Habana doesn’t haunt Sharks
21 Oct 2008
Sharks backline coach Grant Bashford says they’ll be making a fundamental error by focusing too intently on blunting Bryan Habana.
In 2007, Habana stole a victory for the Bulls over the Sharks in the Super 14 final with a sensational solo try at the death. On Saturday the Bulls winger will return to Kings Park with the wound he inflicted still gaping, despite the Sharks’ assertions to the contrary.
Habana has had a relatively quiet season by his standards, scoring just three tries in the Absa Currie Cup. He does, however, remain a player for the big occasion and is certain to punish the hosts if granted space and time.
However, while Bashford concedes that the current IRB Player of the Year is capable of moments of brilliance which change the course of matches, he was adamant that they haven’t centered their attention on nullifying him.
“Habana is world class and it would be crass of us to dismiss his threat altogether. But we haven’t thought about Habana as an individual threat at all. We haven’t targeted him for special attention,” he told keo.co.za.
“Rugby is a game of cause and effect relationships. If we dominate in the forwards, the effect is that their backline finds it difficult to play. So cutting his supply is an obvious method of limiting his influence.
“That said, he has scored many points when his team didn’t have possession [through the intercept], which speaks volumes about his ability to read the game. When a player has that ability it makes him very dangerous for the opposition because he’s not relying solely on his inside backs to create opportunities for him.
“But again, I have to stress that our focus is on the collective and not an individual.”
Speaking of the Blue Bulls’ backline as a whole, Bashford said he was “very impressed with their evolution in recent years.
“They used to be one of the most predictable backlines in the sense that they posed little threat outside of big strike runners playing off their 10,” he said.
“That was relatively simple to defend against because they posed a limited threat in terms of attacking a range of different channels. But Pieter Rossouw [Bulls backline coach] has built on the progress they’ve made in that facet of play in recent years and they are now possess an unpredictable edge.”
Bashford continued by saying that the primary catalyst in that evolution has been Morné Steyn at flyhalf.
“They often had their flyhalf slip back into the pocket to try and control games with the boot,” he said in reference to the now departed Derrick Hougaard.
“But Morné has come on brilliantly this season and the biggest reason for that is that he has a range of different options to select from when he’s in possession.
“He’s also got the likes of Fourie du Preez and Wynand Olivier on his inside and outside respectively and both those players have had very good campaigns to date, which has made his job a lot easier.
“That’s why I say to isolate Habana would be a grave error because they have a number of game breakers, and if you fix your attention on one you run the risk of being hurt by the others. We don’t want to run that risk so we’re covering all our bases.”
By Ryan Vrede
390 Comments
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21 Oct 2008, 15:23 pm
#298 Dawn: Nothing to be afraid of here
21 Oct 2008, 15:24 pm
#294 Ig:
naaah ou iggie
seems like we have to watch cricket again
21 Oct 2008, 15:25 pm
#300 grootblousmile: Neither would you otherwise you would have started supporting a decent team by now….
21 Oct 2008, 15:27 pm
#303 Ig:
Touche!
Sic em!
21 Oct 2008, 15:33 pm
#303 Ig: Hehehehe…. like maybe your team ?? No thanks !
21 Oct 2008, 15:38 pm
#294 Ig: Yep Camps Bay vs Sea Point Bowls at 15:30. A game you shouldn’t miss mate.
21 Oct 2008, 15:38 pm
#303 Ig: Accept it now, you guys are nowhere like we were in the S14, so back the Bulls to get that winning feeling!
21 Oct 2008, 15:39 pm
#296 EEE: What’s this ‘farking smilies’ thing anyway.
21 Oct 2008, 15:41 pm
#306 Sniper: Sounds intriguing, beers cheap in the clubhouse?
#307 AB: I rather go work in Iraq in an American Flag jump suit
21 Oct 2008, 15:43 pm
#304 Dawn:
#305 grootblousmile:
Ek wonder of Pietman daai hacker gevang het?
21 Oct 2008, 15:45 pm
#309 Ig: Ja well, we all have our preferences but an American? You MUST hate us!
21 Oct 2008, 15:45 pm
#309 Ig: For sure and Glynis Shapiro is playing. Can’t miss that one. You would never say she is 81 – looks more like 79.
21 Oct 2008, 15:46 pm
#310 AB: Dit was sy Koreaanse It skrefiesoog techie wat sy Spyware Programme Uninstall het, toe begin die hele wêreld arme Pietman spam…….. ek dink hy het die outjie met sy kierie bygedam !
21 Oct 2008, 15:47 pm
#311 AB: Don’t hate anyone…there are just some things you don’t do….for example support the Bulls, wear baby blue you know that sort of thing
#312 Sniper: For sure, must just let my old lady know i can’t make her 60th – dam now i am amped for the weekend
21 Oct 2008, 15:47 pm
#313 grootblousmile: Help die man asseblief GBS!
21 Oct 2008, 15:49 pm
#314 Ig: Whatever!!!!!!!!!!!!
21 Oct 2008, 15:49 pm
#314 Ig: See you there and if they win, beers go for half price – just show your pensioners card and that is halved again. Beat that now.
21 Oct 2008, 15:51 pm
#314 Ig: Now that is way better than watching the **** they are going to dish up at King Park.
21 Oct 2008, 15:51 pm
#315 AB: Ek’t klaar aangebied dat ek na sy Notebooks sal omsien wanneer hy kom kuier vroeeeegggg volgende jaar…. kannie veel van hier af oor distansie doen nie !
21 Oct 2008, 15:51 pm
**** must go and collect my pension. Out of here.
21 Oct 2008, 15:52 pm
#318 Sniper: Hey neighbour what was that statement??
21 Oct 2008, 15:52 pm
#312 Sniper:
Who the heck is Glynis Shapiro !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21 Oct 2008, 15:53 pm
#318 Sniper: Well at least the Sharks will try to entertain
21 Oct 2008, 15:55 pm
#323 Ig:
and the players !!
21 Oct 2008, 15:55 pm
#322 Dawn:
Hymie’s wife.
21 Oct 2008, 16:07 pm
It’s all one way traffic come Saturday boys, and we all know which way it’s going to go.
I’m sorry, but Joost will have to wear his sharks jersey on Superrugby come Monday night!
21 Oct 2008, 16:09 pm
#326 Windhond_Sharks: You sure… or are you just another of those vocal and brazen Sharks ??
The fat lady has’nt sung yet…
21 Oct 2008, 16:12 pm
#327 grootblousmile:
Who.
Glynis Shapiro?
21 Oct 2008, 16:15 pm
Posted on news24 @ 15:42
Saru using Springbok illegally
2008-10-21 15:42Email | Print
Johannesburg – SA Rugby is using the Springbok emblem illegally because it failed to renew its licence to use it, Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile said on Tuesday.
SABC radio reported that Stofile told parliament’s portfolio committee on sport that his department was the rightful owner of the Springbok and Protea trademarks.
While presenting his department’s annual report to the committee, Stofile said legal action was underway to recover royalties owed by SA Rugby for its use of the Springbok emblem.
The Springbok emblem has made news headlines more than once in the past weeks, first when sports committee chair Butana Komphela suggested that it be abolished because it divided the nation.
The ruling ANC, however, said it wanted the Springbok to stay.
Last week, Springbok player Luke Watson said he wanted to vomit on his Springbok jersey because he believed it represented a lack of transformation.
His statement sparked rumours that his fellow players had vowed to boycott their upcoming European tour if he was part of the team.
21 Oct 2008, 16:15 pm
#328 Dawn: Neeeee man, Glynis se sussie se vissie !
I’ve always wondered who this fat lady really was…. suppose we might see on Saturday !
21 Oct 2008, 16:19 pm
#327 grootblousmile: i am as sure as any supporter can be. The team are on the crest of the wave and they need only to carry their form into the final to clinch it.
Think about it.
The bulls travel really bad, we all know that. – no blue flags or steve hof over the loud speakers…..no cheers from 50 000 strong supporters, no blue flags. It’s all going to be a little bit too much for them i’m afraid.
The way i see it, there’s only one way the sharks can stuff this one up and that is if they play a structured slow game. But i don’t think they will.
Kichner is in for a hell of a day me thinks……
21 Oct 2008, 16:20 pm
#329 SharkMarine: O boy…. another Mak (Makhenkezi) mank moerrrrrrr van ‘n Stofpielle……
Waar in die wêreld kom hy aan die twak dat sy departement die regmatige eienaar is van die bokembleem…….. hy’s nie vars innie koppie nie !
