"Given that Kolbe has been unable to train since Friday, it appears unlikely he will feature in the Robina Stadium in the Gold Coast." Published in Rugby 365
Looks like the Boks will have to call on their depth
Our wings are only there to pressure kicks, tackle and set up rucks along the touchline and kick to make space for themselves. So, another body in a jersey will do the trick.
Mapimpi averages 0.7 to 1.2 percent of total team possession. When was the last time you saw him put into space? Can you cite even one instance?
World Cup Final:
Kolbe: Am gathers loose ball, scoops it to Steph. Steph passes short to Kolbe. Three man English pod is drifting to meet him. Marler gets to him, Kolbe stops and steps to beat him down the touchline. Now Farrell is ahead of him, tracking behind pod of three. It would seem Kolbe is pinned here if Marler covers Farrell's inside shoulder. Kolbe steps inside Farrell's weak inside shoulder, breaks the tackle attempt. The final defender gives up the chase but was there. All the work done by Kolbe.
Mapimpi: Boks attack the short side. Faf to Am. He has Marler as the edge defender but passes to Marx without fixing anyone. Boks have three players outside Marler; the English were unnecessarily compressed here. Am to Marx, quick short ball to Mapimpi as Marler takes Marx low. Mapimpi chips as he is pinned outside and ahead of him. Am is right beside him and chases said kick. Am gets to it first and passes short to Am. The wing kicks to get behind the defence.
Our wings often pass back inside, take contact and form a ruck or kick behind the defence in the pocket between the wing and 15.
Take the Kolbe try in the third test. Forward off Wiese (uncalled), Am gathers and short to Willie. Willie does try to get some space by pulling in to bring the defender away from Kolbe, but Kolbe still has to step 15, break the tackle of 16 and then score.
If you think the Boks are creating space you are deluded. Our wings are under utilised. Our ability to create space is the worst of all nations at tier 1 and tier 2 level. It's ridiculously archaic and predictable. Heavily scripted to the point where the Boks are thoughtless and inflexible. Net result? Bottom of the pile for production on attack. Aimless kicks hoping for penalties and a maul. That's the beginning and end of what we have to offer. Our wings have to scrap.
