Brüssow wary of power-packed refs
2 Feb 2010
Heinrich Brüssow believes the new law interpretations relating to the breakdown could give referees too much control.
With the new breakdown and scrum law interpretations introduced this season, the referees will be stricter at these facets of play – an initiative aimed at improving the flow of the game.
However, from what has been seen thus far during the pre-season, teams have been struggling to adjust to these interpretations and have been frequently penalised. This has disturbed the flow of the game, rather than improving it.
A main reason for this is that the laws now favour the attacking side and make it more difficult for the defending team to contest possession. Brüssow is one player who’s contesting technique could be hampered because of this.
The Cheetahs openside flank said the law interpretations need sufficient time to be assessed, but added that he felt this would allow referees to have too much influence on the game.
‘If it works, then great. But if it’s spoiling the game, then the referees need to reassess these law interpretations. My only worries are that there will be too many penalties awarded and referees will have too much power,’ Brüssow told keo.co.za.
‘For example, say the Cheetahs played the Crusaders, and the Cheetahs managed to steal their ball from the breakdown regularly, the referee will automatically believe there is something wrong because the Crusaders are considered the stronger team. He will then look to penalise us. This could have a negative impact.’
Brüssow was, however, open to the idea of the new interpretations.
‘In the beginning it’s going to be difficult to play according to the new law interpretations,’ he said. ‘But the idea is to improve the flow of the game, so we have to give it a chance and see how it goes in the opening weeks of the Super 14.’
Cheetahs loosehead Wian du Preez told this website yesterday that they are working on strategy to adapt to the new law interpretations. Brüssow, however, doesn’t believe he should change his technique.
‘I spoke to [referee] Jonathan Kaplan about this, and he pointed out that the way referees officiate the game will still differ,’ Brussow said. ‘In one case, a referee might penalise me for my contesting technique at the breakdown, while the other might allow it.
‘So in that case, I think I can still continue to play my game. I just have to see how much freedom I get from the referee.’
By Gareth Duncan
79 Comments
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2 Feb 2010, 09:37 am
I really do not know what Heinrich is on about here…
Brüssow is one player who’s stealing technique could be hampered because of this.
Fact is dude, this ‘technique’ was against the laws correct interpretation.
My only worries are that there will be too many penalties awarded and referees will have too much power.
Well then don’t lie on top of players and break the tackle and you will be fine.
As for your example of the Crusaders, you immediately suggest that referees will ‘favour’ teams.
Fact is dude, play according to the laws and you will be fine.
There is enough cameras around to highlight referee discriminations and rather have you answer to your team and fans for giving away 5 penalties, have him answer to his superiors and viewing public for stuffing up the laws.
The laws are for the first time being applied correctly, play according to them and you will be fine.
You are a clever enough player to do that.
2 Feb 2010, 09:43 am
Of course he would say that, the interpretations are going to reduce his efficacy at the breakdown immensely.
Heinrich Brussow disappoints me in this interview, however. Claiming the referees will favour teams?
2 Feb 2010, 09:53 am
@PissAnt: Why was ther nothing wrong with his technique last year???
Problem is every year the referees try to change what is fundamentally a flawed rule!!
You are being extremely petty towards Brussow, for saying what just about everybody is feeling…
But I suppose some people naturally resent other people being successful….
2 Feb 2010, 10:00 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
Fact is, there was something wrong with his technique last year, plain and simple.
The laws are now being applied correctly, whereas in the past they weren’t.
It has absolutely nothing to do with pettiness, it is reading the laws, applauding the correct interpretation of them (finally) and saying players like Brussow would have to adapt to play the game legally for a change.
Rather simple.
2 Feb 2010, 10:05 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
Additionally.
The game of union was always about a fair contest for the ball. It is the fundamental difference between union and hybrid codes.
The correct application of the laws allow for this.
Possession and the keeping of possession is rewarded – which is not only logical but needed for the game of union. I mean you win with points being scored not so and the only way you do that is with the ball in hand.
The sooner they stamp out techniques and interpretations that reward obstruction or obstructing the goal of an equal contest for the ball whilst encouraring a better flow to the game the better for the game itself.
Jake White and his brand of no-ball rugby allowed him to win a World Cup. There is nothing wrong with it as it allowed him to win the biggest prize in World Rugby, but it does not mean I support that structure of rugby, or a structure that supports that type of rugby.
2 Feb 2010, 10:06 am
And make no mistake, there is a lot that can still be fixed in this area, and there are still too many laws applied both inconsistently and incorrectly.
But this is at least a move in the right direction.
2 Feb 2010, 10:27 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
Is it just me or are you always jumping on your horse whenever something is said about you beloved Cheetahs or one of your players…disregarding whether it’s a good argument or not ?
Objectivity…thats your answer.
@PissAnt:
So no news about the alleged injury…
Was it a hoax then ?
2 Feb 2010, 10:28 am
Brussow will master the laws and cause mayhem again….he is the best…plain and simple.
2 Feb 2010, 10:30 am
@Blouste:
Nothing hey.
No media release by the Cheetahs either.
2 Feb 2010, 10:31 am
@grant10:
Yes he will.
2 Feb 2010, 10:37 am
I am a big fan of Brussow, but his comments are dissapointing.
Adjust to the rules, make the best of it. Focus on the opportunities that the law application will create and he will be fine.
2 Feb 2010, 10:38 am
@grant10:
I’d like to think so, as McCaw most definitely will.
2 Feb 2010, 10:41 am
Brussow could have a valid point. He should know more than us as he’s exposed to the coaching and listens to what is being said by the guys in the know with regards to the latest changes for this season.
No doubt there have been plenty of headscratching sessions on the law variations and who knows how it’s going to affect the games this year.
2 Feb 2010, 10:43 am
@PissAnt: PA another point though is that the law requires that the tackled player releases the ball and removes himself from preventing a counter ruck or steal from the defending side. This means that support play for the attacking side is extremely important but also that primary possession becomes important, making scrums more important. Defending teams will be looking to try and effect turnovers from scrums and lineouts and therein lies a problem. Scrums have for the last few years been a grey area.
This is what I think is the Cheetahs concern i.e. against sides with good support play (phase play – think Brumbies) the only way you will get possession back is to force an error(knock-on)or efect a turnover at primary phases.
2 Feb 2010, 10:48 am
@Blouste: Nope, I guess it’s just you… I also got peeved when some people were knocking Andre Pretorius, and I can’t recall himn ever playing for my beloved Cheetahs…
I just find it irksome how some people love to denigrate players …. maybe it makes the feel better, I don’t know!
Sorry to spoil your fun Blouste!! If objectivity is required you will also feel that once again the whole reffing issue is the problem…. if they applied the rules effectively from the word go, we wouldn’t have this farcial clampdown on specific rules!!
The reffing is the problem, not the rules, and he players
2 Feb 2010, 10:49 am
I suggest that you watch the Bulls rolling maul this season, my friends. To think that we won the competition last year without one of our primary attacking platforms.
Lineout win by Matfield – driving maul from the back of the lineout. Maybe with Spies taking it up further once the maul has gained a bit of momentum.
Apparently the Bulls used the rolling maul to great effect in the warm up game against the Lions.
We have more than one trick up our sleeves, if last year’s tactics need to be changed…
2 Feb 2010, 10:50 am
@bananaboy:
Yeah, after placing the ball (which needs to be immediate) the tackled player may not obstruct anyone from playing the ball.
This was very important in the Sharks/Stormers game where in the first 40 the Sharks crowded the tackled area, Stormers did not have enough support players and they simply got driven off the ball.
It affect both sides equally imo. The attacking side will not be able to stack their backline with players as a lot of them will have to commit to rucks to secure possession.
