Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 29, 2012, 19:52:27
1. Bryan Habana- Back to his old best. Perhaps not the same speed he once had, but generally the worlds top wing. Should have a few more years left in the tank and may still make the 2015 World cup team if his pace remains as it is. Won best individual try of the year against the All Blacks. 3 tries against Australia, one wonders what could have been if the inside backs had been more creative. Also won SA player of the year award again.
-
2. Etzbeth- The find of the season. Could probably play as either lock due both athleticm and enforcing power. Got better in the lineouts as the season went on. Should be a stronger ball carrier over the coming years.
-
3. JP Pieterson. Pity he got injured early on in the season, but still won the players "player of the season" award. As with Habana could have been ever better with better inside backs providing more ball and space to the outside backs. Scored a try against England that probably was the game clincher.
-
4. Flouw. He transformed the backrow from a clumsy bumbling circus at the ruck time into a well balanced outfit. The whole dynamic changed when he played for the boks. His game has improved since leaving South Africa for Bath. The backrow was probably also aided by Vermuelen also improving each game
-
5.Adrian Strauss- After a very slow start to his international career, after a few games in for Bismark he proved that he is the 2nd best hooker in the world. The boks most consistent ball carrier of the year.
-
6. Ruan Pienaar- Had a few average games, but generally his game was good along with some exceptional games. Combined well with Goosen. Easily South Africas top scrum half and probably in the top 5 in the world.
-
7. Goosen- Although he only played in a few games, his contribution helped transform a completely dysfunctional backline. His game against Australia was the highlight of the year and showed hope for 2013 and beyond. Seeing him instead of Morne Steyns one dimensional approach was like day and night. Some good pole kicking even though his foot was injured, good tactical kicking, along with the running and passing flyhalf we have missed in years. Hopefully he can add some extra bulk to his frame and be less injury prone.
-
8. Frans Steyn- Salvaged a draw with his try against Argentina. This helped Meyers year look slighly more respectable. The best inside back against England at the start of the season in the 2 tests. Was limited playing outside Morne Steyn but with Goosen and Lambie that should not be an issue in the future. Not in his best form for some on the 4 nations matches but should also be well rested and over the Kankles that plagued him in 2012
-
9- Willem Alberts.
Was excellant in the English tests. Strongest ball carrier by a mile. Also some great tackles by the bone crushers. Solid for the rest of the year.
-
10. Dane Vermuelen. A tie with Marcell Cotzee but earned his starting spot as a specialist 8. Got better with each match to finish the season as man of the match against England. Very physical in tackling, carrying and clearing the ruck. A good all rounder who contributed massively.
-
10- Marcell Coetzee
Finished the Super XV as the loose forward with the best stats.
Rewarded with a starting bok place at 6 against England. Good allround player, strong carrier, excellant tackler, decent fetcher at the rucks. The boks were however poor on the ground and a specialist was required here. Moved onto the bench and is an excellant impact player. Makes more tackles than some players who are on the pitch the whole game. Looks like a long bok career. May struggle for a starting spot as he is more of an allrounder than specialist. Was unfortunate to lose his starting spot due to the unbalanced backrow of the boks and perhaps playing at 6 is which he does not play at the Sharks.
-
11- Zane Kirchner- I was one of him main critics. Of his strenghts displayed this year it was certainly under the high ball. I think he may be the best fullback under the high ball at present. He is rock solid. Scored some good tries and entered the backline. As a weakness was his passing. Butchered some easy tries with poor finishing passes, and also went to ground instead of looking for his supporting players which killed some tries.
-
12. Jean Devilliers
Started the season out of position at 13. Did little to nothing although at this stage it was Morne at 10 waisting all possesion. After moving back to 12 he had some good runs, one or two try assists and got stronger in defence as the season went on. Likely that Meyer will revert back him back to 13 where he could excel outside of a more dynamic 10 in Goosen or Lambie.
-
13. Jannie Duplessis
Solid in the scrums, some work in the loose but not setting the world a light.
-
14. Beast.
Had one of the most quiet seasons and no longer seems to be a factor in the loose anymore. Still a solid scrummager and contributing in the tight phase.
