My game of the w/e

was the one between the Crusties vs Blues....it's almost as if they've had no break and that they're simply continuing on from last year. I also enjoyed some of the Hurricane's backline play, one of them led to a try even though they were a man down. I wish I could say the same of our franchises, none of them showed any creativity or nous, our backline play when the ball wasn't sent downtown consisted of passing the ball down the line and dying with the ball in the tackle. I did enjoy Aplon's try but it came from broken play. Our teams dont show any menace in attack....we're as smart about backline play as Malemna would be about organizing a piss-up at the local shebeen.

It's early days yet. The Saders have more continuity than alot of other sides at the moment, but are by no means something special. The Cheetahs and Lions are very good amongst the backs and can match anyone in that department. The big problem when talking of backplay is that Saffers have this incredibly obsession with spinning it wide and going through lots of phases. The game simply isn't played like that anymore. The attacks are alot closer in and you have got to penetrate early as defences re-strengthen after several phases. Creativity is not the issue, but organization and a definite idea about how to break down defences. This is where we at times are not doing well. The Boks, Sharks and the Stormers in particular have been struggling here for many years. The Bulls when successful have a lot of angles and movement between 10 and 12 and Olivier offered them Nonu-esque penetration. Every time he has failed to deliver they have struggled. A lot though has to do with the absurd reffing now. I don't like how it's affecting the game.

I tend to agree we need some help with back play. At the RWC, presented with lots of ball, inside Oz's quarter, we couldn't score tries. There are no cuts, no double wings, little opposite wing.....it's all just shovelling the ball on. Aristo is right, beating the tackle is crucial to breaking up a solid defensive wall....but our players seem to feel their job is done if they take the tackle and reset. A centre HAS to be able to penetrate.

The Cheetahs last yea rscored a lot o tries via players like Sarel, Viljoen, Ashley johnston, Sias etc etc. It shows it can be done. Our backline coaching is way behind.

However that said had Maruis not blown up too soon we would have had 4 tries via Kostner?