Rory Kockott

Posters are asking why players leave RSA. One need only look at Kockott. Ignored by the Bok system he now starts for France. He was subbed eventually against Scotland, but after a very competent display. No handling errors, passes that found their mark, swift clearance of the rucks....tactical kicks that put the receiver under pressure. So much crisper than the penalty kicks into touch, fumbles behind the ruck, head high passes and slow decision making we saw from Reinach and Hougaard.

Yet in the slanted SA system he was on the out and would never have been given a chance. Match winner Aplon was in the same boat for a different reason....as was van den Heever. The players sense a complex preference process combining race, province and even playing style. If they are on the wrong side of two of these variables they are smart to pack their bags.

In the meantime I wish Kockott was available for the RWC....a tough, honest player who will never let you down.

Not prejudice Mike....fact. Every one of Kockott's passes on Saturday was crisp. He never got charged.....he never kicked directly into touch....he never threw last second hospital passes. Reinach did all those things.

Perhaps he is a difficult character, but so what. Ronaldo is a very difficult character. This brothers linking arms singing from the same hymn book stuff is puerile....perhaps that's why the Sharks always seem to be having controversies with players and coaches.

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