'Let them defend 7, 8, 10 phases': Boks not stressing All Black defence enough
The Springboks style of rugby in their loss to the All Blacks in Townsville has once again come under scrutiny, after the side kicked incessantly to the detriment of the spectacle.
For ex-All Black John Kirwan, the game ‘brought him to tears’ and he questioned whether it aligned with the values of the game on the post-match broadcast and the mid-week show The Breakdown.
On the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall was asked whether this approach goes against the heart and soul of rugby, which is about running with the ball. William Webb Ellis picked up the football and ran with it.
“I think that’s the problem. For us Kiwis, it is a style that we are not used to,” Hall explained.
“South Africa has had a couple years of this, I’ve watched that British & Irish Lions series, it was a kick-a-thon, about field position and set-piece parity, putting teams under pressure through the kicking game.
“I think we struggle as Kiwis to understand it, but I don’t see it that way.
“Look at South Africa, the last two test matches against Australia when they did play, they wanted to play a little bit more and through not executing really well under pressure, not getting the points they wanted to, they went back to around 38 kicks against us which is what they had against the Lions.”
The questionable tactic was most exemplified by Herschel Jantjies who kicked away possession in the 77th minute with his side down by two points and working in field position to potentially earn a penalty.
Former All Black James Parsons said that the moment ‘probably cost them the game’ in reality, and that the Springboks showed they have the ability to run with the ball more.
“Even before that, they had made some good bends through putting the ball through the hands. Vermeulen ran down the right-hand side, would’ve made 20-25 metres from using the ball through the hands,” Parsons said.
“So they do have the ability to go there if the space is there.
“Look, I was surprised they went to the box kick [in the 77th minute], and that’s great that Siya says that’s the plan but in the end that probably lost them the game. That’s the reality of it.
Parsons explained that the Springboks should consider finding more balance, just like any side that tries to overplay their hand. For South Africa, it means letting their big forwards smash the gain line and exert pressure in a different way.
“It’s just like when we talk about teams with a lot of flair with ball-in-hand, it’s having the balance to play the tactical kicking game as well. I think there needs to be a little bit more balance.
“I think it was around the 47th minute, it’s good lineout ball off the top, quick ball, and Faf de Klerk puts up a box kick on the 22. I’m not saying it is the wrong tactic, it’s just they’ve worked so hard to get down there, they are quite good at being dominant in the collision area.
“As we know, when you get into the 22 metre zone, the forwards roll their sleeves up and suck the defence in to build up and opportunity for the backs to expose. That’s when I thought they could come into their own a little bit with their physical prowess.
“Their latch carriers, Marx and co running over that gain line, rather than one ruck and then kick.
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall agreed and went as far as saying that ‘they are not stressing the All Blacks enough defensively’ with a low phase approach that kicks away possession after one or two phases.
Although the kicking trouble the rhythm of the All Blacks game, the Springboks never looked like scoring a try and never tested the All Blacks defence enough. Using their strength of ball carrying, they could tire out the All Blacks more than they did in Townsville.
“I agree. Every time you play a South African team, with how big they are and such big ball carriers, especially when they latch, get the guy in behind to hold on to them and push them through contact. They do that really, really well,” Hall said.
“I think that marrying up of being able to see the kick opportunity but then let the forwards exert a bit of pressure onto the All Blacks. Let them defend 7, 8, 10 phases, just having those big ball carriers.
“Sometimes you can give it out to the backs for an opportunity on the edge. The All Blacks gave away 10 penalties, they are just not stressing them enough defensively.
“When you defend that high phase count, even when you are a good defensive team, you are either going to come through with seven points or three points due to the ill-discipline of the defensive team.
“At least extracting a bit of defensive energy from the All Blacks instead of just putting up 50-50 contests in the air.”
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery 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 comments