Behold
Roar Rookie
Taps is the best centre in Australia shame he is injured at the moment. O'Connor/Tapuai is small combination but they would be very potent in attack. O'Connor is definitely an inside centre/fullback and not a 10.
kiwi
Guest
Yes, the Hawker/O'Connor combo... Still having nightmares about those two this many years down the track!!!
Rusty
Roar Guru
Campo - I must say I am really enjoying the South African overview from the perspective of an Australian such as yourself. It brings a definitive balance between the home and foreign view point