THE Springboks need to adapt or die

THE Springboks will struggle to defend their Rugby World Cup title if they do not embrace the ball-in-hand approach that the 2010 law focuses promoted, reckons John Plumtree, who coached the Sharks to the Currie Cup title last October playing a game similar to the one that made the All Blacks virtually untouchable last year.

The astute Kiwi says the kick-and-chase, suffocation plan that won the 2007 World Cup still has its place in certain (inclement) conditions but there has to be an ability to play the new game as well.

“My opinion is that for the first time in World Cup history, since the inception in 1987, we will see the best attacking side winning the World Cup,” Plumtree said. “It is very important for South Africa that they can play both games. They have to. You can easily find yourself behind in a game and the way the game is being refereed, you are going to have to score tries to get back into it and you can do that from almost any position on the field if you are prepared to keep the ball.

“At the same time, the weather in New Zealand is going to play up at some stage and the kicking game will have its place.”

The good news is that it is anticipated that all five South African franchises will play positive rugby in the Super 15, and this will indirectly influence the way the Springboks play, who in all honesty find themselves in a position where they must adapt or die.

The Sharks and the Lions (since New Zealander John Mitchell took over last year), and to a degree Western Province (Stormers) are already favouring ball-in-hand rugby, and Plumtree envisages a complete swing to the attacking game in 2011.

“The South African teams will keep the ball more than they used to. There is a realisation amongst all the teams that kicking away possession can seriously drain you,” he said. “The tackle count gets up above 200 when you play without the ball and you wear yourself out. The SA teams will be forced to adapt. This is providing, of course, that the referees keep going hard on the breakdown, and they surely will given they know that the game is much more popular since they have been refereeing in favour of the attacking team. There really is a massive carrot to keep the ball and I can’t imagine teams not seeing that it is the way to go.”

Plumtree suspects the Boks will trial the ball-in-hand game in the Tri-Nations while also keeping their old game up their sleeves.

“The big question is can they win the World Cup the same way in 2011 as they did in 2007? People are still saying defence wins the World Cup and that the kicking game is crucial. That is true but the way the game has evolved, you have to have more than one option and it is my belief that the attacking game will ultimately win the World Cup.”

In addition to the way the South African teams play in the Super 15, a vital aspect of the build-up to the Rugby World Cup is the management of the front-line Springboks in a competition which stretches over five months.

There has been no directive as yet from the South African Rugby Union regarding how they would prefer the top players to be utilised and this seriously worrying given that the franchises cannot be expected to compromise on their challenge for the title. It is understood that Saru’s Andy Marinos will do a tour of the franchises over the next fortnight.

“Having the Springboks fresh for the Tri-Nations is going to be a big challenge,” Plumtree admits. “For once countries might not want to have too many teams in the finals with the World Cup in mind. A potential problem with this in mind is the addition of all the home-and-away derbies (many of them are in the latter stages of the competition). This is probably the most significant change to the format of the Super competition because these games add serious intensity. They are the most physical games. Super rugby is tough enough as it is and all these additional derbies could take a big toll.”

by Mike Greenaway www.iol.co.za