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Beaver backs All Blacks’ Bok plan B
Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald believes New Zealand have made subtle adjustments to their attacking approach ahead of Saturday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park. amunra.help
The All Blacks are expected to face a ferocious defensive challenge from the Boks, but Donald says they have not abandoned the attacking philosophy that has underpinned their game under coach Dave Rennie so far.
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Speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav, Donald explained that New Zealand are still looking to play with pace and ambition, while accepting that South Africa will attempt to disrupt their rhythm.
“The All Blacks are still trying to play that up-tempo, brilliant attacking game against defences who are going to try to slow it down, who are going to use every little advantage they can find,” Donald said.
“The All Blacks are still finding a way to create a disjointed defence line to play against. They know they’re not going to have it perfect and they’re not going to have it all on their terms, but they’re still trying to be brave and adventurous.”
Donald believes the Boks will have to take the opposite approach if they are to limit New Zealand’s attacking threat.
“Being able to shut down the line speed is one of the first things,” he said.
“When you think about what the All Blacks are trying to do, the Springboks are going to have to do the opposite. They’re going to have to slow the ruck speed down, which they will.”
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The former Test flyhalf also highlighted the importance of the set-piece and kicking game for the Boks.
“They’re obviously going to come at the All Blacks’ set-piece because if you can come at the set-piece and disrupt the set-piece, then all of a sudden you can win that first collision a lot easier,” Donald said.
“And their kicking game is going to be important. They’re going to try and land kicks on our receivers and get their chase-line at the same time to flood the ruck and slow the All Black defence down.”
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Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post Beaver backs All Blacks’ Bok plan B appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Ex-All Black enjoys Rassie’s ‘thug life’ approach
Former All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg believes the theatre created by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is great for the game.
Erasmus raised eyebrows on Monday when he brought Bok technical adviser and former Test referee Jaco Peyper to his press conference ahead of Saturday’s opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park.
It came after the All Blacks had pushed the narrative that South African teams – including the Boks – deliberately slow matches down to disrupt New Zealand’s high-tempo approach.
Erasmus rejected the allegation.
“Over five games that we’ve played [this year], we’ve not had one feedback that we slowed down the game,” said Erasmus. “Maybe [the All Blacks] have played against teams in pre-season mode. It’s like playing those Super Rugby warm-ups in January.”
Peyper then provided a detailed breakdown of what happens after a referee marks a scrum or lineout and the time teams have before play resumes.
MORE: Peyper shuts down ‘slow down’ talk
Speaking on Sport Nation’s Scotty and Izzy show, Dagg admitted Erasmus’ approach is increasingly winning him over.
“I can’t believe that I’m saying this but the more and more I see him in the media and at press conferences, the more and more I enjoy him, and that is Rassie Erasmus,” Dagg said.
“The way that the thug life, he brought out Jaco Peyper to his press conference knowing exactly the question line that was going to be brought to him from the media pack there in regards to slowing the ball down.
“I just think it’s great for rugby in general. Yes, there’s some things we have a laugh about and talk about a lot with the way that he approaches certain things, but there’s something in me that’s drawing closer and closer to Rassie.”
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Co-host Scotty Stevenson was less impressed, arguing that Erasmus and Peyper had answered a different question to the one being raised about South Africa’s tactics.
“I’ve got no issue that Jaco Peyper is now officially part of that management team or coaching team and he’s there to impart his knowledge,” Stevenson said.
“The interesting issue for me is it was a strawman argument that he brought to a genuine question.
“The genuine question here is how you slow ball down in the game flow. It’s a very different point that people are trying to make about the game and Rassie chose to take that argument just over here to the left to make it look like that’s what the point is, and it’s not.
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“It was very clever diversion and he’s very good at it and he has been for a very long time.
“Wheeling out Jaco Peyper and throwing out the question to him, who gladly picked up on the tactic and ran with it, I thought was quite intriguing.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Ex-All Black enjoys Rassie’s ‘thug life’ approach appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Chiefs’ Baartman thankful for chance to shine at Amakhosi
Kaizer Chiefs’ young forward Luke Baartman says he is grateful for the belief Amakhosi’s new coaching staff have shown in him this season.
Baartman key for Chiefs
Baartman has been a key part of Amakhosi’s fine start to the Betway Premiership season under new French head coach Fernando Da Cruz. The 20-year-old has started all three of the side’s league games so far, netting his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win at home to Sekhukhune.
“It has been a good start to the season. It’s always great to win early on to bolster the momentum of the team,” Baartman told Chiefs media.
“I just want to thank the coach and his technical team for giving me the opportunity to start the game and believing in me.
“Scoring the goal was a very proud moment for me. I am grateful to my teammates for helping me to get my first goal and I wish to score many more.”
Baartman joined Chiefs last season on a free transfer, with Amakhosi capitalising on his availability following Cape Town Spurs’ relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
He battled for game time last season, making just seven appearances in all competitions. Now, however, he looks a key part of Da Cruz’ plans, even trusted to start in their 1-1 draw with African champions Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend.
Amakhosi get time to prepare
Chiefs’ early exit from the MTN8 is their only disappointment so far this campaign. It means they will not play this weekend, but it does give Da Cruz more time to prepare Amakhosi for their next league game, a visit to Richards Bay FC. on August 26.
Amakhosi, meanwhile, this week confirmed that goalkeeper Bontle Molefe and midfielder Samkelo Zwane have been loaned to new Motsepe Foundation Championship side Hope FC.