Being sick with flu is not fun, which is why I have been so quiet. I equate having flu with making Morné Steyn man of the match on Saturday. It was a sad state of affairs when he got named above Marcell Coetzee, who for me had one of his best games.
One thing that can be said about the game is that it was, well, boring, for lack of a better word. Why was it “boring”? Simple, because it was slow and lethargic play from both teams. The Pumas showed heart and passion and given more exposure can become a very competitive side. The Boks seemed to be going through the motions. It also didn’t help whenBismarckleft. The toll of massive amounts of rugby is starting to take effect.
The Springboks game was simple enough, kick, and if you have the chance, kick some more. It is something that will backfire one day.
Our forwards gave our backs ample ball to play with and then our backs made it look like they didn’t want to play at all. Hougaard had a good game so I don’t blame him. I blame and will always blame the biggest “Steyn” in our team, that blemish that ruins attack and makes defence look like a step too far. Morné is slow out of the blocks and takes ages to make a passing decision, but is bloody quick at kicking! Frans, on his inside, would build up a head of steam only to then have to slow down so that he can receive the scissors move at a walk, or the short pass at a stroll… with 3 defenders.
When you look at the footage again and again and again (as was my privilege) then you will see that the entire backline slows down when Morné decides to “run” the ball! They start off racing but have to slow down so that Morné can make a decision that doesn’t involve an aimless kick. And let’s be serious, out of the numerous kicks he made on the night only about four or five were good (one which led to a try because let’s face it, he can’t pass, in fact he can’t pass gas he is so bad at passing). People at Newlands were bored, and they had a right to be. It was like watching chess without the strategy.
The game looked aimless and it wasn’t lost on everyone… even the Argentinean supporters were asking us whether we knew what we were doing. I dutifully replied, “Yes, of course! We give the ball to Morné Steyn and hope he kicks the ground and gets injured so Lambie could come on. Unfortunately Morné doesn’t follow instructions very well”.
And that begs my other question. Has Lambie become the proverbial bench-warmer? Heyneke’s man that is only in the team to placate the masses? I think so… and it’s a damn shame because if he was playing, I have no doubt that our backline would have thumped the hell out of the Pumas.
Amen to that bro
Agreed completely,Morne for all his great attributes does not have the one and most important attribute which seperates the great from the average and thats pure pace, attacking the advantage line with pace is what keeps the defenders honest ,they will never shift defensively if our flyhalf is asking the rite questions of them instead they will rock on their heels or get flat footed,10 will have to defend 10,12 on 12 13 on 13 and the wing must then make a call hit 15 or stay on his man,Mornes lack of pace means 10 will defend on 12 ,12 on 13 13 on 15 wing on wing oppurtunity gone !!!!
Wow, can this article be any worse?? It’s even worse than the game on Saturday!
Frans Steyn did absolutely nothing! If Morne Steyn was as bad as his detractors say, then the Bulls backline would not have been able to produce as many tries as they have, especially considering the weak Bulls pack this year. The fault lies with the game plan – which doesn’t allow for expansive play.
I also think Hougaard should be used as a supersub – considering his ability to cover scrumhalf and wing. Get some synergy between Pienaar & Steyn…
But anyway, as long as our provincial franchises (and that is, sadly, all of us except perhaps the Cheetahs) play “safe, boring, defensive, kicking” rugby, then the Boks will do so too…
Put the blame where it is due.
Frans Steyn could do nothing because Morné provided him with nothing. Morné was the reason for everyone on his outsides poor showing. Though I think Jean is playing crap rugby as well
Also true …but would you consider Morne our future, is he a dynamic 10,when last did he have a line break if ever..But I agree our game plan SUX !!! and at the moment he still plays it the best..but change is needed for sure,I see the Goose is back.
It is clear that South Africa only has one flyhalf, Morne Steyn, and one fullback, Zane Kiurchner, at least in Heyneke Meyer’s eyes.
I was p!ssed off when Jantjies warmed the bench when Steyn played poorly in the 3rd test against England but “accepted” with a game tight as it was it probably wasn’t the time to blood a rookie, but on Saturday we had the game won but were playing without any real spark and it would have been an ideal time to make a change at #10. Not to be.
It seems that the flyhalf option on the bench is purely there for in case Steyn gets injured and with Ruan Pienaar in the team HM needn’t bother with a flyhalf on the bench, he can use that spot for someone else.
Only the Sharks supporters still see Lambie as a flyhalf. Most of SA has moved on to Johan Goosen being the best thing since sliced bread (until the next flavour of the month comes around) and the Sharks and Bok coaches sees Lambie as a utility back.
The HM is going it looks like Goosen would be leaving a warm place on the bench and….pushed to full back….like we do ALL potential candidates to punt MSteyn out of his little comfort zone.
First Frans (who never got a real bite at being developed at FH, whether he would….speculative) then Lambie…..Is this Sharks FH thing..?
I’m a province boy, so I’ve been frothing to see Meyer give Bash a run at FH, he’s been a solid rock at Stormers camp. The stats speak.
As for Kirchner. I’m not even gona get started, he must go back to playing in Rage Against the Machine and be gone.
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