21 Oct 2008, 16:20 pm
#329 SharkMarine: blaaah, blaaah, blaaah, blaaah…..**** man, give it a break. The bok emblem is going nowhere.
21 Oct 2008, 16:22 pm
#332 grootblousmile: nee jong, hy is so dom soos hy lyk. Is in die watsons se gatte opgekruip. kom ook van PE af.
21 Oct 2008, 16:23 pm
Anyone have any views on the Shark new signing, Leonard Olivier?
21 Oct 2008, 16:24 pm
#331 Windhond_Sharks: You may be right, but if you’re wrong you’ll have egg all over your face….
Not many gave the Bulls a chance in the S 14 final last year either.
Finals are funny things… an event or 2 during the game can sway the result either way.
I have to admit though that the Guppies are favourites to win….
I’ll wait till the game is solidly won or lost… predictions are difficult on this one !
21 Oct 2008, 16:27 pm
#334 Windhond_Sharks: Hy kan maar gerus die moeite doen om in die Kantoor vir Handelsmerke, te Pretoria te gaan opsoek in wie se naam is die Bokembleem gerigistreer….
Dis so goed soos ‘n patent…….. daarsie twyfel nie !
Hoe dom kan een fokkkerrrrrr wees ?
21 Oct 2008, 16:27 pm
# PissAnt: Even with his current form he is one of the best wings in the country.
21 Oct 2008, 16:28 pm
#335 pedspin: That you Len?
21 Oct 2008, 16:29 pm
?
21 Oct 2008, 16:31 pm
#339 Ig:
Took the words right outta my mouth
21 Oct 2008, 16:32 pm
Slightly off the topic… have you seen this PUMA breaking news ?
Scanning the newsvines I see the PUMA’s are considering planting THEIR flag in SA by annexing a province neglected by SARU !
The Eastern Cape is the original home of Mike Catt and Danie Gerber + 9 million Saffers out of mainstream South African rugby. The province has, since 1980, been left to die a slow rugby death thanks to normal SARU infighting and backpocket lining, but has caught the attention of the Puma’s who apparently are HAPPY to take it off their hands.
Could we witness a new era of PLANTER international rugby ?
Apparently the EPRU (Eastern Province Rugby Union founded in 1888) will now become the Eastern PUMA Rugby Union and feature a hybrid Saffer/Argentinian squad playing against their OWN countrymen !
The new EPRU will purchase the stadiums based in Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay and George from SARU and will see 9 million in the province OPT OUT of South African Rugby Pty Ltd (ie SARU).
????? A case of USE IT or lose it … ???? The only chance the Eastern Cape has is to get OUT of SARU and most Eastern Capers would rather shout for the ePUMA’s than the Zimboks…
21 Oct 2008, 16:33 pm
#339 Ig: #341 Richie_7: Chaps am I missing something?
21 Oct 2008, 16:34 pm
Middag all,
Go Sharks!!!
21 Oct 2008, 16:36 pm
Is it true ? Scanning the newsvines I see the PUMA’s are considering planting THEIR flag in SA by annexing a province neglected by SARU !
The Eastern Cape is the original home of Mike Catt and Danie Gerber + 9 million Saffers out of mainstream South African rugby. The province has, since 1980, been left to die a slow rugby death thanks to normal SARU infighting and backpocket lining, but has caught the attention of the Puma’s who apparently are HAPPY to take it off their hands.
Could we witness a new era of PLANTER international rugby ?
Apparently the EPRU (Eastern Province Rugby Union founded in 1888) will now become the Eastern PUMA Rugby Union and feature a hybrid Saffer/Argentinian squad playing against their OWN countrymen !
The new EPRU will purchase the stadiums based in Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay and George from SARU and will see 9 million in the province OPT OUT of South African Rugby Pty Ltd (ie SARU).
????? A case of USE IT or lose it … ????
21 Oct 2008, 16:36 pm
#343 pedspin:
Perhaps Mr. Olivier
21 Oct 2008, 16:47 pm
Am I going mad
21 Oct 2008, 16:48 pm
#347 Dawn:
Past tense
You should be asking when you went mad.
21 Oct 2008, 16:50 pm
#348 OCO:
Offside you are.
Where did you spring from.
I only ask cos I’m seeing double posts and Pedspin …………….
Oh never mind.
21 Oct 2008, 16:50 pm
#331 Windhond_Sharks: you should change your nic to windgat-sharks..
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