How the Boks can be better
rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell takes a look at the weekend’s internationals – the first set of Tests between the superpowers from the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. He feels that ‘experience’ was the key to victory and also suggests a few changes to Peter de Villiers’ Springbok team!
The Southern Hemisphere reigned supreme on the weekend as first the All Blacks, then the Springboks, and finally the Pumas disposed of their Northern Hemisphere rivals.
The All Blacks struggled against a plucky Irish team at a freezing cold, rain soaked Westpac Stadium in Wellington. The wind chill factor was reportedly a less than ideal – 2° Celsius! The 21-11 scoreline in favour of New Zealand was by no means a walk in the park for the home side. But as they say, a win is a win and Richie McCaw’s men would have been delighted with the outcome – their first Test victory since that fateful World Cup quarterfinal loss to France in Cardiff.
Further North, at a much warmer Bloemfontein, the much-anticipated first Test of Peter de Villiers’ reign as Springbok coach as come and gone, with the majority of South African fans being happy with what they saw.
The 43-17 scoreline was a fare reflection of proceedings at Vodacom Park and the new coach must have been happy with the way his team acquitted themselves. It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means, but considering the fact that the squad has had minimal time together, the signs were there that the class of 2008 can go places. If you had asked Peter de Villiers before kick-off whether he would be happy with a 43-17 win. I’m sure he would have grabbed it with both hands. There are plenty of people around South Africa that are rather pessimistic about the future of Springbok rugby under De Villiers, but the man deserves a chance, and from what I saw on Saturday, all is not doom and gloom…long live the Springbok!
John Smit, in his 50th Test as captain, underlined his value to the Springboks with a superb display. He made a number of telling runs around the fringes and set up Jean de Villiers’ try in the second half and his line-out work was spot on. Contrary to some peoples opinions, I believe Smit is by far and away our best No.2 at present. Bismarck du Plessis has a bright future ahead of him and with his unrivalled work ethic, I suspect he will one day become a truly great No.2, but at the moment, the Springbok captain is the best man for the job.
In fact, this Test match highlighted the fact of just how important experience is in international rugby. Butch James, Juan Smith, Jean de Villiers – all World Cup winners and experienced campaigners – were the stand-outs on the day. Smith in particular was his usual self. He does nothing flashy but his workrate is second to none and his commitment to the Springbok jersey is clear for all to see.
Before we get too carried away with ourselves, Wales’ performance was rather feeble. Warren Gatland must have been bitterly disappointing with how his side played. They were a shadow of the team that went through the Six Nations unbeaten and never really looked like threatening the South Africans. They will need to take a long, hard look at themselves before the second Test at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, because John Smit’s team will not afford them any freebies in the Bull Ring. Gatland has expressed the desire to earn the Boks respect on their two-Test tour, but their inept showing on the weekend was a far cry from achieving their goal.
What will be interesting to see is whether De Villiers will tinker with the make-up of the team. There is talk that Victor Matfield might start ahead of Andries Bekker, who made a solid start to his test career. The Springboks’ line-out was magnificent on the weekend and Matfield’s presence will only serve to strengthen that department.
Ryan Kankowski must surely get a look in this weekend. I would even start with him as his pace on the hard fields of Loftus will cause numerous headaches for Wales. Pierre Spies made one good break after a deft offload from Juan Smith and scored a good try, but he is still working towards his form that he showed at the beginning of last year. Kankowski is a more rounded No.8 than Spies and deserves a spot in the run-on side. leaving him out of the 22 this weekend would be a huge injustice to the 22-year-old, who has an enormous future ahead of him.
I was in two minds over the selection of Adi Jacobs at No.13, but I’m glad to say he proved me wrong. He was a menace on attack, his break and offload to Conrad Jantjes for South Africa’s first try was brilliant, and his defence was solid. It was unfortunate that he limped off midway through the second half but the news from the Bok camp is that he will be fit for the second Test.
Whether Francois Steyn is included in the squad is another talking point. Once again I will be surprised if he is not, but then again, who do you leave out? Peter Grant might be the one to sacrifice his place on the bench but we will have to wait and see what De Villiers is thinking. Steyn is too good a player not to be included. Yes, his form in the Super 14 wasn’t great but how could it be when he played flyhalf, inside centre, outside centre and fullback? Now matter how talented a player is, he needs time to settle into one position and Steyn is no different. Where that position is still up for debate but De Villiers needs to sit down with him and decide where to play Steyn, before he becomes yet another ‘utility back’.
Argentina completed a Southern hemisphere hat-trick with a 21-15 victory over a decidedly average Scottish outfit. Despite being without a number of their World Cup stars, the Pumas gusty defence saw them record their second successive victory over Frank Hadden’s team. Once again the saga of club over country reared its ugly head as the French clubs refused to release the Argentine players for the Test. This issue really needs to be rectified if Argentina hope to become a permanent force in international rugby. They made the semifinals of the World Cup but unless they are included more regularly in the international calendar, and unless they can afford to select their best XV every Test match, their heroics at last year’s World Cup will be in vain.
The Wallabies begin a new era this Saturday against Ireland under the tutorship of ex-Crusaders coach Robbie Deans. Deans enjoys legendary status in Christchurch and the Wallabies will be looking to him to take Australian rugby to the next level. It will take time though, and they can expect a rough ride against Ireland.
The All Blacks host England in what should be a one-sided affair. I cannot see the World Cup Finalists causing an upset here. In fact if the weather is an improvement from Wellington, I reckon the Poms will be in for a very long 80 minutes.
The final word this week is reserved for that hot-headed Tongan Epi Taione. After a diabolical Super 14 campaign with the Sharks where he was banned for six weeks for a less-than-subtle headbutt, then was sensationally recalled for the semifinal, where his performance was arguably the worst of the entire Super 14 season (yes, even worse than Earl Rose’s shocker against the Hurricanes), Taione has hit the headlines again…
He has once again falling foul of the law in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Pacific Nations Cup match between New Zealand Maori and Tonga in Albany at the weekend.
His reckless tackle on Thomas Waldrom has earned him another two week stint on the sidelines, confirming Taione has a liability and nothing else. There are no two ways about it and I wonder if his most recent employers, English club Harlequins, are regretting their decision to sign the Tongan madman?
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