-
15. Lambie
Messed around at the start of the season when he should have been the 1st choice flyhalf. Got a few short runs at fullback but mostly a bench warmer. First games at flyhalf played like a Morne Clone, but finished the last game of the season at 10 Strongly playing his more natural game. Standing more flat and upped the tempo of the game, varied with good tactical kicking and very solid pole kicking. If he started more games at 15, the boks probably would have finished more tries with accurate final passes to the supporting player
-
Worsts
A- Morne Steyn. Hopelessly out of form in the 3rd test agains England and thereafter. Did show some running when playing with Frans Steyn in the first 2 tests, but apart from that was hopeless and got worse as the year progressed. The worst up and unders ever along with kicking the ball away aimlessly each time he got the ball. If the game plan is to kick, it is not with no purpose or aim I would hope.
His pole kicking deteriorated so much that Dean Greyling wanting to take over the kicking duties
-
B. Close between Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling
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C- Donkey Potgieter. The loose trio improved with him gone.
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D- Jaco Taute. Clearly out of position. His defence was woeful both in positional play and technique and offered little on attack but another crash ball option. His clearance kick that never made touch was tactically niave against and All Black team that thrives on counter attacks with the opposition players totally all over the place. Mostly crash ball stuff and going to ground with ball in hand.
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E- Some of the other bulls at the start of the season that just got in as pets of Meyer
-
F- Some of the truly has beens like CJ Van Der Linde keeping out some of the younger players.
Edit post
Saffex
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2499
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 29, 2012, 22:58:20
Complete bullshit re Taute
Sharkbok
Status: Bok regular
Posts: 999
Edit your post:
Saffex
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2499
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 00:46:50
Oh what complete bullshit, Taute has always displayed a good step, its a strength of his. Most of his attacking runs from the back have involved a step or swerve to beat the man for he certainly was not going to beat them with pace. The lad has made an impression through skill.
Showing footage of him not stepping Alberts is a joke, especially considering you fail to point out that the 9 and another player were in his way just before Alberts makes contact, throwing your whole take out the window. Go check his debut against Oz where he stepped players to beat the first defender on at least 3 occasions
Sharkbok
Status: Bok regular
Posts: 999
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 01:10:06
I watched the Pretoria game of boks vs OZ again today and Taute was the worst back on the field.
He never even touched the ball once in the 2nd half.
In such an open game where nearly all the backs had their best games of the season and gained the most metres. Taute gained the least metres and never made one clean break. He was involved in none of the tries, and also was no where to seen amongst the supporting players when a try was scored. Basically he was totally ineffectual.
In Goosens first 3 runs of the game he makes 30 metres.
Jean Devilliers was similar, as was Habana.
-
A summary of his game.
2nd minute- Goosen passes a clean pass to Taute. Taute knocks the ball on. The worst knock on of the game
5th minute. Taute gets the ball and makes 2 or so metres and goes to ground in the tackle.
8th minute- Taute is tackled to the ground, makes one metre or so.
31st minute- Taute gets the ball and gets tackled, makes less than a metre.
2nd half-
46 minute- Taute gets tackled as he recieves the ball.
46 minute- Taute makes a relatively decent pass by partially drawing a man.
52 minute- Taute makes a good tackle.
-
- Remainder of the game- Taute does not touch the ball. Makes a few average tackles and that is it.
--
Summary- In such an open game Taute was very poor.
If he made 10 metres in total I would be surprised, and just crashballed any ball he recieved. He did not given the ball in great oppertunities, however other backs on the field made more of what the recieved and got involved in other areas to create oppertunities.
Jean Devilliers had a good game, 10 times better than Taute.
--
Of all the tries scored, never was Taute in any position running a support line. So if the scorer had not made the line the next supporting player could have scored. Many times Jean, Habana, Kirchner etc were near the scorer. Taute was way of the mark.
-
Taute will never again play center for the boks. Given how he performed he may never play any position for the boks again, including fullback. He will need a strong SuperXV to be considered as bok material in his preferred position.
