Consistency precedes control
30 Aug 2010
JON CARDINELLI admits there were some positive signs in Saturday’s win but is worried by the ongoing absence of consistency.
At Loftus Versfeld, the Springboks recorded their first win of the Tri-Nations, beat the Wallabies by a 13-point margin and scored five tries to double their tally in this year’s tournament. But those aren’t the only stats that matter.
The Boks may have ended a four-game losing streak, but are still failing in their long-term quest for consistency. This is preventing them from controlling a Test, as recent evidence will confirm.
In their one victory, they’ve mixed incredible resolve with first-class ineptitude. Most will remember last Saturday’s game as the fixture where they rallied from 21-7 down to win 44-31; an unbelievable turn around. But break the game down into two halves, and the inconsistency is clear. In the department of defence alone, they conceded four tries in the first half, and zero in the second.
They’ve been consistently inconsistent over the last five games, having won just two of the 10 halves of rugby. The fluctuation of each scoreline also tells a story. In Auckland, they were done 20-3 in the first half and 12-9 in the second. Wellington was a bit closer with the Boks trailing 13-7 in the first half and 18-10 in the second. Brisbane was similar to Auckland, with the Boks behind 17-3 at half-time, and the final 40 also ended with the Wallabies 13-10 ahead.
The honours have been shared since the Boks returned to South Africa. They led the All Blacks 16-14 at Soccer City before throwing it away in the second half, the visitors scoring 12 of their 15 second-half points in the last three minutes. Pretoria witnessed a switch in fortunes with the Boks trailing 28-24 at the break, then turning it on to thump the Wallabies 20-3 in the second half; their best half of rugby in the competition.
Those last 40 minutes showed the accuracy and intensity that were absent for the majority of the first 40. It was the accuracy and intensity that was lacking for most of the three-match Australasian tour.
The Tri-Nations is lost, but the Boks can build on the second-half showing at Loftus. The defence was better although it must be said the Aussies’ poor handling helped keep the visitors tryless. The Bok attack also showed some neat touches and the backline combination of Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie looked dangerous.
The Boks will take another ugly win in Bloemfontein to finish the competition with two wins and the Mandela Plate. Ugly is not good enough, though, if you consider the Boks won’t face a top-three team until next year’s Tri-Nations. They need to make the most of this final opportunity. They need to take control.
A consistent performance will allow them to control proceedings. It would mark a reprieve and indicate there’s some direction and purpose to the Boks, and that after a disaster of a Tri-Nations, there’s still time to set things right before the 2011 World Cup.
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635 Comments
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30 Aug 2010, 05:55 am
Better dragons?!?
30 Aug 2010, 07:25 am
unrelenting DRAGONS
30 Aug 2010, 07:28 am
Let’s try and list some positives instead of the usual cutting of wrist inducing morbid writing on this site!
- Francois Hougaard, even with the mullet the boy is the real deal. Keep it up, you have a bright future!
- Welcome back Jean de Villiers! We are beginning to see some of the touches that makes him such a great player.
- Juan Smith and Schalk Burger. If there are any loose forwards that are more committed and play harder rugby than these 2, I have yet to see it. Very well played. Oh, and as for the continuos calls for Francois Louw that echoed across this site last week. I hope you saw how ordinary he was in the WP loss to the Cheetahs.
- Well done to Chilliboy. Two steals in the short time you were on the field. There is nothing wrong with the youngsters commitment and heart.
- Morne Steyn. THis is the Morne I cheered for last year. Welcome back! Now please take this Loftus form of yours all over the world.
- Ricky Januarie. Thanks for playing the bench the whole game this time. I feel this is your best position.
- Butch. You did ok in the few minutes you had on Saturday. WOuld be intersting to see you with more time on the field.
30 Aug 2010, 07:34 am
what a load off ****!!!!!
30 Aug 2010, 07:36 am
I Would also look at it this way , we are consistent slow starters in the Trinations but come back generally stronger to the 60 min mark where we run out of steam. For me it thus seems as if our concentration levels are not there in the begining and then we get a wake up call and fight back only for our tired bodies to give us. Our fightback is typical of this group of players and are testament to the experience that some of these special players have , unfortunately experience comes with time and so does age.
