Samuel asked:
Hi Gavin,
We have some talented players overseas, that can surely make the bok squad. Like - Gurthro, Danie Rossouw, Jaques Fourie, Fourie Du P.
Is there a way that we can keep them here? Or is''nt there a rule that clubs must release their players for International duties?
Too big salaries are killing Rugby in the southern H.
Gavin Rich answered:
There is a rule that players have to be released during the international window. But it's for a very small time period and most international coaches would want the players to be there for the preparation phase to the international season. Some of the names you have mentioned, like Jaque Fourie, don't want to play international rugby before and have made themselves unavailable. Jaque is getting a truckload of money, and it is inevitable that guys like him, who have been there and done it all at international level, will go where the financial security can be gained late in their careers. THe only way to get around this impasse may be to introduce a global season with the international phase universal.
Dewaldt Deysel asked:
Hi Gavin. As a diehard Lions fan.Please tell me what the real problems are. I mean we had Jake there,said no to Heyneke and let all our true stars go...Alberts,Fourie etc. Please tell me why the Cheetahs can perform without stars,without money and without excuses..We obviously got nothing to proof that we belong in SR.It is sad that it has all come to this.
Gavin Rich answered:
Many will disagree but I do think the Lions' injuries have to be taken into consideration when you assess their performances. It is sad they don't have more depth than they do. You would expect the union based in the financial centre of the country to be the richest, but that isn't the case.
Will Brown asked:
Hey Gavin,
I was just wondering whether you think that Johan Goosen is good enough to play for the Springboks, and whether you think that he will get some game time during the tri-nations?
Gavin Rich answered:
Deinitely good enough and if he is fit I am sure he will be in the match day squad, which means playing off the bench. Later on, like end of year tour or next year, I anticipate that he will replace Morne in the starting team.
Reon asked:
Hi Gavin, I just want to know who of the youngsters all around is Heyneke looking at for maybe future canidates for the Boks? Exspecialy at Loostrio, flyhalf, centers? Thank you for the time!
Gavin Rich answered:
Heyneke is very jacked up when it comes to knowing what talent is coming through and if there is someone who is good enough I have no doubt he will be selected. Kolisi will be the looseforward who will come into the mix later in the year, maybe The Rugby CHampionship but definitely end of year tour, and he has already selected Jacques Potgieter, who is a great young talent. Flyhalf we have Goosen and Heyneke must rate Handre Pollard because he signed him for the Bulls three years ago when he was still in Std 8, Centres I am not sure about, though he does rate JJ Engelbrecht highly. Will Sadie come through? Only time will tell, I have my doubts that the move away from the Cape was good for him.
Jeandre asked:
Hey Gavin just wondering or hoping Meyer doesn''t make the same mistake that Peter de villiers did with John Smit. This series Jean de villiers has led with example and deserves a longer run as captain, I just hope Heineke Meyer won''t hold on to long because I can''t see Jean de villiers playing the 2015 world cup as he is allready 31. Young guys like de jongh , eberson , engelbreght , whitehead , saddie all deserve a chance. We don''t want a repeat of a bismarck - john smith situation do you agree?
Gavin Rich answered:
There is still a long road to travel to the next World Cup and Heyneke needs time to assess who the candidates for captaincy at that tournament are. I agree it is hard to see Jean still being around when he is 35 but then he did tell me recently he will play as long as he feels hungry and is good enough. At the moment he is clearly both.
Andre asked:
Hey Gavin please help me to understand the selection of kankofski? When last did he play rugby is he match fit what''s going on there? Sa got rocked with the news of Cj Stander moving to Ireland and I see it as a huge loss. Stander should have been on the bench he has that gift of turning a game on his head when he comes on and he''s only 21 surely a shoe in for a spot in the 2015 world cup and now the chance is good ireland can select him 2015, but even keegan daniel what did he do too lose his spot , I don''t grasp the selection of kankofski
Gavin Rich answered:
All coaches have their preferences. Peter de Villiers rated Adi Jacobs and I didn't, and yet Adi ended up doing a great job for Peter and he proved me wrong (in 2008 at any rate). Heyneke seems to have the same thing for Kanko - and maybe he is right and deployed under Heyneke he will reach his full potential. You never know. I personally prefer Keegan Daniel, and the best of our No8s by some distance, in my opinion, is Duane Vermeulen, and then Spies, who has played well in these two tests.
Bob asked:
Hi Gavin, why exactly do you think CJ Stander is moving to Ireland? Apparently it''s not just financial reasons, do you think he''s looking to emmigrate because he''s unhappy living in SA? And do you think he''ll return to play for the Boks one day or will turn out for Ireland some day? And do you think Heneke should choose overseas players or not?
Thanks,
Gavin Rich answered:
I have never spoken to CJ Stander in my life so it would be presumptious of me to assume his motives. I do have a suspicion though that he thinks Heyneke doesn't rate him. Just my own gut feel, nothing more. He should choose overseas players when there is a crisis situation. We probalby have to go through about 10 loosies before there is a crisis in that position in this country.
Thando asked:
Hi Gavin, I am having a little problem with the constant selection of Pierre Spies. 49 tests down the line and I can honestly say that I''ve only seen him perform well in less than 5. He disappears when the team is in trouble. He makes one lateral run on the field and that''s all he''s remembered for. Why do coaches keep selecting this guy? Guys like Daniel also need to be given a chance.
Gavin Rich answered:
I would have agreed with you if we'd had this conversation two weeks ago but he has been good in the last two test matches.
Ivan asked:
Hi Gavin,
HM mentioned previously that Heinrich Brussow was still in his future plans even though he was not part of the current test squad. Do you think Heinrich will be able to reinvent or tweak his game enough to fulfill the more versatile role of a fetcher these days?
It would be a big loss to Sa rugby if not.
Regards
Ivan
Gavin Rich answered:
I honestly don't think Heinrich has the body size to be the allrounder that Heyneke is looking for. I think changes to the way the game is blown, referring to breakdown obviously, will determine Heinrich's international future, if he has one. Marcell has also been so outstanding in these past two tests. If you asked me though if I would have Heinrich in the squad - absolutely I would. No shadow of a doubt about that. I think Heyneke is wrong to ignore him completely.
Dylan asked:
Hi Gavin, was lucky enough to catch the game in Portugal last week. There has been alot of criticism that Meyer is favoring the bulls players. It seems to me that he wanted the win in this series, first and foremost and went with what he knew. To be fair it has worked. What is your take on this? Does it look like he will be involving players that have been left out, Kolisi, Brussow, De Jong etc
Gavin Rich answered:
I think Heyneke was a bit politically naive in leaving out some of the players he did, but at the same time I sense he is a sizeist, meaning that for him size is everything. He's not the only rugby coach on the planet to think like that, so time will tell us more. They have won the first series and they have looked pretty awesome in patches so I would say it is a case of "so far, so good".
JR asked:
Considering our new/''re-clarified'' game plan - has any though been given to playing Keegan Daniel at 12? The guy has ALL the attributes to be a world-class inside centre: speed, vision, off-loading, heck he even kicks better than most backs - would it really be a hare-brain idea cause he already plays like a 12.
Gavin Rich answered:
Keegan Daniel shifting position to replace Frans Steyn? Not a chance.
Zed asked:
Big ups to taking the time out to answering these Q''s. Yeah its your job but some people ask ridiculous Q''s, so kudos to your patience
I''m bemused by Jacques Potgieter''s selection to start, he has no international experience & his been injured so surely he is lacking match sharpness, over say Siya Kolisi?both promising
Out of interest (IMHO) I don''t think the ''Blue boks'' outcry is due to purely numbers from each franchise, but rather the quality & inexperience (some bulls player didn''t even play under him) chosen from the bulls over other franchises as well as bulls game plan employed by HM, but hey, I agree that due to time constraints he went with the ''tried & trusted'' approach
Gavin Rich answered:
Like your comment about the quality of the questions, but so far today they have been pretty good. And I could quite happily sit here all day answering good questions (of course what is good or not is subjective). I agree regarding Potgieter, the initial selection bemused me, but now that Willem is injured I do see the logic - he is a No7 whereas Kolisi is more of a fusion between 6 and 7 (in the Marcell Coetzee mould).
bullsboytjie asked:
Hi gav... I believe u well. 1stly wuldnt it be better if we had mvovo on the bench rather then elton as ruan can cover both scrummie and flyhalf? 2ndly is it true that wynand is parting ways with us? Hav a nice day and keep up with the good work
Gavin Rich answered:
Thank you sir. I don't agree re Elton/Mvovo because I think Heyneke has made a commitment to Ruan to consider him only as a scrumhalf. In fact I have a feeling he will be the starting scrummie before long because I really do think Hougie has become more of a wing and Ruan is in the Fourie du Preez mould and Hougie isn't. In time Hougaard might prove me wrong, and I hope he does, for he was an outstanding scrumhalf at age-group level.
