Super Rugby Rants and Raves – Bulls locks looking like All Blacks under new coaching

In my weekly “Rants and Raves” column for Independent Media, I take a look back at the positives and negatives from the latest round of Super Rugby.

Top Rave

The Bulls players finally are being coached. What a difference a world-class coach makes to the skill set of players. Adriaan Strauss is playing with the enthusiasm, energy and freedom of a youngster in his first season. He has scored five tries this season, which is more than he had scored in his Super Rugby career. The attacking skill level of Lood de Jager and RG Snyman in the build-up to Strauss’s try was something we usually associate with All Black locks. The two are making the strongest of cases to be the Springbok starting locks, especially if injured Eben Etzebeth is not available for the England series in June.

Top Rant

The Stormers as a collective were again woeful on the road. Someone tweeted that they think the Stormers only focus for away matches is to have an extended bath or shower where there are no water restrictions. They collectively show nothing else when playing away from home. The first 35 minutes were among the most impotent the Stormers have produced this season – and there have been some pretty limp displays. Questions have to be asked of the leadership, from the coach to the senior players, as to why a team, so strong at home, can play with absolutely no conviction away from home.

To read my other rants and raves from round ten of Super Rugby, visit iol.co.za