Bok Player ratings......old string.....the Louw incident rehashed

So far, I am confident in endorsing Esterhuizen ahead of Damian. He was much more useful; Much less error strewn. 

Sport24 has Louw as the best loosie.

Francois Louw: 6.5

Best Bok loosie in this one. Put in a busy, abrasive hour. One magnificent moment where he raced back on defence to make a tackle, and earned a turnover in virtually same breath. Leaked penalty for illegal cleanout. 

I did look at the stats when referring to the Esterhuizen stats  when making that remark about tackling,   It originally 7 tackles made - 2 missed - but it now is 9 made 1 missed - so I withdraw my comments in that regard,

So, did ESPN lie, Mike? Or did they simply adjust their stats on a subsequent run through of the game when they spotted more incidents, like I did way back with Damian's when you accused me flat out of lying (and still do)?

And I have to add - accused me of lying even though I added this qualification at the time with my count:

I may have missed one or two attempts cause I skimmed through the game quickly...

Louw was just about 2 meters outside of Sanchez when he broke past him/

An impossible situation to defend, as summed up by Butch James at 16:05:

"Plenty of space for them, if it wasn't him, at was one of his outside backs who were going to stroll over to get the Argentinian's first try."

The Pumas, who were using their PODs almost exclusively up until that point sent their 3 man POD rushing flat to the line. This roped in S4, who had little time to adjust to P10. S6 was marking up on P15. There was too much space. The Boks who folded around the back of the previous ruck were far too slow and caught in the in goal area as P10 broke past S4 and S6 to score. We have to give Sanchez credit. He was very quick to spot the opportunity and directed his troops well. Great play by him in an otherwise anonymous showing up to that point. Had the Boks coming around the back of the ruck been quicker, instead of poolin g up on the short side, S4 and S6 would not have been left for dead. If S6 goes for Sanchez, there's a short pass to P15. Try. No win situation. 

What else can one expect from the dimmest AgainDSter and Mozart as well as that fraudster Pakie?   They will never accept the real facts about yesterdays test.   The facts are that -

*   Louw was he weakest loosie on both sides in the test and his stats confirm that as well;

*   That Esterhuizen did well enough - but was on the whole barely average as a center.

*   That the loosie combination was outplayed by the Argentine loosie combination, making it the poorest combination of the Springbok team.. 

Too much space for Sanchez to get through with Louw less than 2 meters away when Sanchez broke past him - could even be less.  Lets face facts - Louw was inside the line of the goal-post and Sanchez scored midway between the two posts.   If my auntie had balls she would have been my uncle - the same with your argument in this case.           

12 Bok defenders were stuck on the other half of the field when the ball emerged from the final ruck. Also note, Auge, as Mozart pointed out elsewhere, Argentinian dummy runners effectively blocking Etzebeth's progress towards cutting down Sanchez's space. Probably of no consequence, Sanchez was too quick.

Pakie

There was no one between Louw and Sanchez and if he just move slightly in - he could have tried to make the tackle - even one meter in would have helped.   Let me guess - if Du Toit was where Louw was Mozart and you would be in an all-out attack on him - same as AgainBSter.  Because it was Louw the cover up is unbelievable.   What a collection of garbage we have here.      .

Yes, even Butch James is in on this cover up.

An all out attack? I am never unfair with a player. Never. In this instance there was too much space and too many options to cover. It was a no win situation. Defence is predicted upon support f rom the inside and outside. Not just one on one tackling and or individual match ups. The Pumas caught the Boks unorganised and made them pay for it. It's as simple as that. Poor communication and organization. You're straining to place the blame entirely on one player. It's quite a demand. You merely state "take a step over there". Much easier said than done Clever Mike. 

Shezza

I share your view in that regard - but Mozart and his fellow-BSters do not.   They use it for attacks on player a nd I was just giving them some of their own medicine in this case, 

If Du Toit was in the same position as Louw was - the howls of Mozart and his supporters on site would be heard in Moscow - so loud it would be.   They have their pet hates and that is always reflected on this site.   That is why I object constantly to their BS all the time.  

Just to clear Willie Le Roux...he is/was always a natural...it's within him...he has ball sense.

But there is absolutely no doubt that his play improved vastly when he played for Wasps and he and Danny Cipriani were the game breakers and he has brought that back with him to his home country...there flashes of this when with the Cheetahs, Sharks and old Boks but more often failed because those styles did not suit him...Rassie is using those strengths and it's not only his cross kicks to wings that work, he is the best utility back that we're had since Juba.

Agree with you about that Seb/   Le Roux lost his mojo when playing with Meyer and Coetzee as coach.   Their lack of a proper game plan neutralized Le Roux completely and he became ineffective.  

Actually, Willie is playing the same style as under Meyer. Connecting the outside backs and coming into the line. Functioning as a second 10. Meyer used more elaborate ploys though, as he'd spit the backs up into tow units. This is so easy, it really is no fun when it's this easy. 

