The Malcolm Marx mystery

Unfortuately, he is a shadow of his former self at this world cup. Vermuelen is doing all the fetching. Maybe best to play him off bench, and start Bongi

It happens sometimes that a  player at young age shows tremendous form and ability and later and way to soon becomes an under-performer - a classical example of that deficiency is Frans Steyn.  One wonders why that is so, 

It could be -

*   psychological through development of a believe - something like "I am so good I cannot speak too highly of myself"; or

*   he has not had a proper holiday for years because in the off-season (December - January) he goes to Japan  to play there and he suffers from burn-out. 

There are other SA player with the same problem - but not in the category of Marx.  

To me he simply looks tired, yes.

Perhaps playing within himself until the tournament progresses.

If he is tired but has to play, he'll likely be under instruction to save some heroics for later.

T he ABs insist that ALL of their players have the end of season break ....... many of our leading players have been heading to Japan for years  ( 4/5 years ? ). I see that NH clubs are doing likewise, offering short term contracts .

Mebbe its our weak currency & Rassie has no choice but to reluctantly agree. Hansen will call it madness.

Perhaps it's as simple as a lack of confidence for whatever reason.

imo hes still the best hooker in world rugby...

perhaps it is burnout... should rest him a bit for the minnow games - he is def one you gonna need v ireland in the Qfs.

RE player weight - i picked up on that earlier in the year when the pregame stats showed kwagga smith at 80kgs...!! Couldnt believe a starting bok flanker to be anything under 90-100kgs...

Is the guy responsible for the weight stats the same guy that did that sign language gig a few years back...? lol...

poor guys i feel for you...                                                                          

Dave

Steyn was already a wreck in 2012 when he returned from France.   His Club Racing Metro would not have reused to renew his contract at the time must have had good reasons for that.   

He was grossly overweight and his performances in the 5 tests he  played in in 2012 was substandard,   He was a joke in the Super Rugby in 2013 to 2015 and 2015 SARU refused with very good reason to renew his contract and he went to Japan and when White was appointed as coach for Montpellier he got Steyn on a 3 year contract.  Whites contract was not renewed and Steyn - after a season where he played at full back in most matches - his contract was not renewed/

Contract renewal is based o performance and fact is that non-renewal of contracts started in 2012 and after that there were 2 non-renewals by his employers.   They must have seen some deficiencies and the unacceptable performance level was already evident in 2012.           

Strzok

Running for cover again stooge?   I quoted Steyn as an example of where  a young player went stale after a brilliant start.   That is all - and Dave said he only went stale recently  in response to which I responded by pointing out when it really started.

Get real he was a real example of where a player went in the mould that is now implied as being applicable to Marx.   Steyn never recovered from the malady - it is not clear whether Marx would recover,  

Comprehende??????????????? .  .  

Strzok

Running for cover again stooge?   I quoted Steyn as an example of where  a young player went stale after a brilliant start.   That is all - and Dave said he only went stale recently  in response to which I responded by pointing out when it really started.

Get real he was a real example of where a player went in the mould that is now implied as being applicable to Marx.   Steyn never recovered from the malady - it is not clear whether Marx would recover,  

Comprehende??????????????? .  .  

Morphing into a Saffa sycophant Pedsman?

"poor guys I feel for you"!

Can you get any further up where you're heading?

I don't think it's just a weight or muscle loss issue if indeed he has lost some. He also seemed lethargic in his movement around the field. I'd say either fatigue or his head isn't right for whatever reason. Throw-ins were good though.

Nah just know a lot of decent saffas live nearby and know how screwed up their country really is... One of the few joys (amongst the crazy politics and crime levels) is when the boks have a bit of good run...

Echoed by Plum - if the game is fair most of us can cop a loss... wouldn't be backing the reds or wallabies anymore if I couldn't......

We shouldnt even remember who the ref was in any number of decisive games... but all too often they outshine every single other player on the field ...

BTW Kiwis never got over wayne barnes have they? lol... 

Barnsie and Suzie back in 95...and don't forget the golden Rolex the ref received...

I've got my twitch back again now thanks to you Draad.....

I've yet to meet a NZer who's seen the 'Invictus' movie ...... em I've ask simply reply  , 'not a fck.

Well ... Rassie left Akker at home and kept the elderly Brits and the quota midget ...

I love it. Things aren't going to plan are they? Haaaaaaaahahahahahahaaa!!

They were suppose to thump the All Blacks ... but ... that didn't happen.

They were relying on the best 2 in the world to cover up all the mistakes brought on by their quotas and poor selections ... but instead ... he's joined their ranks now and has become as ineffective as the rest of them.

Iron sharpens iron.

They have too many players in the mix that blunt the rest.

I would love to see them knocked out early.

He is obviously suffering from the negative effect from his great great grandfather

Drop in Marx's performance. Are we seeing the impact of Swys de Bruyn's departure now?

Strzok 

Hurrah - you found it - blame Erasmus for the drop in form of  Marx.   What a discovery.  

I think it is a case of him coming to terms of just what he has lost in money terms by not going overseas and being rewarded accordingly.

Also if you are playing at this level week in and week out and losing it is not the way to motivate any player.

Sad but true.

After all he has his Springbok jacket in the closet but only Rands in the bank.

Make the move young man and remember you and no one else can secure your future.