The big thing about support play, or rather the most important aspect of successful support play is that the support players need to stay on their feet – we have been piss-poor in this in SA for many years now.
Coaches will need to teach players to stay on their feet as long as possible and rather try and force dynamic rucks or mini mauls to counter this.
And I tell you what, if we get that right we will bliksem a lot of teams.
2 Feb 2010, 10:52 am
@PissAnt:
So there will be fewer defenders in the backline when Spies carries the all up then…
2 Feb 2010, 10:55 am
@Tacitus:
Precisely Tac.
If we can just get our support players to stay on their feet and receive quicker ruck ball our ball carriers in Spies, Juan, Duane, Kanko, Deysel, Alberts etc can wreck absolute havoc.
Dynamic rucks, mini-mauls, stay on your feet.
I will say it again, these new law adaptations suits us more than what Waugh and the Antipodes would like to believe – we just need to get a few things right.
2 Feb 2010, 10:57 am
@PissAnt:
Bulls specifically should be devastating at this and bar one or two backline changes the Sharks with their forwards should also feature quite strongly.
Problem with the Sharks on Friday is that their backline’s positional play and decision making with ball in hand was f@#$^%&@ no-where.
Plum needs to beg Ruan to give 10 just one more shot.
2 Feb 2010, 10:57 am
@Tacitus: Yes I guess sides will look to counter that in other ways. So watch sides trying to counter your strengths by denying you possession so expect for example innovative kick-offs and not kicking the ball out except from a penalty.Also keeping the ball in play is a lot easier if the tackler cannot slow the ball down.
2 Feb 2010, 11:05 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
If you think you spoiled my fun…or that I ever had any in this regard ,you are sadly mistaken
Fact is Brussow suggesting that refs will favour teams are just stupid at best…
2 Feb 2010, 11:12 am
Here is the problem…
Refs are not objective….I will say it 100 times more this year so listen again…
Funny how Brussow from the cheetahs complain about it when clearly the WP got the short end of the stick with a penalty count of 17-2 in a game we were dominating and then the ref decided other wise……yes all cheetahs and many bulls would say great comeback……..but I stil believe the final of the CC should have been WP vs Bulls at Newlands…..the Fianl was a joke with the Cheetahs with no chance to win it!!
And you all state the ref will pay for his mistaks with reviews afterwards……just watch the comments following about me be sour grapes etc for mentioning the fact of 17-2…..
No one can say anything about the ref afterwards unless you are Naas or Rapport sizing up the Bulls unfair treatment from a ref!! It happens every year….Naas will bad mouth a ref for the bulls but for the stormers it is play the ref……???
I’m sick of it and would like the Stormers to ask not to have any SA refs for their games….let the Bulls have 12/15 games SA refs again…fine…but we dont want them!!!!!
2 Feb 2010, 11:13 am
@Hoops:
Ag come now. Why would all the SA refs hate the Stormers?
2 Feb 2010, 11:15 am
@bananaboy:
Problem is the bulls will kick it out as any team’s line out is their line out effectively with Big Vic
2 Feb 2010, 11:16 am
@Hoops: my friend is is not to say that even though you are suffering from paranoia….they are not watching you!
2 Feb 2010, 11:18 am
@Tacitus:
Andre Watson in charge with Tappe in the background…….
I was at a Bok practice where Tappe sommer said straight….”take the stormers away here”
Me and my brother also played a round of golf with tappe T-ing of infront of us….he made no secret about his support for the bulls! He was quite funny that day….he played with Bryce Lawrence and Pollock….and got a hiding..hehehehe
2 Feb 2010, 11:22 am
Brussow and the cheetahs must noy syke themselves out before the season has even started. The bulls did that when Elves first came out and then the next season smashed everybody when they just got on with the job.
2 Feb 2010, 11:26 am
I got dem ol’ breakdown blues ………..
