Cape Town - Former Springbok wing Breyton Paulse says the days of relying on power, good kicking and the rolling maul to beat teams are gone, and that South African teams need to add a dash of panache to their play.
Paulse’s beloved Stormers were the sole South African representatives in the Super Rugby playoffs last weekend, but fell horribly short against the Brumbies despite playing on home turf at Newlands. To put matters further into perspective, the Stormers finished a whopping 21 points behind the table-topping Hurricanes in the league standings.
As a result, South African rugby fans will have no one to cheer for in Saturday’s Super Rugby semi-finals for the first time since 2003, with both semis set to be contested between teams from New Zealand and Australia.
Defending champions, the Waratahs, face off against the Highlanders in Sydney (kickoff 9:35am SA time), while the Hurricanes clash with the Brumbies in Wellington (kickoff 11:55 SA time).
“We didn’t play the type of rugby that Hurricanes and the Highlanders played to be successful,” Paulse told the Cape Times on Thursday. “New Zealand put a lot of effort in playing a total game of rugby. Even the Blues, who struggled this season, scored some lovely tries.
“Rugby is going in that direction, and to keep it alive in South Africa, we have to change the mindset of the coaches. We have the players, but unfortunately, because most of the coaches are under pressure to win, they go back to a conservative approach.
“Clearly, this sort of game is not working for us anymore. If teams counter our physical approach, then they can beat us easily these days.
“It’s not going to be something that’s going to change overnight. If you look at New Zealand’s rugby structures, all their teams play the same type of rugby.
“But in South Africa the Bulls play a different game, the Cheetahs play a different game and the Sharks ...”
Paulse, who will enjoy the Super Rugby semi-finals in the SuperSport studios as a pundit, also weighed into the size debate, as many blamed the Stormers’ lack of bulk at the back for their capitulation against the Brumbies.
Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo has certainly taken Super Rugby by storm this year through his physical attributes and speed, but likewise has the smaller Hurricanes man Nehe Milner-Skudder, who danced his way past many defenders with his sweet stepping.
The debate will rage on, but it was clear on which side of the fence the former Bok No 14 is sitting.
“I have been in that same situation, and I think there is still place for smaller players in rugby. Guys like Cheslin Kolbe and Aaron Smith bring other skills to the table,” Paulse said. “We have to be realistic, there are a lot of big guys coming through at the moment, wings and centres who are over 100kg. And it’s great, because the guys are all athletes.
“But there is still a place for the small guys, because they are generally more skilful and they bring some excitement to the game.
“I don’t think smaller players need to be scared to take their place on a rugby field.”
Quick Facts
* The home side has won each of the last six meetings between the teams.
* The Highlanders have earned the most turnovers in Super Rugby this season (151), the Waratahs the fewest (88).
* Waratahs fullback Israel Folau (1 606) and Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo (1 310) have gained more metres than any other players in Super Rugby this year.
* The Brumbies have beaten the Hurricanes in their last four games, after having lost the four previous contests.
* The Hurricanes have the best scrum in terms of ball retention this season (95%) while the Brumbies have the second worst (82%).
* The 56-7 victory by the Hurricanes over the Brumbies in 2009 is both the Wellington-based side’s largest win in Super Rugby and the Brumbies’ worst loss.
Cape Times