A big Diffs this past weekend in our fightback was Smit was replaced at the 60 min mark and we could continue with the same pace. I would like may others here feel leave hi out completely for now at least. Smit , Habana , Matfield , Schalk , Jean De Villiers , Guthroe and Morne Steyn evens.
30 Aug 2010, 07:43 am
how many intercept try’s have nz given away to S.A this year…..0. know head start for you this year,and then look at the final scores in those games last year.and you won one of those games in the last couple of mins as well.take your medicine and just deal with it.did not matter what team you put out this year it just was not going to happen!!!
30 Aug 2010, 07:48 am
Schalk eye gouged loins play last year and should have been sent off,you would have lost that series.how quickly you forget!!!!
30 Aug 2010, 07:58 am
Aish, if consistency means winning two games in a row then so be it but it was a little bit of a nothing show for showing real improvement.
30 Aug 2010, 07:58 am
come now JC this is a poor article lets get down to the burning issue right now and report on what everyone wants to know – what the heck is wrong with Habana’s eyes?
30 Aug 2010, 08:07 am
And all of a sudden Morne Steyn is world class again…….KICK, KICK and KICK
30 Aug 2010, 08:09 am
BTW, Spies plays consistently kaka
30 Aug 2010, 08:13 am
‘If you consider the Boks won’t face a top-three team until next year’s Tri-Nations.’
Don’t be surprised if Australia drop to 4th or 5th pretty soon.
30 Aug 2010, 08:15 am
Um, the Bok team isn’t full strength yet. These Keo journalists seem to forget that. FDP, Bakkies (sane) and Bissie will only improve things!
No matter how many times he stuffs up F Steyn somehow makes no. 15 his own.
30 Aug 2010, 08:21 am
CHILLIBOY
BUTCH
IN 20 MINUTES DID MORE THAN sMIT AND ms HAVE DONE IN THE 5 TESTS TO DATE…
30 Aug 2010, 08:23 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-12: I think you are right,they will slide down the rankings and if PDV does not select the right team eoy then we might also drop a spot or two
30 Aug 2010, 08:24 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-12: the other burning issue would be around Deans and his failure to ‘advance’ the criminals.
In a few weeks time the AB’s extend their match victories over the cons to a whopping 66 matches – that is a 71% win ratio over the convicts this is what Tackler calls ‘the worlds greatest rugby rivalry’
30 Aug 2010, 08:33 am
There’s one thing that’s pretty scarily consistent — leaking four tries per game.
30 Aug 2010, 08:34 am
Funny how Deans job is not up for discussion.
30 Aug 2010, 08:35 am
@grant10(grant10)-14: I disgaree, MS had his best game for the year. Butch did ok but I for one prefer MS calm on the pitch, it is unfair to expect him to have a great season like last year. Dont mind Butch subbing him but our game plan is still a kicking one. Rightly or wrongly.
Chilli did ok, we certainly did not miss JS when he went off but we should have Biz (fit) or Libenburg coming on. There asre too many political issues around Chilli for me.
We wont see it but a clear out of D*ck and Gold would sort out a lot of the issues. I get the impression D*ck sucks up to SARU for his job. Get him out of there !!
30 Aug 2010, 08:35 am
@blacklash(blacklash)-7: Eye-gouging loins? Loins with eyes in them? Was he playing against some mutants?
30 Aug 2010, 08:36 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-17: Dont you know Boks are working on the Brazilian football tactic of no defence, just score more than they do… Work in progress.
30 Aug 2010, 08:38 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-20:
Is om beter te kan sien…
30 Aug 2010, 08:39 am
Heh the aussies I would already rate around 4th or 5th in the world, remember an English team beat them at home playing running Rugby and by a decent margin.
And yet that same aussie team despite imploding mentally and losing a game froma massive lead still almost beat the Bokke at home and at altitude.
Drastic changes are needed, a game plan, structure and keeping the ball in hand rather than these idiot box kicks and aimless midfield bombs.
30 Aug 2010, 08:42 am
@Dex(Dex)-23: Read the posts, we all agree. For some reason the “brains trust” that we have in place dont see it the same way.
30 Aug 2010, 08:48 am
@bananas(bananas)-19: what political issues around chilliboy?
He came on and made a meaningful contribution, making 2 turnovers and adding zest to a struggling bok defensive effort…..same as Butch.
No politics around chilli, all i saw was a damn fine young player….
30 Aug 2010, 08:48 am
in the interests of lively debate, iafrica.com has the following player ratings from the test: Have at them boys!
