‘Reading the game’ is not a rugby term used in the press and said by commentators to fill word count and dead air. It is a serious and very important part of the game, and an ability that some players lack.
Generally, players who can’t read the game are inexperienced or are too stubborn to listen, but the players that do have this ability are the ones that can direct and control a game.
The South African teams of late all lack the experience in the pivotal roles of 9 and 10 and it shows with the placings on the league table. The Sharks are an exception, but their coach is legendary and the experienced players that surround the young blokes allow for the mistakes. Still, this type of team structure is like building a house of cards during a storm – things will eventually collapse in spectacular fashion.
Besides the pivotal roles lacking in experience, game plans and open play rugby is predictable and unimaginative. When watching the Sharks versus Cheetahs (Round 10), I could call how the Sharks would play the ball after watching 10 minutes of the game. If an arm chair commentator was able to decipher the game plan in 10 minutes, a top tier coach would have seen the future of the game after the first few phases.
The Sharks played most of the game within a few metres of the breakdown play. A ruck formed, 9 was at the back ready to distribute and about 80 per cent of the time, a big runner took the pop pass and crashed up towards the gain line. Defences were ready for this and stopped the player every time.
Either Charl McLeod was afraid of giving the ball to the new bloke, Tim Swiel, or the team didn’t adapt the game plan and create space.
I don’t entirely blame the Sharks for using big runners. They have the athletes to do this but don’t use them in an imaginative way. If one of these men were to make a run coming through the back line, it would have been more imaginative than just off broken play.
At the halftime interview, Jake White said the communication between the forwards and backs wasn’t strong and a connection needed to happen. This connection comes from the 9 and 10. McLeod is sometimes a little erratic but he is improving every season. With Pat Lambie and Fred Zeilinga on the injury list, a third-string flyhalf was picked and he was nervous. Putting Morne Steyn at flyhalf was a no-brainer, but I guess with injuries, this was logical but not possible.
A team that has a strong and decisive fly half is more likely to win games than not. In this position, the ability to read the game counts for much. The options are simple – either kick or pass – but the consequences are complex. A slow pass or at an inopportune time will allow defensive lines to hound the back line, an inaccurate kick will allow a counter-attack to be launched. These accurate decisions come with time and experience, but both seem to be missing in the current South African team.
Some players are born with this ability and are mature for their game and position but others need time and guidance to achieve it. The correct mix of control from the back and communication with the big men will build an attacking force that can be unstoppable, but don’t just let attacking be the only weapon. A strong defensive unit that doesn’t allow points to be scored and keeps the discipline will make a team feared by most.
If a team can tackle the opposition backwards, force a counter ruck, smuggle the ball and launch a counter attack with big units posing a threat, what team would be comfortable trying to stop this?
The All Blacks are not the biggest unit in world rugby but they are the smartest. South Africa may have one of the biggest teams in the world but they lack the rugby smarts, so they lie second in the rankings.
Firstxv
Guest
I don't believe that was the case. It was the fact that it was Du Plessis rather than the 14. He was causing havoc and was the best player on the field at Eden Park. If it had been someone else the uproar wouldnt have been so bad.
RobC
Roar Guru
I have a few SA friends, who often mention that Oz and NZ teams have a better awareness of space. Although the forwards are the guys who wins games. Its pretty useless if they don't let the exploit the opportunities afforded by the pack. The 10 has the best view, panoramic of the game as it unfolds. They can see the formation of chinks in the defense armour, and exploit them. QC is one of the best 1st fives in the world for this capability. Sharks of late reminds of teams in the French tournie. Keeping the ball too much up front. White, obviously sees the same. Hope they will open up in the next few matches
Not sure what contracts they are on Nick, but if the continue you can be sure someone would want them, currently the Bulls and Stormers lack in quality there mostly, Concern for me though is how they will be forced to change their game .
Harry Jones
Expert
It is filtered through biltong.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Same here biltong. Do you think they will be 'encouraged/invited' to move to a stronger franchise at the end of the season? For whatever reason, form here I feel that players associated with the Lions and Cheetahs have to do more to get a chance at Boks level. Especially at 9, no one has really showed more than de klerk in other teams.
I really have enjoyed the Faf de Klerk and Boshoff combo, I would love to see the two of them step up.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
haha ca va et toi!? Tu as vu, je suis gentil avec les sud-africains ce soir ;)
Not fair, I only drink bottled water ;)
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
:) 'de' sounds Huguenot but Klerk sounds more Boer to me. Whats the verdict, Boer or Huguenot Sir?
Harry Jones
Guest
Meyer will never NEVER officially put Willie at 10, but I think I can see him bring used as "first receiver " in attacking set plays.
Harry Jones
Guest
Faf de Klerk is a tough bugger
Harry Jones
Guest
Comment ca va Nick Great point Good nuance Ball skills isn't smarts
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Exactly. cant wait for Jordaan to be back btw, I just love the bloke! Imo, he is the jewel in the crown of your backline with Frans, and Willie. if you use those 3 guys well in the next 6-7 years, I think you'll be all right. Then you will always have quick wings like JP, Habana, etc. Another saffa who has impressed me this year is the little Lions n9 faf de Klerk. He is bold and have a crack at any opportunity! I really think there are plenty of skills and positiveness in your extended backline so I don't think Meyer will have any other choice but to let them be themselves if he wants to win. I certainly hope so at least.
Harry Jones
Guest
They drink different water. We alllot specific water sources to refs and props.
Harry Jones
Guest
No, I'm glad you are writing for the ROAR. Hope to see more. It's just that I think the Boks outsmart most teams; I agree NZ has our number, but not by much.
Harry Jones
Guest
Warren, it would be fun to see Willie le Roux at 10 versus the lesser Test teams. Hope we have Lambie back for NZ tests.
Harry, what are the chances Meyer will play le Roux at 10? I suspect the odds on that are very slight indeed.
I suppose it all depends on what the development system is producing, if your system has a mindset for structured conservatism and rigid gameplans then it is unlikely you will cultivate many playmakers. If you judt look at the Sharks first few games when they had a backline comprising Reinach, Lambie Jordaan as playmakers they scored try bonus points in three of their first four games, since they have all been injured the Sharks still win, albeit in a more sedate manner.
Harry Jones
Guest
It would be interesting to see Le Roux at 10.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
That's true Biltong. But I think those teams (ABs and baggy greens) played expensive rugby/cricket because/ when they have the players for it. Thing is the ABs have always had guys like Cullen, Dagg, Sivi, Roko, Lomu, Carter, Cruden, Smith etc in the backs, it helps. Am not as much into cricket as you are (that's an understatement hahah!) but I think that the aussies only played expensive cricket when they had the right guys for it. In recent years, the Boks had guys like Morne, Fourie, De Villiers etc in the backs, blokes who aren't ultra creative but who are the best (or near) at doing their job, i.e. play territory, kick goals, defend etc. I think that with the new generation of Le Roux, Jordaan and co, the Boks have the opportunity to play expensive rugby. If they don't, then yes, I will think that they aren't taking full advantage of their players' potential. But to play conservative rugby with the guys you had until recently made a lot of sense. it would have been crazy to try to turn Morne into a QC. Same for the French these days, not many creative game breakers in the backs so better revert to what works ok, i.e. scrum, set piece etc (well it doesn't even work ok these days!). Look at England, I think they are playing a fairly exciting brand of rugby in the last few years thanks to the new guys. The Carling, Wilko etc just didn't have the same skills.