Is Allister Coetzee to blame for the Springbok mess

The Springboks were well and truly thumped by a superb All Black team that playedrather poorly.

The All Blacks had an ‘off’ night and yet still won the encounter convincingly, scoring 6 tries to 1. The final score read 41-13 with the New Zealanderspicking up a bonus point, as well as clinching the Rugby Championship title with two fixtures left to play.

South Africa Rugby Union: Head Coaching Position
Coetzee has taken on the role of Springbok head coach with his assistants having been chosen for him. It is inexplicable to think that a coach cannot select and hire his own support staff. He also has pressure to at least transform the Springbok rugby team by introducing more ‘non-white’ players. Mzwandile Stick and Johann Van Graan are currently Coetzee’s assistants.

Super Rugby: Resistant to Change
South African rugby administrators in local franchises are resistant to change, and have stubbornly refused to evolve the way they play the game. For years the game in Southern Hemisphere has moved towards a more attacking and flamboyant style and yet South African teams are only now starting to change. The Stormers and Sharks in particular have simply refused to adapt and change from their conservative ( I prefer ‘boring’) styles. Both teams play a dire brand of rugby, which is not effective. As a result of this, South African teams still attempt to bash opponents into submission without developing any level of skill. The difference is New Zealand have physical specimens that can actually play rugby. The All Blacks players’ skills are light years ahead of the
Springboks. South African players fall dreadfully behind in basic rugby skills; catching, passing, kicking and decision-making.

The Southern Kings are a disgrace. Under the administration of Cheeky Watson, the union has become insolvent and basically run into the ground.

The Lions, Bulls and Cheetahs to their credit have shown a willingness to change. They have both tried to move the ball and play a more expansive brand of rugby. The Lions
have got it right, whereas the Bulls and Cheetahs have not. The Lions have adapted to the change in laws, and the Golden Lions Rugby Union deserve every credit for their turnaround after being relegated. With limited player resources and finance, they have managed to evolve their union. They have made good decisions throughout, including hiring and releasing of John Mitchell.

The Rand
South Africa is experiencing an exodus of some their best talent due to political instability, and more financially lucrative overseas markets. Players are being lured to Europe and Japan at a very young age, as players jump at the opportunity of playing rugby as a career. The weaker exchange rate will make competing at the top level tougher and tougher for the Springboks.

Attack
Coetzee accepted the position as Springbok Head Coach, knowing that he would have to play a more attacking brand of rugby. Despite Alistair Coetzee’s reputation for playing conservative (Again, I prefer ‘boring’) rugby, he was awarded the position. Without having coached an expansive brand, he now has to implement this at the top level. Coetzee does not seem to possess the know-how to play an attacking brand that will be successful.

The Boks moved the ball, though the error rate was high and the Boks did not really do enough to break down the All Black defence. The Boks did show some variety on attack, however those moments were few and far between. The Boks however lack the basics; simple ball handling skills. The Boks simply do not look comfortable with the ball in hand, and one can predict the inevitable spillage and turnover just around the corner when watching them. They even had the audacity to try move the ball around in their own quarter despite the obvious absence of basic handling skills. Alas, it failed miserably; it was always going to fail. These Boks simply do not have skill.

On the other hand New Zealand were lethal and cut the Boks to pieces when they had the ball.

Defence
Under Allister Coetzee and defence guru Jacques Nienaber, the Stormers were one of toughest defences to break down in Super Rugby. The Stormers were able to win fixtures without playing much rugby at all. In 2012, the Stormers finished on top of the table due to their impressive defence. They were however undone by themselves and their willingness to defend without playing any attacking rugby.

When Chean Roux was at the helm there were some atrocious defensive errors during Saturday’s drubbing in Christchurch. Adrian Strauss was caught hopelessly wondering about out of position, when Julian Savea scored. Strauss was caught narrow in defense, despite calls from Faf De Klerk for him to align himself better. It was basic man on man marking up, it was too late and it was a simple draw and pass by Dane Coles.

Defence at scrum time was also diabolical as New Zealand set about unlocking a porous and hopelessly flawed defensive system. The defensive system was so bad that Faf De Klerk was left to watch his opposite TJ Perenara score untouched from the back of a scrum. It was clear that the All Blacks had done their ‘homework’ and had comprehensively unlocked and exposed the an amateur and untested Springbok defensive structure.

Selection
Allister Coetzee has made some astounding selections since being instilled as coach. Initially the selection of Lwazi Mvovo ahead of Ruan Combrinck baffled many a fan. Combrinck was one of the form backs of Super Rugby, whereas Mvovo had an ordinary campaign. Mvovo was inexplicably selected ahead of Combrinck until he was exposed under the high ball and could no longer be ‘carried’ by the team. He has since been dropped from the Springbok squad.

Finally, Coetzee took the decision to drop Mapoe, preferring Jesse Kriel at outside centre. Coetzee said that he had not been ‘’satisfied with the form shown” by De Allende and Mapoe. Four weeks prior to this, Lionel Mapoe was looking in superb nick for the Lions. Mapoe showed superb handling, footwork and skill in Lions demolition of the Crusaders and Highlanders. Suddenly, he is now out of form! Could it not be the environment perhaps?

Another selection, which does not make sense, is the selection of Francois Louw. Louw has been recalled from the English club, Bath. Louw has looked lethargic and very Northern Hemisphere-esque. Coetzee has preferred Louw’s bulk to the mobility and dynamism of the in form Jaco Kriel (Note the Irony!). Coetzee’s Boks seem to be having an identity crisis. The Boks have shown a willingness to change their brand, but yet select a team that is simply not mobile enough to implement a more expansive and exciting brand. In the forwards, Whiteley, Etzebeth, Du Toit and Redelinghuys are the only players who seem to be capable of playing an uptempo, attacking brand of rugby. Coetzee needs to show more decisive leadership. His selection needs to highlight the direction in which the Boks wish to go. Otherwise it just seems like a badly flawed game plan.

A message to the South African Rugby Union (SARU)
SARU needs a change at the top. The Springbok brand is being tarnished with every week that passes by. The current crop of administrators have done very little in terms of transformation, progression of players and coaches, as well as the exodus of South Africa’s best rugby talent. The Springbok brand that has taken decades to build, can be ruined in a matter of months (Ask SANZAAR). The board needs new ideas and a fresh approach to transformation.

Is Allister Coetzee to blame?
If Allister Coetzee Coetzee accepted the job knowing the stipulations and criteria, then he why should not be responsible?
...What do you think?