Lions in SA

Heyneke Meyer Test analysis

2009-06-29 07:12
Email | Print
Heyneke Meyer (Gallo Images)
Related Links
Former Bulls and Leicester Tigers coach, Heyneke Meyer, writes for Sport24, giving his thoughts on the second Test between the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions:

  • To begin with, the first quarter of the match was a mirror of the Test in Durban, but this time it was the Lions who used their opportunities. They scored a try and converted the penalty kick. The Springboks failed at two kicks and lost the scrum on their tryline. That placed them under pressure and on top of this, they had to play without an openside flank.

  • Secondly, the scrums were again determined by the interpretation of the referee. This time the Boks get penalised in this department. The uncontested scrums were to the advantage of both teams. The Lions could move Simon Shaw forward to make way for a better-rested player, which made the altitude less important. It also helped the Springboks as they could get better ball possession from the scrum.

  • Thirdly, the Lions did some homework on the lineouts and managed them better. They avoided Matfield and won some good ball with quick throws. They were also effective in stopping the Bok ruck and maul with Shaw being very useful in that department.

  • The fourth point of interest, is that because the Springboks played quite wide initially, it made them vulnerable, having to give away ball possession a few times and being beaten at the breakdown in the first 60 minutes. But this changed when Brüssow came on as with two openside flanks on the field, the Springboks were able to put a stop to the Lions’ quick ball possession, which brought the turnaround in the match.

  • The fifth point of interest was when the score was 16-5 right before half-time, and the Lions were penalised for obstruction. The Springboks converted a penalty and were only eight points behind at half-time. This was crucial, as the difference between 11 and eight points was eventually the difference of three points in the score.

  • Point number six is that the Springboks were again rewarded for their tactical kicking. The Boks won the Test in Durban with the winning try coming from a lineout. When the Lions were offered something similar on Saturday, with three minutes left in the game, they took the kick at posts to go for a draw. That is the difference between the two teams.

  • Point number seven is Habana’s try, which followed a poor Lions line-out. The Springboks won the resultant scrum and Habana got his chance. It was an elementary mistake by the Lions but it was brilliantly used by the Springboks.

  • Point number eight deals with altitude – you had the feeling they had to be ahead by at least ten points by half-time. Eight points wasn’t enough, and when injuries started playing havoc with their team, it was the end for them. When things get tough, you want your best players on the field, but with Roberts and O’Driscoll off the field, the Lions no longer had that luxury.

  • The ninth point is that Morné Steyn’s conversion after Jaque Fourie ’s try and the long penalty kick at the end were winners, but his biggest contribution was his tactical kicking. Pienaar’s kicks were too loose and the Springboks won back Morné’s high kicks almost every time. Jacque Fourie is one of the world’s three best outside centres and must play again.

  • Lastly, the Springboks still don’t build enough phases but twice scored tries from a first phase and this is rarely seen in Tests. Fourie du Preez was tactically brilliant by calling the right movement with JP Pietersen’s try. He saw the Lion’s wing defending in that area and because it was a strange defence area, a gap opened.

Follow Sport24 on Twitter and Facebook

 

Comment on this story
53 comments
Add your comment
avatar
Logout
Comment 0 characters remaining
 
 
Live Video Streaming
Show full schedule
Video Highlights
Show more videos
Sport Talk
  • Rugby season is up and running
    The rugby year in New Zealand is up and running with the annual party that is the Wellington Sevens.
    • Breaking News

    Latest Video
    Play

    Sonny Bill Williams gets his own back

    Goalkeeper humiliates striker

    Sonny Bill Williams gets punched in the face

    Girls of the Cape Town Tens

    It wasn't all rugby at the Cape Town Tens...

    Sport24 Super Rugby challenge

    Think you're smarter than Sport24 finest brains?

    Featured Blog

    Provincialism: Heyneke’s biggest enemy

    The question is not how popular Heyneke Meyer is outside 'Bullsland'. The question is: How popular is non-Bulls territory with the coach, asks blogger TruVanPunt.

    Latest blogs
    T20 Cricket- Endless Possibilities
    2012/02/08 05:22:44 PM
    Who is the best of all time??
    2012/02/08 04:06:04 PM
    My Super Rugby Wish List
    2012/02/08 03:08:56 PM
    Vote

    What will be your lasting memory of the 2009 British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa?

    Sign up and WIN

    Twitter Follow Sport24 on Twitter

    Newsletters Sign up for Sport24's Morning Glory newsletter

    Blogs Yes your opinion counts. Get it out there

    WIN Enter and win with Sport24!

    Mobile Sport24 on your mobile phone - WAP, alerts, downloads, services

    BlackBerry Stay in the loop on your BlackBerry

    iPhone Latest Sport24 news on your iPhone

    Facebook "Like" Sport24's Facebook page

    TV schedule Plan your couch time with our searchable sport TV guide

    RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

     
    There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.