Matthew Burke
Two games are gone against New Zealand and it’s now time to move the attention to South Africa. That is a whole different kettle of fish. When you take on South Africa, the playing field changes slightly.
The first change is in terms of physicality, the second in aggression and finally in terms of tactics. Games against South Africa just seem to be just that little bit harder and definitely more scatty.
SMH
Frantic seems to be the order of the day. The game is played at a different level with regards to intensity.
That’s not taking anything away from Argentina or New Zealand, but as we witnessed in last year’s Rugby Championships, when the Springboks turn it on it can be hard to keep up.
In the game between the two countries in Brisbane last year, South African captain Jean De Villiers appeared to feel a little sorry for our lot as the 38-12 rout of the Wallabies reached the point of embarrassment.
So why are they more physical than other teams? They are big and powerful like most teams, but it seems to come down to a raw intensity and the desire to physically impose themselves that separates them from others.
That wish to be imposing on the field seems to be built into their DNA. It’s passed down through the generations. Don’t expect that flame to be extinguished any time soon.
Going hand in hand with the physicality is aggression. I mentioned that games against the Boks are frantic. They become helter skelter, with no regard for self-preservation. That throws your game plan into disarray because you need to combat that style of play.
That can mean sending more bodies into the breakdown, limiting opportunities elsewhere on the park.
Tactically, you have to play smarter against this mob. The forwards set the platform, which is important for the outcome of the game but also about pride.
To get the ascendancy up front, there has to be an element of confrontation. But in saying that, you need to be smart about the way you do it.
For example, feed the scrum, get quick ball, play Channel 1, then get it out. Play fast.
Don’t try the arm wrestle, but by the same token you have to attack the backs by taking the ball to the line, as I have found even though they are aggressive in defence they can often make the wrong call when it comes to the tackle.
For the Wallabies, these games will be all about matching the physical presence of their Springbok opponents.
National Rugby Championships (NRC):
It seems like wherever rugby is being played in Australia at the moment it’s wet, but that certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the players to get the ball rolling in the National Rugby Championship.
What the games did do is highlight the difference in skill level from the Super Rugby players to those players trying to make their mark.
The first round of the NRC got under way and perhaps the most confusing aspect of some of the games were the similar jumpers and the lack of named players.
You could see glimpses of which players could make that transition to higher rugby.
There is an understanding that you’re not paying for sheep stations, so the players were able to chance their arm. Quick taps were the order of the day, as was continuity of play.
One player making an impact straight away was Brisbane City centre Samu Kerevi, who also plays for Super Rugby’s Reds. Two hits up and two casualties.
Those who thought this was going to be a competition lacking in desire and intensity were quickly assured otherwise by the aggression on display.
Did it work? I think it did.
A smallish crowd was on hand to support the opener, but with 65 points being offered up they got their money’s worth.
I heard a cry of “not in straight sir” from a lineout throw but the modified rule of the opposition not fully contesting meant play continued.
This to me seemed like commonsense as the attacking team should keep the advantage. A first thumbs up on that one.
The other point of the rule changes I did like was the limitation of the value of penalty goals. Not so much the increase in conversions.
Why? As it currently stands, an unconverted try can be beaten by two penalty goals or field goals. These laws would mean you need three pens to overtake the value of a try.
It’s all about giving the players every possible form of encouragement to get the ball over the chalk.