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Jake White: What have The Rugby Championship teams done to themselves?
By Jake White
When World Rugby was still the IRB (International Rugby Board), I was invited onto the rugby committee where we had a series of meetings to discuss the shape of the game.
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I’m sharing it with you now because there was one memorable discussion point where we were debating the role of the maul. You know, how to stop it and can it be done legally? I clearly remember the sternest resistance came from the Argentine delegate. He vociferously and passionately defended the sanctity of the maul, and we know why, because they were so bloody good at it!
From their first meeting in 1965, it took the Springboks 50 years to lose to Argentina – and now they’ve lost on three occasions in the last nine years.
Of course, there was famously a Hugo Porta-led team that beat the Boks in the 80s but that was during the Apartheid years and they had a handful of players from Chile and Uruguay, so it was called the Jaguares. They ended up beating us in an unofficial second Test, but technically we could keep bragging rights until 2015 and that famous 37-25 win in Durban.
They’ve always been immensely powerful, but they didn’t have that x-factor or game management to skittle the biggest opponents. Even so, when it came to the maul or the pick and go to the try-line, they were the masters. They had some incredible tight-five forwards. Roberto Grau came to South Africa and was followed by the hard-hitting hooker Federico Mendez, who played for Natal. Patricio Noriega went to the Brumbies and ended up becoming a mainstay for Australia. Back then, Argentina front rows were a sought-after commodity because their scrum and the revered Bajada scrummaging technique, invented by Francisco Ocampo in the 60s, was so strong.
I tell you all this because it was fascinating listening post-game to Schalk Burger Jnr talking. He’s a clever and shrewd pundit and he surmised by saying that ‘with as frail a scrum and lineout as the Pumas have right now, they will find it really difficult to win in South Africa’. The gist was that they got a lot of leeway at home in those two areas but in Nelspruit, it will be far, far more difficult. It stopped me in my tracks. Honestly, I never thought I’d hear a Springbok saying the Argentinian scrum and lineout would be their Achilles heel.
Now everyone is waxing lyrical about the running ability of their backline and the patterns behind the scrum. Again, it made me think about those discussions many years ago about the ‘shape of the game’. Have Los Pumas focused so much on running rugby that it has come to the detriment of their set-piece?
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Their backline tore the Boks to shreds, scoring four tries and it could have scored a lot more, had they been more clinical.
They’re not alone in challenging their national stereotype. If you look at Australia, fans have always been amazed by their evasive running and cross-code skill sets and quality in the air but right now they’re struggling to replicate that. Then you have New Zealand, and their unbelievable understanding of the game. They used to be able find a way to win no matter how the game unfolded but they’ve lost their Midas touch, for now.
At 21-0 up, it’s incredible to think they nearly threw away that match at the weekend. Indeed, the All Blacks have seen fit to call Wayne Smith back into the squad in to help the All Blacks prepare for the week, which doesn’t surprise me at all. Joe Schmidt was in the inner sanctum less than a year ago and many sages could argue that’s why they got so close to toppling the ABs. They can’t risk the Wallabies toppling them over the ditch.
In South Africa, we’ve always been known for having an uncompromising, physical way of playing, yet we are now building a name for running rugby. Indeed, when I look at this Championship’s final weekend, the lie of the land is so, so different.
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Trends ebb and flow but some things remain constant. Doc Craven always used to say, ‘your tighthead prop is the most important player on the pitch’ and when you asked him what the second most important position was, he’d say deadpan, ‘your replacement tighthead prop.’
An old adage used to be that you needed a tight five to win a rugby match. Another was that you needed a strong spine to succeed. This meant that you needed a top class 2, 8, 9, 10 and 15. For example, when you look at successful teams, let’s say the All Blacks World Cup winners in 1987, they had Sean Fitzpatrick, Buck Shelford, David Kirk, Grant Fox and John Gallagher. That spine was hugely important.
Another talking point right now is the role of the No.8, especially, ