Pure genius
10 Dec 2009
Fourie du Preez has established himself as the finest player on the planet.
Rugby genius. The concept is not easily defined, and should you arrive at a suitable definition, finding players who meet all the criteria is rare. It’s a relative concept, certainly, but there are attributes which are absolute. Fourie du Preez lists some of those when I ask him what he would define as genius.
‘It’s a player who reads the game and makes the right tactical decision 99% of the time after assessing the situation,’ he begins. ‘That said, you get some sharp decision-makers who don’t have the skills to execute what they see in their mind. Geniuses are able to do both, and their ability is amplified by the fact that they’ve studied their opponents.
‘Then there’s the issue of consistency. To be considered a genius you have to be able to deliver high-quality performances week in and week out against high-quality opposition.’
Du Preez has inadvertently described himself. To fully appreciate his genius you have to consider that he’s played at the height of his powers for most of what has been the most taxing season of his career.
Going into the end-of-year Tests, he had played 1 853 minutes of rugby in 2009 – the equivalent of around 23 matches – against the majority of the world’s elite players and teams. Not once has he looked like an impostor in such illustrious company. In fact, seldom have big-name players looked as ordinary as they have when pitted against the irrepressible Du Preez.
He has, however, omitted a couple of absolutes in search of a proper definition.
Geniuses have an aura about them that penetrates the opposition’s psyche, galvanises their team-mates and drives those men to a level of performance they may not have known possible. They also have the ability to change the course of a game, as Du Preez exhibited in the Super 14 and Currie Cup finals.
There were six decisive moments over the course of those 160 minutes. Du Preez was involved in all of them.
It was his try, birthed from a quick tap, against the Chiefs that signalled the start of the most emphatic performance by a team in a final in recent history. He then followed that up with another five-pointer to take his side into the lead, before threading through the most perfectly weighted grubber for Bryan Habana to score and seal the result.
To underline his aptitude for high-pressure matches, he mesmerised the Cheetahs at Loftus, directing the Bulls’ classic symphony with the skill of a master conductor – the build-up featuring an expertly executed cross-kick which sailed to the unmarked Francois Hougaard, a divine piece of handling to scoop the ball off his boot laces and send Habana away for a try, and the crescendo – a deft, looping kick into vacant space which Habana chased down to virtually assure victory.
‘I’ve seen enough talented players fold in finals or high-pressure games to know the difference between the genuine article and a pretender to genius,’ says former Wallabies, Brumbies and Reds coach Eddie Jones, who worked closely with Du Preez during their preparation for the 2007 World Cup and at the tournament itself.
‘Fourie has no equal as a scrumhalf in world rugby. No one is even remotely close. And although it’s hard to say who the best player on the planet is, because roles differ so greatly from position to position, I think if you were to consider a couple of candidates, you’d have to provide some pretty conclusive and strong arguments if you chose anyone but him.
‘The very best players in the world are those who give you an eight out of 10 performance for 80% of your matches in a season. I’d suggest Fourie is probably higher than that percentage-wise. George Gregan had some sensational seasons in the time I coached him, but he never came close to what Fourie has offered the Bulls and Boks in 2009, especially considering the amount of rugby he’s played and the intensity and pressure of those games. Just unbelievable, mate.’
Du Preez has, at times, looked like he was reading the game in a Matrix-type code, not dissimilar to the manner in which Keanu Reeves’s character in the sci-fi blockbuster did, and he seemed to have the ability to supernaturally elevate his spirit and make tactical decisions based on information attained via an aerial view of the action.
‘It’s definitely been my best season ever,’ says Du Preez, confirming what many astute commentators have acknowledged. ‘The 2007 season was a great one for me personally, but this season I’ve felt like my game has shifted to a different level.
‘I’m more mature now, with none of the insecurities I had in the past, and I know my game, my strengths and weaknesses, inside out. It helps that I’ve been playing in winning teams and with great, experienced players around me.
‘Last year wasn’t particularly memorable for me,’ Du Preez continues, lamenting a season where the Bulls and Springboks were infuriatingly mediocre. ‘I struggled for form at some stages, so I appreciate what it’s like to be back in the groove now.
‘Those things that weren’t going for you when you were struggling, suddenly do. You try things that were failing and they come off. You start reading the game better, seeing spaces in the opponents’ defensive line or areas you can kick in to that aren’t marked. It just all fell into place for me this season.’
Du Preez is less analytical than team-mate Victor Matfield, who studies lineouts with religious devotion. He relies more on experience and instinct. In preparing for matches, he spends the bulk of his time looking at how his opposing scrumhalf defends around the scrum and ruck fringe. The rest, he says, comes naturally.
Jones once told the media that former Wallabies flyhalf Stephen Larkham had the ability to read how a passage of play would unfold two phases ahead, and would be prepared when it did. Du Preez humbly denies that he has such foresight, an assertion some would disagree with, but concedes that his positional sense is the facet of play that he has made the biggest strides in.
‘I play more on feel than I do relying on pre-match analysis,’ Du Preez explains. ‘When I’m out on the field I get a sense of what my opponents are likely to do and try to position myself accordingly.
‘It’s not that hard, we play against the same guys every year,’ he adds, again displaying the now familiar trait of self-deprecation. ‘So I wouldn’t make too much of it. I’m just like any other player, really.’
However, with every touch kick fielded and accurate counter-kick launched, every box kick that is suspended in the air just long enough for the chasers to contest and every punt that rolls into touch in an attacking position, every snipe around the blindside that leaves the opposition bewildered and every zinging or popped pass that finds its intended target, Du Preez’s claim to mere mortality is rejected.
‘He’ll never admit to it, but those of us who work with him know that he is a once-in-a- generation player,’ says Bulls backline coach and former Springbok wing, Pieter Rossouw.
‘There’s nothing you can teach him technically because he’s the complete player, and he’s also so strong mentally. When he isn’t around, the Bulls and Springboks don’t have the same threat. That’s not a criticism of the second-choice players in that position, it’s just that Fourie is a special, special player.’
A special player the Bulls and Springboks have to start contemplating life without. Having won all he can with those teams, Du Preez admits that he is thinking about challenging himself afresh.
There is, of course, no shortage of European suitors wanting to ensure that the next phase of his career plays out in their club’s colours. His contract with the Bulls ends in October 2010, and he hasn’t yet made a decision about whether or not he will continue playing in South Africa. Losing a player of his quality would be the equivalent of losing an organ in the human body. Functioning would be adequate for survival, but you wouldn’t be firing at optimal potency.
‘I have a big decision to make in the next couple of months,’ Du Preez says, driving home the possibility that South African rugby could lose one of the jewels in its crown.
‘I have to weigh up whether I want to have a chance of defending the World Cup in 2011 or whether I should move on. I’ve spent my whole life in Pretoria, next year will be my 10th at the Bulls, and I feel like I have to get out of my comfort zone. I don’t want to be stuck in the same routine for the rest of my career.’
Du Preez, however, rejects the suggestion that his departure would see a dramatic capitulation of his teams.
‘If the succession planning is right I don’t think that would be an issue,’ he argues. ‘Sure, there’ll be a rebuilding period for the Bulls and Boks because I don’t think many of the senior players in those sides will continue to play beyond 2011, at least not in South Africa. But we have some special young players in this country.
‘Francois Hougaard [Du Preez’s understudy at the Bulls] is one of those, and I think he’ll be the Springbok scrumhalf for a long time. There are others like him in different positions. So if we plan well, there’s no reason to think it will all fall apart because we have an abundance of class youngsters.’
Class is a widely available commodity in South Africa. The genius that is Du Preez is a scarce one. Let’s appreciate and celebrate that we’ve seen genius in our generation.
By Ryan Vrede
– This article first appeared in the December issue of SA Rugby magazine. The January-February issue goes on sale next week.
411 Comments
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10 Dec 2009, 10:20 am
@Sonito:
Yer agree with you, sensational player.The try he scored from his own try line many years ago at the HK’s 7′s and the one he got against the Aussie in a bledisloe were mind blowing. Very hard to replace but I really think this Jane guy has got the goods.
10 Dec 2009, 10:24 am
@NZINCHINA:
Yeah I also rate Jane, he is a great ball player. For me I think he is a better option than mills. I have never really understood why mills is so highly rated. Mills is a good player but I dont think he is any better than any other international fullback.
10 Dec 2009, 10:25 am
Ok maybe not 160kg but I heard that he was benching almost as much as a prop.
Corey Jane does a great job charging down a kick with his head, lol!!!!
Although to his credit he got up immediately. Tough *******.
10 Dec 2009, 10:26 am
yeah Christian Cullen is about as close as you’ll get to genius on a rugby field. FDP? pffft spin me another soap opera SA rugby hype. Genius se gat. Some talent there sure, but as much talent so too a whole array of over hyped prima donna delusions. And plenty times he’s proceeded to lose us the game where we should have won it instead. Like Wellington, Perth, Cape Town and Durban 2008 and like France and Ireland Eoyt 2009 – like I said genius se gat.
