a test rugby player or just a desperate choice as our Bok fullback? What about his counter attacking ability when the opportunity presents itself? Defensively, is he good enough to be our last man to stop the opposition from scoring tries?
I personally think I have seen some changes in some of his former weakness, in the last two test matches. I don't know how long this will last, mind you, he's off to Leinster after the RC.
Ntanga, a fullback is likely to be beaten most times 1 on 1 by a good attacker that has broken the line and in open play. They have way too many options and support players whilst the fullback has only one option and that is to try replicate what the attacker is thinking to make the tackle. Attacker holds all the cards.
Kirchner is not bad. He has never been bad. He is just simply not anything more than an average fullback. Dagg is great and he is probably a worse defender 1 on 1 than Kirchner. No doubt. Dagg gets bounced clean off a lot. He is not a strong defender but he is still a special player because his job is not to tackle all day. His job is to disuse bombs, clean up any loose ball at the back and create opportunities from there to get his team back on the front foot, be a creative link in the backline and score tries and that he does well. Kirchner is not great defensively, he does not do enough to get us any advantage from poor kicks, he is not a creative genius like Dagg. He is just a plug that fills a hole and no more.
I dont think SA has a great fullback and thats why I recommend JP Pietersen. He MIGHT become one. He is big. He doesn't have a step but rather glides/sways from side to side in his change of direction and incredible pace that often sees him break defensive lines. He is a better long term option than Kirchener. Willie is a better wing than fullback and Habana occupies the other wing. Maybe its time to invest in JP where he started for the Boks..At 15.
Im not sure what his current contract says about him playing for the Boks though.
Boklogic
Although I in the main agree with you on the issues raised - I do not think that Pietersen is really the answer at full back. He is a strong runner with ball in hand - but not particularly speedy. For a wing he is actually on the slow side. He has other attributes that makes him a very good wing. Is he speedy enough to be a good full back - not sure of that one and would prefer him on the wing. Kirchner is definitely faster than he is.
I do prefer to rather see the development of the best two young full backs at present playing CC rugby - as future prospects. They are SP Marais -- the full back of the Kings in Super 15 this year - who is now playing for the Sharks and Marnitz Boshoff of the Lions. Both have speed and ball sense in their favour. Over time those two will be star full backs of the future - especially Marais who has amazing skills both in attack and in defence.
