With the energy, frequency and sheer number of matches in a competition like the Super 15, you almost never get a moment to sit down and reflect on issues, but I had to make the time to do just that.
This weekend the Sharks and Crusaders will lock horns in what we all know will be an epic battle.
They are the two top teams from their respective conferences in this year’s competition, but have also for some time been two of the top teams of this magnificent Southern Hemisphere rugby competition called Super Rugby.
It therefore goes without saying that a match between these two sides will always be epic, and something every rugby supporter needs to mark down on their calendars as a must see event.
It is not news to anyone that this match will not be played in either Christchurch or Durban, but in fact, Twickenham London. But do we really appreciate the significance of this truly historic event? Has any of us sat down to reflect how this one match could possibly prove to be the catalyst to change the face of the rugby landscape forever?
Everyone knows the decision or motivation to host this match at Twickenham comes off the back of the horrific events in Christchurch a couple of weeks ago, and as much as I appreciate and amazed yet again how the rugby fraternity manage to stand together as brothers-in-arms using this beautiful game to bring human beings from all walks of life together in a time of tragedy, the significance of this event even goes beyond that.
Rugby union as a global sport is struggling. Not only because of the nature of the game and the challenges it faces to grow its popularity worldwide, but also because we are our own worst enemies.
Hands up from those who have read (and is sick and tired of reading) articles about North vs. South rugby! Or how the one proclaims to play the game it’s supposed to be played while the others play basketball or some rubbish like that?
Rugby’s ‘global season’ or the proposed concept of such an event has also been a very hot topic in recent years, but with the insistence of the North and South both believing their way is the best way and the other one needs to sacrifice, it remains but a pipe-dream.
It’s a case almost of each Hemisphere protecting its brand or product with such vigour and determination that it refuses to give the other even the slightest of chances to prove itself or its worth.
This weekend however, the Sharks and the Crusaders will become the flag-bearers of Southern Hemisphere rugby where they will take the top ‘product’ on offer from the Southern Hemisphere, and showcase it to the rugby fraternity up North. (Not that I think it’s that much different but that’s another subject altogether)
Personally, I think this will be one of the most historic events in rugby union’s history as a professional sport, and event which will squash and ridicule a whole host of perceptions and pre-conceived ideas from either side when it comes to the game played in heaven.
It is on reflection of this that I hope this match firstly serves in its primary goal to assist those individuals affected by the terrible events in Christchurch of a couple of weeks ago, but perhaps, just perhaps, that this event will also bring the North closer to the South in the process as-well.
Good luck and thank you to the teams, administrators and fans from the Crusaders and Sharks rugby unions, together with SANZAR and the RFU for bringing us what will no doubt be, an event of epic proportions.
Another very significant point will be reached in this game.
A player in the number 12 Crusaders jersey will demonstrate the future of rugby union for all to see.
He will evolve the game to exactly what administrators are seeking to present which is a quicker, faster flowing game of ball in hand running that will bring fans to rugby union.
It will not be the constant meddling with laws and ref interpretations that will change the game for the better, but amazingly, the never seen before skills of a special player that only comes along very rarely in a lifetime.
Barring serious injury Sonny Bill will go down in history as the player who changed the game.
Of course most will not recognize this today, however time will bear this out.
@ tight head:1 – Tighthead, I sure do hope some of the kiwis that blog on the other blog come and read this. Cause that is the best compliment SBW will get anywhere. Or that I have read on any blog. BUT I have to agree with you. You 100% correct. He is a gifted player, like we have never seen before.
But like we worked out Lomu we will work out how to deal with SBW. Boks will I think, not sure if our Sharks will. Then one has to hope we can.
@ tight head:1 0 TH. I have copied your post. If you don’t mind would like to paste this post on sw. Morne had the same article there.
I think your post is really interesting and would like to see other opinions.
I agree with you though.
1@ tight head:
Sonny Bill Williams handles the ball like a master, you’re absolutely right!
1. He never dies with the ball.
2. He catches excellently.
3. He distributes magnificently.
4. He gets through the gap or half gap but the important feature here is his hands invariably gets through the gap, for the pass just beyond the 1st line of defence.
5. His spacial awareness is outstanding.
6. He is as hard as nails.
7. He takes the right options according to play needed.
8. He puts those next to him or running off him, in space.
Truly remarkable player.
The question is how do you counter that?
If you concentrate on him defensively, then space necessarily opens up elsewhere. It is important not to miss 1st time tackling on him, but more so, one needs to cut those hands off in the first time tackle, so that he does not get half past and ofloads a beauty.
You also need to defend in his face, so that he cannot get those legs going to select where to pass or half-pass you. For that type of defence against him, the whole backline needs to defend like that, in a line… cramp the opposition’s space and thinking time… but DO NOT MISS a tackle here…. it will cost you!
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