-
---
ESPN STATS-
Key:
T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run
MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks
DB Defenders Beaten
OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed
LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards
Pos
T/A
Pts
K/P/R
MR
CB
DB
OL
TO
Tack
LO
Pen
Y/R
FB
Kirchner
1/0
5
2/2/6
33
1
1
1
5
1/0
0/0
0
0/0
W
Habana
3/0
15
0/3/9
128
4
5
1
1
3/1
0/0
1
0/0
C
TAUTE
0/0
0
0/2/7
15
0
2
0
2
7/0
0/0
0
0/0
C
de Villiers
0/0
0
0/10/9
40
1
2
1
1
8/0
0/0
1
0/0
W
Hougaard
0/0
0
2/4/5
20
0
1
1
0
7/2
1/0
1
0/0
FH
Goosen
0/1
0
5/20/5
38
1
1
2
1
14/0
0/0
1
0/0
SH
Pienaar
0/1
6
11/55/3
66
1
0
2
0
6/0
0/0
1
0/0
P
Mtawarira
0/0
0
0/0/3
0
0
0
0
0
6/0
0/0
1
0/0
H
Strauss
0/1
0
0/4/8
23
0
0
0
0
5/0
1/0
1
0/0
P
du Plessis
0/0
0
0/3/2
3
0
0
2
0
7/0
0/0
0
0/0
L
Etzebeth
0/0
0
0/0/1
0
0
0
0
0
11/0
3/2
0
0/0
L
Bekker
0/0
0
0/1/3
11
0
1
0
1
13/0
7/0
0
0/0
F
Louw
1/1
5
0/11/10
38
1
1
2
1
9/0
0/0
1
0/0
F
Alberts
0/0
0
0/1/6
20
0
1
0
0
11/0
1/0
0
0/0
N8
Vermeulen
0/0
0
0/2/5
8
0
0
1
0
10/1
0/0
0
0/0
(H)
Liebenberg
0/0
0
0/0/0
0
0
0
0
0
0/0
0/0
0
0/0
(L)
van der Merwe
0/0
0
0/1/1
2
0
0
0
0
2/1
0/0
0
0/0
(F)
Coetzee
0/0
0
0/0/0
0
0
0
0
0
6/1
0/0
0
0/0
(FH)
Jantjies
0/0
0
0/3/0
0
0
0
0
0
2/0
0/0
0
0/0
(C)
de Jongh
0/0
0
0/1/2
5
0
0
0
1
0/0
0/0
0
0/0
(FB)
Lambie
0/0
0
2/0/0
0
0
0
0
0
1/0
0/0
0
0/0
Edit post
clevermike
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2683
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 06:50:50
The above stats on Taute do not make nice reading. Looking at the stats I unforunately have to agree with you that Taute should not be selected as a center. The situation can be further clarified if you could perhaps post similar stats on the -
* All Black test in Soweto; and
* The irish test.
I always thought that Taute was excellent when he played at full back for the Lions and am in fact a great admirer of his performances in that position.
I think he has much more space to work on from that position and think he would be a top player at full back - matter of fact I think he would really be a certainty for selection. That is why I believe -
* Taute himself declared his preference to play at full back in future, probably included that in the loan agreement he signed with the Stormers and also said that he would consider signing a full agreement with the Stormers for 2014 - 15;
* Meyer selected him as full back - and not center - for the EOYT; and
* Coetzee clearly stated he intends to use him as a full back for the Stormers.
All indications are that Taute's playing days for the Sptingboks at center are over and that he would now concentrate on candidature for selection as a full back.
mozart
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2015
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 07:18:50
Taute tackled quite well against Oz, unfortunately against NZ his defence was totally porous. And he is so slow off the mark and ponderous, I can't see him beating a decent test centre. This was all a mistake.
Sharkbok
Status: Bok regular
Posts: 999
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 10:25:29
Taute was a poor mans center.
-
Watching the game for the 2nd time I was very impressed with Goosen. His passing and general play was very good and he was responsibale for many of attacking movements.
