Butch bullish
Butch James believes he is finally realising his potential at test level.
James described his performance against England as the best in a Springbok jersey, but more significantly as proof that he can control a game from flyhalf at this level.
James starts against the United States on Sunday in Montpellier and he is desperate not to lose the momentum of the England performance.
“The England game was the injection I needed at this World Cup. I thought I did okay against Scotland a few weeks before the World Cup, but I was very disappointed with my game against Samoa. I struggled to get into the game and wasn’t getting my hands on the ball. It was an indifferent start to the tournament and I owed everyone a big performance against England,†James told the Cape Argus. “I felt I delivered it and it meant a lot to me because a guy like Jake (White) had backed me unconditionally this season.â€
James, seven years after his test debut, delivered on the expectation that first won him a test start against France in 2001. White and Bok technical advisor Eddie Jones agreed it was James’s best yet and both predicted equally mature performances from their flyhalf in the World Cup play-offs.
“He has confidence and he has comfort that he arrived in France as the number one flyhalf in the squad,†said White. “I always knew he had the qualities to play like he did against England and he knows we have big expectations of him at this tournament. He has finally settled at test level, but that is also because he has been given a chance to find form.â€
James, having made nine consecutive starts for the Boks in his debut season in 2001, played just three times in the next four years. In the last season and a half he has doubled that game time for the Boks.
“It certainly helps to know your role in the squad and it makes a big difference when the coach is up front about whether you will be playing or not. I knew at the start of the international season this year that I would be starting against England at the World Cup, provided I was fit and playing well. Jake had given me that assurance and because of this there could be no reason for me to fail. The coach gave me every opportunity to succeed and surrounded me with people who could also make sure I delivered for the team.â€
Jones, in particular, gets an early mention from James, but scrumhalf Fourie du Preez gets the biggest rap.
“What a pleasure playing outside of him (Du Preez). He relieves so much pressure on a flyhalf because he has such an outstanding kicking game. He also reads the match so well and has a sense of when to do something or bring me into play. This is the first time in my test career that I’ve spent consistent game time playing as a combination with him and I’ve felt the difference in my play,†said James. “Eddie’s advice has also been influential, in that he emphasised the maturity required of a flyhalf. He felt I needed more composure in the opening 20 minutes of a test and there are certain plays that get me involved early and allow me to settle. Jake and Eddie have spoken a lot about game sense and of game plan implementation; be it in the first 20 minutes or the third quarter of the game. I now understand the structure to playing flyhalf for 80 minutes at this level a lot more than a few seasons back.â€
James’s discipline at the World Cup has also been outstanding and he said the team was extremely mindful of the need to maintain this standard against the USA and in the play-offs.
“We haven’t lost our physicality or our aggressiveness, but there is a lot more control and discipline in what we do. We showed great intensity against England and we have to produce that kind of display against USA because after that there won’t be any more matches in which to find the consistency needed to win this tournament. Once you get to the play-offs you simply have to produce or you’re out.â€
White will confirm the match 22 against USA only on Friday because it is a Sunday match. However, Akona Ndungane and Albert van den Berg will get starts. Neither is expected to start in the quarter-final.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Soccer is just one boring spectator sport, I still fail to wonder how come millions if not billions of ardent hooligans are so wrapped up in its aimless meanderings for 90 minutes after 90 minutes, where very often the outcome is either determined by a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, and yet they still flock to its billion dollar draw, I mean they just paid Mourinho out £25 million just to get rid of him.
As for cricket, crickey moses, who invented that funny game?
September 27th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Fern
Why so mean spirited ?
September 27th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Oi Fern,watch out for a spear tackle mate.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:32 am
whum hu whum u hum hum.where did the rest of you guys eat this week?now what is your pick?
i dont like you rp,nothing personal.you cant win them all over.thats life.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:32 am
201
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and whilst it will always be No.2 to rugby for me it is still a fantastic game to both watch and play
The 1-1 or 0-0 argument is an American argument. Its about the action on the field and there is none better than the English Premiership.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Fern
Nothing personal except the attacks.
Okay you win, I am gone.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:36 am
cheers rp may you have a great prosperous life.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:37 am
later people,gotta get to the office.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:38 am
Aw jeez Big Hit here we go again,may I remind you.. 1966.
You mean the Americans can string whole sentences together…to make an argument..?…has to be seen to be beleived.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:43 am
Fern you pratt,Princess never offends ,gives as good as she gets and is a pleasure to have on this site.
You on the other hand have offended a number of people over time and should go and take a long hard look at yourself.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:48 am
I can take it in little doses, unlike rugby which is brimful excitement most of its 80-90 minute duration, soccer is downright boring about 70% of its 90-100 minute duration, now and then you get a top game but to adoringly tune in to watch the rise or demise of ones passionately supported billionaire club’s fortunes, jeeze what utter dejection, what a holy waste of time. If its World cup or European cup then it carries some interest otherwise they can have the Man United’s and the Chelsea’s and Arsenal’s and Liverpool’s week in and week out shenanigans.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Skoppie
I will give you credit for championing Steyn at centre long before they played him there.
So,I think ,he will become with time and maturity, one of the greatest flyhalves weve ever seen.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:53 am
fern I’ll tell you something, whisper it in your young ear, to offend someone because your endeavor to win them over has not been successful is definitely NOT the way to curry favor with anyone, and in fact is the antithesis to being or portraying maturity, in fact it is downright childish, immature and worse, it is highly foolish and besides hurtful and offensive, so you have achieved worse than nothing, your behavior to RP deserves a serious rebuke and an apology from you.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Thanks Manly for that observation re Steyn.
Yes it is strange that even though some of us are but armchair spectators, it seems that our limited objectivity and ability to read situations and strategies sometimes outstrips that of the highly paid professionals who blunder and bumble along with trial and error tactics for months and years of hit and miss attempts.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:11 am
Off to work see whoever might still be around again,
seriously hope there is an apology forthcoming to Princess from you fern, its real bad taste and shows high disrespect to someone who has never offended you other than not taking your advances too seriously.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Cheers Skoppie
September 27th, 2007 at 7:13 am
skopskiet
I suggested trying Steyn at 12 about a year ago and caught flack for trying to turn him into a jack of all trades. Personaly, I feel that’s the closest to the scrum he should be. His reaction times and agility are just a shade too slow for him to be a great flyhalf. The guy is just a bit too big. I still feel he’s best suited at 15, and would develop into one of the greats there.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Dear RP,I apologise unconditionally for my remarks.
have a great day.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:21 am
Agreed about not using him at 10 David, I think 12 or maybe later 13 is his definite first choice position, he reminds me of a young Mortlock even better and is deadly both on attack and defense. I would play Pienaar at 10 or 15, maybe Grant at 10 or 12 if they can hone some consistency into him, and develop some out and out speed on the wings, Habana and one other speedster, Jake did a disservice to some like Jacque Pretorius who he stuck out on the wing, these coaches know just how to ruin a budding career before it even starts and unlike Steyn and Pienaar how many other prodigious talents are going to fall through the cracks and be snapped up by opposing teams/countries? eg. Ronnie Cook is off to ply his trade for England.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Thats better fern, well done. hope at least she comes back here to see it.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:23 am
I’m out too, see you guys, and hopefully Princess too.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:39 am
SDhyt I missed it all.Whats this about a baring your chest Princes.Perhaps this site should cereate a capability to cam! lol Had a dozen prawns, a hair cut and now I am on top of the world. And when the Boks take the WC and I have the stillettos as a trophy, i wil go on a binge for one week….in Hong Kong.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Skoppie
I just do not see Pienaar as a no 10,he has all tha natural ability in the world but not the thinking when a different approach is needed halfway through the game.
Definitely a 9 or 15
September 27th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Skop, Manly have you guys heard from Pietman in Korea> He hasn’t been blogging for weeks.Princess I see your relationship with Fern is on the mend. You guys are like an old married couple.!
September 27th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Nope Quota,I have also been wondering where Pietman has gone.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:22 am
PS – Back to James – If it’s an SA NZ final he’s the best guy to have against Carter. Carter sh!ts himself when he sees James.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:37 am
carter is human, but i doubt he is not one to that would fear a certain individual. yes he may not look the part but get this: he has on numerous occasions consistently taken down mortlock and then compete for the ball. now that’s balls.
yes, he is a poster boy but this country ball got serious nerves/wits. just something i’ve began to notice: the numerous photos i’ve seen of carter, he always appears to be calm even with all the action of tacklers, arms, potentional tacklers surrounding him. just an observation as to why this fella plays so well.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Carter for a while now has been off the boil – and he’s feeling the heat because of that. In the test this year when SA almost beat the AB’s, Carter was ‘upset’ with James’s attention. If both countries are in the final and Carter still has not found form he will be under incredible pressure. James just has to nudge him that little further and he’ll crack. I reckon that Carter could another possible Carlos Spencer come final time. He won’t screw up but he’ll be totally nullified. If that’s the case a better option could be Evans.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:36 am
228 i see your point. james is the kind of character that never gets intimidated and in fact it is his strength to intimidate, or at least show that he is the big dog in the duel betw the five-eigths.
carter in my opin can be misread even underestimated, and rightly so because he’s got the suave looks like steyn.
the best we could look for his consistency. yes, he hasn’t really done much of late but if one has watched enough of his games, this fella is not the type to buckle, the same way that i don’t expect steyn to do so – the latter has moved on.
there are players that are unassuming [even in the game of rugby where body language can/do play a big part]. most times these guys are even tougher, esp mentally. they are just in there to get the job done. i see carter in this mould.
spencer is mercurial and that is his brilliance. it is his genius to be unorthodox and uncannily creative. rugby doesn’t reward for creative ingenuity. and like with all brilliant people, there are blemishes that god have packaged in them – we know all about that part of spencer’s game.
carter isn’t cut from that same oak. went he started out – amongst the big boys – one could read after awhile that the mantel of this fella was not something that comes around often.
i’m talking about execution under pressure over a period of time. the body language only confirmed that this fella was going to stay.
hmm, evans! great talent. i feel for him.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:44 am
i can see carter being nullified but most times when that happens he seems to be intentionally or not, still aiding the cause with others carrying out the exploits.
i am hoping for a bok/nz final!
September 27th, 2007 at 11:26 am
lets see. The AB’s will probably meet France and I reckon the dirty tricks will really come out then. I reckon France is going to try everything to unerve the AB’s – citings, food, noise, the ref… anything.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
217) Agree, Steyn is probably better at 15 he can carry the ball up well, and also gets you out of danger with his booming boot(if he can find touch).
223)Without knocking his ability at 9 i think Ruan is more effective at 10. I remember him running riot against the Brumbies in **** Muirs first game as Sharks coach.