Unlike show ponies like kolisi Brussouw is a competitve little guy who gets stuck in. I am not however in favour of these small guys as they seldom cut it when the going gets tough. Brussouw was not cutting it when he got axed. But maybe there isa place for him?
Ex Sport 24
Toyota Cheetahs forward Heinrich Brussow has certainly raised eyebrows with his performances on the away leg of the Cheetahs' tour, but in a Rugby World Cup year with so much riding on the selection of the final squad, has he done enough to warrant selection to the national team?
Brussow’s supporters are adamant that an injustice is being done to the flanker. They have even launched a Facebook page to gather support for his selection ahead of when the Bok selectors choose their final 31 in August to head to England to challenge for the William Webb Ellis trophy.
Yet, given the plethora of loose forward talent in South Africa, and the limited positions available in the national side, is this a fair assumption, or is it simply an overly emotional argument that is often skewed depending on where in the country you are an which side you support?
To understand the broader context which the Springbok selectors have to work in, the composition of the World Cup squad must be understood as well. Versatility is like gold, and it is likely that just five loose forwards will be taken along to England to fulfil the role at the World Cup.
If that is the case, then the case for openside flankers is not a great one. Most international teams work on the principle of one specialist in the position, and another who can cover the blindside as well. Line-out options come into play, and often having more options in the setpiece will trump a player who can simply either slow down or steal balls from the opposition.
BALL STEALSTecklenberg is underrated.
It is common nowadays to hear coaches say that every player needs to attack the ball at the breakdown, that the idea of an openside flank that simply plays to the ball and looks to steal is overrated. A quick look at the leading stats in Super Rugby competition will echo that. Midfielders and hookers often top the logs for balls being stolen ahead of openside flankers.
With that in mind, we can accept the Boks will look to select one specialist openside flank for the World Cup, and then concentrate on a second player who will be able to cover two positions, and perhaps add an extra line-out function to the team.
Since taking over the Bok reins in 2012, Heyneke Meyer has stuck to his guns over his loose forwards, giving opportunities where necessary but overall sticking to the same loose forwards that have brought the Boks a 70 per cent success rate over the years.
So the question really isn’t about Brussow’s pedigree, which has been proven over time, but rather if he is a better prospect, given the limitations, than what the Boks currently have?
Here the emotion enters the argument again, especially as the pint-sized flanker has overcome a number of obstacles, and often is written off for his size, only to prove people wrong.
He has a perfect record against the All Blacks – although many of the players of the 2009/10 era also have – but have ended up playing an All Black side post 2011 that has lost only twice in four years, so have had that record tarnished a bit.
Meyer has put his faith in the loose trio of Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts and Francois Louw. These three were part of a magnificent victory in Brisbane and formed a formidable unit together before injury split them up last year.
In their absence Marcell Coetzee has performed admirably, and there have been cameo performances by Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr, Warren Whiteley, Siya Kolisi and Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje as well.(What utter rubbish, Carr, Kolisi and Oupa have been near pathetic - how politically correct can you get!!)In 2012 many want to point to the selection of Jacques Potgieter as the gap Brussow would have filled, but any right-minded rugby fan would know Potgieter fulfilled a different role, and Brussow lost out to Coetzee and Kolisi, the two openside-flankers that Meyer has backed.(Brussouw long beforte Kolisi who is barely Vodacom cup standard)
In 2013 Louw emerged as a top Bok candidate while in 2014 Schalk Burger’s return to the squad added qualities it didn’t have before.
So the question really becomes, with just five spots available, who would you drop from the squad?
Let’s take a closer look at performances this season using the statistics available.
While statistics can skew a view, they also often allow a different picture to be painted about players – those who get the glory because they catch the eye during games while others, who do a lot of the dogwork, often don’t get the recognition they need because their work is often away from the limelight, often hidden from the camera angles we see on televisions.
Then it is up to the coaching staff to decide what is more valuable. Players who hit rucks more, who carry the ball up, or who slow down the opposition’s possession? If a player excels in all these factors, the Boks are normally looking at him anyway.
BALL CARRIES
MOST CLEANS
Above this, the X-factor comes into play – players that can do something special to change a game in a split second. Players whose presence lifts their teammates and who often make that inch difference at test level that can be the difference between winning and losing.
If we look at the stats this past weekend, Brussow made the most tackles – 25 in total – and certainly impressed with a try as well, but Boom Prinsloo was right on his heels with 24. Prinsloo had 11 carries to Brussow’s two. Brussow had 17 cleans in the game, Prinsloo seven.
Compare this around the other games and Schalk Burger made an impressive 17 tackles, and slowed opposition ball down five times, including four carries, five cleans and two steals. Nizaam Carr made 15 tackles, carried 10 times and cleaned the same amount, stole two balls and slowed the ball down twice.
TOP TACKLERS
The point being made is that while Brussow has caught the attention, Prinsloo matched him virtually in every department, while others across the board aren’t exactly slouches. Take a look at the top Bok candidates and all of them are currently playing well.
If we look at the season stats it becomes more apparent who the repeat performers are, although here it is unfair to compare Brussow as he hasn’t played as much as other candidates. While resting of players is included, and differing playing times must be considered, a quick look at the graphs here will show you who by franchise is performing for their teams.
Prinsloo is often overlooked for praise, but is the constant performer for his side, as is Marcell Coetzee for his team. Others like Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr and Warren Whiteley consistently top these stats and also have aspirations that are worth considering.
With all of this in mind, in selecting a squad, and in triumphing Brussow’s case, it comes down to a few questions. For the Cheetahs flanker to be selected, one of the other flankers would need to be left out.
Francois Louw is playing exceptional rugby for Bath and is part of a proven loose trio with Vermeulen and Alberts. Coetzee has upped his game in the past two years and is one of the stellar performers in Super Rugby. Burger adds experience and a line-out option, not to mention versatility. Kolisi and Carr both add their own claims to the fray.
Then there is another school of thought, one that says Whiteley should be in that magnificent five, given the performances he has put up, with Burger/Coetzee as the other flank and able to cover two positions.
In the end these are all the factors that Meyer will need to consider going ahead. It won’t be an easy decision, and Brussow has been playing exceptional rugby of late.
But so have a number of other loose forwards, and getting the balance right and covering all positions will be key in a Rugby World Cup where inches will be the difference.
Not only Brussow, but the other loose forwards will need to lay a marker down week after week, making it almost impossible not to pick them.
Competition brings out the best in players, and that will determine who Meyer selects.
It is clear not only for Brussow, but for the likes of Coetzee, Burger, Carr, Pierre Spies, Whiteley, Arno Botha, Alberts, Kankowski, Jaco Kriel, Kolisi and Mohoje, to make that team will be difficult.
At the moment it is the toughest selection choice around.
What is certain is we dont need pap forwards like Carr, Kolis and Oupa in the Bok frame work.
Elstadt is world class (Unfortuntately injured) and ideal for NH conditions and ditto Rhodes. Leave the show ponies at home.