His success rate under Meyer was getting poorer as time went on.  In the WC he was not allowed to do anything - but neither did the other backline players.  Seb is 100% correct in what he wrote.

Which two units BSter?   I saw in the WC the one unit was the scrummie and the loosies and the rest of the backline was jeopardized as a result - so we have what?

Did Meyer made the remark quoted by me?   Yes or no is the only answer.  That remark indicates no game plan for the backline players.  

His success rate under Meyer was getting poorer as time went on.  In the WC he was not allowed to do anything - but neither did the other backline players.  Seb is 100% correct in what he wrote.

Which two units BSter?   I saw in the WC the one unit was the scrummie and the loosies and the rest of the backline was jeopardized as a result - so we have what?

Did Meyer made the remark quoted by me?   Yes or no is the only answer.  That remark indicates no game plan for the backline players.  

If Meyer did indeed make that remark, it's still a long stretch to say that this is proof he had no game plan. There was a clear plan in every game. Very clear. You are too lacking to pick up on what he did. 

As per Willie? Well, his game lacked accuracy. He was relied upon to do what he always did, but was too I inaccurate with his chips and passes. The player was out of form. Simple as that. This put the centres in the spot light but they could not deliver. If Meyer was speaking of players with poor skills, he must have thought these centres were poor, as they were bypassed the same way Rassie has been doing so. This is getting worse for you. The cringe is strong with this one. 

Mike, why the hell do you keep dragging match discussions about the current Bok side back to Meyer?

We get it, you didn't and don't rate Meyer.

Now for the love of god, let's move on.

Shezza

I can live with differences of opinion on performances of players - but I cannot live with total lies and misrepresentations to discredit players like became common with some members,   

I agree - it would be better to ignore he BS the three BSters write on site and perhaps it is better to ignore their BS totally.  Tried that in the past - but their personal attacks on me never stopped - and their pet hate attacks against some players continued unabated,  Maybe I should just ignore what the dishonorable buggers write on site.  

"but their personal attacks on me never stopped"

Name one. 

Well, Willie himself said this...I don't think he blamed Meyer or anyone for that matter...it was just a learning curve...if there is "blame" it is Super rugby and that case I tend to agree...I really think it does rugby itself no favours because it's overdone.

Having said that, I think Willie is gentleman and very humble, so he probably under plays it and does not want to upset and be contraversial and attack his former coaches or anybody for that matter...I think that's his nature...I do not know but that's how he comes to me...a true sportsman.

But yes I do think he was utilised incorrectly and that has been a problem in the past...coaches try to mould players to suit their goals...thinking and creative players can be negatively affected...I think Goosen was one and so was Lambie. Be that as it may, thats just a thought I get and cannot prove it. Players themselves are seldom outspoken and keep their mouths tight for obvious reasons...especially humble ones.

"

When Springbok fullback Willie Le Roux burst onto the international scene five years ago, South Africans could not get enough of him.

Then Le Roux made the game of rugby look and feel easy with his Spiderman suppleness, deceptive speed with ball in hand and the trickery he used to dance with his feet in the sidestep.

But that excitement and edge of your seat stuff which works so well in Super Rugby proved to be a limitation for Le Roux in international rugby and his lack of aerial skills and defence extinguished the flair a player of his nature brought to the game.

However, it was falling out of favour with previous Bok coach Allister Coetzee and his move to England to play for Premiership side Wasps that has not only seen the rebirth of Willie Le Roux but it has made him a better player.

Such has been the turnaround in his game that in the season that he has spent at Wasps, the former Boland and Cheetahs star has become a fan favourite and also an integral member of the Coventry based team having gone through the metamorphosis from being rugby’s version of a jester to being a member of royalty amongst fullbacks in the premiership.

 “It made me a better player all over. It is not just about attacking, I think it is about kicking, catching the high ball, it’s your defence and your all over game that must be better. So it improved me a lot being over there,” said Le Roux ahead of yesterday’s first Test against England at Ellis Park.

In fact, Le Roux’s absence from the Springbok fray for the whole of 2017 was a blessing in disguise as his time in the northern hemisphere was actually preparing him for his second coming in the Green and Gold.

While it was his performances in Super Rugby that ran down the door to his international career, it has been playing in similar conditions and simulations of Test rugby in Europe that will probably be the key to Le Roux’s longevity in the national side and staying ahead of the likes of Warrick Gelant who is eager to dethrone him as the king of South African fullbacks.

“I feel like them, I feel good and very much excited. It feels like my first game again, I’m very excited to wear this jersey again,” Le Roux said.

“Yeah definitely (playing in England is closer to Test rugby). It’s not as fast as Super Rugby back there. I think the kicking game, the defence, you must be ready for everything. I think in Super Rugby the guys just throw it around and play, and it looks like nice rugby. But over that side it is more controlled, set-piece, kicking, aerial battle and your defence is more organised. Every team has got a good structure so definitely.”