-
Allmost as bad as Taute was Hougaard. Hougaard played well on the wing last year but he was poor for most of the season on the wing His tackling is not great and it looks like an area that will be targetted by opposition.
I doubt Hougaard will be selected on the wing this year though even if Habana or JP is injured. His form is not good enough and the likes of Rhule should be tried or perhaps even someone like Paul Jordaan is the centres positions are filled.
Edit post
clevermike
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2683
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 11:12:38
Sharkbok
Thanks - you are a gentleman and a scholar. Can you please get the stats for the Soweto and Irisgh test as well - it would be much appreciated.
Sharkbok
Status: Bok regular
Posts: 999
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 11:33:12
Thanks Mike.
These stats below are the Soweto test vs All Blacks
http://www.espnscrum.com/the-rugby-championship/rugby/match/153855.html
Pos
T/A
Pts
K/P/R
MR
CB
DB
OL
TO
Tack
LO
Pen
Y/R
FB
Kirchner
0/0
0
4/1/5
17
0
0
1
2
2/0
0/0
0
0/0
W
Habana
1/0
5
0/0/6
36
1
3
0
1
2/2
0/0
0
0/0
C
Taute
0/0
0
2/1/5
12
0
0
0
1
5/2
0/0
0
0/0
C
de Villiers
0/1
0
1/4/5
32
1
0
1
3
4/1
0/0
0
0/0
W
Hougaard
0/0
0
1/3/7
19
0
2
0
1
3/0
0/0
0
0/0
FH
Goosen
0/0
5
3/6/0
0
0
0
0
0
3/0
1/0
0
0/0
SH
Pienaar
0/0
0
5/50/2
5
0
0
0
1
1/0
0/0
0
0/0
P
Mtawarira
0/0
0
0/0/2
0
0
0
0
0
2/0
0/0
0
0/0
H
Strauss
0/0
0
0/3/6
6
0
0
0
3
3/0
0/0
0
0/0
P
du Plessis
0/0
0
0/0/0
0
0
0
0
0
2/0
0/0
0
0/0
L
Etzebeth
0/0
0
0/0/2
4
0
0
0
0
1/1
3/0
0
0/0
L
Bekker
0/0
0
0/1/1
0
0
0
0
2
2/1
3/0
0
0/0
F
Louw
0/0
0
0/4/4
0
0
0
0
0
5/2
0/0
0
0/0
F
Alberts
0/0
0
0/1/4
5
0
0
1
0
1/0
2/0
0
0/0
N8
Vermeulen
0/0
0
0/4/1
0
0
0
0
1
6/0
3/0
0
0/0
(H)
Liebenberg
0/0
0
0/0/0
0
0
0
0
0
0/0
0/0
0
0/0
(L)
van der Merwe
0/0
0
0/0/3
4
0
0
0
0
2/0
1/0
0
0/0
(F)
Coetzee
0/0
0
0/0/3
6
0
0
0
0
3/0
0/0
1
0/0
(FH)
Jantjies
0/0
6
3/7/2
14
0
0
0
1
5/0
0/0
0
0/0
(C)
de Jongh
0/0
0
0/0/0
0
0
0
0
0
0/0
0/0
0
0/0
(FB)
Lambie
0/0
0
0/1/1
13
0
0
0
0
0/0
0/0
0
0/0
Key:
T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks DB Defenders Beaten OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards
Edit post
Sharkbok
Status: Bok regular
Posts: 999
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 11:33:54
These stats are vs Ireland
Pos
T/A
Pts
K/P/R
MR
CB
DB
OL
TO
Tack
LO
Pen
Y/R
FB
Kirchner
0/0
0
2/1/6
28
0
0
0
1
0/0
0/0
1
0/0
W
Pietersen
0/0
0
1/1/3
22
0
0
0
2
8/1
0/0
1
1/0
C
Taute
0/0
0
0/2/8
33
0
0
0
0
7/1
0/0
1
0/0
C
de Villiers
0/0
0
0/4/7
23
0
1
1
1
9/0
0/0
1
0/0
W
Hougaard
0/0
0
1/0/2
9
0
2
0
1
1/2
0/0
2
0/0
FH
Lambie
0/0
11
5/11/2
15
0
1
0
0
8/0
0/0
0
0/0
SH
Pienaar
1/0
5
10/52/7
32
0
1
0
1
4/0
0/0
0
0/0
P
van der Linde
0/0
0
0/0/2
1
0
0
0
0
8/2
0/0
2
0/0
H
Strauss
0/0
0
0/1/4
20
0
2
0
0
7/1
0/0
1
0/0
P
du Plessis
0/0
0
0/1/0
0
0
0
0
0
7/0
0/0
1
0/0
L
Etzebeth
0/0
0
0/0/3
3
0
0
0
1
11/0
6/1
0
0/0
L
Kruger
0/0
0
0/1/4
10
0
0
0
2
12/0
1/0
2
0/0
F
Louw
0/0
0
0/2/4
2
0
0
0
0
14/0
0/0
1
0/0
F
Alberts
0/0
0
0/1/4
5
0
1
1
1
14/1
1/0
0
0/0
N8
Vermeulen
0/0
0
0/3/3
1
0
0
0
0
13/1
2/0
1
0/0
(P)
HS van der Merwe
0/0
0
0/0/1
1
0
0
0
0
2/0
0/0
1
0/0
(L)
PR van der Merwe
0/0
0
0/0/0
0
0
0
0
0