15 François Steyn:
Peter de Villiers may well be right, he is well off the pace. He gave away a penalty when Habana got caught a few metres from his line and then Dean Mumm scored. There was a shocking up-’n-under and another poor kick. Landed a crucial long-range penalty late in the game.
4/10
14 JP Pietersen:
Clearly lacks in match sharpness. Got skinned on the outside in the first minute. Later produced some good chases, but had few chances on attack. Did score the match-winning try.
5/10
13 Jaque Fourie:
One of the Boks’ start performers. He won a crucial turnover penalty, produced a great step that set up Francois Steyn’s try and showed his attacking ability.
8/10
12 Jean de Villiers:
Getting better, but still well of his best. Missed the tackle – along with Matfield – for the opening try. Some great half-breaks, but his hands also let him down at times. He was full of running and his defence certainly improved.
7/10
11 Bryan Habana:
He is in desperate need of a break or a shake-up. Shocking mistake when he missed a restart and James O’Connor scored. Also poor decision making by not taking a 22 restart and then got tackled by trying to run the ball out – Dean Mumm scored.
2/10
10 Morné Steyn:
His goal-kicking was from the top shelve, including a penalty of almost 60 metres in 20th minute – succeeded with some distance to spare. There were some great tactical kicking and a great offload in the tackle for Francois Steyn’s try. But he did conceded a penalty for a high tackle.
6/10
9 François Hougaard:
Heyneke Meyer spoke of the Bok diamonds that must shone. He was the brightest of them all. Incredible service and great stepping to set up Spies’ try. His tactical kicking also adds value and there was that try-saving tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper at a crucial stage in the second half. He also started the counter that resulted in JP Pietersen’s match-winning try.
9/10
8 Pierre Spies:
His workrate has improved and his defence was much better. His best game this year, although he is still well off the standards we have seen of him in the past.
6/10
7 Juan Smith:
Welcome back! Now the Boks realise just how much they missed him. A great angled run for the Boks’ opening try and as always he was strong on defence.
8/10
6 Schalk Burger:
He is still plenty of energy, but lacks control. However, his work on defence was immense and he always covers enormous amounts of ground.
7/10
5 Victor Matfield:
He missed tackle – along with Jean de Villiers – for Genia’s opening try. However, he made his 100th Test a memorable one – working hard on defence and made up for his earlier blunder. Also a crucial steal in the 70th minute. As we did with John Smit last week, he gets full marks for the great service over the past decade to the Boks. He may have been a 6/10 in the game, but we give him a …
10/10
4 Flip van der Merwe:
He is going to be a huge factor in the Bok game in years to come. Solid in the line-outs and strong on defence – a great line-out steal.
6/10
3 Jannie du Plessis:
He conceded an early penalty at the tackle, but then put in a solid 50 minutes. Was tested in the scrums.
6/10
2 John Smit (captain):
He is still struggling with the occasional line-out throw and while he worked hard, he looked dead on his feet in the second half. He is in need of a reconditioning programme.
5/10
1 Gurthrö Steenkamp:
Produced a strong charge for his try in 14th minute and stood strong in the scrums. He can also do with a break from the game.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle (on for Smit, 60th min):
Started with a penalty at the breakdown, but worked hard and added real value.
6/10
17 CJ van der Linde (on for Du Plessis in 53rd min):
He struggled in the scrums and looked off the pace. No real impact.
4/10
18 Danie Rossouw (on for Van der Merwe, 48 min):
His physical presence saw him make an impact, but he is another player who is in need of a break.
6/10
19 Ryan Kankowski:
Not used.
20 Ricky Januarie:
Not used.
21 Butch James (on for M Steyn, 65th min):
There was a really big hit on Adam Ashley-Cooper at a crucial stage, but also failed to find touch with a couple of kicks. Mixed bag.
6/10
22 Juan de Jongh:
Not used.
30 Aug 2010, 08:52 am
I like the look of Chilliboy, why hasnt this guy been given more gametime? He looks like an extra loose forward there. Not sure how good a scrummager he is but his work around the field was great, he def deserves more time on the field
30 Aug 2010, 08:53 am
The Wobblies would be much more effective if they had a half decent pack of forwards. Pocock and Elsom are world class, but the rest!? Faainga is probably the worst international hooker I’ve seen in quite some time. They need Polota-Nau back at 2, get rid of that tub’o'lard playing tighthead and play Higgenbotham at 8.
