We must be in a unique position in world rugby where a forward coach is the attack coach and the backline coach is a person with no idea about attacking backline play. Where did Meyer find these two bunnies?
What can we expect from the scenario in Saturday? Especially if Morne is still around and if Francois Steyn is off due to injury, the following our variants can be expected and the Wallabies will have all the weaponry in place to counter all four:-
1. Pienaar wait for the ball allowing the forwards to form up and pass to the forwards - 50% of the time based on the idea of Van Graan about attacking rugby. The Wallaby defenders are onto them behind the gain line and the whole scenario is repeated.
2. Pienaar passes the ball to Morne and he kicks - 30% of the time. The wings of the Wallabies are in position and the Wallabies launch an attack gaining ground if compared to the spot from where Morne kicked. .
3, Steyn gets the ball and passes it to De Villiers who is forced to crashball behind the gain line - maul repeated with likelihood of a penalty or turnover - 10% of the time.
4. Pienaar gets the ball and kicks it away - 10% of the time. After all Pienaar acts on instruction from the anything but brillint attack coach.
Watch out on Saturday whether my prediction is in fact correct I am convinced it is and any attacks would be less effective than that of a powder puff.
I can already see that the whole effort would be made by using the forwards, scrummie and flyhalf 90% of the time and De Villiers 10%. The outside backs will never see the ball - they are there for defence only or to make up the numbers.
The other problem is obviously Kirchner - if he plays the Wallabies will kick high balls at him and launch follow-up charges. Guaranteed to work with disastrous consequences for the Springboks..
If Jantjies is in the picture - same scenario - but instead of kicking away the difference will be 10% kicking and 20% hospital passes way behind the gain line. Crashball to follow.
Lets face facts - Jantjies is afraid to come into contact with any defender - he stands even further in the pocket than Morne Steyn and his first inclination is to get rid of the ball quickly - never mind to whom. I am always amazed about the furore about Jantjies - but then I remember the same was always said about Earl Rose - and we all know that Rose was a failure at international level. The only difference is that unlike Steyn - who prefers to kick so as to not be in contact with opposition players - Jantjies make manufactured passes to players way behind the gain line. Steyn's goal kicking has gone down the drain - and so will that of Jantjies if he is under pressure.
I CANNOT SEE HOW THERE WILL BE ANY ATTACKING RUGBY BY THE SPRINGBOKS ON SATURDAY AND EVEN IF THERE IS THE EFFEECT WOULD BE ZERO.
