Are players overplayed
July 3, 2012 in currie cup, rugby, sport, springboks, super 15
Flu bug strikes the Stormers just before the Cheetahs game and Habana and de Jongh are doubtful starters. Brache is also on the list.
With all the injuries to key players and now the flu it seems that the Stormers are in for a long day at the office.
The arme old Lions have got 3 more injuries to add to the list of their woes so the match against the Rebels will be a tough one. From a Stormers point of view, we need the Lions to front up and soften them up a bit with a tough physical game
I’m not all that sure of the injury list for the Sharks Bulls and Cheetahs but the continued lengthening of these lists must raise the question of….. why are there so many injuries each year.
Is it fitness and conditioning
Is it players expected to play “through” minor injuries, which then get worse
Is it players not disclosing injuries in order to play and get match fees
Is it too much rugby without the appropriate rest periods
Granted, sickness like flu cannot be regulated or avoided but surely over playing certain players must receive attention now.
The Super15 has been extended from S14, the Springboks play mid year tours, Tri nations was extended and the Springboks play year end tours. Highly excessive in my humble opinion! Prof. Tim Noakes has been saying for years, that our rugby players are not properly rested which can and has resulted in a much higher injury rate.
The IRB and all national boards need to set up guidelines for the amount of time any individual player can spend on the field of play. The various positions must be taken into account in the time equation because some positions in the scrum work much harder and expend more energy than others. I know that backline players will say that they play an equal part with the forwards but let’s be honest, pushing in scrums and loose rucks and mauls expends more energy than running and passing the ball. Players should be restricted to specific playing time quotas immaterial of who they play for.
In SA the players often play under different coaches in Currie cup, Super 15 and Springboks and all coaches and sponsors want and expect their pound of flesh. Provincial and Super franchise coaches want their players for all matches and could care less if the guys are too tired to play Bok tests, which dishes up poor international rugby.
Besides the physical side the players in a franchise are coached on defense, running lines and other tactics, then they are expected to magically adapt to new lines, defense and tactics almost overnight for test rugby, which then is reversed back to S15.
No wonder there is confusion and mistakes. It’s crazy!
guntz27 said on July 3, 2012
The Cheetahs injuries are Juan Smith, Johan Goosen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Phillip van der Walt (dont know how bad), Hennie Daniller.
It is not a long list but its 5 very good players and they are all starting players.
However the injury list is way down from last year, I heard that the Cheetahs went to an american football team to learn how they do their pre season work especially how to prevent injuries.
powa said on July 3, 2012
Great idea if it helps. Do you think Juan Smith will ever play rugby again?
guntz27 said on July 4, 2012
Well It did, we really only have that guys out.
I hope Juan will play again, but I doubt that he will play for the Boks again if he gets on the park, hopefully he will play a year and help the Cheetahs progress further in Super rugby and maybe winning a Currie Cup again.
But If Juan can play again we have a lot of depth at loose forward with him HB, Phillip vd Walt, Boom Prinsloo, Lappies, I’ve heard kabamba floors is also back so that is quite a few good loosies.
Niela said on July 3, 2012
Phillip vd Walt gaan vir ‘n voetoperasie. Uit vir 6 weke.
GEN DE LA REY said on July 3, 2012
Agree with MU the Stormers esp. overplay their players because of the type of game plan we have.
But on the otherhand a lot of players get knee injuries and thats just part of rugby it is just the sort of contact the players take and can’t really be prevented.
On the side note sad to hear that Pollard did indeed sign with the Bulls in 2010 already and will join them from 2012. Goosen will have his work cut out to make the Bok team cause HM himseld apparentaly signed Pollard.
Tell the sport24 management we all want our blogs to work like your and No we don’t want to do it ourself.. LOL
powa said on July 3, 2012
if you need help send me a private message here or email me. Contact page on my home page
Phil said on July 3, 2012
I’ve got a pal, who is an ex WP prop. Recently he was given a close to the action seat and says the sound of the big guys hitting into each other was frightening. He reckons he wouldn’t want to play rugby today.
powa said on July 3, 2012
It must be pretty sickening from close up and the tackles must be equally as sick sounding. I love rugby but I’m so glad my son didn’t play
Met uysh said on July 3, 2012
The Stormers especially play very defensive and as a result extremely physical approach to the game which inevitably leads to more injuries. Personally I think they play too frequent rugby without sifficient rest in between games. Also, coaches stick with players over and over and are reluctant to rest key players.
powa said on July 3, 2012
much cooler and quicker interaction if you have the latest coments widget on your sidebar too
The Dutchman said on July 3, 2012
Agreed Powa, this makes things easier for my team this weekend, that is if they make things easy for themselves and don’t stage a comeback 40-0 down.
On the resting of players, I couldn’t agree more, the regulation steps from the IRB idea is brilliant and maybe something that our esteemed SARU execs could maybe look at adding to their “To do List”.
This can only help out at National level, rested players play harder. I am just thankful that Eben will be rested as well this weekend.
powa said on July 3, 2012
LOL Eben is rested but Elstadt is back. If he doesn’t get carded again he can mak a difference
PS It’s so much better without this captcha thingy
guntz27 said on July 3, 2012
True powa! no CAPTCHA haha!
I can’t wait for this game it should be a cracker even if the Stormers have their players back
powa said on July 3, 2012
I can learn to live with this platform if it can get reply and comment notifications to work properly
guntz27 said on July 4, 2012
well for some reason I can’t use the wordpress one, my home computer did not want to log in yesterday.
so while I’m sorting that out i’m sticking to this site
Powa said on July 4, 2012
Stick around here if it’s easier. It seems to be getting better