Joe asked:
Thanx Gave, meyer has done a decent job so far. just need to play two complete halfs and we''ll be good. just seem to have a half that always dissapoints. Have a nervy feeling about the next match, england seem ready for a win and boks might be subconciously relaxed. I think we''ll lose the next one coz england want it more. And do you think we should persist with the off-form and wynaand "where''s my shampoo" olivier (frankly i believe he takes the outside centre and back three out of the game...he runs in like a No.7)
Gavin Rich answered:
Sorry, the PE weather has gone to my head. This answer is actually for the next question, from Nardus in good old Auckland, for I have ansered Joe in Hogsback in his space. Hoo boy. I think Wynand deserves a chance to start under Heyneke and I wouldn't want to move Habana away from the wing just when he is starting to gain some confidence again. I don't think Morne Steyn will be replaced in the short term. But in the long term his replacement will be Johan Goosen and then after that maybe Pollard, not Elton.
Nardus asked:
The Boks have looked very impressive in the first two tests. Do you think it might have been a better move to play Habana at centre for this game? Considering that Wynand has always struggled at this level. I think Basson deserves a chance more than Wynand to show his worth, your thoughts on this? Then also do you think Elton Jantjies could be a possible replacement for Steyn? Considering that Meyer wants to play Lambie as a fullback only and Steyn''s kicking form has gone down quite a bit.
Gavin Rich answered:
Hey nice to know they have internet in Hogsback... One of my favourite places on the planet. Wynand has had a haircut and I am not entirely convinced he has always been given a fair shake so will bow to Heyneke's knowledge of him here. Wynand hasn't played many home tests, he hasn't played many tests in a row, and a lot of them have been short cameo stints, frequently out of position. The guy has been in the shadow for a long time of De Villiers and Fourie. Maybe he would have made the step up by now had those two world class players not been South African. But I agree, if he doesn't come through this time, he might as well go and stay in Japan for the rest of his career.
Liam asked:
To start with, I believe there are good years ahead for the Boks.
Just your thought on Morne Steyn?
Pienaar was dropped from 10 because of 2 poor kicking games, despite his all round game offering more than Steyn (as stated by coaches at the time)! Will Steyn still be the first choice in the Rugby Championships??
Gavin Rich answered:
Morne will come right with his place-kicking and start in The Rugby Championship. I agree about the good days ahead of the Boks - almost find myself singing the words of that old hit sung by that South African band whose name I now forgot (Joy?), Paradise Road, when I think about the Boks...
gerard kelly asked:
Should Spies be in the team? i dont think so.
Gavin Rich answered:
It's a worthwhile debate to have, and I think we've been having it since 2009.
Mthobic asked:
Wer z jongi nokwe..dt guy wz marvellous 2 watch...nd wy z pat lambie neva given da no10 jersy
Gavin Rich answered:
Good question about Nokwe. I have no idea. As for the second question, it's because the coaches prefer Morne.
Ahleshin asked:
Do you feel that cj stander''s decision was warranted? Also do you think wales can pull off a win on saturday given that they came oh so close this past week?
Gavin Rich answered:
I am not sure what motivated CJ - maybe he just likes Guinness? - so can't really decide whether his decision is warranted or not. I know there are people who live in Ireland who actually like it there. As for Wales, the northern hemisphere teams have the advantage this week of playing against teams that have already won their respective series. So the answer is yes, though I would have to be somewhere far from Port Elizabeth to be able to properly assess the Welsh state of mind after last week's devastating late defeat.
Peter asked:
Gavin, Don''t you think Ruan deserves a start, maybe it should have been this weekend, not that Hougie has been bad?
Gavin Rich answered:
I would come pretty close to starting him if I was the Springbok coach.
Alex asked:
Hi Gavin! I enjoy your insight on rugby and read most of your blogs. 2 questions, (1) with the 3 week internasionals almost finished. Can or will SA,NZ and AUS be able to perform 100% in the Castle Championship with Argentina in the mix? And (2) with the Super 15 coming up again, can Stormers go all the way especially when a couple of injured players come back into the mix? And will/can they gell from the word go? Thanx for your time!
Gavin Rich answered:
I worry that the ridiculous Super Rugby schedule might impact on the quality of The Rugby Championships. The southern teams have all been good in patches and bad in others. I reckon it's hard at the moment for tired players to go flat out for 80 minutes. WHich brings us to your next question - the Stormers have one thing in their favour, they will be fresh. But I hear Schalk isn't going to come back in a hurry, which is a problem. Apparently that knee of his is still troubling him.
Michael asked:
Hi Gavin,
When Morne Steyn is on form he never misses a kick, but now he keeps missing kicks that everybody expects him to get. Morne is not that strong in other areas of his game and is usually selected just for his kicking game. Would you stick with Morne or give Elton a chance(or any other flyhalf? I know Frans Steyn isn''t playing this Saturday but in other upcoming games he could take over the kicking role
Thanks
Gavin Rich answered:
I would stick with Morne.
Ivan asked:
Hi Gavin,
Great start for the Bokke under Heyneke, I think if we stick with him, the Bokke will reach never before seen heights!!
With regards with the Rugby Championship and the future, Do you think at his best, Morne Steyn does enough to justify his place in the Springbok team? He is the best kicking flyhalf we have, but with his form not very good at the moment, would it not be better for the long term to start playing Lambie flyhalf. Greame Henry compared him to Dan Carter and I think we are missing a trick not playing him closer to the ball, Johan Goosen will also be great for us in the long term and should also in my oppinion be in the extended squad when he recovers from his injury. Your thoughts?
Go Bokke and Go Baby Bokke!!
Gavin Rich answered:
Johan Goosen is the future, but until he is fit again I stick with Morne.
zahir gabier asked:
Hi there Gavin I hope all is well,regarding the return of sckalk burger 2 the springbok setup, will we b seeing alberts drop 2 the bench an what is your take on the bok performance so far looking ahead to the tri nations an them competing with aus/nz...I would also like to no what do you think about drafting johan goosen into the bok setup as soon as his fit!THANX
Gavin Rich answered:
Goosen back as soon as possible but bad news about Schalk I am afraid - he won't be back as expected for the Stormers/Lions game next week and there is speculation that he may not be back this season.
Steve asked:
Hi Gavin
Don''t we have better options than Wynand Olivier in RSA? Granted he tackles well, but thats not enough to be a Bok. Juan de Jong is too small and hasn''t really done much this season. I feel that Tim Whitehead and Paul Jordaan are better options. They big, creative and make an impact in defense and attack!
Gavin Rich answered:
He he, and of course you come from Durban... Paul Jordaan in the future, but not now. I don't think Tim Whitehead is an international player. They're both good for the Sharks, although Frans Steyn is about to ruin that partnership...
Tinus Oosthuizen asked:
Hi Gav, I have noted that although Morney Steyn is having a off year with the boot, his distribution, allround play and defence is much better than it used to be. Do you think this will count in his favour for the Championship Tests because of his poor kicking form of late or will Heyneke be looking for a more stable place kicker? Then again Morney is the current points leader in S15 and we know what he can do under pressure.
Best Regards.
Tinus Oosthuizen
Gavin Rich answered:
I agree with you about the improvements in Morne's game and it is only a matter of time before he comes right. In fact, the situation is perfect for him on Saturday as there will be the adversity he needs - swirling winds, flashing lightning, pouring rain, crazy fans... Watch, he won't miss a single kick.
Cuan asked:
Hi gavin!can u just explain why jean is captain till the end of the year?is he really our best 13?why can''t heyneke appoint Bismarck as the Bok captain till worldcup...rather sooner than later!just hope schalk burger won''t get that captaincy,coz he aint our best 6 or 7!am I right if I say willem alberts would be missed on saturday and that he''s going to play a huge part of heynekes plans?!have a nice day*
Gavin Rich answered:
Willem will definitely be missed on Saturday. But not nearly as much as Jean would be if he wasn't there.
Barnes Sookdeo asked:
With the poor representation of black players in the current SA squad, i sincerely feel that the concerted efforts of Peter de Villiers to address the issue of transformation within SA rugby...has been undone with H. Meyer''s selection of so few black players? Would you please comment on this...as previously, my questions have been "conveniently" ignored. The Q&A session is not value-adding if such important issues are not addressed. Many thanks.
Gavin Rich answered:
I am not sure Peter selected as many black players as maybe he should have or was expected to do when he took the job. What he did do was make everyone feel included, regardless of whether you were from Cape Town or Polokwane, Christian or Muslim, black or white, English or Afrikaans, a car-guard or the mayor of Johannesburg. That was the one thing Peter did right, and it is probably the one thing Heyneke is being seen to do wrong at this stage. I do share your concerns and think he has been very naive but am hopeful that it will change as he grows in confidence and gets to know the players better.
fabian lewies asked:
Thnxs for taking time out to take questions,do you think aplon is a better fullback or wing,and since there''s being a change with the kicking coach do you think it has a impack on morney or is he just in a realy bad space at the moment,for me he will always b a good flyhalf.
Gavin Rich answered:
Aplon is a better wing. I don't get all the concern about Morne - we all know he knows how to kick.
Stu asked:
Hi Gavin
Please explain why people refer to the kicking game as conservative rugby. Seems to me up and unders are turned over more often than rucks. Surely keeping the ball in hand is "conservative" rugby and kicking it away is "risky" rugby. We held on to the ball more in the first 20 mins last week - the same period we dominated in...
Gavin Rich answered:
Hey, I have been saying that for years. There is no such thing as conservative rugby. I agree with Heyneke, there is only winning rugby and losing rugby.
Peter asked:
Hi Gavin
I see everyone asking about Johan Goosen, do you not think that Pat Lambie is good enough?He seems pretty talented to me. Thanks
Gavin Rich answered:
Lambie is good enough, but he is not just a flyhalf, he is a great fullback. With Goosen around we can ask him to specialise in the position he played most of his school career.
Capi Nemo asked:
Hi Gavin,
What should be the jersey that Patrick Lambie should choose for his career 15 or 10 with Johan Goosen looming....
Thanks.
Gavin Rich answered:
15
Jason asked:
Hello Gavin
A few questions for you -
1. Surely the ''size'' debate is just an excuse to not pick certain players? Hougaart and Habana are small yet there''s never a mention of their size so why should Brussouw (whose CV reads played NZ 5; won 5 I think) be labelled as too small? Isn''t he the same size (and quality) as Pocock?
2. All other team''s international stars are fetchers (Pocock, O''Brien etc) and the Australasian commentators never let up on the break down ("where rugby is won or lost") so why don''t we place more emphasis on committing people to the breakdown and picking a specialist fetcher or 2?
3. We all used to love J Fourie as the best player in the world but surely HM should send a firm message to those chosing cash over the honour of playing for king (if you call Jay-Z that!) and country and completely disregard him for next WC? Ultimately he''s letting the country down by not being available. I think many slsections in SA are in fear of losing them to overseas, so let''s just say no to overseas players...period.
3. We are undoubtedly fast, strong, and powerful - so why not just add running lines into the equation? Like the ABs that would make us the complete team. Our players in the backline get the ball and think others teams will part like the Red Sea to let them through (F Steyn cutting in, Spies standing start) - why doesn''t HM coach the work off the ball (in possession) through running angles into space?
4. S15 - playing local double-headers is ridiculous don''t you think? I support the Sherks but hate it when the Sharks play any SA team as all I want to see is SA teams smashing NZ / Aus teams. Let''s stop giving away our trade secrets to them and fly north within minimal timezone disruptions and play in Heineken Cup (and 7 Nations for that matter). S15 / Tri-Nations just dent our confidence when we''re away from home (and for some reason jetlag affects our teams more than any other international teams in world! How do racing drivers cope?!)
Gavin RIch answered:
1, I think he's smaller than Pocock, 2. Good point, 3. I thought Heyneke had given up on Jaque but you make it sound like he is still going to pick him?; 4. I agree completely.
Felix asked:
Hey gavin do u or anybody think there is a spot for peter grant maybe as a sub for morne?
Gavin Rich answered:
That is an interesting one for he may well be a better inside centre than flyhalf.
J.Payne asked:
Pierre Spies have a very good game last week .You think he will improved more like we know him when he start at the bulls.He were very good in the line outs and defence,miss one or 2 tackles ,but have a good game.Team is a solid one.
Gavin Rich answered:
The thing about Pierre is that he always looks good when playing off a solid platform. I have a feeling there will be more solid platforms in the era of Heyneke than maybe there were in some previous eras. And if that proves correct, then yes, Pierre will be excellent.
Anthony Donaldson asked:
The media has been very vague about pat and albets injuries. Have they torn or pulled legaments and how long are they out for?
Gavin Rich answered:
The doctor didn't give specifics but neither of them are seriously injured otherwise they wouldn't have been given until Wednesday. Both of them were assessed yesterday with the view to playing.
Izak asked:
How far apart to you think the baby boks and the senior boks are in terms of performance? There are almost no size difference, and wouldn''t that be a match to watch.
Gavin Rich answered:
It would be like watching strong men clubbing sweet, innocent, furry baby seals...
Thaduxolo asked:
Quick one Gavin, you have covered some of Peter De Villiers teams for years and now you have written his book. What are your opinions on the man as a rugby person?
Gavin RIch answered:
Tried to answer this three times and internet kept cutting me off. I think, in the words of Robbie Deans, he is "a good rugby man". He also knows the game a lot better than us critics gave him credit for back in 2008. What he had a problem with was the pressure, plus it was a massive step up from the level where he had coached to international level. He says as much in the book. I don't think coaches should be selected to coach a national team when they haven't served an apprenticeship in Super Rugby. That said, Peter did win the IRB Junior World Cup with the Baby Boks in 2005 and took them to the final the following year. They were both away tournaments. Am I right in saying no other coach of the Baby Boks has matched that record in the interim? So he definitely has strengths, and it says something that to this day I have yet to hear a Springbok rubbish him in public or in private.
F.J. De Klerk asked:
Just want to wish the boys good luck for the game on Saturday. Love the team and the coach.
If Morne has a bad goal kicking day, will the backup kicker be taking over kicking?
Gavin Rich answered:
The only other kickers in the squad are Ruan and Elton so there would have to be a substitution.
van dyk supporter asked:
how will these players be managed to become springboks later on and what will be done to insure that we dont lose them to other countries?? And I also want to know if Kebble is realy that good to be in the team or is he just there because of his father? ...JWC...
Gavin Rich answered:
I have been dovetailing a book tour with covering the Springboks and haven't been in the Cape since the JWC started so don't really feel qualified to comment on specifics of the team. I have only watched them in patches.
Mike asked:
Hey Gavin, Thanks for great rugby reports - I always enjoy them.
Do you think Jean De Villiers will still be in line to captain the next WC - from an age perspective. And if not, who think will take over the reins? I think Adriaan Strauss would be a great call.
Gavin Rich answered:
2015 is too far in the future for Jean and I reckon it is also too far in the future to really predict who might lead the team.
Skipper asked:
Hi Gav, looking forward to your answers to the questions - maybe not to the negative provincialism based ones.
I think thak HM is the best thing that could have happened to our rugby at this time! I don''t think that he will merely pick players based on his personal likes and dislikes. He will choose the best team to beat the opposition - thereby further gaining the support and confidence of the country. What are your views? Cheers
Gavin Rich answered:
Hi Skipper, I agree with you, he will choose the best team to beat the opposition. But it will be his opinion, and opinions will always differ.
Mitch Millar asked:
Hi Gavin
I''m perplexed at why Wynand Olivier is chosed ahead of Juan de Jongh, who has better attacking and defensive skills. My feeling is that when Olivier gets the ball, he never lets it go. What are your thoughts?
Gavin Rich answered:
I agree with your reservations but want to see Wynand given the chance to get through the 80 minutes and show us what he can do before writing that down in indelible ink.
Johan Swanepoel asked:
Hi Gavin,
Do you think HM is creating the perception among SA players that "might is right" in that he seems to favour the bigger ( more recent on average form ) players to the smaller guys who have over the last couple of seasons really put there hands up and looked more deserving. Guys like Aplon and Joe Pietersen, both on great form over the last few seasons, only now get brought up to the national side, because, lets face it, they were kind of last grasp choices due to injury and unavailability. The Bulls just lost CJ Stander who has been on way better form than Jacque Potgieter. Maybe he realized a better chance at international level rugby opportunity abroad?? England seems to love our local boys...
Regards,
Johan Swanepoel
Gavin Rich answered:
He might be creating the perception that might is right, but hasn't might normally been right when it comes to the past success of South African rugby? He may well be right.
JUSTIN LE ROUX asked:
Hi Gavin!
Why would they drop Daniel and put in Ryan, i''m a huge fan of Ryan''s, but Daniel have done a great job so far and he can steal the ball and link up with the backs like Ryan can if not better over the past season! i persnonally would Love to see the combination of Albers No7 Daniel No6 and Vermeulen No8 when they are all fit! What do you think?
Gavin Rich answered:
It's about giving more guys a chance and also about having a big ball carrier on the bench (I disagree by the way with Heyneke that Ryan is that) to back up Potgieter.
Armand asked:
Hi Gavin
What''s your feel on Olivier''s inclusion, and seeing the difference in class in the semi finals of the Juniors world championships, has the northern hemisphere actually do any catching up on the southern hemisphere (excluding the opening rounds when the weather was such an equalizing factor)???
Gavin Rich answered:
I haven't seen enough of the tournament to comment but I do know that New Zealand, in terms of junior tournaments and sevens tournaments won over the years, leads the world when it comes to rugby at the feeder levels and then the rest of us, north and south, make up the placings. Hopefully that will change on Friday, but even if it does, it is the Kiwis who are consistently the best and that is what we need to strive for.
Breyten asked:
Hi Gavin
Do you think Jaques Potgieter is the best option to replace Alberts on the flank, or do you believe there are other contenders that are more deserving of the opportunity to represent the boks?
Gavin Rich answered:
No7 is replacing No7 and I do think Potgieter is the next best No7.
Greg asked:
Hi. I read your articles regulary good job. Why do the springboks play one dimensionally year after year. It seems that our rugby public and media puts so much pressure, emphasis on winning that we''re afraid to try new things or lose, when greater good can come from it. Morne Steyn, Wynand Oliver Jeez this is a Depressing combination of two players given a chance,getting old and have been found out in the past.All flyhalves look great behind a big pack.Wait till we get matched up front. Also I think this England team is very average, some friendly reffing is coming our way. So we shouldn''t be blind to see our 1 dimensional play.All opponents see it and if matched physically will stop it. Heyneke is a great man manager but I think he has failed to bring in the right guys around him in favour of familiarity. Backline coach of cheetahs and stormers defense coach wow these guys y they not there.Be more adventourous Heyneke we have the talent and depth now to do it.My Sprinbok 22 no injuries.but amount of games is another story lol. 15.Pat Lambie 14.JP Pietersen 13.Jean de Villiers 12.Frans Steyn 11.B Habana.10.J Goosen. 9.Ruan Pienaar. 8.D Vermeulen.7.W Alberts.6.S.Burger 5.Eben Etzebeth.4 A . BEkker.3.C.Oosthuizen.2.B du Plessis.1 T Mtawira 16.A Strauss.17. P .Spies.18.F van derMerwe.19. WP Nel. 20.F Hougaard.21.R. Ebersohn.22.H.Daniller. Thats a fudgeing strong side cheers!!!!!!!!!
Gavin Rich answered:
Peter de Villiers realised in his first year in charge that people in this country care only that the Boks win, not how they go about doing that. I think it has been the same for other Springbok coaches. There is fear of failure because when the Boks fail, Bok coaches get taken to task. Sometimes they get taken out even if they win - ask both Peter and Heyneke.
Jill Hanan asked:
Can you give us your score predictions week by week when we start the super rugby next week. Your imput is valued
Gavin Rich answered:
Thanks. Funny, I don't keep the stats or worry from one week to the next what I said the previous week, but I thought I had had a pretty awful year so far when it came to predictions? I don't like doing scores as such because it is so false. What I could do is say "Something like 42-23" if that is okay. I will think about it. Thanks for the message.
Andrew asked:
Dear Gavin,
What is your view on the prospects of Morne Steyn surviving as the first choice flyhalf beyond the Rugby Championship should HM prove successful in entrenching the structures, style of play, etc, within the team; thus, potentially allowing him greater scope to identify the most desirous player to occupy this role for the foreseeable future?
Sincerely,
Andrew.
Gavin Rich answered:
I back Morne in the short term but would be surprised if he was still first choice this time next year.
Carlo asked:
With all the problems at scrums shouldn''t they change the call to bind hold engage, this way you can make sure the front row gets a proper bind before engaging?
Gavin Rich answered:
I think they should stop messing around this most crucial part of the game and let the scrummagers get on it like they did when I was at school. How many times is there a scrum in modern rugby where there isn't a penalty to one of the two teams. How often are modern teams asked to defend after a scrum? It's all such tosh and I know a few dead Springboks who must be spinning in their graves.
Songezo asked:
The only way Meyer will silence the public is to win (old adage really). Considering his odd selections, the Coach will have some serious explaining (in general terms to the rugby public) to do. There are too many quality guys in Bok wilderness owing to their non-affiliation to the Bulls.
Gavin Rich answered:
I think he will win on Saturday so that debate will probably have to be reopened when the Championship arrives.
Marius asked:
Hi Gavin, Do you think Mvovo is better than Habana if experience is not an issue ? Suggestion : Can we have like a Southern Hemisphere Vs the North, Like a SANZAR combinations vs. their X15, or Maybe a Aus/Nz vs. SA/Argentina vs. 2 North Teams that would be epic! anyways Love HM and the Boks!
Gavin Rich answered:
No to Movo being better than Habana. Bryan is the better allround player.
Darryl asked:
do you have any news on the LIONS and KINGS situation?
do you think UWC will be a force now that Pieter de villiers is there?
do you think HM is making everyone''s head spin with his selections that the public dont like but it works?
Gavin Rich answered:
1. No, but I suspect something is happening behind the scenes and we will know in the middlf of next month; 2. yes; 3. sorry the last part of the question is obscured.
Tal Krenzia asked:
Do you think the Boks have the players to win the Rugby Champs this year? And do you think the extra travelling to Argentina will now affect NZ and Aus more?
Gavin RIch answered:
Last part of the question: I am not sure but hope so. First part of question: it will depend on injuries across the board in the competition. I think Boks can beat any other team on any given day, but to beat the All Blacks twice is going to take some doing.
GreenBlood4Life asked:
Hi Gavin,
1> What''s your opinion of Potgieter replacing Alberts? Obviously, Willem has really impressed in this area.
2> I don''t agree with Kankowski replacing Daniel on the bench - whay was the thinking behind this move?
3> Do u feel that Schalk Burger was hard done by making JDV captain for the year?
Gavin Rich answered:
Disagree completely regarding Schalk - you can't captain a team when you are injured. And I do think Jean is the better captain.
Dave Burger asked:
There was a bit of magic in the 2nd half of the 1st test and then some magic in the 1st half last week. Are the boys going to be up for it this week or is there a bit of ....just another test match attitude looming .Putting it simply ...is the novelty of impressing Heyneke wearing off.
Cheers
Dave B
Gavin RIch answered:
No, the novelty isn't wearing off. THe guys have had an impressive training week and I predict they will win by a bigger score this week than they did last.
Desmond Salhab asked:
Hi Gavin
first question i am a Bull supporter and sorry to say this I have no time for Ollivier in the bulls or Springbok team I would have rather played tim whithead or Straus from the cheetas at number 12 over olivier. And is the roomers true that Jauque Potgieter will also be going to japan with the other guys hope not go bokke 3-0 no problem
Gavin Rich answered:
Haven't heard the Potgieter rumour - I really hope not.
justin asked:
I hear the boks centre problems just keep rolling , Wynand Olivier has with drawn from saterdays test as he is the flower girl at Frans Steyns wedding ? I cant see that weakining the team though ? Whos going to replace him ?
Gavin Rich answered:
Huh??!!!
Kevin Sacks asked:
Hi Gavin, your opinion regarding "buying" of players? All rugby clubs/ unions are doing it ?The hype a bit of a storm in a tea cup ?
Gavin Rich answered:
Yes, a storm in a tea-cup - it's the professional era and has been since I was much younger than I am now.
Hugh Jackson asked:
Hello Mr Rich
I have two questions. The first is in relation to Juan de Jongh. From what I have read and understand about Heyneke''s player selection, he has said that he wants to choose players on merit and also wants to keep combinations. Well with these two criteria, i am gobsmacked at why Juan hasnt been picked. Firstly he has been, with out a doubt, the best outside centre in South african rugby this year (merit) and he plays his domestic rugby at the Stormers, in a centre pairing including himself and JDV (combination). As you can see, this is a very troubling matter and it is essentially a slap in the face to any player who believes that if they are the best in their position, they will get picked to represent the country. I could understand if he doesnt fit Heyneke''s ''starting'' position but he at least deserves to be in the squad.
The second question I have is in relation to our flyhalf dilemma. Again, from what i''ve read and understood, HM selects the best goal kicker as his no 1 Flyhalf. Well now that Morne has proven that he is not SA''s best kicker, what is he still doing in the starting number 10 position? I understand that he has the experience, but with all the other talented flyhalfs we have in this country (Elton, Goosen and Grant) they must feel very aggrieved for being ignored.
Thank you for the time
Hugh Jackson
Gavin Rich answered:
There is a lot of support for Stormers backline players and yet the Stormers have a poor try scoring record. So I am not sure it all adds up. Second question: Morne hasn't proved he is not the best goalkicker. You don't lose it in two games...
Ivan Mynhardt asked:
HM is the best man for the job, but its no secret that he favors Bulls players to other unions. Is this going to be a disadvantage for the boks?. Some of his selections have been extremely questionable.
Gavin Rich answered:
Heyneke is a passionate South African, as was Peter de Villiers. I don't think he would do anything that in his heart he thought would prejudice the country's chances of doing well.
Richard van Huyssteen asked:
Do you think Jacques Potgieter should start above Keegan Daniels?
Gavin Rich answered:
Jacques is a No7 and Keegan isn't.
Strafford asked:
Are we heading for another situation where an excellent captain takes the place of an excellent player? Thinking guys like Jean and Schalk may hold on to their positions too long in this 4 year cycle as a result of needing leadership and not blooding other players. Think Smit v Bismarck. We could have the same here for Jean v De Jong or Schalk v Alberts. Your thoughts?
Gavin Rich answered:
That may be why Heyneke has made the appointment for one year only.
