Is Steyn’s best, good enough?
August 6, 2012 in International, International, Rugby, Springboks
The thought came up when I was reading an article where Heyneke Meyer said he can coach Morne Steyn back to his best. During the weekend, Meyer selected his squad for the two matches against Argentina, and many were saddened and disappointed to see some exclusions and, the now almost deemed passengers; Morne Steyn and Pierre Spies in the squad.
Meyer says he believes in consistency and you do not chop and change a player every match. Well, it seems like, despite your form, Meyer doesn’t chop or change his team even after 3 woeful performances under him as coach, and a few seasons’ poor performances under different coaches, namely Peter de Villiers and Frans Ludeke.
But lets assume for one moment that Meyer can in fact coach both Morne and Pierre back into their so-called “best” form.
Is their best good enough for the game in its present form?
I do recall a when Morne was at his best. It was in 2009 when the Springboks as a unit were in undefeatable form. Well, almost unbeatable and beating the British and Irish Lions 2-1, the All Blacks 3-0 and the Aussies 2-1 made them the best Bok squad since 2004 when they won their last Tri Nations trophy under Jake White.
If we now consider the details of those victories in 2009 and the significant impact Steyn played by kicking the ball as high as he can, Heinrich Brossouw chasing the ball and winning it on the ground with the wings also close by and the fact that there has been significant law interpretations changes at the breakdowns since that year which changed a 3-0 victory against the All Blacks in 2009 into a 3-0 loss against them in 2010, and Heinrich Brossouw falling out of favour because of how the game changed since then. We should also recall that the master of scrumhalves is not around to support Morne anymore, and I am really starting to worry, and have for some time, that even if Morne is back in form, will that be good enough for the Springboks to be Rugby Champions in 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015 and World Champions in 2015?
The same can be said about Pierre Spies. He’s often been solid since his selection in 2006 but time has seemingly taken its toll and I have not seen a nr 8 being driven back in the tackle on a consistent basis like Pierre Spies has been tackled since his return from his lung problem which kept him out of the 2007 World Cup.
Can Meyer really coach him back to his best, and can his best be as good as it was when everyone was impressed with his immaculate strength and speed? I doubt it.
The problem remains that, it seems that no matter how poorly Steyn and Spies are performing, their names remain fixed on the Springbok squad list and perhaps only injury will finally allow someone fresh being included on pure merit.
Yes, you do need experience Mr Meyer, but where did that get us in the 2010 Tri Nations and 2011 World Cup? Maybe first we need to have the best available players and give them experience, so come 2015, 2016 and beyond, you have a constant stream of talented and experienced players.
Bokke said on August 14, 2012
Everyone is quick to dismis players. Everyone wanted Habana out the squad not so long ago, now look how well he’s playing, back 2007 form. Spies has always been solid, he’s not getting the space he used to because people know if he gets going they won’t stop him. No player throws Fainga (?) over a ruck with one arm except spies. Morne just needs to relax, it’s discussions like this which get to him and put unnecessary pressure on him. Let’s see how they perform in he RC an if form is still poor then a fair assessment can be made.
flimoon said on August 7, 2012
@ Met uysh
Have to slightly disagree with you. I take heart if I look at the form players like Petersen and Habanna (although he did start improving before then) have taken from their time with Meyer during the English tour.
I know this is the highest level, but no one is ever to great to learn (or be coached). If anyone can get the Bulls Boks back to their best, its Meyer.
sheriffff said on August 7, 2012
Lambie is a FH!
Purple Dragon said on August 7, 2012
One thing I have to ask, is test level really the place for coaching? In my opinion you shouldn’t really need further coaching at test level, you shouldn’t need a few games to “get back to normal” and coaching. Surely that is what lower levels are for? Surely all you really need at test level is fine tuning and high level coaching not remedial coaching?
Met uysh said on August 7, 2012
Excellent point @purpledragon. Its like Meyer is saying Ludeke is coaching kak and that he and only he that is Meyer can fix Steyn’s problems… And its not the place to do that at Bok level.
The Green Man said on August 6, 2012
Don’t worry Uysh. All flyhalf woes will soon become a thing of the past. Even Heyneke pointed out a few players specifically that were excluded because of injury, and on his named list was Johan Goosen.
I thought I would go against the grain and be the first to mention that name
The Dutchman said on August 6, 2012
September can not come soon enough.
Met uysh said on August 7, 2012
Is that when Goosen comes back?
Screaming Dave said on August 6, 2012
what is probably more worrying is that they seem to be unable to adjust and have no plan B, and dont tell me that is the game plan from the coach – no self respecting international will keep doing things that are obviously not working and expecting different results.
my biggest gripe with Steyn is that he is credited with a superb Lions Tour but in reality he made 1 beautiful kick which could have gone to Frans Steyn as well. remember he did not start the first two games and only the third when we got hammered. He did take off after that series but since mid super 15 2011 he has been woefull and with him we do not stand a chance against the Blacks
Met uysh said on August 6, 2012
True, he did succeed with that 1 kick which made everyone credit him with the Tour victory.
We need a flyhalf with flair, vision and knows what to do when. Not someone who stands back and kicks the ball with a 4 on 1 overlap on his outside….
fromthecouch said on August 6, 2012
Can’t agree more with the sentiments surrounding these two players, the game requires a better skill set and perhaps there is no surprise that the removal of Fourie du Preez (a truly world-class player) seems to have impacte his direct teammates the most. Without du Preez, Spies and Steyn become key decision makers, a role they have not seemed comfortable with this season.
Met uysh said on August 6, 2012
Very true and the gap between du Preez and Hougaard is now more visible than ever.
mickeynelster said on August 6, 2012
any chance of Henry Honiball coming out of retirement?
The Dutchman said on August 6, 2012
We do have his son Ruan in the team…
Met uysh said on August 7, 2012
Hahahaha!