30 Aug 2010, 08:56 am
Our best players on Saturday, in my opinion, were as follows (from best downwards):
Francois Hougaard, Juan Smith, Jacque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield, Gurthro Steenkamp
Gurthro Steenkamp is really impressing me at the moment.
Pierre Spies needs to get stuck in, he was lucky to be in the right place to score his try after the offload from Hougaard (Spies was basically sauntering back from an offside position).
Chilliboy looked hungry when he came in, forced some handy turnovers. He might well be worth an extended run. Why not start him next week and give John Smith a (long overdue) rest?
30 Aug 2010, 08:56 am
@Maori_Fulla(Maori_Fulla)-27: his path to the starting xv is being blocked by Smit’s wide load and Bismarks long shadow.
30 Aug 2010, 08:56 am
If this game was played in Brisbane, the score would have been 60+ for the Wallabies
30 Aug 2010, 08:57 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-26: Not to mention all the occasions that John popped out of the scrum. He can’t handle that kind of pressure, never could.
30 Aug 2010, 08:58 am
smit a 2 ….he is nowhere…..SAME AS hABANA.
30 Aug 2010, 08:58 am
I was also impressed with Chilliboys contribution when he came on. Let him start next week.
30 Aug 2010, 09:01 am
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-31: if’s and buts buts and if’s … blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
more humiliation for the schackle daggers coming up this weekend.
30 Aug 2010, 09:01 am
bUTCH NEVER FAILED TO FIND TOUCH!
hE WAS NOT LOOKING FOR TOUCH….HE WAS LOOKING FOR DISTANCE….TOUCH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A AUSSIE THROW IN OR 22M…..
bloody journalists are clueless.
butch was superb…..both he and chilli saved that match
and hougaards tackle….
and the 2 lineouts in our 22 that juan smith and matfield won against the throw…match winning contributions….
30 Aug 2010, 09:02 am
Ag hou tog net op kerm!
30 Aug 2010, 09:02 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-26: imo too harsh on F.Steyn, JPP and Smit, too much praise for J.Fourie, other than that decent ratings.
30 Aug 2010, 09:03 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-29: Hougie schooled that over hyped Genia big time.
30 Aug 2010, 09:03 am
Is daar nou regtig nie een skrywer in die hele “Keo” fabriek wat positief is nie. As ek net negatief wil lees sal ek eerder die ” Heat ” of een of ander gemors gaan lees, nee wat “keo” kry jou mense positief ‘n slag. Ek gaan my tyd nie verder hier mors met negatiweteit nie.
30 Aug 2010, 09:08 am
Genia seems to slow his own ball down. He also takes at least three steps before passing. I think making a try every now and then, does not make up for giving slow ball all the time. Check out Weepu, Cowan and Hougaard. Fast ball all the time. Even Du Preez has been too slow in the past. Januarie is as slow as Genia.
30 Aug 2010, 09:09 am
@capebull(capebull)-40:
Moet net nie People lees nie. Volgens daardie tydskrif het Joost nou ‘n ding vir ouens en Amor ‘n ding vir vrouens…
30 Aug 2010, 09:09 am
@Craven(Craven)-3: Like.
30 Aug 2010, 09:10 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-29: No Schalk? I thought he had a great game.
30 Aug 2010, 09:12 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-44:
Yip, Schalk should be in there too.
30 Aug 2010, 09:12 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-38: I thought JPP did ok actually. Steyn too, you need to give them both some leeway as they’ve not been part of the setup all along. They definately showed glimpses of what makes them great players..enough to warrant re-selection IMO.
30 Aug 2010, 09:14 am
What about the empty seats at Loftus? The faithful of Tswane didnt pitch up for Victor’s 100th?
30 Aug 2010, 09:14 am
@grant10(grant10)-36: As you know I thought JS did well on Saturday, but it’s true Chilli and Butch did very well when they came on. I’d start Chilli and Butch this weekend, along with Gio at 11. The rest can stay as is for me….
30 Aug 2010, 09:15 am
francois hougaard’s killer step before setting up spies was a thing of beauty, the dude is hot sh*t!
30 Aug 2010, 09:17 am
I’m consistently inconsistent.
Sometimes.
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