Maak die Bulle almal Bokke

 Ok- so if you are a bull and an average player- you get unlimted chances to prove that you are not Springbok material.

Morne, Kircher, Potgieter, Spies- are not the best in their positions but we have to watch them as Springboks.  

This article was published about 5 months ago- We now know the answer. Crap like Werner Kruger got selected just because they are bull**

South African rugby finally has a new ‘Meyer’. A visionary, a master tactician and a man who wants to leave a lasting legacy as Springbok coach.

Whether ‘The Meyer’ will stick to his word or favour the Bulls brigade remains to be seen.

A polar opposite to his predecessor Peter de Villiers, the humble Heyneke Meyer has a rescue job at hand similar to the one he faced at the Bulls. Known as much for implementing sound structures and working towards a long-term goal as he is for his pragmatism and tactical nous, the burning question is not who Meyer will select as his lieutenants, but rather whether he will show favouritism to his band of ageing Bulls and attempt to build his squad around them.

Meyer is unquestionably the right man for the job. However, with him at the helm, will it be a case of going back to the future? His strong ties with Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez – whom he handpicked to lead the Bulls renaissance – is well documented. He worked closely with the pair and constructed a game plan according to their specific skill sets.

Meyer has always been a conservative coach who has emphasised the importance of playing structured, field position-based rugby and no two players are better exponents of that tactic than Matfield and Du Preez.

Will he attempt to lure his wily architects back and put his faith in a Bulls flavoured outfit or will he embrace the future and start afresh? While he has intimated that his selection criteria won’t be influenced by provincialism, both scenarios are possible at this stage.

Morne Steyn being a case in point. The naming of his first-choice pivot will be as significant as his appointment of a new captain, and odds are that Meyer will back the one-dimensional Steyn at flyhalf ahead of exciting young prospects like Pat Lambie, Elton Jantjies and Johan Goosen.

If the Springboks are to evolve with the times and tweak their game plan, it’s imperative to have a multi-skilled flyhalf running the show. Meyer spoke at his unveiling of adapting tactics on a weekly basis according to the opposition and in this regard, he would do himself and the growth of Springbok rugby a disservice to cling onto Steyn with the hopes of transforming him into a well-rounded flyhalf.

There’s also a possibility that Meyer will surprise and name Pierre Spies as the man to lead the Springboks into the future. Spies is an imposing figure whose size and speed make him a rare specimen, but his unwillingness to do the donkey work in the tight-loose and suspect defence mean his presence in the starting line-up is constantly questioned.

Pierre Spoes, Springbok rugby player

Meyer would do well to select a captain who commands his place in the starting line-up as apposed to opting for a second-rate player with strong leadership capabilities. Meyer has seemingly passed this test by delaying the announcement of his captain, but he’ll certainly keep a keen eye on Spies during his maiden Super Rugby season as skipper of the Bulls.

Meyer has two contrasting paths ahead of him – one that’s centred around bullish veterans for immediate results and the other built on hungry youngsters out to change the landscape of Springbok rugby with long-term success in mind.

Whether ‘The Meyer’ will stick to his word or favour the Bulls brigade remains to be seen.

The article really was visionary and laid bare the problems that was already at that stage questioned by the writer.   He was correct in every repect - but even worsened and added to by Meyer and his coaching team.

Basically - the situation was that Meyer tried desperately to get Mattfield back to playing - but that did not succeed and he had to give up on that one.   Then it was Fourie Du Preez's turn to be approached - that despite the fact that all other players with Japanese contracts have automatically disqualified themselves from selection.   Lucky for all supporters that one did not work out as well.   The latest move to get Bakkies Botha back further supported as an addition to  the issues raised in the article.   All-in-all  - a classical case of back to the future - ie to players who were dismal  (except perhaps for Bakkies) in the years 2009 to 2011.    All were way passed their "sell-by" dates and not even remotely an investment for the future.

It was not only in player selection that Meyer favoured the players with Bulls contracts - his coaching team composition also favoured previous Bulls coaching staff.    He apparently build up his game plan according to this component.   Instead of bringing in expertise to enhance the skills of backline players - he picks Loubscher to handle that important component of coaching.    BS baffles brains in that regard.   That being the case - he and his team constantly talks about only one aspect of backline play - namely strategic and line kicking.   No other aspect of backline play is ever mentioned or even considered.   He wanted to coach Hougaard and Steyn how to upgrade their kicking - not how to really be the important linking players much needed in the modern game of rugby.   De Villiers is right to say it is a simple game plan that everyone can understand - you get the ball and kick it away - end of game plan description.  