2 Feb 2010, 11:29 am
rugby is a proffesional sport you get good money for doing something you like so stop moaning rather focus on adapting to the new laws
2 Feb 2010, 11:35 am
@Blouste: What is stupid at best is people’s perception of what Brussow is saying… read the article, and keep in mind Keo’s journalists that like to spin the wording to create greater sensation.
Brussows example is spot on, we have seen it in the past, and it’s not deliberate, but it has happened.. Some odf the less fancied sides in the competition often get the raw end of decisions, when playing against perceived front runners
2 Feb 2010, 11:40 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
Well I don’t agree with your analisys…
And as far as A.Pretorius is concerned…your attachement probably go way back to when the Cheetahs and Lions played as the Cats hey ?
2 Feb 2010, 11:41 am
@Dawn:
serves you right for driving a bmw…
2 Feb 2010, 11:45 am
@Hoops: The WP missed out on the final because they lost to the Bulls at home in the semi-final….
Not because of the “great comeback” To now suggest the Final wwas a joke sounds a bit churlish!!
In fact it’s hardly the Cheetahs fault that the WP haven’t nailed down a final of any sort since 2001!!! Heaven knows the Cape has enough players and money to have expected at least some sort of success.
Maybe you should wait till the WP/Stormers actually achieve something before saying other teams were a joke!!
The biggest joke in SA rugby is the annual “This is our year” from WP supporters
2 Feb 2010, 11:56 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
He he he, now there is something we agree on !!!
2 Feb 2010, 12:14 pm
A fit and rested McCaw will be up agasinst Brussow this year – the IRB player of the year will be ready to re instate himself as the best openside in the world – beware Brussow
2 Feb 2010, 12:21 pm
@stew:
Yawn….
Brussow outplayed him by a country mile last year…
2 Feb 2010, 12:24 pm
Ratel will adapt quickest. I have seen him in matches where refs are blowing the tackle situation stricter. He just leave the man gets on his feet and rucks over, securing the TO for some-one else. Also PA, can you tell me about the tackler rule, has it changed does the tackler now have to come through the gate again?
2 Feb 2010, 12:27 pm
@stew: If the refs stick t these law interpretations McCaw is over. Brussow quicker to his feet and around the park. McCaw is ageing and his main asset these days is slowing down the ball illegally and the constant ignoring of this fact by most refs. The fact that he was IRB player of the year shows us the preferential treatment he enjoys and it is this that Ratel is talking about.
2 Feb 2010, 12:32 pm
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
No tackler can still carry on in that respect as he had provided he has done the above, released tackler, he is on his feet and ruck has not formed.
2 Feb 2010, 12:46 pm
Hmmm the tension is building for next week. I cant wait, even though the Cheetahs still don’t seem quite a settled unit yet.
But hey let’s build the anticipation!!
1. Wian du Preez vs Werner Kruger
2. Adriaan Strauss vs Gary Botha
3. WP Nel vs Gurthro Steenkamp
4. Nico Breedt vs Danie Rossouw
5. David de Villiers vs Matfield
6. Brussow vs Stegmann
7. Juan Smith vs Pedrie Wannenburg
8. Ashley Johnson vs Spies
9. Sarel Pretorius vs Fourie du Preez
10.Sias Ebersohn vs Morne Steyn
11. Basson vs Mametsa
12. Bosman vs Olivier
13. Snyman vs Pretorius
14. Mapoe vs Hougaard
15. Daniller vs Kirchner
16. Coenie Oosthuizen vs Jaco Engels
17. Rayno Barnes vs Maku
18. Buckle vs Bees Roux
19. Rudi Mathee vs Wilhelm Steenkamp
20. Frans Viljoen vs Kuun
21. ???? vs JL Potgieter
22. Geel vs Dippenaar
Bulls look way more settled, think the Cheetahs will still battle to gel, and the Bulls should have continuity in their favour. Cheetahs also have a problem at flyhalf …. This will astound Tac, and Blouste, but I am giving the odds to the Bulls… Cheetahs will have to gel real quick, and play out of their skins!!
2 Feb 2010, 12:58 pm
Hey, Heinrich
DIDDUMS !
here’s your rattle back, it must have dropped between the bars.
2 Feb 2010, 13:02 pm
@Black Panther: Hey Ritchie. Here’s your Zimmer frame back.
I SAID, HEY RITCHIE. HERE’S YOUR ZIMMER FRAME BACK.
2 Feb 2010, 13:04 pm
@Black Panther: Quite a mature comment!! You must be quite a stand up comedian!
2 Feb 2010, 13:04 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
He he he…I will be at the game.
Honestly, gonna be a tuffie…
Always are of late between the two teams.
All I’m asking is just carry your killer instinct to the other games aswell.
Van den Heever will probably be at wing.
You reckon Naka will play Sias ?
2 Feb 2010, 13:07 pm
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
F@ck that was funny man…
2 Feb 2010, 13:17 pm
seems our Heinrich ain’t the brightest bulb in the floodlights…
the ref’s word (or whistle) IS the law… always has been… always will be…
the refs can only blow on what the players do… or do not do…
it’s always amazed me in SA rugby that we constantly complain about the refs (albeit some of it justified – but all countries have hard-luck examples of how their players were treated unfairly) and the coaches and players speak ad nauseum about adapting to the interpretations of individual refs… but then they never do… they get pinged for the same old same old… time and again… game after game…
how thick are our players and coaches if they can’t work out after being penalised for the umpteenth time that they are doing something wrong…?
in short… we… they… should not leave it up to the interpration of the refs… if they play to the letter of the law they won’t get pinged… simple…
Thing is… we always try to push the law to and passed the limits… well… hey ho… don’t whinge when we get pinged…
With the new law… if the tackler releases the tackled player, puts daylight between their bodies and then contests he won’t get pinged… simple really… if he lies all over the player and makes a big show of not wanting to be there… he’s gonna get pinged…
Hell… if Butch James eventually got the message through his skull that he should use his arms when he tackles… surely our players can learn to release the tackled player now…
how hard can it be? how thick are our players?
2 Feb 2010, 13:18 pm
@stew: @36
‘reinstate’ ?
RE instate ?!
Ignore the superfluous drivvel found around these parts (Hi Ratel !), the Safas have mistaken the ‘discovery’ of a genuine opensider about 3 decades after everyone else and in their excitement have mistaken Brussow as some kind of Second Coming. Oh, so some 6’5” 18st Goliath isnt as quick to the breakdown nor as adept at digging for loose ball ????? oh, DUH !
Brussow is a gem of a player, and 1 who should have been selected eons ago for higher honours. But to take this quantuum leap from playing well to saying he “owned” various opponents ?! In his 1st season – always the easiest to make yr mark as a player before being worked-out – he is now judged against McCaw who came back from missing 1/2 season thru a serious knee injury, 1 that was still apparent when he then lead the ABs. Yes, at the breakdown Brussow was excellent. But was he a ball-carrier ? a lineout option ? a link man for key tries ? did he finish the season stronger than he started it ? It must be a resounding NO on each occassion. Certainly against France he was still good at the breakdown but anonymous elsewhere. And vs Ire ?
My guess is that Brussow, rule-change or not, will find the ’2nd-season Syndrome’ quite a challenge. Whereas likes of McCaw and Waugh and G.Smith have been around 10yrs and seen law changes come and go and have adopted accordingly, Brussow is already whinging at the 1st opportunity. It must be that national characteristic of getting yr excuses in early.
2 Feb 2010, 13:22 pm
@Blouste: I dunno, he isn’t exactly spoilt for choice right now.
Other options are Bosman or Viljoen!!
2 Feb 2010, 13:23 pm
@Black Panther: @ 48
adopted…?
adapted…?
waugh’s gotta worry about making his own team before he can contest anything besides the Lotto…
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