Back to black
rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell is back on the beat and in his weekly review takes a look at the Tri-Nations – New Zealand’s win, the South Africa’s chances and some Springbok selection issues.
The All Blacks had to win and they did, emphatically at that, giving Graham Henry some much needed respite from the wave of criticism he has endured of late.
The return of their talisman Richie McCaw would have given them a huge psychological advantage, not to mention the supreme breakdown skills that the All Black skipper brings to the party. He made a significant impact throughout the game, making 15 tackles – the most by any player on the field. It just shows you the value that McCaw bring to the All Blacks. A special mention must go to All Black prop, Tony Woodcock, who had the game of his life. Two great tries, a few big hits and a side-step were all part of the Woodcock bow on Saturday. Graham Henry would have slept a lot better on Saturday night after avoiding a catastrophic three consecutive losses.
Looking at the Wallabies, they were somewhat disappointing the previous week’s heroics in Sydney. In fact, their performance was strikingly similar to that of the Springboks’ display against the Wallabies, when they failed to display the same sort of commitment a week after beating the Kiwis in their own back yard. Both sides were flat on the day and never really looked like winning. Both the Boks and the Wallabies were clearly drained in surrendering meekly after their previous week’s efforts.
Everybody knows the importance of home ground advantage, and this year’s competition is no exception. The Springboks are the only team to have broken this trend so far – their Dunedin heroics being the only away win. Five points on the road, and three home games on the trot, and one has to fancy the Boks to lift the trophy. They have the wood over the Aussies in South Africa, and will be expecting back-to-back victories over Robbie Deans’ men.
What concerns me are the selections of Peter de Villiers. He clearly hasn’t settled on his best run on side and this could come back to haunt him. You cannot keep chopping and changing combinations week in and week out, and unfortunately, this is precisely what De Villiers is doing. He has the players at his disposal, but no matter how talented a player is, he cannot be chopped and changed every week. Jake White emphasised continuity, and was heavily criticised for it at times, but he had a greater goal in mind – lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup – so his selection choices over his four year tenure has to be applauded.
Experience plays a huge factor in international rugby, ask White on his take on Test caps. De Villiers needs to decide on his best 22 now, and have faith in his players. We are halfway through the Tri-Nations and still he is tinkering with his team. He doesn’t know who his best No.8 is, Jantjes or Monty at fullback is another contentious issue up for debate, as is the No.13 jersey. Up front, he hasn’t settled on a front row combination as of yet, all of which doesn’t bode well for the future. The Boks need to win all three of their remaining fixtures if they want to win the Tri-Nations for the third time, and to do that, De Villiers needs to find some continuity in selection.
The one-off Test against a second string Argentinean side still baffles me. De Villiers looks set to play his strongest possible side against the Pumas, which means that the players will face four consecutive weeks of Test match rugby. That’s a tough ask, which is why I find the scheduling of Saturday’s match quite extraordinary.
One has to feel sorry for the Pumas. They made the World Cup semifinal and are desperate to be included in the Tri-Nations. The problem facing the Pumas is that the majority of their top players play in France, and the French clubs are reluctant to let the players go on international duty. Once again, the Pumas will be undercooked in terms of player personnel on Saturday.
The axing of Francois Steyn and Ruan Pienaar has sparked some emotional debate amongst Bok supporters, especially given the fact that Butch James is the only specialist flyhalf left in the squad. It was rumoured last week that Pienaar could wear the No.10 jersey this weekend. He might still…for the Sharks and not the Boks. De Villiers thinking here is clearly aimed at giving the two an extended 80 minute run for their province. They have played very little rugby this season and need game time. But why not play them against Argentina? They will be in Test match mindset and will benefit from playing in a Test, no matter who the opposition are. But De Villiers obviously has other ideas, and I will be extremely surprised if the Sharks duo are not recalled for the All Black Test a week later.
Talking of Currie Cup, the Sharks’ three Bok discards (Steyn, Pienaar and Odwa Ndungane) will be in action against a disappointing Western Province outfit on Friday. Province have lost three of their last four matches – two of those against the so-called minnows of South African rugby in Griquas and the Falcons. Another below par performance on Saturday against the Lions have seen them slip out of top four at the halfway stage of the Currie Cup. The gamble to play Bok hooker Schalk Brits at No.8 backfired badly. He put in a few horrendous kicks, one resulting in a charge down and a try for the Lions, and coach Alistair Coetzee will need to rethink his decision to play Brits out of position.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s outcome, the Boks should be far too good for Argentina. I can’t see the Pumas threatening the Boks at all and will be surprised if they don’t win by at least 20 points. Equally important is the need for the Boks to get through the match unscathed and injury free ahead of the all important home leg of the Tri-Nations.
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