The 28-year-old Le Roux might feel that he still has a lot more to learn before mastering his craft but as one of the senior players in the Springbok squad, he now has to impart some of his knowledge to the inexperienced youngsters, especially wings Sbu Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi.

Even though Le Roux admittedly can’t keep up with the explosive speed of Nkosi and Dyantyi, it is in the learnings of the past few years and different places he's played in that he could provide pivotal lessons to the making of the careers of Nkosi and Dyantyi.

“No, not teaching. I think it is good guys on either side of me, I just give my input when I see something and help them where I can. I think they are very excited and for me it feels like my first game again. Last year this time I was sitting in the stands watching the game and this year I’m playing; it’s funny how life works out.

“No, no, no!!!! Those fast guys outside of me I'll just give the ball to them early on and they’ll do the work and hopefully I will get it inside,” joked Le Roux.

Just like new Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Le Roux is a man of few words and prefers to do his talking on the field with ball in hand.

Le Roux is elated about Kolisi’s appointment as the first black Springbok captain, having made their international debuts a week apart and now sharing their coming of age in the national team.

“I started with Siya in 2013. I played the week before in my first Test and he came on the week after against Scotland off the bench. So we go back together a long time and I played against him but we are good mates. I think Siya is not a big talker; he leads from the front in how he plays. We are all behind him and support him all the way.

“It’s a young squad and we are all excited. I think we want to show our country what they mean for us and we are playing for our pride and that jersey.”

Good and clear posting - Seb.   He learned his rugby from coaches other than Meyer.

What wus the remark that was so remarkable that I dunno where its at?

Funny, I spoke about Super rugby in exactly the same way and you disagreed. Is Willie stupid? A BSer? I find it funny how you fall into these pits Clever Mike. 

Mozart

You still do not know the difference between aimless and poor kicks nd strategic kicks.   Le Roux learnt quickly enough what kicks are reasonable and good tactical kicks and what was Meyer's BS ideas about kicking.

And AgainBSter did not answer me about a direct quote by Meyer on backline play an d keep up his BS.  

Meyer's supposed aimless kick strategy won the Boks a rare test in Australia against the best 15 in the world. He repeated the feat the following year and got even better returns against Folau. Now, either Folau is a substandard player, or your theory on tactical kicks is wrong. You tell me. 

There was a movement in 2015 against Australia. Pollard and Willie in the line, bringing Their 15 into the line. Then a nice kick in behind for Habana to chase. Nearly coined a try. Had Australia scrambling so much that they were falling over themselves to prevent a try. Seems Meyer knew what he was doing. His team was so organised that from a botched Aussie restart his players read the situation and quickly formed a multi layered attack. Such attention to detail. Yet, they had no game plan. Imagine that, taking a team to #2 in the world without a game plan. Genius! 

It was Etzebeth on the inside. If Louw stayed inside to cover Sanchez he simply passes to the next guy, who scores. The reason Louw was going so wide is because our defense was stretched, hence the mad scramble across (too late) by Dyantyi and Willie. They had too many numbers on us out wide, as Butch James described. It's really very simple, unless one chooses to make an effort to obfuscate it.

The argument is misconstrued by Mozart and his BSting supporters.  There were a similar incident in the London test where Mozart went beserk about Du Toit making exactly the same mistake and keep preaching to us about it for years.   Louw made the same mistake yesterday and Mozart said nothing at all - fact is the BSter still claims he is correct and is digging up the same excuses entailing to Louw as was raised in the Du Toit case - but ignored by him.   What a prejudiced false BSter he is!!!!!!!!!!!    

By the way - at the time Du Toit played very few times as a loosie - Louw for his whole career ia a loosie = spot the difference BSTer?

Duplication

If I remember correctly, I wasn't part of that discussion, Du Toit conceded a try against England. If this incident was what you are referring to, it isn't remotely the same. Du Toit, in 2016, got beaten a number of times when taking up the pillar or guard position at rucks. He was flat out beaten when engaged and l acked awareness. I don't see how these are remotely the same as the discussion with Louw.

It's clear to see who has the prejudice. In one corner I see individuals weighing up the merits of players on their own deeds, in the other a balancing if a scale to make certain individuals appear better. It's unbelievably shoddy how often you step on your own toes, contradicting yourself, omitting details, lying other times. Disgraceful. I thought your Morné, Frans, Alberts, Jake, Meyer, Schalk and Victor tantrums were bad, yet you are about to outdo yourself here. 

AgainBSter 

You are trying to cover for Mozart's BS again by adding your own BS,   I had no tantrums = I wrote the truth to counter the made up BS you. Miozart and Pakie came up with.   Anything positive about the above players have been exposed over the years as in practice non-existent and Meyer was a disaster as coach - end of story.   

Total balls -  BSter - you have been caught out being a prejudiced dud again/   Wil you ne ver learn anything about rugby?  /   ,