Heyneke Meyer, your thoughts on the new Bok coach?

[spooony]

Yip they going to announce it Friday. The Bore

 

[qwerty51]

1. John McFarland: The English-born defence coach and former London Irish head coach helped Meyer and the Blue Bulls win four Currie Cup titles and become the first South African side to win three Super Rugby titles. Rated as “the best defensive coach in the world game” by his bosses in Pretoria, McFarland has spent 10 years working with the Bulls. He is set to work as a kicking coach at the Boks..

I find that one interesting, during the Bulls era I wouldn't classify them as a good defensive team, they often conceded quite a few points, especially at home - just obviously scoring more.. and he'll be the kicking coach after all that..

 

[spooony]

I find that one interesting, during the Bulls era I wouldn't classify them as a good defensive team, they often conceded quite a few points, especially at home - just obviously scoring more.. and he'll be the kicking coach after all that..

Cant count the Currie Cup victories to much as the players only return to it when its almost over. Bulls did concede a few. They got to thank the big pack of forwards they had in their prime. Where are they now?

 

[qwerty51]

I was talking about Super Rugby where they always conceded plenty at Loftus

 

[spooony]

I was talking about Super Rugby where they always conceded plenty at Loftus

I was also referring to Super Rugby as I said you can't really count the Currie Cup. They had like high scoring affairs there but on the other hand you have to look its above sea level air is thinner and the extreme heat you get there.. That have a effect on the defense as well.

 

[SuperGrover]

There's been a fair bit of talk about how great Meyer is at rebuilding teams. I hope this is not an indication that he is instead going to rely on the same old brigade PDV did by bringing them all back from overseas. SA has plenty of young talent to pick from.

At least the comments at the end regarding the need to adapt to law interpretations is encouraging.

Meyer eager to pick overseas players
31st January 2012

New Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer has given a clear indication that he will continue to select overseas-based players.
Meyer believes striking a balance with northern hemisphere clubs and Super Rugby franchises over the conditioning of their international players is important for the Springboks' success.
The Super Rugby tournament will be held from February to August this year and sandwiched in between will be a three Test series between South Africa and England.
"Super Rugby is going to put pressure on," Meyer told Sport24.
"All of the franchises want to win, I'm realistic enough to know that, so it's a big challenge.
"But it's also the first year that there are three Tests in the middle of the competition and there is no successful method to go back and see what works.
"It's a fresh challenge and I would like to have a national planning session.
"I'm on good terms with most of the franchise coaches and I want to see if we can come to a win/win situation, especially in terms of conditioning, which will require a big step up.
"I also want to see if it's possible for me to go overseas and speak to the players there.
"I've spoken to a lot of agents to see who's available and who's not available, but we have some quality players overseas.
"The conditioning of the players in the northern hemisphere is one of my concerns.
"The Heineken Cup is a very tough competition and a lot of the players are conditioned very well, but they peak at different times and I have a few ideas I need to discuss with them and the clubs, again to see if we can come to a win/win situation."
Meyer highlighted the fact that he wants players to show mental toughness in the face of more demanding playing schedules.
"We need to rotate players better at Super Rugby level, but I'm also a big believer in mental toughness and the more the players hear and read about burnout, the more they believe it," he explained.
"We can't make excuses about conditioning, we need to plan and manage our players better.
Another task which the former Bulls rugby director has prioritised is to study current rugby trends and to make certain the Springboks adapt to the changes in the game.
"I've studied a lot of rugby lately and the game changes every six months with the new law interpretations. If you're not adapting to those changes, you're going to be left behind," he said.
"The one definite thing that has to change is our conditioning.
"The guys are playing much more rugby and the game is much quicker; most Tests are lost in the last 10 minutes, so you need athletic players."

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_7468203,00.html

 

[Brumby Jack]

Chatting to someone who has a bit of knowledge on this subject, they were surprised that Gert Smal was not appointed.
It seems that there is a bit of lip service coming from the top in regards to specific topics which contradict what they say are their plans.

And for the SA people, is it true that there was no application process this time around? Which is very different to previous coaching recruitment.

 

[Brisbok]

Chatting to someone who has a bit of knowledge on this subject, they were surprised that Gert Smal was not appointed.
It seems that there is a bit of lip service coming from the top in regards to specific topics which contradict what they say are their plans.

And for the SA people, is it true that there was no application process this time around? Which is very different to previous coaching recruitment.

According to the media reports, Gert Smal was indeed the favourite and SARU's preferred choice but he has recently signed a new contract to remain as the Irish forwards coach and was committed to seeing out that contract. He also apparently has a young family who are settled in Ireland.

As I understand it, the process was changed this time and there was no application process. SARU interviewed a number of candidates, but the coach was basically 'head-hunted'.

 

[spooony]

Chatting to someone who has a bit of knowledge on this subject, they were surprised that Gert Smal was not appointed.
It seems that there is a bit of lip service coming from the top in regards to specific topics which contradict what they say are their plans.

And for the SA people, is it true that there was no application process this time around? Which is very different to previous coaching recruitment.

Like Brisbok said but the application were just a formality as he was probably in their sights from the beginning. Get someone else who coached at primary schools and hire 15 experts to make him look like something or get someone who knows a bit what he is doing with his own staff and ideas

 

[Blue]

I am stoked that it's Heyneke. I am a Bulls fan, grant it, but I think he is the type of coach SA needs. He knows how to take a young team, decide how he wants them to play, and mould them into a unit.

One of his biggest strengths is that he doesn't have any ego issues with bringing in strong personalities in terms of coaches and consultants because he has the man management skills to get what he needs out of them.

He certainly deserves his shot after having it stolen from him the last time around.

We are in for a lean two years as it's a complete rebuild so I expect no miracles.

 

[Cutter]

I believe he is the "author" of one of my favourite rugby quotes:

"Ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport."

 

[Blue]

I believe he is the "author" of one of my favourite rugby quotes:

"Ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport."

And may that be the last time he is ever quoted other than stating pure fact.

By God we've had enough quotes to last us a lifetime and then some.

 

[fatprop]

Quite a few challenges for this guy, but he has the opportunity clean out and freshen

 

[Bruce Ross]

I believe he is the "author" of one of my favourite rugby quotes:

"Ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport."

Todd Louden, who was Heyneke's attack coach in 2007 when the Bulls won the Super 14, has an interesting variant on that saying:

"They say that rugby is a collision sport. It's not, it's a combat sport."

 

[Cutter]

Todd Louden, who was Heyneke's attack coach in 2007 when the Bulls won the Super 14, has an interesting variant on that saying:

"They say that rugby is a collision sport. It's not, it's a combat sport."

Interesting Bruce. Perhaps that is why Meyer's teams are known for their dominant, massive forward packs and Louden's for a little more subtlety.

 

[whatty]

Cant wait to see his first pick at a starting 15!

 

[PaarlBok]

Cant wait to see his first pick at a starting 15!

Meisiekind 13, Spies captain, mostly Bulls

 

[Brisbok]

Meisiekind 13, Spies captain, mostly Bulls

That's the positive attitude we need towards the coach before he's even done anything Paarl.

 

[PaarlBok]

That's the positive attitude we need towards the coach before he's even done anything Paarl.

I am getting horny now. "Maak alle Bulle Bokke" attetude is needed.

 

[Cutter]

I am getting horny now. "Maak alle Bulle Bokke" attetude is needed.

I'm hoping something has been lost in translation here PB!