Meyer's Press Conference After WC return

Meyer was speaking during a press conference at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning after a few members of the touring party's arrival from London.

The Boks finished the World Cup in third position after beating Argentina 24-13 in last Friday’s Bronze Final.

Meyer has copped heavy criticism in recent times for opting for a conservative game plan, with many pundits calling for his head.   At Tuesday’s press-conference, an emotional Meyer made it clear that he has no intention to call it a day as Bok mentor.

“I want to be part of the solution. I love my country, I want to coach South Africa. I'm very proud of the boys, especially the youngsters for the way they came through,” he said.

“I’m excited about this team. I’m loyal to South Africa and I want to stay in South Africa. More and more of our people leave South Africa and they go and coach in other countries and they get quite good salaries for that as well.

“But I’ve said from day one that I want to keep my head high if I’m finished. I want to keep my integrity intact and I’m here to serve. I really want to make a difference in our country.”

Meyer may have been heavily criticised by rugby pundits but he feels the overwhelming majority of support has been positive after the team overcame a shock first round defeat to Japan to progress to the semi-finals.

“There’s always negativity, but the positive thing for me is that the people have been amazing wherever we have gone, everybody's proud of us, probably 80% plus..."

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Monday announced that the positions of the 

Springbok coaching and management team for the 2016 season and beyond will be reviewed by the Executive Council (Exco) of SARU in December.

However, recent media reports have indicated that Meyer’s contract will be extended until the 2019 World Cup in Japan and the coach firmly believes he is the right man to take the team forward.

“I’m there to serve. I know what it takes to win, I know what it takes to be the best in the world, but you have to get the systems in place.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in SA Rugby as well. They know what they’re doing and they are on the right track. I really think things will be better next year, especially for the national side.

“I’ll write a full report, but for me it’s just about being involved and making a difference in people’s lives... and like I said (I want to) be part of the solution.”

All fine Meyer Jargon - we have heard it all before.   He knows - he knows - he knows.   If he thinks SA will ever become a top rugby country again with the type of rugby they played in the WC - he will miss the pot by the proverbial mile,  You cannot constantly kick away and hand over possession to the opposition and hope to win games.   Using forwards as first receivers of balls from the scrummie is just not on anymore - it neutralizes the backline totally.

There is another interesting remark - which is weird in the  context of wha actually happened and that is the following:-

 "I'm very proud of the boys, especially the youngsters for the way they came through,”

Why mention the youngsters at all - according to the knowledgeable experts on this site the youngsters were the failures in the Tournament.  Something does not sound right here.  

There is a bit of positive news included in the above:-

"Springbok coaching and management team for the 2016 season and beyond will be reviewed by the Executive Council (Exco) of SARU in December."

I accept that we may or will be punished by retention of Meyer as coach - but at least the management team - and especially the backline and attack coaches should be replaced by competent people.   If that is not done - we can kiss any further rugby development in SA good-bye. 

1. We fell short with strategy....limited game plan, no surprises.
2. Over reliance on older players and not enough building of xp for younger ones.
3. Played the wrong games to play for the players we picked...Morne would have done better than both other 10's for the specific game plan we used. We could also have picked flankers at 12 and 13.
4. We need some changes in the coaching setup and selection policies
5. Whoever SARU fire or retain, must be done in a way to at least keep some continuity in the team and to the extent that they make sure that replacements are actually clearly better and more capable than the incumbents.
6. Emotion and public pressure should be taken out of the equation and they should at least have a few expert consultants have a look at it and do some recomendations.
7. Something needs to be done and changes should be made, we can't go on and hope things get better.
8. I think there should be a brain trust of rugby experts that should be able to advise and even override the coaches decisions from time to time.
9. None of this will happen though.

 What the hell had that to do with it Ceradunce?

Lets hope the politicians for once step in and put pressure on the board to get rid of the massively incompetent coach given the board are too stupid to make that call themselves.

Giving poor Paige 3 min in a nothing game with a handy lead was insulting - it had token written all over it.

Viva ANC!! 

 Ceradunce