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Francois Louw heading into his third World Cup more prepared than ever
Veteran Springbok flanker Francois Louw is preparing for the third World Cup in his career, having been apart of the 2011 and 2015 campaigns.
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For the 34-year-old loose forward now playing for Bath in the Gallagher Premiership, this will likely be his last chance to take home the William Webb Ellis trophy. Despite having all the World Cup experience in the world, the build-up to this one has been like no other.
“The preparation has been remarkably different for me,” Louw told media at a Wednesday press conference.
“I wasn’t initially involved in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup 2011 – I was a late inclusion in that side.
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“I joined the squad about two or three weeks prior to the guys leaving for New Zealand, whereas this time around, it has been a longer process. We’ve had our prep throughout the Championship and training weeks here and there.
“From a personal perspective, I am definitely more prepared, more in sync with what we are trying to achieve. We have put a lot of effort into our preparations for the various stages of the tournament.”
South Africa have had a resurgence under Rassie Erasmus, winning away in New Zealand last year for the first time since 2009 and drawing when they faced off again at the same venue in Wellington this year.
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When the Rugby World Cup draw was originally announced, things were very different with South Africa sliding down the world rankings under Allister Coetzee. Now after three intense games, the rivarly between the two nations is back and shapes a much-anticipated pool stage encounter.
“The draw was done a few years ago when our world ranking wasn’t in the best place.
“It’s our biggest rival and it’s an exciting challenge. We’ve had one go against them this year and it’s very different circumstances now at a World Cup.
“We will just take the moment as it comes, do the best we can, and hope to get the result we want.”
One of the battles for Louw will be the loose forward clash against openside flankers Sam Cane and Ardie Savea, who have been both used in the starting line-up to bolster New Zealand’s back row.
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“Should they both be on the pitch together we will have our hands full there.
“In terms of competing at every ruck, you make that assessment of which rucks to compete at. Blindly going into every ruck from a stealer or poacher’s perspective is not really the most effective way of playing the game.
“Both those guys will choose their rucks carefully. In terms of combating that, we will have to make sure our cleaners arrive nice and early, the ball carriers must put that extra fight in the tackle – extra movement on the ground or pumping through the point of contact.
“We want to make sure we give our halfbacks clean ball.”
Since Erasmus took over, eight of Louw’s 12 tests for South Africa over that time have been coming off the bench. It is a role that he is expecting to provide at the World Cup, where often the game is won or lost.
“There have been some interesting moments in the last 10 to 15 minutes, whether it’s about closing out the game or fighting to get some points.
“There is definitely a tactic in terms of finishing a game, whether it’s closing out or striking to get that victory. It is something we have grown in.”
Scotland deploys shampoo in Japan:
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments