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The Cheetahs are the most improved team in this 2013 season. And the only games they lost was against the finalists of the 2012 season.
It builds confidence within the squad and that's more valuable than anything else. Confidence results in consistent performances and that results in more positive results, and that's pretty clear now! I'm a Bulls supporter, but I think lessons should be learned from this Cheetahs team, and especially the Kings as well. Money doesn't mean anything if you don't have depth. The Cheetahs are probably the poorest franchise in South Africa, if not in the whole tournament, but they have depth. Burton Francis was their first choice fly-half and now he is a match winner. Its clear that they play with pride, to improve, and not just for the win or a medal. It means more to them!!! They are on the verge of the all important "winning habit"...
The Stormers team on the other hand, a big, respectable union doesn't have depth whatsoever. They play with two Scrumhalves and a tired center in Jean de Villiers. They are exploiting their bad management skills. They didn't lay out a backup plan for Elton Jantjies, and they misused his talent by throwing him into their starting lineup against the Bulls, on Loftus? The next week against the Sharks? Jantjies missed out on the opportunity to play warm up games with the team because of emotional reasons off the field. He was in no state to be in control of a game, never mind a confidant Bulls team at Loftus.
Now, Jean de Villiers, a guy that seriously needs a rest if we want him to captain our Bok team through to the 2015 World Cup in England. He wont be able to take a rest now, cause the Stormers need every bit of leadership they can get. This is the poisonous fruit the Cape union have to deal with because of mismanagement. Yes, for the past three years they where the pride of our Super Rugby, conference winners, but they did it with only a hand full of guys, most of them playing international rugby as well. How is it even possible to think that they will be able to keep going at the same pace year in, and year out? What is their plan B or plan C? a Canadian player? Another import from up north? Its only going to get worse, but only for them.
This is right about where I wipe the sweat of my forehead and smile. Luckily, for most of the injured players all over this country, their injuries aren't that serious and it bought them a bit of time to rest up and clear their minds. A priceless award for players that play their hearts out for this country. Its quite sick if you think about it like that. But once again everyone forgets what happens to a person who carries all the weight, all the time. Like anyone else, the person will break down, and even though their pride and honor gets them back on their feet, they are left with scars. Mental scars.
We all know what happened to Morne Steyn. He got the records, won matches, played his heart out. He gave something to South Africa, a British and Irish Lions series win and a Tri-Nations win. He was part of a winning formula. But 3 years of non-stop rugby, week in, and week out crushed the glory, crushed the confidence, the same confidence that made him the general he was. What did he get for not being able to be immortal? a Boo in P.E? Posters of him all over the country insinuating how much he is doing wrong, who's better than him, make jokes about him? Where on earth is the person managing him? Where on earth do u ask someone to keep up with the magnificent type of form Steyn was in?
Now its Eben Etzebeth, Elton Jantjies, Patrick Lambie, Jean de Villiers, Bismark du Plessis, Jannie du Plessies, turn to show how much they can take before crushing down with injury or getting booed on home soil.
Our springboks players needs a break from rugby! For them, slowly but surely the meaning of this beautiful game fades away, and its visible on the field. There's a long list of injured players at the moment. Every union has a couple of injured players. But their depth are paving their way forward. And this game only catered for two roads, either to success or disaster, and a good Coach will know the difference.
Any great team is managed correctly. Mentally and Physically. The Stormers are mismanaging their talent. At this pace, they will never be able to send a team into battle, but rather a bunch of players with special abilities - plagued by fatigue.
It builds confidence within the squad and that's more valuable than anything else. Confidence results in consistent performances and that results in more positive results, and that's pretty clear now! I'm a Bulls supporter, but I think lessons should be learned from this Cheetahs team, and especially the Kings as well. Money doesn't mean anything if you don't have depth. The Cheetahs are probably the poorest franchise in South Africa, if not in the whole tournament, but they have depth. Burton Francis was their first choice fly-half and now he is a match winner. Its clear that they play with pride, to improve, and not just for the win or a medal. It means more to them!!! They are on the verge of the all important "winning habit"...
The Stormers team on the other hand, a big, respectable union doesn't have depth whatsoever. They play with two Scrumhalves and a tired center in Jean de Villiers. They are exploiting their bad management skills. They didn't lay out a backup plan for Elton Jantjies, and they misused his talent by throwing him into their starting lineup against the Bulls, on Loftus? The next week against the Sharks? Jantjies missed out on the opportunity to play warm up games with the team because of emotional reasons off the field. He was in no state to be in control of a game, never mind a confidant Bulls team at Loftus.
Now, Jean de Villiers, a guy that seriously needs a rest if we want him to captain our Bok team through to the 2015 World Cup in England. He wont be able to take a rest now, cause the Stormers need every bit of leadership they can get. This is the poisonous fruit the Cape union have to deal with because of mismanagement. Yes, for the past three years they where the pride of our Super Rugby, conference winners, but they did it with only a hand full of guys, most of them playing international rugby as well. How is it even possible to think that they will be able to keep going at the same pace year in, and year out? What is their plan B or plan C? a Canadian player? Another import from up north? Its only going to get worse, but only for them.
This is right about where I wipe the sweat of my forehead and smile. Luckily, for most of the injured players all over this country, their injuries aren't that serious and it bought them a bit of time to rest up and clear their minds. A priceless award for players that play their hearts out for this country. Its quite sick if you think about it like that. But once again everyone forgets what happens to a person who carries all the weight, all the time. Like anyone else, the person will break down, and even though their pride and honor gets them back on their feet, they are left with scars. Mental scars.
We all know what happened to Morne Steyn. He got the records, won matches, played his heart out. He gave something to South Africa, a British and Irish Lions series win and a Tri-Nations win. He was part of a winning formula. But 3 years of non-stop rugby, week in, and week out crushed the glory, crushed the confidence, the same confidence that made him the general he was. What did he get for not being able to be immortal? a Boo in P.E? Posters of him all over the country insinuating how much he is doing wrong, who's better than him, make jokes about him? Where on earth is the person managing him? Where on earth do u ask someone to keep up with the magnificent type of form Steyn was in?
Now its Eben Etzebeth, Elton Jantjies, Patrick Lambie, Jean de Villiers, Bismark du Plessis, Jannie du Plessies, turn to show how much they can take before crushing down with injury or getting booed on home soil.
Our springboks players needs a break from rugby! For them, slowly but surely the meaning of this beautiful game fades away, and its visible on the field. There's a long list of injured players at the moment. Every union has a couple of injured players. But their depth are paving their way forward. And this game only catered for two roads, either to success or disaster, and a good Coach will know the difference.
Any great team is managed correctly. Mentally and Physically. The Stormers are mismanaging their talent. At this pace, they will never be able to send a team into battle, but rather a bunch of players with special abilities - plagued by fatigue.
