Basson proved a point
rugby365.com writer Grant Ball says Bjorn Basson showed Peter de Villiers that he should be in the Bok 37-man training group and also highlighted Bryan Habana’s flaws.
Some argue it’s futile to discuss Habana’s form because either way he’ll be selected at left wing come the World Cup. Just because De Villiers will pick him doesn’t make it the correct decision, and doesn’t mean his form can’t be critiqued.
If the correct rugby decision was being made, Habana wouldn’t be in the Bok 22. The Bok coach is being paid a lot of money to make the correct calls, and if he doesn’t do so, they should be highlighted.
The only solution to the Habana dilemma is to not play him.
In life and rugby, there’s a time when the pecking order changes. It’s natural – players get older and no longer offer the same value any more. In the past, Habana would’ve scored under the poles against the Bulls in the 80th minute and he would’ve been the hero. It’s symbolic that Basson caught him from behind, made the tackle, killed the ball, and was the Bulls’ hero. Basson showed that the void left by Habana, when he departed the Bulls, has been adequately filled.
If the situation had been reversed and Basson in possession, game over. Habana did well to get into that position, running off Jaque Fourie’s shoulder, but it only served to prove his best days are gone. He’s only going to get one or two chances in a World Cup play-off, and if he can’t take them, it’s worthless having him on the field. His high error count will also cost the Boks in tight Tests.
Habana hasn’t been helped by the Boks’ limited attacking game since 2008 and the lack of technical insight from backs coach Dick Muir, which hasn’t given the wing many opportunities to show his ability. But Muir will still be there come the World Cup, hence Habana won’t be put into space; so expect similar results if he plays.
Habana’s defensive failings have been detailed, where the opposition kick over his head as he comes out of the line. It was clearly evident the number of times the Bulls kicked on him, emphasising how they believe Habana is a weak link. His own Bok teammates think that, which shows how much confidence they have in him when it comes to close contests.
Conversely, Basson is the best fielder of the aerial ball in South African rugby. With the Boks adopting a kick-chase game, that ability would be perfectly suited to their style, proving further how little rugby sense it makes that he’s not in the 37-man training group.
From a Bok perspective, there is no point in now formulating ways to get Habana back to his best – it’s too late and that process should’ve started last year already. The only solution is to select the correct back three.
JP Pietersen is young and has rediscovered his 2007 form, and will be an asset on the right wing – on attack and with his physicality and height under the high ball in wet conditions.
Gio Aplon can break a game open (something Habana won’t be able to do), while his left boot is his most valuable asset. With Fourie du Preez, Morné Steyn and Frans Steyn (at fullback), the Boks will have an enviable kicking game – the only aspect missing would be a left boot. Aplon on the left wing fills that role.
Steyn at fullback gives the Boks size and goal- and drop-kicking depth.
That Basson isn’t good enough for the Bok starting team but is still a much better option than Habana shows how far he’s fallen.
Disciplinary issues have been highlighted as a possible reason for Basson’s omission, but stories of Habana checking his Twitter account on his phone at half-time of a Bok Tri-Nations Test last year shows his discipline isn’t exemplary either.
Every rugby player has been dropped in their lives. It’s how they respond that sets them apart. That is the only possible solution to Habana’s problems.
Grant Ball also writes for RugbyXV
