Coenie Oosthuizen is no tighthead-Robbie Kempson

 Former Springbok prop Robbie Kempson says the obsession with playing Coenie Oosthuizen at tighthead needs to stop.

Oosthuizen is recognised as one of the top tight forwards on the national scene, mainly because of his mobility and ball-carrying ability for a 127kg front-rower. However, the 24-year-old has struggled in the scrums in recent seasons as the Springboks and Cheetahs continue to experiment with the specialist loosehead at tighthead.

It has been well documented that Bok head coach Heyneke Meyer sees Oosthuizen as a versatile prop, which is why both teams give him game time in the No 3 jersey. But it's clear that he struggles in the position. 

In the second half of the Cheetahs' 15-13 play-off loss to the Brumbies on Sunday, the visitors' pack was dominated when Oosthuizen was shifted to tighthead. He was also disappointing there for the Boks in the June Tests and the 2012 end-of-year tour, when he was often exposed as a penalty liability.

Kempson believes Oosthuizen must stick to loosehead.

'We are in a scrumming crisis at the moment because of our lack of quality depth at tighthead prop,' Kempson told SARugbymag.co.za. 'With Frans Malherbe injured, there are no quality options after Jannie du Plessis.

'Coenie isn't the answer at tighthead, which is evident in his continuous struggles. Because of our tough situation, I expect the tighthead experiments to continue, but it's time to face the fact that Coenie shouldn't play there. He needs to be allowed the time to settle at loosehead, which is his best position.'

Kempson adds that the player will be affected mentally if he continues to be overpowered at the scrums.

'We mustn't forget that Coenie is still young and in the process of mastering his craft,' said Kempson. 'If coaches continue to pick him at tighthead, he'll continue to struggle at scrum-time, which will hurt his confidence.

'Coenie has the X-factor at loosehead and he scrums well there. Play him where he excels ... allow him to grow and develop where he's most comfortable and effective.' 

 

Nuff said!!!!

Cleancut and Sharkbok I just had a long talk by phone with my friend - the father of Frans Malherbe. He told me that in the game on the return of the Stormers against the Rebels Frans felt something went wrong with his foot. It really started bothering him on the return flight to SA and the team doctor suggested that he sees a specialist about the issue on the morning after arrival. He went and the specialist did all the tests and informed him that he would phone him the afternoon. Before the specialist phoned he got an e-mail from Meyer to report to the Springboks squad - but then had to bow out - since the specialist told him - * he needs an operation on his foot; and * that he is likely to be out of rugby for five months. The operation was done the same week and the specialist did not have to do what he initially thought as necessary and was highly satisfied with the outcome. As I made out the feeling was that he would be out for much less than the five months initially indicated. His parents reside in Still Bay and thought he would come for a long holiday - but Frans said it was just not possible because of gymwork he had to continue with.. At this stage he is doing gym work four days a week - but although the cast has been removed - he has not started with any training involving his legs. Frans said his body is much stronger than it used to be - but his legs have weakened considerably and he hopes to start training on that two weeks from now and if everything goes according to plan will be ready to play rugby again from the beginning of September. This is an up-to-date summary. Frans's father told me he would phone me this evening and give me later news on the issue. Hope this info is of value to board members.

Good news Mike as Malherbe is a key player for the Boks and Stormers. I though Harris actually did a very nice job for us and is very useful outside the scrums. Better player than Adriaanse in my book.Dont forget Marcel - the bulle tighthead.

So far the evidence is Coenie is a better loosehead. however he has produced some very solid efforts at tighthead. If that were not so the experiment would have stopped by now.  What happened against the Brumbies can be dismissd out of hand as their scrumming was illegal.

Indeed Mike!!!

 

How long must we suffer at tighhead??

 

We are way overdue for a decent 3 and by the looks of it Malherbe could well be the man we're looking for.

 

September ... ??? that's around the corner.

 

Look forward to it.

Kempson was a piss poor tighthead himself and he is peaking complete crap about Coenie in the scrums this year and in particular in the test matches. I do agree that Coenie needs to stick to either loosehead or tighthead and stop being changed every game. This is not doing his development any good. He is better suited to 3, where he is bound and is not able to scrum up as he does at 1.

 

Rubbish!!!!

 

He is not a tighthead.

 

But hey, I guess he's also the best tighhead in the country ... right?? ... just like HouGat the best scrummie.

 

You keep telling yourself that Stupid Dave!!!

 

 

CC you know fuck all about rugby so stick to doing what you do best, which is...................................

So Kempson who played 37 tests at loosehead and Visagie who played 29 tests at tighthead, think Coenie is no test tighthead. Something to be considered at least. My guess is, like the Smit experiment this is the mistake that wont die, too many movers and shakers are invested. Wont die until we are in the last 15 minutes of a close test and some loosehead takes Coenie apart, as Sio did on Saturday.

Mozart Although I might agree in fact with you on the issue of Oosthuizen - your premise to base your argument on scrumming illegality is absurd. Sio was scrumming illegally and that was proven over and over. One cannot base arguments on illegal practices.

Saffex The issue here is differences in opinion. I think that the issue of moving players from loosehead to tighthead during games will be eliminated largely by the new law that allows for two props to be on the bench - ie a squad of 15 starters and 7 players on the bench. That will also lay the foundation for props really to specialize in their positions and not moved around. It could still happen if both tightheads are injured during a game - but should normally be a very rare occurrence. Looking at the games - both tests and in Super 15 - I am not sure at all that Jannie Du Plessis should be our tighthead of the future - he struggled way too much in that position. I think the future tightheads would be Malherbe and Van der Merwe. I still think that Coenie is a better in scrumming at 1 than he is otherwise and agree that he should specialize. We have him, Kitshoff and Nyakane to cover that position once Beat is gone.