Rugby Championship
Meyer not ‘stampkar coach’
2012-09-27 10:18
Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has defended
himself against charges that he overly favours a collision-based approach to
rugby.
Meyer fielded public questions this week on the www.supersport.com website and his answers
were published on Thursday.
Asked whether the Boks would start playing with greater
“off-load” flair, in the manner of the All Blacks and domestic side the Sharks,
or if what is known in Afrikaans as “stampkar” rugby is perceived as a better
option, he replied: “Something few people know is that we off-loaded more than
the All Blacks in Dunedin (when South Africa lost 21-11 recently despite
dominating some areas).
“It’s about the right time and place to play ‘off-load’
rugby.
“You will see that taller players like Sonny Bill (Williams)
are by nature better off-loaders, because they get their hands through the
tackle.
“I certainly don’t believe in the so-called ‘stampkar’ rugby
... some of my previous teams scored the most tries in their respective
competitions.”
The coach remainded cagey on the subject of veteran,
Japan-based scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, who is rumoured to be in his plans for
the end-of-year tour of Britain and Ireland.
Grilled over Du Preez’s chances of the nod, he said: “It’s
still a bit premature to speculate about team selections for the November tour.
“We currently have two very good scrumhalves (Ruan Pienaar
and Francois Hougaard) in our squad with a third, Jano Vermaak, who’s been with
us the entire season.
“I watch every player locally and abroad who can add value.
I will always look at the local option first, though.”
Asked whether specialist open-side flank Heinrich Brussow,
who has not yet featured under the Meyer regime, would stay on his radar, Meyer
said: “When Heinrich works through all his injury problems and regains his
form, there is no reason why we won’t look at him again.
“I’ve always had the highest respect for him as a player and
person, which is very important to me.”
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