Problems with Bismarck
Ball Carrying
Of all the South African forwards that have ever played over the last twenty-two years, none have been more stiff backed than Bismarck. I bemoan our poor footwork and body position going into contact, and here Bismarck is a chief culprit. How effective is a ball carrier if he goes into contact straight backed and on the weak foot, Carrying the ball in the wrong arm? Bismarck is a naturally very strong person, but a highly technically flawed player. He very often loses the ball in contact or gets turned over once he gets knocked backwards. He averages about one big run every few games with little outcome. Usually against small backline players in broken play when he doesn't have an organized defence to smash into. Watch any game Bismarck has ever played, you will see this. Bismarck ended this years Super XV with 40 turnovers, yes, that's right, 40 turnovers!! Top of the pile.
Defence
Bismarck's very upright body position has severely hampered his lateral defence and head on defence. Against England, in the first test, Bismarck was simply bowled over! He is more often than not left wrong footed and completely gased. Jake White exploited this weakness and left Bismarck with a total of 100% missed tackles against the Brumbies. Not the only coach to spot this. He can hit hard if he lines you up, but that is not very often at all, even less so when it isn't a cheap shot. And of all South African players Bismark is the dirtiest player. Several times crumbling under little pressure and conceding stupid penalties via ugly face attacks right next to refs. Nice. He did it in the win over Samoa last year, very fortunate not to get pinged for that. This is by far the biggest contribution to the game from him.
Set Pieces
Bismarck has never been a good scrummager, and furthermore he has never ever sorted out his poor lineout throws. As said before, Bismarck is a very technically flawed player. A typical Saffer that got through the age groups with natural strength, and never had to learn to do the basics well. In senior rugby? He has been found wanting.
All in all, there is no area where Bismarck gives us an advantage over anyone. Georgia and Romania have easily had the best hookers for all of the last decade, Argentina and Italy have had fantastic hookers. France have two very fine hookers, Szarzewski completely bamboozling Bismarck on three occasions. Australia's Moore looks a good prospect right now too. And even if Bismarck had the attributes, it all would count for nought anyway. His exceptionally poor temperament and anger problem always surfaces when he doesn't get his own way. In tight tests he throws a strop and has no problems swearing at refs and playing cheap shots out of spite. This player is a little brat, and now that Smit is no longer there to hide behind he has been royaly exposed for the substandard player and person that he really is. How anyone can look up to this person truly beggars belief. He belongs in the ranks of Luke Watson, Danny Grewcock, and the Islanders as filthy, cheap, arrogant and flawed players. What a world of difference the media makes, and they love nothing more than to hype up the Shark's rejects.
As I say again, how can you possibly expect me to rate this player when he has all of these issues? He is the farthest thing from the best hooker in the world. He hasn't even been the best in South Africa! It's quite insulting to be expected to turn a blind eye to all of these facts because some stupid flabby Kiwi who knows stuff all - apparantly Frans kicks far because of Nasa technology on his boots, Yes, nice one Fitz! - about what's going on in the game.
