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Boks should worry about isolated Townsend's 'only silver lining'
Back-at-work Lions assistant Gregor Townsend has revealed there was just one silver lining to him spending a week in self-isolation in a Johannesburg hotel – that it gave him the chance to watch Springboks matches from as far back as 2018 to get a better handle on their defence and how he plans for Warren Gatland’s team to unlock that rearguard now that he is back on the training field in his role as attack/backs coach.
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Townsend was one of the four Lions staff who, along with Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg, were forced to self-isolate for a week after the tourists’ safety bubble was breached by a virus outbreak that was confirmed on July 7.
It left him confined to his room and avoiding everyone else in the Lions camp until last Sunday when Gatland and his squad flew to Cape Town, leaving Townsend and co with a bit more freedom while confined to their Johannesburg hotel. It’s not an experience the Scotland boss would ever wish to repeat, but he did manage to enjoy one upside to his solitary confinement.
“No, I wouldn’t want to repeat it,” he said about his self-isolation ordeal. “You really miss the conversations you would have after a meeting or being on a training field just to get a feel of where people are and you do feel like you are not there even though you are on a phone call or you are watching the game remotely and messaging the other coaches during the game on things that you are seeing but nothing beats being there.
“There was a silver lining and that was I could watch a lot more of South Africa. I have watched a lot of their games over the last few months but when you go from Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday the focus is on helping to prepare the team.
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has been explaining the time-consuming hoops which virus-affected players like Kolisi must negotiate to get back in the selection mix#CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021 #LionsRugby https://t.co/yFMLIO8CMs
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 16, 2021
“But not being with the team I was able to look back at games that they have played as far back as 2018 when the current coaches took over. I am more aware of what we are expecting in defence from them and that game on Wednesday (versus South Africa A) just added to that. It was great for us to learn more about what they are looking to do, for players to feel that during the 80 minutes so that was the only silver lining.
“It was confirming some thoughts and sometimes when you watch a game for a second or third time you see something new. Not all of what you learn or study you can put into a game plan or if it is in the game plan it doesn’t come out that weekend.
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“But that experience I had spending a bit more time watching South Africa and in particular the game we played against their shadow team on Wednesday is going to be helpful for us just knowing our enemy, knowing what we can expect in certain situations but we have also got to focus on ourselves too. Knowing the enemy is important but knowing our strengths, knowing what will put them under pressure in getting the game we want to play out in the Test series is going to get us the win.”
It was last month when Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus suggested that Gatland could have something up his sleeve with the appointment of Townsend to his staff, suggesting: “The way he selected his team, his captain, his support staff especially his coaches and then his attack coach combined with who the Scottish guys are, we will definitely see a bit of changing in his game plan but he might be just throwing us some bait, I’m not sure.”
Asked what it was like to have to work without being able to be with the Lions for a week, Townsend added: “It has been a frustrating week being in my hotel room. It’s great being back with the squad on Wednesday and in terms of contingencies what we have found in the past twelve months is that technology can play a big part in connecting with people.
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“Whether that is being in a meeting via Zoom or presenting to the players with video clips, having meetings with them over the phone, and actually the week that we had with those two games and the late changes and a lot of people being in isolation, there wasn’t so much coaching time I missed just the connections with the players, being in the room with them.”
“If there is time maybe also get absolute clarity and alignment on this one please, I know its way after the whistle, but lets just align and get clarity to be sure.”https://t.co/gYev6li6C4 pic.twitter.com/igfVu9VI2e
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 16, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Nice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
38 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
38 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
38 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
10 Go to comments