It is becoming all too familiar now. It seems that Bok domination over New Zealand happens once every 11 years. The Boks were lucky to escape with a 14-point difference in their second 2010 Tri Nations loss to the All Blacks last Saturday.
It is becoming all too familiar now. It seems that Bok domination over New Zealand happens once every 11 years. The Boks were lucky to escape with a 14-point difference in their second 2010 Tri Nations loss to the All Blacks last Saturday.
Its this simple, the Boks were again clueless in attack, despite scoring two tries, but the way the Bok defence has been shredded has been a cause for concern. Dan Carter missed five attempts at goal, in three conversions and two penalties, so it could have been worse.
Two games, two losses. 29 points for, 63 points against, 8 tries conceded. Those are horrifying stats, considering how the Boks pride themselves on iron shirted defence. The Boks did not concede as many tries throughout the Tri Nations last year.I might sound like I’m Bok-bashing, but the fact of the matter is that they have been abject in the antipodes so far.
The last time the Boks were this bad on tour was back in 2006, when they were pasted 49-0 by the Wallabies at their next destination, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, from which they lost 35-17 in Wellington the following week.
Citings
Some might say that it was a case of sour grapes from the Boks after the game, but they had a valid point. Rene Ranger, shoulder-charged Zane Kirchner, and got away with it, and scored, while Jean de Villiers spear-tackled Ranger, and got a two week ban.
Granted both tackles were illegal, and de Villiers pleaded guilty. Now were was the citing officer looking if he missed such a blatant, career threatening injury. We can’t always blame the ref, but the SANZAR citing panel leaves more questions than answers.
Mindset
For a team with such experienced players, the Boks have not pitched up in New Zealand with the right frame of mind. In their proud rugby history, the All Blacks have only ever lost 37 home tests. Put into context in terms of the teams that visit the islands, Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland have never won test series in New Zealand, with Ireland never having tasted victory against New Zealand any where.
Australia last won there in 2001, England in 2003 and France in 2009, in which all teams bought experience heavy sides who were bloody minded in their tasks. What is even more baffling is that more than half of this team were part of the famous wins in Carisbrook and Hamilton, so it then might seem that they took winning in New Zealand for granted.
Yes, the South African Super 14 sides, ditto the Lions, did well against the New Zealand teams. but Super 14 and test rugby are two different streams, and so it has been proved at the highest level.
Selections and Tactics
In test cricket, two bowlers work together in order to think batsmen out. In test rugby, although they are two different sports, team work is necessary for any plan to succeed. New Zealand’s tactics revolve around keeping the ball in play, which their quicksilver back three do to excellent effect, with their forwards being physical and not shirking the collisions.
With Morne Steyn shouldering the responsibility of the kicking game, it has faltered in the face of ferocious All Black counter attacks, with Ricky Januarie not helping out. The selection of Januarie has also been debatable, having not warranted a place in the starting line up over Ruan Pienaar, who offers a much better kicking game.
Another controversial selection is that of Wynand Olivier, who has sadly not converted his Super Rugby form to the test level, which shows the gulf in the two streams. Zane Kirchner has been solid, but not special.
Now they walk on to Brisbane, which has not been a happy hunting ground for the Boks, with the fresh Wallabies lying in wait, the Boks will have to up their game if they will take anything out of what has been a dismal tour so far.
A loss there, and bye bye Tri Nations. However, the Boks had followed the same trend in 2006, and went on to win the William Webb-Ellis Trophy, but do the Boks ant its brains trust have something in the tank planned for the rest of the season and to the World cup? The next four weeks will tell a rather interesting story.
