Five Test matches into his tenure as Springbok head coach and the verdict is now in: Allister Coetzee is a failed coach.
And this before a single Test against the All Blacks, the Wallabies or England. South African Rugby Union has given Springbok supporters the worst of both worlds: A failed coach and an outlook that shows no possibility for improvement for years to come.
After the apocalyptic reign of Heyneke Meyer, SARU had the opportunity to select a coach with an outlook that embraced the modern era of rugby – ball possession versus territorial possession. Taking nothing away from a proud and brave Puma performance in Salta this weekend, the Boks primarily beat themselves by kicking the ball away – again. By the 35 minute of the first half, the Boks had only 30% possession. It took 19 minutes into the match before Bok centre Damien de Allende touched the ball for the first time.
During the ten minutes that the Pumas were playing with 14 men, they actually scored three points; while there were no points for the Boks during this period.
If one were to summarise the failed approach of the game plan, then it may very well be this: In the 75th minute, ahead by one point, the Boks are on the attack within the Pumas’ 22 metre line. They get quick ball from the pack, a clean pass to Steyn on the 10 metre line, who has his full backline lined up behind him and what does he do?
He does what he only knows what to do: He attempts a drop kick and misses.
This is not an attempt from the pocket 20 metres out in front of the posts; this is a 30 metre kick from a wicked angle and with plenty of options for a flyhalf to attack. The next sequence of play results in a penalty to the Pumas who convert, and hold on to secure victory 26-24.
‘Opionators’ such as us can almost hear the Bok coaching staff say ‘easy for you to criticise; why don’t you try stepping into our shoes?’
To which many of us reply: We will gladly do so.
NM68
Guest
Kirky, reading your comment I feel I should clarify that I'm from Argentina, so my team didn't lose. If you take a minute and read all my posts you'll realize I complained about how the referee didn't protect the players. So there you go.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
NM68: You're taking a leaf right out of Australian rugbys book mate, blame the Referee! When your preferred team loses pretty much in any sport, most of us blame the Referee. ~ it's a human frailty, and we all do it whether it be right or wrong. It happens in Australia every time they lose a game, surely you'd have picked up on that on this Blog site. I've done it myself many times usually pretty close to the end of any game that my 'Boys' lost then kicked my own butt afterwards for being an idiot when realising it's just a bit childish really, ~ like I said, "it's a human frailty" and it's the easy explanation for any loss. blame that damn Ref'.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
A very subtle way of describing it Harry! but, you are right on the button.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Ian: Please correct me if I'm wrong, but are we looking at a form of racism? ~ It certainly appears so, and I hope I'm so very wrong!!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Get Ackermann in with Plumtree as an assistant!, ~ personally under the circumstances I doubt very much if you'd get to tear Plums' away from the old Home territory ~ particularly to South Africa again as he'd know very well of the situation being as it is!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
It'll be an interesting game mate! ~ looking forward to it~
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Ralph! ~ I like you hope Rollaway's wrong too, but it looks a sad situation, ~ unfortunately! Heads up guys!
NM68
Guest
Thanks! I was kinda feeling lonely here...
Martin Santurtun
Roar Rookie
Aussie - care to look at statistics on yellow cards since Pumas were admitted to RCH? Leading in Yellow Cards with 15 Wallabies followed by AB with 13 and tied with 8 Sprinboks and Pumas- This quite answers a lot!! Now, for some reason it seems that the Pumas are closely looked at, and punished - which I know it can't be - Now when you have a referee like Garces and the TMO or linesmen, during the last game in Salta, which fail to see any of the 4 high and dangerous tackles from Mohoje (who finally succeeded in sending JMH out of the field! on his 5th attempt) or the even the dangerous high tackle by De Tout, but they immediately spotted a "late tackle with shoulder" from Herrera (and don't take me wrong: he deserves the YC!) it sorts of make you believe that there are double standards on some referees!! I hate having this feeling and even more when I see no action from part of the Sanzaar authorities! Really!! Mohoje cited and only given a slap on his hand?
Johnno
Guest
lol
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Hopalong,! Believe me my friend I certainly was never trying to patronise or imbue upon yourself and fellow Bloggers a history lesson on the past of South African rugby and the system as used, who am I as a member of "the great unwashed" and avid rugby player (never a very good one) and follower absolute of all Springbok and All Black rugby pretty much as a passion, to have the right to do that.? It is and I'm sure it will always be an affinity I have for whatever reason for South African rugby in particular, ~ It's just a passion of mine that I've had for many years and have done heaps of research on these two wonderful International sides playing each other over all these years. I also was at "that" 1956 test you mention and wasn't that a cracker? ~ all water under the bridge now but my word, what a series! It was interesting that you mentioned Refereeing on that tour, but I think the general consensus was that the Referee in the first Test was unable to control the ferocity of the play so, the NZRU appointed Bill Fright as the adjudicator for the rest of the series I think because he was a no nonsense type Ref who was destined to cool down the protagonists in general and it worked, but I've heard that it was a payback if you like for the jackup of the Referees in the tests that the Kiwis lost every one of in 1949 in South Africa! We laugh now but it was deadly serious stuff back in the day. Cheers
Bakkies
Guest
Most of the posters and journos on that site move across from Keo.co.za
Bakkies
Guest
Du Toit slipped in a few neck rolls too.
Colin Kennedy
Roar Guru
I thought the Springbok jersey was already in the hands of whiners and moaners e.g De Allende abusing fans on Twitter for daring to question is passing skills, or more accurately, lack thereof.
Colin Kennedy
Roar Guru
Thanks Kirky.
Colin Kennedy
Roar Guru
I could never understand the short-sightedness of politicians. Maybe the profession attracts a certain time, but as you say, t's all nepotism, corruption, revenge.
I hope that horse you are on don't throw you.
Yip
He was injured yes, apparently going to play on the weekend.' However I don't think it would have mattered whether he was injured or not.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
If you actually read when I have been posting for over one year, you would realize that I am the biggest complainer of Pumas/Jaguares foul play. Just a search would help you do this.