Captain49,914 posts
13 Sept 2017, 14:43
#1
13 Sept 2017, 14:43#1
There hasn't been any since the WC semi, which we led till deep in the game. Ironically it appeared we played HM rugby against Oz, just watching the game. And the kick/pass/run stats confirmed that after the game....as did the metres run. Supposedly we are now much more mobile....but in my memory bank I recall Vermeulen and Louw way out wide as links to two tries against the ABs at Elllis Park.
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So what is better. Well firstly we have played 3 generous teams. The French chaps were on vacation, the Bargies were determined to self destruct and Oz couldn't protect a 13 point lead against a team that had no first phase game. Maybe the ABs will implode as well, but the Bargies and all the subsequent criticism probably did us no favours.
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Secondly we have a team this year. Last year we had a rabble with changing players every week. Continuity is just as important as getting the selections right....and a few wins have lifted spirits, as has more competent coaching.
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Tactically the main improvement is defence and the choke tackle that turns into a maul. We killed the Bargies and Frogs with that tactic. We are also getting to the breakdown more effectively than last year....I suppose that's one aspect of mobility.
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Offensively Jantjies is taking the ball up to the advantage line less and less. In that sense we have decisively departed from the Lions model....and in the process nullified all our first, second and third phase zip. We can't make progress when the defence is lined up. But we have become sharper on turnover ball with both Kolisi and Keintjie backing up the subsequent play. Without Kleintjie that aspect will fade a bit. And if a side chokes off our turnover ball by protecting the breakdown which Oz totally failed to do.....the offence disappears.
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The basics are solid so far, but we haven't met a team with an aggressive scrum yet. And the kicking game remains good but a lucky packet which depends on which Jantjies shows up.
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We are better than last year....but nothing much has changed since 2013/14 except for the players...most of whom aren't as good as these early successes suggest. The back three and the centres will certainly have to change. And we still need an offence.