Team selection criteria seems to work as follows - after they could not get in Mattfield, Du Preez and Bakkies into the squad:-

*    First priority is a Bulls contract - have one and if there is even a remote possibility of 30 out of a 100 and the opponent has 70 out of 100 - you get selected;

*    If a Bulls player gets injured - after a miserable performance - and you are in because it is not fair to drop an injured player.

Now lets look at Meyer's selections  bearing in mind the above criteria and comments as to the game plan.   In accordance with the game plan you can pick any player whatsoever to play in the backline.   Any player outside 12 will never see the ball in a backline movement in any event - so anybody is selectable - provided he can defend well.   Nothing else is epected from backline players.   In any event - Meyer could not pick the Bulls contract team for the Springboks - they were too weak in the 2012 Super 15 and was beaten by the Stormers twice and the Sharks (massively so) once.   Even the following Bulls picked by him all had poor Super 15 records this year - but that did not stop their selectability:-

*    Kirchner - one of the worst selections imaginable.   He has no clue as to positional play, is hopeless under high balls when under pressure and his defence is atrocious.   On what basis he is selected remains a mistery - my guess is that the Bulls contract was decisive in his case - that could be the only explanation.

*    Morne Steyn - went backwards in goal kicking this year - both in Super 15 and in the tests against the POMS.   His tactical and line kicking was atrocious - hence the comments on coaching him to be a better kicker.   However, the one-dimensional Steyn would never ever be dropped from the team - because he is the key to the donkey kicking strategy called a simple game plan.    Irrespective of how poor his performances are -getting him to play come hell or high water is the absolute requirement.  The English tests showed serious deficiencies against a rookie side - and even the public realised that in the PE test - but he will be given another chance - and if he flops - another chance and another chance.   When will that ever end?

*    Hougaard tries his best to emulate the waving arms game of Du Preez and Joost.   Otherwise he thinks he is Tarzan that can take on the oppositions forwards and win.   His passing game under pressure is a joke in bad tatste - and his kicking game a rank disaster with kicks constantly be charged down.  But kicking coaching is also the answer to all of this in his case.   Despite his deficiencies he is the best Bulls selection and further development could solve his present defiiencies.

*    Spies - Remains a flop at 8 - the quoted article confirms all his deficiencies 100%.   There is one issue that is clear though.   Meyer postponed his appointment as captain - but he will emerge as captain next year.   Let the guy who is built like Tarzan and play like Jane be the captain.

For the rest we have or had the aboslutely clueless Potgieter, Greyling and Werner Kruger in the squad and the very average Olivier, Flip van der Merwe and Kruger as well.  The selection of the first three can only be described as a scandal - the other three as a case of 30 out of a 100 as well.

In conclusion there is ample evidence that the article summed up the situation 100% and I foresee a disaster developing in the coming Championship.   If we lose big time - you will see players being dropped - the players mentioned will never be dropped, others will get the blame.    My hopes for a better future-orientated team selection criteria has been diminished considerably as the ten steps backwards and one forwards seems to be the accepted norm.  

.    

Known as much for implementing sound structures and working towards a long-term goal as he is for his pragmatism and tactical nous.

As I have said this a could be a tough year for the Boks. Next year key players will hopefully be back and youngsters will be coming through. By 2015 things should b ein place. Sucess earlier is a bonus.

That said Meyer still has a pretty powerful side that will I believe be comptitive. trouble is folk are believing their anti Morne proaganda. He is not as bad as some here make out. Greyling is not a bad loosehead.

Kan kan I heard was off to Japan and had to honour his contract but will b e back after 6 months was it. Vemulelen is out.  Meyer has expressed appreciation of both these palyers.

But no Meyer is a complete dunce. Sharkbok says he is begining to hate Meyer. Beeno wisely says give the guy a chance and take into account the injury problems etc.  Meyer's record demands that he be given a chance to mould the team over a period of time. NOT written off after 3 tests!!!! 

spot on sharkbok....seems like if you want a green jumper you must have a blue one first

i really hope for HM sake he plays well during this series. his one dimensional donkey rugby wont go down to well witht he rugby public.

only time will tell but i am not happy on the mindset and the tactics that is being thrown to the media.

 I still have faith in Meyer. The one major issue is that he favours Bulls players that are not the best in their positions. Lambie should be at 15, or Aplon. Both are far superior players to Side Show Kirchner.  

well coaches live and die by the shord with there selections so i hope for his sake his players that he selects shows the same level of faith that he shows them. if not people like us will be throwing the first stones. lambie is way more gifted than zane.