0/0
0/0
0
0/0
(F)
Coetzee
0/0
0
0/0/4
4
0
0
0
1
2/1
0/0
0
0/0
Key:
T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks DB Defenders Beaten OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards
Edit post
clevermike
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2683
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 13:35:41
Sharkbok
Thanks a million - I am going to see whar Raute's total stats for the three tests look like:-
C
TAUTE
0/0
0
0/2/7
15
0
2
0
2
7/0
0/0
0
0/0
C
Taute
0/0
0
2/1/5
12
0
0
0
1
5/2
0/0
0
0/0
C
Taute
0/0
0
0/2/8
33
0
0
0
0
7/1
0/0
1
0/0
Combined stats:
C
Taute
0/0
0
2/5/20
60
0
2
0
3
19/3
0/0
1
0/0
Key:
T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run
MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks
DB Defenders Beaten
OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed
LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards
Summary
The combined stats are not really impressive at all. In all three tests he played in -
* Taute carried the ball 20 times making a total of 60 meters -ie on average 3 meters per carry;
* In the process he made NO line breaks and beat TWO defenders
* Taute handled the ball 27 times and made 5 passes to other players indicating some deficiency in his passing game and an inclination to play crashball nearly 80% of the time.
* He made 19 tackles and missed 3 - unfortunately all three missed tackles let to tries.
I do not have the data available to compare the above with the other three players involved - namely Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers and De Jongh. It would also be intresting to see how it compares ith the stats of Conrad Smith and Nonu.
However, in essence I have always maintained that Taute was actually forced into the center position by the Lions and then selected as such by Meyer. He is to my mind not a center - he is a very good full back and I would like to see him playing in that position.
mozart
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2015
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 16:54:03
Mike seeing as how you have come to love the stats, why don't you total them up for Jean.....our most consistent back this season. While SA fans were moaning about him the Telegraph said this of his Joburg test:
Jean de Villiers: Sensational first forty. Not as effective afterwards but the match was won there. 8
Run the numbers and compare them to Taute, You might learn something.
clevermike
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2683
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 30, 2012, 18:29:24
Mozart
No problem - so lets see what comes up:-
C
de Villiers
0/0
0
0/10/9
40
1
2
1
1
8/0
0/0
1
0/0
C
de Villiers
0/1
0
1/4/5
32
1
0
1
3
4/1
0/0
0
0/0
C
de Villiers
0/0
0
0/4/7
23
0
1
1
1
9/0
0/0
1
0/0
C
de Villiers
0/1
0
1/22/21
95
2
3
3
5
21/1
0/0
2
0/0
Now lets get to the evaluation:-
* Jean got the ball 45 times and passed it 22 times - ie slightly less than 50% of the time
* He ran 21 times making 95 meters - ie 4,5 meters on average every time he carried the ball
* In the process he made 2 clean line breaks beating 3 opponents in the process
* He had no off-loads and was involved in 3 turnovers.
