Jake White: I was surprised that Ireland didn't win by more
One of the first things you learn on coaching courses is that there are certain prerequisites you need in a successful team. One, you need a captain. Two, you need a goal-kicker and three you need a solid set-piece. Whereas other trends come and go, those fundamentals that have never changed.
Looking from the outside in, if you don’t go into a Test match with a Test-standard goal kicker, you’re generally going to lose. Any coaching manual will tell you that you need those nuts and bolts, like a tighthead that can lock down the scrum, or a decent set of locks.
For that reason, I was surprised that Ireland didn’t win by more. That’s what everyone feels in South Africa, and I feel the same. Why? Because the Boks didn’t play particularly well, but most importantly, they didn’t have a goal-kicker, which probably put us at a five-point handicap anyway. As it turned out, we lost by three.
The Springboks learnt lessons out in Dublin, but they can be fixed. They know that if they can go into that Pool decider in Paris next September with a reliable goal-kicker like Handre Pollard and other players who weren’t there, like Lood de Jager and Lukhanyo Am, they have the ability to beat Ireland at the World Cup, which is something they’ll take away. If Saturday was a measure of where both sides were before they met in France, I think both sides will be happy.
I saw earlier this week Jacques Nienaber defending the fact Damian Willemse was kicking on Saturday night. He explained that the only way you improve is by kicking in front of big crowds, but I don’t understand that logic because Willemse was demoted as a front-line goal-kicker by the Stormers for Manie Libbok because he wasn’t sticking the ball through the uprights regularly enough, so that rationale doesn’t really wash. The reality is he wasn’t kicking at provincial level and then they thrust him into a Test match as the main kicker, so got what they deserved. There’s no use dodging the bullet; Jonny Wilkinson won England the World Cup, Percy Montgomery won South Africa the World Cup, Dan Carter won the All Blacks the World Cup because they were brilliant kickers. Hindsight doesn’t win you Test matches and they missed a trick.
There were, of course, periods the Springboks dominated, and they played well in the first 25 minutes. They put Ireland under incredible pressure. That’s the first time in a while they’d have played against such an aggressive defence and, at times, they looked rattled. For a team that is normally so well-oiled, so slick and so competent at holding onto the ball for many phases, early on, it looked like South Africa were going to fold them, but after that, the game got away from the Springboks.
I have to say, there was a lot of pressure on Ireland. If they’d lost the game, there would have been a sense of déjà-vu. That doubt rattling around about not delivering when it really mattered – you know, when they’re expected to win and kick on – so it will have done wonders for their resolve. It was a must-win game and proved the series win out in New Zealand was no fluke. Confidence and belief will be coursing through them right now.
Their summer Tests remind me of 2003, when Clive Woodward took a team down to New Zealand and Australia and famously beat them in their own back yards. I remember his words vividly, ‘Now we’re ready to win the World Cup’. Those results were the cornerstones of their assault on the trophy Down Under. If you go back to 1998, they’d lost 76-0 in Australia, so it was quite an arc of improvement. I mention this because I’m a keen history student and you learn lessons from the past. The sort of markers Ireland are putting down now are reminiscent of what England achieved in Sydney.
As for the Boks, they need to sharpen their focus. The fact Rassie is not going to Munster for the midweek game and heading to Paris early is telling. It says to me that the Boks expected to win in Ireland and they’ve put a premium on not losing back-to-back Test matches. His absence in Cork could make the South Africa A players not feel too important without their Director of Rugby there, but that’s the call he’s taken.
Their selection for France does tell us a few things. From week one to week two, they’ve decided to change place-kickers. Cheslin Kolbe has been designated to take the tee, so it will be very interesting to see how that works out given all we’ve discussed. They’ve also gone for a 5-3 bench. It seems to be they’re going back to a tried and tested formula, having a powerful bench with the famous ‘Bomb Squad’ members Malcolm Marx and Vincent Koch ready to beef up that pack in the last half hour. It’s also interesting to see Cobus Reinach on the bench, because he’s played in France and knows the opposition so well. When the pressure is on, you retreat to what you learnt in manual one.
While questions have been asked of the Boks, France were underwhelming against the Wallabies, and the narrow score line raised eyebrows. I actually asked myself this question, ‘Is it easier to play France when they’ve had a scare or after a handsome win?’ They were lucky to emerge victorious against Australia and the way Dave Rennie’s pack manhandled their counterparts would have made South Africa very, very excited – they will be licking their lips. The Wallabies mauled them to pieces, scrummaged them off the ball, which is almost unheard of. France are missing Paul Willemse’s scrummaging power and Cyril Baille was hurled into action after a long injury lay-off, they’re a little way off full-strength up front.
A note of caution, however, before South African fans get carried away. Having coached in France, I know they won’t play like that again. The will rebound from that performance. That’s the French way.
The statisticians will tell you France have broken a longstanding record with 11 consecutive wins, which goes back to 1987 and the days of Serge Blanco and Philippe Sella, so they’re in a catch-22, do they experiment with new players, or try to keep that run going with an expectant French public?
It’s funny, I actually took over from Fabien Galthie when he got fired from Montpellier. I arrived into the environment he created. What I think is he is good at – and he’s proved it now – is maintaining selection consistency that previous French coaches lacked. He’s quite pragmatic, almost conservative. He always has a kicker, whereas before France would flip-flop between Lionel Beauxis, Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra, Freddie Michalak – there was no long-term faith in their kicker. Now he’s gone for Melvyn Jaminet, who is injured but he has good back-ups in Thomas Ramos, Romain Ntamack, who is a decent goal-kicker, or Matthieu Jalibert. It’s a more considered approach.
Everyone talks about the French flair, but this group are more predictable. You know what you’re going to get, and that’s not a criticism. He’s ring-fenced a core group of players and it’s also notable that he now has an overseas influence in the coaching group. Shaun Edwards brings all he’s learnt from his time in England and Wales, Rafa Ibanez spent a long time with Wasps and then you have Vlok Cilliers, who is a South African. They’ve embraced non-French ideas and it’s working for them. Galthie has a plan and he’s not going to deviate from it because his team likes winning. It’s becoming a habit.
They’d been so poor in the Six Nations for so long, but they’re finally punching at their weight as a top-tier nation. It’s long overdue.
Looking ahead, the one thing that could destabilise them is serious injury to Antoine Dupont because he is unequivocally the best player in the world and ‘the face’ of the 2023 World Cup in France. I remember watching him at Castres before he moved to Toulouse and you could tell he was a little special then. Stop him and you stop France. Do that and the Springboks will fancy their chances.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments