Springbok coach Peter de Villiers had a simple statement for all those critical of the national team even though they had won this weekend: Either you’re for us or you’re against us.
De Villiers said he believed the victory over Australia, which stopped a four game losing streak had achieved a lot more than was given credit for, saying it was an important step forward in the quest to retain the William Webb Ellis trophy in New Zealand next year.
But according to De Villiers, the team has had enough of those who purport to support the team, but because they dislike individual coaches or players, are happy when the side loses.
“The team has closed the laager. We don’t care about what people say on the outside, it doesn’t hurt us anymore,” De Villiers said.
“We don’t want to know about them because they aren’t interested in good news. We’ve decided those that aren’t for us, are against us. But the person we play for is the guy who is truly happy alongside you when the moment is great.”
De Villiers said he believed his side had achieved a lot with the victory over Australia, even though they let in three tries in the opening 14 minutes.
“We’ve definitely achieved a lot. Many people look at the moment, but we look at the structures we have and the impact we made with the world cup in mind. If you remember what happened the week before and you add that to this past weekend then there is a good platform for the guys to work on,” De Villiers said.
“Every brick that we lay in this foundation now needs to be the right one for the World Cup. This is our biggest concern now – how do we handle the players psychologically, physically and how their own situations are managed.
“If you go look at some of the situations in the country – like what happened with Bees Roux this past week. How will this impact upon them?
How do we ensure that we learn out of situations like this to see that nothing stands in our way on the way to the World Cup.”
De Villiers also hinted that there would be few players rested this weekend even though his own medical team have said that certain players had overplayed this season.
“It’s difficult. You have to weigh up a few things and ask yourself what do the people want? What do the people want to pay for on Saturday? Do they deserve to see their heroes on the field? Will we come back before the World Cup to Bloemfontein? Those are the little things you have to put in place before you take those decisions,” De Villiers explained on team selections.
“Can I do anything this week to freshen them up to get them to play 60 minutes? Those are things I have to consider. It is not only selecting a side and heading out to play. There are a lot of roleplayers and the fans are big roleplayers which I value.
“But according to De Villiers, the team has had enough of those who purport to support the team, but because they dislike individual coaches or players, are happy when the side loses”
Jammer om van jou dinges te hoor Pete, Dick is SWAK en met jou vasklou aan hom spoil jy maar net jou eie naam. Ons SAL aanhou raas. Djou ma se……
“The team has closed the laager. We don’t care about what people say on the outside, it doesn’t hurt us anymore,” De Villiers said.
Hahaha jou bek is weer groot , verloor net Saterdag en kyk wie coach die Bokke volgende jaar.
Ek kan nie glo hy dink hy is verhewe bo kritiek nie.
@ superBul: ek stem saam…flok die ou is vol van homself. Hoe durf ons koning Pieter en sy trawante aanval!! Wie die hel dink die vent is hy.So ons moet nou maar net terugsit en aanvaar dat ouenes soos Kankovski en Janawarie, om net n paar voorbeelde te noem, elke keer op die veld jaag, en dan moet ons ons bekke hou? Habana is n dead-weight, en so ook John Smith en Spies…en ek se dit met n swaar hart….ek like al die ouenes kwaai.
“De Villiers said he believed his side had achieved a lot with the victory over Australia” ….really, who the best team in the world?…who are we suppose to beat? Jeez, it’s like beating the Welsh, and them claiming we are the best team in the world afterwards. The boks has been all over the place in the last 5 games.
“Either you’re for us or you’re against us.”…well, my dear Pieter, ek begin wonder aan wie se kant jy is.
Pieter De Villiers!!…die bok span behoort nie net aan jou nie, maar aan die hele land. Dit is ons reg om ons opinnie te gee as ons voel julle bestuur ONS springbokspan verkeerd.
Folks, remember that the “specticle” that was served up last Saturday is exactly the type of game that PDV advocates. He and Muir think that that is how rugby must be played.
This attitude says everything about PDV.
The laager mentality does not work in 2010.
We need to be taking the game forward beyond our competitors.
Mr de Villiers
If you were an English top flight Football (soccer) coach, you and your whole management team would be standing in the dole queue looking for a job.
When will you realise that it is EVERY supporter / fans right to criticise when they see fit, and to praise when they see fit?
Do you think that the 90 000 plus people that each coughed up more than some families survive on for a month, and in so doing ensured that the coffers from which you and your team’s salaries are paid have no right to citicise the performance that was dished up at FNB Stadium?
If you do, then I think you should seriously sit down for an hour or so in a secluded place where you won’t be disturbed and think again. Perhaps a shrink’s couch would be a good place to start.
Maybe he / she could find a cure for your Foot in Mouth illness that you don’t seem to be able to shake off.
On the other hand, maybe you just take the psychological aspect of the game to a whole new level!
In my experience, people who cannot take criticism won’t learn a thing about themselves or their workplace.
I think PDV has said enough now, he should get on with his job and prove us wrong, one win does not a RWC make, he forgets what he record has been like the past 10 months.
Loss to Ireland
Loss to France
Loss to NZ X3
Loss to Aussies.
I don’t call that progressive growth.
He has one win which could in all honesty have gone either way, and away he goes.
I am trying my best to support the man, but he has now attacked everyone and his dog.
Enoguh is enoguh.
Oh and by the way Mr de Villiers, I really do believe that everyone has a right to be stupid, it’s just those that abuse that right that p1ss me off!
De Villiers feels confidant because he is getting the same amount of :poop: that Jake White got in 2006 also a year out from the WC… 🙂
What our coach essentialy doesnt understand is what the definition of a Patriot is:
“To love and support your country (team) at all times, but absolutely reserves the right to be critical of the leadership when they deserve it and also has the right to choose new leaders”
I dont profess for one minute that most fans are experts, but their right to criticise is sacrosanct. Those that do have a finer knowledge of the game should have a say in the leadership.
SARU is fundamentally flawed because it is an old boys club and therefore cannot be objective. The selection of National coaches and players on anything other than sustained performance is unacceptable and has no place in a democratic society.
So de Villiers….watch what you say, it will come back to haunt you. To build team spirit is part of your job, to take the fans into account in the building of that team spirit is absolutely essential…otherwise you are a fool.
I have always supported you as the coach, but am now beginning to doubt your ability because coaching and selection matters are beginning to be effected by essentially what are side shows.
Stick to your job and get a spokeperson to talk for you and a media planning team to manage your relations with the press and the public. Then you will have a chance.
In my opinion some fundamental changes need to be made in the team, but you have left it too late and this is now our lot for the world cup….I hope we have enough gas in the tank to pull it off.
Oh Snorrie… diplomacy is not your strong point… is it!
Volstruis met koppie innie sand… toegesluit in jou eie bubble….
@ grootblousmile:
Meer n’ flokken mol in die grond, nie eers sy gat steek uit nie.
@ biltongbek: lol 🙂
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