The above stats - while De Villiers played at 12 was indicative of a slighly above average performance display. Whilst the line breaks are a positive - the average meters gained was not much to write home about. His tackling was good and above average.
When De Villiers played at 13 his stats was much less impressive and since he played half his games at 13 and half at 12 - the best overall performance rating he can be accorded is Average - wih a major requirement for upgrading necessary for 2013.
Beeno1
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 4230
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 31, 2012, 08:45:08
Some things for the Taute at center bashers to consider:
Firstly at the Lions he was chosen to play center because the coach thought he could do do. I saw him play there very ably. Nice little step, grubber kick and ran some nice angles powerfully.
Meyer was so impressed he wanted to try him out at center.
Taute's experience at center a tthe top level is extremely limited.
Jean at 13 also struggled a bit more than at 12. Our backline play is predictable and hence life at center for the Boks is particulary difficult.
The performace at Soweto- things went pair shaped as the forwards ran out of gas. Blaming Taute will not cut it.
The fact that the Lions and Meyer think Taute can play center means he most likely can. However he needs to spend time there and play in a functional backline.
The stats show his tackling is fine and will only get better.
All that said it does appear that Taute wants to play 15 and it looks as if this will be his future.
Those writing off Taute as a center are doing it on very flimsy evidence. Man the guy has barely started his center career!! THise tackling atats show th atapart from on etes thi stackling was excellent. In that test confusion reigned.
Beeno keeping it real as always.
clevermike
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2683
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 31, 2012, 13:51:40
Beeno
I am not writing Taute off as a center - i think he can play there - but he is better suited to play at full back.
After all he played 63 full games for the Lions on Super 15 and CC level since 2009. He was injured in game 64 on Super level and I am leaving that one out for the moment. Of those games -
* he played 60 games ar full back;
* he played center for 3 games.
His total adult expereience is in fact having played 6 full games at center in 2012 - ie three on Super 15 level and 3 on test level. In the process he scored a total of 109 points for the Lions at full back and zero points as a center.
I have always rated Taute very highly as a full back - he really showed star qualities in that position - and hoped that he would perform equally well at center - since any other line of action will b detrimental for their playing career. However, his stats playing at center indicate otherwise. Unlike Saffex - I believe that players should play in the position they do best in - and taking into account inter alia his performances since 2009 Taute himself said he preferred to play at full back.
Personally I think Taute has all the potential to be a star full back - and playing at center will not bring out his best. I do not preclude the possibility that he can develop further as a center - but I don't think he would ever reach a similar degree of competence as shown by him playing at full back.
If the Stormers are clever - they would use him at full back and give him th necessary liberty to play his natural game. That would add value to the Stormers backline. However, any play by Tate could be detrimentally affected by two dummies in their backline - namely Earl Jantjies and De Jongh.
mozart
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2015
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 31, 2012, 15:18:35
De Villiers also tackled 21 times and missed once. When you are playing against Oz, the ABs and Ireland, that's very tight defence. You can parse through the rest of our tests and the same picture emerges. Jean never ran rampant but he was consistently our best centre and, with Habana, our best back of 2012. He is getting older, but as we saw in a number of break away chases....eg hauling in Tuilagi....he is still among the quicker top centres in the game. No sense in imagining it's time to go....retire him when there is a better alternative. In 2012 there wasn't and I suspect that will be true in 2013 as well.
Saffex
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2499
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
December 31, 2012, 16:44:29
I have read some crap in my time but the take on Taute test against Oz is the worst I have ever read. Its utter bullshit.
Taute never made any substantial breaks for he was never offorded the opportunity. What he did do when he challenged the first defender was beat him with a step or swerve, showcasing his skills at beating the man through skill, not the direct route.
Fact is he beat those defenders in traffic and was closed down straight after those initial mini breaks.
