Sharks’ problems a national concern
15 Mar 2010
A Springbok front-row that should be dominating at Super 14 level is being schooled at scrum-time.
Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and John Smit’s aptitude as a unit at the set-piece has been continually questioned over the last year. First came the Lions series, where Mtawarira had a massive opening 40 minutes against Phil Vickery, but has since failed to produce a dominant scrumming performance in attacking the opposition tighthead.
Questions were raised over Smit’s ability as a No 3 throughout the Tri-Nations, while the Boks’ fallibilities at scrum-time were exposed by France and Italy before BJ Botha restored some respectability against Ireland with Smit at hooker and Du Plessis on the bench.
Smit has started all the Sharks’ Super 14 matches this year, three of those at tighthead and two at hooker. Smit’s leadership is unrivalled and with him at No 2, the Sharks’ scrum has been more solid, but then Du Plessis’ value in loose play is negated as he only comes on late in the game.
In those three matches where Mtawarira, Du Plessis and Smit have started, you would expect an international front-row to dominate at Super 14 level. That hasn’t been the case, and the Chiefs, Crusaders and Brumbies have held the advantage at scrum-time.
Those who believe the scrum will have less of an impact due to the new law interpretations are also wrong. The more the ball is in play, the more knock-ons and therefore the increased number of scrums, which means this set-piece will be even more important in addition to the psychological advantage it hands the superior side.
Against the Brumbies on Saturday, the Springbok and Sharks front-row again floundered. Against Salesi Ma’afu, Stephen Moore and Wallabies tighthead Ben Alexander, who plays loosehead for the Brumbies, a series of scrums inside the opening minutes of the second half showed how the Australians mangled the Sharks.
From a 5m scrum, Smit was first penalised for the incorrect binding, and straight after, the Brumbies marched the Sharks back to within inches of the line as the Bok front row looked to suffer the ultimate humiliation: a pushover try. The scrum collapsed, but on the front foot and with all the momentum, the Brumbies heavies’ pick-and-drives led to Alexander’s second score as the hosts re-gained the lead at a crucial time.
Worryingly, it is not only the scrum that is a concern for the Sharks. The form of most of their senior players and Springboks has been ordinary, while basic mistakes such as unclaimed kick-offs and errant passes have become the norm.
Against the Highlanders on Saturday however, they have their best chance of a win on the road.
The Landers have conceded 83 points and 11 tries in the past two weeks in South Africa, and after a long return flight all the way to the South Island of New Zealand, they will be physically and mentally drained.
The Sharks have now lost four matches by five points or less, which isn’t a positive but rather a major worry. Opportunities to close out the contest will again present themselves at the House of Pain, and whether they seal the result will depend on whether the Sharks have learnt from their many mistakes over the opening five rounds.
By Grant Ball
63 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
15 Mar 2010, 14:35 pm
@sglazer: Sorry SGLAZER, that is absolute BS what you say about Beast and his colour. Geez that p’sses me off no end. Sorry mate, but that is absolutely wrong.
Beast performed consistently for the Sharks on a high level before getting a shout with the Boks. He got into the Boks young because of his strength and his undeniable talent. He is still learning his trade absolutely as he is still in early 20′s and is still a way to go before he peaks. In his breakthrough season he was immense on the international stage. People forget that and claim he had 1 good game. Absolute BS. He had 2 man of the match performances in 3 games in his first Tri-Nations. As a prop that is unheard of. Which had Aussie and Kiwi commentators waxing lyrical about him.
Beast’s problem: 1. The guy is a youngster and has been completely over-utilized by coaches. Unlike others who have been given breaks etc, he has played non-stop for 3 seasons. He needs a rest as he has such a high work rate on the field.
2. He is part of an experimental front row at club and country level. Scrummaging is a TEAM UNIT not individual performance.
The problem is not beast at all. It is the Smit – Bissie axis.
15 Mar 2010, 15:13 pm
@Glazer why did you have to go an make a racist statement about beast? Is it fair to say that John Smit was chosen to play for in teh match because he is white???
The whole team is having a bad season and to define single out beast just because of his colour reminds me of 1970 South Africa. Sorry mate you are in the wrong century.
criticism should be based on what a player does/ does not do. Obviously you know nothing about rugby
15 Mar 2010, 15:37 pm
@Storm outta hell: At least Sykes didn’t collapse like a schoolgirl! I hope Thompson cringed when he saw how you should react to a flattie from a scrumhalf….lol
15 Mar 2010, 15:55 pm
Thanks Grant for hopefully highlighting this as a national concern.
Hopefully SARU reads this…
plus added note
Backline and Skills coaching too please…
15 Mar 2010, 16:22 pm
This front row dilemma is the biggest obstacle to a Bok defence of the WC 2011. wITH PLAYERS LIKE A BEKKER AND OTHERS STICKING THERE HANDS UP I AM CONFIDENT THAT ,IF WE AVOID ANY MAJOR INJURY CATASTROPHES, WE WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH TO BECOME THE FIRST TEAM TO EVER RETAIN THE wc. lOTS OF EXCELLENT DEPTH, AND SEEMS WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF SOME OVERSEAS STARS AS WELL.
However…..not with Smit at 3…..or, for that matter …at 2.
I really hope we are spared the sight of smit being dropped, I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE HE HAS NOT DONE WHAT DEEP DOWN SURELY HE KNOWS HE NOW MUST. wALK AWAY NOW sMIT, YOUR REPUTATION IS BEING TARNISHED WEEKLY!!
15 Mar 2010, 16:35 pm
@grant10: Aaah, now that’s better…..Didn’t feel right without your posts here…
15 Mar 2010, 16:37 pm
@grant10: 55. Yes, Bekker and others are sticking there hands up. But, have they stuck there hands up at international level yet, despite been given numerous opportunities.
15 Mar 2010, 20:30 pm
@grant10:
FYI – he has just signed a 2 contract extension with the boks, if anyone on this site thinks that JS is not going be our captain come 2011 – then they must be smoking trees and DE-NILE IS the longest river in Africa
15 Mar 2010, 20:31 pm
Ja agree on comments above that this is something that must be sorted out fast. For Wc next year the front row of BJ at 3, Smit at 2 and Beast at 1 must be established again quickly. Bismarck and Steenkamp on bench. You then have Bakkies and Victor with Bekker on bench, Smith,Spies and Brussow at back with Schalk on bench.
That pack should win us the WC again in fact
15 Mar 2010, 20:32 pm
@brains_trust: please just not at 3…..pleeeezzzeeee!!!!
15 Mar 2010, 21:01 pm
@Marino: 59. Can agree with you here. Would like the Boks starting with Burger, Smith and Spies though and Brossouw on the bench.
15 Mar 2010, 21:35 pm
The Sharks eed to shake off the attitude form last year. there is no such thing as eay points in this yeras game. The team that is the fittest, runs hardest, keeps possession, rucks hardest cleans fastest and plays the most positive rugby will have an advantage. No short cuts, no kick and chase rubbish – these disadvantage you and give possession away.
Either the Sharks are not fit enough (which I doubt) or they have a bad attitude.
15 Mar 2010, 21:46 pm
@SjamBok: 62. Attitude is a factor, but the Sharks tried to take a different approach into the S14 this year (Not starting with a bang, like the Stormers and Bulls this year, and then fading at the end), however this has backfired due to coaching, administration issues and a lack of momentum after the initial losses. I suspect a win on the road may give them momentum but they are looking a bit bereft of ideas especially in the backline. What do you expect after the Sharks player acquisition department decided that Goode is the answer. Sharks problems are not just a player issue!
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.