Ex Supersport
They may have a few problems with continuity, with their remaining a possibility they will be forced to take the field with a completely new midfield combination (how about the loose forward combo?), but the Springboks will start the 2013 season far better prepared and organised than was the case in Heyneke Meyer’s first series in charge against England.
And a lot of that is down to the greater co-operation of franchise coaches, and the willingness of the Springbok coaches to communicate in ways that some of their predecessors were either unable to or just unwilling to.
It has long been the aim though of the man in the hot seat, often known as the poisoned chalice of South African sporting jobs, to get buy-in from all the people involved in the feeder systems. Up to now it’s been a pipe-dream, but it finally appears something is happening that is positive when it comes to the sharing of ideas.(Meyer o fcourse looks to be a great peopel's person - also Rassie is involved in te background sharing info))
Of course, it will never be perfect, and it has been understandable in the past when, for instance, Ian McIntosh was reluctant to let the then national coach Andre Markgraaff into the secrets of his direct game in 1996, or for that matter when Harry Viljoen threw a tizzy fit when his Western Province assistant Alan Solomons became Nick Mallett’s assistant at the Springboks in 1997.
Every coach wants to have what is best for his particular team, and it may not suit the Stormers to have every other coach in the country getting an understanding of how Jacques Nienaber’s defensive system works. It may also be debatable how far the continued quest for a South African blue-print on how to play the game should go. The sport’s asthetic appeal is challenged enough as it is at the moment without it being further set back by too much global uniformity.
But the aims of coach Meyer, and the extended arm of influence that is being brought by Rassie Erasmus’ Mobi-unit (Man that Rassie really understands the game!), are for the ultimate benefit of South African rugby and already more progress has been made than at any other stage of South Africa’s post-isolation history.
Defence coach John McFarland is one of the Bok coaches who has spoken glowingly of the improved co-operation of the provinces and franchises, and it has benefited both them and him as he prepares for the new international season. On Tuesday he had Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford working with him on the defensive station as the Boks continued their preparations for Saturday’s opening test of the season against Italy at Kings Park.
“The co-operation this year has been unbelievable, there has been a real crosspollination of ideas that can only be good for South African rugby,” said McFarland.
“We spent a week with each of the unions earlier this year, and those meetings were great for all concerned. It was an opportunity to show them the direction in which the Boks are headed, and also an opportunity to take their input onboard. So I’m pleased to say there is great synergy between the Boks and the franchises at the moment. That wasn’t the case last year because we (the management) were still with the Bulls during the build-up phase to the new international season and obviously no-one would have wanted to share ideas with us.”
The defence coach has worked closely with all the unions, but someone he might have been able to get some extra special information off ahead of this week’s game was Omar Mounmeine, the defence coach of the Southern Kings. Formerly from the Western Cape, where he worked with WP and the age-group sides on breakdown and defence skills, Mouneimne spent two seasons as defence coach of Italy when they were being coached by Nick Mallett.
However, Solomons didn’t want to compromise Mouneimne by saying what specifically they had talked about.
The addition of former Maties coach and Stormers loose-forward Chean Roux to the management team is another step that has been taken to increase the high degree of specialisation evident in the Meyer regime. Roux’s appointment was announced on Monday, with Meyer explaining it by referring to the need to become more scientific and thorough in preparation.
“Up to now we have measured the statistics of matches that are played and we have judged players on their performances in actual games, but it is Chean’s job to ensure that we start doing that in practice sessions too,” said Meyer.
“It’s not good enough to say that we didn’t get it right in practice but we can still expect to get it right in the game. I want to take away that uncertainty and ensure that we get whatever we work at in training spot-on. Chean will help us ensure we do that. He will also be deployed to study the referees that are going to be officiating in our games and spot trends relating to law interpretations.”
The Springbok team for the Italian test will be named later on Wednesday
Well it all sounds like good stuff although not rocket science.I would have been very hapy if Meyer had announdced the appointment of a top backline coach. Nevertheless it would be churlish to not compliment Meyer on his attention to detail and the obtaining of franchise co-operation.
Given injuries and departures (and looming departures) Meyer is starting again this year.
Someone mentioned that Elstadt is of to France. If we cannot stop the loss of players like this to the pathetic NH then we will have no alternative but to select them for the Boks. Losses to the greedy NH twits who have no self pride is getting very serious.
