Mozart - you constantly write about Willem Alberts

When I dealt with Alberts I pointed out that he is one-dimensional and not acceptable - and you said that I was talking crap about him, Tomas (Old Cruz) - at present at the Chiefs - did an analysis of the Springboks performances - an excellent one at that - and amongst others made the following comments:- "One player I am not happy about is Willem Alberts. True, he is a devastating carrier, and puts in some bone-jarring tackles. But his general skillset is poor compared to guys like Louw, Kolisi or Coetzee. His predictability in open play was horribly exposed by Argentina in Mendoza." That is very much in line with my reading of the situation - but I did add the mobility issue as well. Your comments on the above would be appreciated.

Clevermike-

 

"Alberts is devastating carrier, and puts in some bone-jarring tackles."

 

The Springboks need to dominate the advantage line to implement the game plan, as with most SA SuperXV teams.

 

This is what Alberts gives us.

 

The loose trio as a combination was exposed in Mendoza. It was an embarrasment.  

I would not blame Alberts for this, but the loose forward combination

If I recall it was Donkey Potgieter, Spoes, and Alberts.

 

Alberts is a blindside flanker that brings mongrel to the pack. We need his physicality to dominate the collisions and tire the opposition out. 

The Alberts punch knocks the wind out of any side. Ask the opposition who are trying to tackle him.

Then what is left of them gets tackled with his bone crunchers

 

When Alberts is selected the other loosies need to have more pace.

 

A combination of 

6. Louw

7. Alberts

8. Laberschagne or Cotzee(if on form).

Also Vermuelen@8, but Alberts will then have to leave the pitch around the 50th minute to bring on more pace.  Cotxee is a good impact Sub and can cover most positions in the loosies

 

This is a good balanced backrow.

 

 

Sharkbok My main problems with Alberts are - * his serious mobility deficiencies - he is even slower than props like Coenie and definitely much slower than Bismarck and Strauss; and * his reputed hard tackles and ball carrying. Now lets analyse the latter two issues. Yes - he is a good defender - provided he can get to the ball carrier. His defence is limited by lack of mobility and is basically aimed at tackles around the fringes. You will never find him defending a bit wider out - or tackling any backline player. A slightly speedier player beats him with ease. That is illustrate by the two tackles he missed in the recent test series - both of which led to tries by the opposition. As to his ball carrying capacity - this is not substantiated by facts. He did carry the ball well in Mendosa gaining an average of 3,3 meters per carry - where after he was tackled and we did lose the ball at times in that match after his carries - hence the comments of Tomas. However, in all the other tests he gained about 1,5 meter per carry on average - that is simply not good enough. The above is based on ESPN stats and my memory of that disastrous game. However, there is also another issue with ball carrying where he is not up to standard - because of his lack of pace he cannot link and carry balls effectively in more open play - where players like Coenie, Bismarck and Strauss are very good. Incidentally his carries was even worse in his recent Super 15 games. My other problem with Alberts is his lack of capacity to play a role in line out play. I think he is too heavy to be supported by players and not athletic enough to help them in the lifting process. Be it as it may - he does not play a role at all in that component of the game. Grunt he may have but carries of 1,5 meters ending in a maul is not worth all the effort. We cannot have two players with speed deficiencies in the back row. We may be able to afford one - not two. I think that playing Vemeulen and Alberts together in the back row may help in the slow fields in England - but the Aussies and the AB's will beat us time after time - by playing the ball wide and using their much speedier loosies to assist in the process. I agree with you about Spies though - he is built like Tarzan and plays like Jane - and Donkey Potgieter is no speed merchant either. That left us high and dry in Mendosa - same as will happen in the RC in future. As to bringing on players from the bench - the opposition does the same and that really evens up matters again.

Mozart Avoiding this item like the plague? Why no answer to this from you?

Mozart Still no answer - why are you afraid to do so.

I walk along the pavement. Ahead of me an old mangy mutt drops a turd on the pavement. Do I put my Gucci loafers in the turd? No I recognize it for what it is, the decaying excrement of an old dog....and walk around it. Answer your question?

Mozart The answer is that Mozart spout shit as per normal - rolls like lava from his mouth whenever he opens it. Thought he had no answer - so he carries on with shit being the only way out.

 Jeeez lighten up ou maaaikie you are geting your knockers in a not for sure - some nasty stuff here. Alberts is a respected Bok so your mouthing off consistently about him like this is your problem not the problem of Moz or the Bok coach. Please dont imaginge your warped views on Alberts are widely accepted.

Its all about combinations and how to put them together and who you are playing and field conditions. EG against England at twicks Alberts is the man to have. Also remember a player like Alberts needs match time to build up a head of steam. Its noticeable how his return along woth Bissie lifted the sharks pack.

 

Um ... Beeno?? ... you trying to lecture someone about his post?

 

This coming from an ass who laughs at terminally sick people ... who jokes about earthquake victims down under ... who cries like a baby for weeks on end cause he found himsel kicked off a MB.

 

Laughable if you ask me!!!!