He made more of an impact with ball in hand in that test at 13 than the poor showings by Jean at 13 preceding that.
Taute had a great game against Oz, the fact that he was not involved in any of the tries means sweet stuff all the game is payed over 80min. He showed in that test exactly why he should be seriously considered for the Bok 13 spot. His defence in that game was spot on as well.
Against the AB, Taute, like Jean and Habana, missed a tackle or two and for the most it was a game all the Boks would want to forget, in particular Habana.
Taute missed one tackle and that was by the impressive Dagg who beat him fair and square - its rugby.
Against Ireland, according to Meyer, Taute had his best test at 13 - I disgaree, he was good against Ireland, but better against Oz.
In three tests to date Taute showed that he was our best test 13 by some distance, given we had the pathetic showings from Jean in that position and the predicatble non showing by wee de Jongh
Sharkbok
Status: Bok regular
Posts: 999
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
January 01, 2013, 00:21:59
If making 15 metres is good then Taute had a good game, and knocking on a simple pass to ruin his best attacking oppertunity. Also having no contribution to any of the tries scored in a very open game. Would have been better to use a specialist outside center.
Edit post
Saffex
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2499
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
January 01, 2013, 13:29:29
Fuck me he knocked on the first ball he received big deal and yes he only gained 15min as he only received the ball in traffic - its the modern way for a 13.
If one was stupid enough to only rely on those 15m gained and ignore the context of those 15m then fair enough one would have to conclude he was below par.
However in those 15m he beat the first defender at least 3 times and then hit traffic, his defence was damn good and given he is a player that always looks for action, the fact that he was not involved in any tries means stuff all, its a 15 man game.
Taute had a great debut, if you cant comclude that you know stuff all about the game. To say he had a below par game is an insult.
Do you expect modern test 13's to break defences at will, if this is the case name a current test 13 that does just that - you lot are so out of touch with modern test rugby its scary
Sharkbok
Status: Bok regular
Posts: 999
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
January 02, 2013, 03:31:14
If Modern day outside centres like Brian odriscoll, Conrad Smith, Jaque Fourie etc (Nonu or SBW- the few games they have played at 13) had stats like this- the public and they themselves would consider this a very poor performance.
3 tests-not one clean break and no involvement in any tries.
You are just looking at this with tinted glasses because it is a new young player. If an older player like dished up this type of performance you woud be calling them past it.
Jean on his inside made 3 times the impact on the game and this reflected in his stats, whilist the player on his outside(Habana) scored 3 tries and made allmost 10 times the amount of metres.
-
Are you saying the role of the moden day outside centre is to-
1. Not score tries
2. Not have any involvement in the tries scored.
3. Have no clean breaks
4. Only be able to beat one man, or half beat the be side tackled whilst another opposition team member assists with the tackle.
5. Make little to no passes.
6. Make the least amount of metres in total of the 3 games that he has played.
7. Knock on his best attacking oppertunity.
-
If this is the Modern Centres role, then it needs to be explained to other centres like Brian odriscoll, Conrad Smith, Jaque Fourie etc (Nonu or SBW- the few games they have played at 13). They seem to be playing a different "modern" game.
He may not have been given the ball but this is because he could not keep up with the pace of the game on any of the attacking movements. Instead Habana one of your past is players on the wing was getting involved in the game.
Their is not much point in this because you will allways choose the next young player as the saviour and would probably rate their performance even if they never touched the ball once the whole game.
As soon as Taute eventually does find form or if he does find form, you will be hailing in the next new Under21 as the saviour of bok rugby and Taute will be added to the past it list.
Edit post
clevermike
Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 2683
RE: Top Bok Players Ranked- Best to Worse
January 02, 2013, 07:15:52
Sharkbok
I don't think Taute will play at 13 in future - but watch out for himm atfull back - he really is a class full back. I think Meyer realized that and he will be in contention as a full back in future. However, Saffe wants him in the team - come hell or high water - and since Lambie is his choice at full back, Taute must play at center, Ignorance is bliss - so you will never know how it will take to get Saffex off the Taute dream - it will probably be only by 2015.