10 Dec 2009, 10:28 am
@skopskiet:
You are so delusional.
You only harp on the negative, if we all did that there would not be one player worth spit.
SPIT!!!!
10 Dec 2009, 10:29 am
@Sonito:
Jane can also kick and is a rock under the high ball, I would have him at f/back ahead of Mills for his superior kicking game, agree Mils is possibly a little overrated but with ball in hand like against France he’s right up there.
10 Dec 2009, 10:29 am
@skopskiet:
You seem to forget about all the games he has won.
10 Dec 2009, 10:31 am
Christian Cullen was magical.
Not many rugby players like him…
The tragedy for us South Africans is that New Zealand seems to produce these magical players almost at will…
10 Dec 2009, 10:32 am
@NZINCHINA:
Agreed. That the problem with Mills he has a number of weakness and cant be rated up there with the likes of Kearney and lee byrne in terms of being a high quality full back.
10 Dec 2009, 10:33 am
Rob Kearney has been superb this season, probably the best fullback in the world at the moment.
10 Dec 2009, 10:34 am
@WP Till I Die:
Cullen / Wilson and Lomu were a magic back 3 , they ripped teams apart.
10 Dec 2009, 10:36 am
@Sonito:
Who will play FB for the Bokke next year?
10 Dec 2009, 10:36 am
@NZINCHINA:
Add Umanga to the mix. Its crazy to think about the backline NZ had at that time.
10 Dec 2009, 10:37 am
@NZINCHINA:
Who knows? Seriously lacking quality Fullbacks at the moment! The position is definately up for grabs.
10 Dec 2009, 10:38 am
@Sonito:
Yer good times and add in the boy from Durban at 5/8 and the back line was smoking.
10 Dec 2009, 10:40 am
Gooday Fellas:
I must say that FDP is by far the best scrumhalf to have considering the game plan we have adopted.I just have my reservations on how he will cope if the game plan were to be changed.
If PDV insists on picking Ruan at flyhalf, then surely Ruan will have to make the decision instead of FDP, I doubt FDP will be able to adjust to just doing his primary function of being the link between forwards and the backline, his service is too slow.
In my mind I still have Heini Adams feeding the backline good ball and I keep imagining he was giving that to Carter, wow!! what a massacre it would be.
Maybe Heini Adams must move to the Crusaders since Houggard is heir apparent to the throne at the BB
10 Dec 2009, 10:41 am
since when do I have to bow down to your tinsel gods to acclaim genius where there is none? Some you hero worshippers are the biggest denialists in existence making out like these one dimensional demi gods are next to rugby sainthood. You go ahead and lick their very ordinary overrated boots till your tongue hangs out dripping with grandiose salivating saliva at your hero’s immaculate status. I’ll continue to see the reality as it presents itself with none of your bamboozling irrational hero worshipping hype. Twit idiots en masse.
10 Dec 2009, 10:41 am
@graeme1: Graeme you are the most entertaining person on this thing. I nearly choked laughing.Tell us more!
10 Dec 2009, 10:41 am
@NZINCHINA:
And thats the difference between that NZ team and the current NZ. You use to **** in your pants facing those guys because anyone of them could rip you a new *******. They brought that fear.
10 Dec 2009, 10:42 am
@NZINCHINA: Note quite the same but he is good
10 Dec 2009, 10:43 am
@Porto:
Graeme and Skoppie are the top of the laughs that is for sure.
Bet they are bunkmates.
10 Dec 2009, 10:43 am
@WP Till I Die: Yeah sure, pull the other one.
10 Dec 2009, 10:45 am
Cullen was absolutely amazing on attack, verging on unbelievable. However in some games his defence was very disappointing and he certainly wasn’t reliable as the last line of defence. His kicking wasn’t that good either.
Therefore I only give him an 8 out of 10. Truly great fullbacks can defend and kick well.
10 Dec 2009, 10:45 am
@skopskiet:
Well you seem to be by yourself! Because the rest of the world does not share your sentiments. So remind me who is in denial again? It not like FDP has won anything!
10 Dec 2009, 10:45 am
@Sonito:
The current backline is adequate but nothing special but in saying that they ripped a few French jock straps a week or so ago so they are capable of firing given the platform which was sadly missing mid year.
10 Dec 2009, 10:46 am
@Porto:
Huh?
10 Dec 2009, 10:47 am
@jondood: Come to think of it, looking at the writing style, they both might be the same person. Except when he comes on as Graeme he’s somehow funnier.
10 Dec 2009, 10:50 am
Jeff ‘Goldie’ Wilson had a couple of absolutely unbelievable seasons in the late nineties. In one S14 game the Bulls were 10 points up against Otago at Loftus with just a few minutes to play. He got the ball twice and both times weaved himself through tight defence from long range to win the game single handedly. Perhaps the most stunning individual match winning performance I have seen.
10 Dec 2009, 10:51 am
@WP Till I Die: Well he might be the best full back in Cape Town, but not in SA and definitely not in the world. That has be Frans Steyn
10 Dec 2009, 10:53 am
this over hyped genius was all quite ready to hang up his overrated boots when Jake left and the short arm elv’s were introduced. In short a bit of a ramp model pansy that couldn’t quite cut it when all factors didn’t quite suit his immaculated prima donna status. When he had to get some quick action behind the scrum he disappeared very fast and proceeded to cough up possession on a plate time and again to the opposition, just like Cape Town 2008 or France and Ireland 2009- go check those games again if you seriously want to see pure genius exposed as very ordinary useless mediocrity. Or you going to watch it a third time with your BB blindfolds covering your eyes?
10 Dec 2009, 10:54 am
@Transformation:
FDP was horribly out of form in 08, and partly due to those disgusting ELV laws. Both he, Matfield and Habana stated that they did not like the new laws and all ended up having rather poor seasons.
But why are you bringing up articles from 2008? I understand you are trying to think, but come on.
FDP is the greatest scrumhalf of all time, better than Joost. Only hate filled supporters can’t see this.
10 Dec 2009, 10:55 am
@skopskiet:
YAWN!!!!
10 Dec 2009, 10:55 am
@Delek: i completely disagree. Cullen was a great defender. Once saw him win a game for the Canes by making some amazing tackles on Joeli Vidiri and Jonah Lomu.
Cullen the best fullback i have ever seen play 11/10 for me
10 Dec 2009, 10:56 am
@Delek:
Would you mind giving us your score on the Rolls Royce of fullbacks Andre Joubert?
10 Dec 2009, 10:56 am
@Porto:
I thought Frans Steyn was an inside centre?
10 Dec 2009, 10:56 am
@skopskiet:
Ok, who would you rather have in the Springboks team than du Preez? This should be funny.
10 Dec 2009, 10:57 am
@Delek:
What about his try at Loftus in 96′, chick chase score – series victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 Dec 2009, 10:57 am
@Delek: I am a massive Goldie fan. First time i ever saw him play was for NZ against Scotland in his debut test, and he scored a stunning try.
No other rugby player could “chip and chase” better than him. Ball always bounced for him. Sheer class, sheer skill. A rugby genius.
10 Dec 2009, 10:57 am
chip
10 Dec 2009, 10:58 am
@WP Till I Die: Fly half, centre and full back.
10 Dec 2009, 10:59 am
Ironic that both Cullen and Wilson partly had their careers wasted by playing out of position. NZ had too much class, and tried to accomodate Glen Osborne. Cullen should never have played 13…..
10 Dec 2009, 11:00 am
@NZINCHINA: Wilson had this “horrible” habit of getting up and giving the crowd a “blank, f-u” stare once he scored. Loved to hate him !!
10 Dec 2009, 11:01 am
@NZINCHINA:
LOL @ “chick chase score”
We know he was a hit with the ladies
10 Dec 2009, 11:02 am
Where the rumours that Wilson is *** true?
10 Dec 2009, 11:03 am
@Cheetha Champs:
He did that in domestic games as well for Otago, lets not forget him hitting the winning runs in a 1 day international to beat the Aussies – a double international perhaps we can call him the real sporting “genuis” lol
10 Dec 2009, 11:04 am
@WP Till I Die:
He’s married to an NZ netballer.
10 Dec 2009, 11:06 am
I love it how the New Zealanders just come in and change the topic.
I don’t want to talk about Wilson.
10 Dec 2009, 11:07 am
@NZINCHINA:
Why was his nickname “Goldie” though?
10 Dec 2009, 11:08 am
@Sonito:
He is married to the former NZ Netball captain, Adine Harper.
10 Dec 2009, 11:08 am
@Kobus Kitty:
Lets talk about you Kitty and your issues because we all know you have a few?
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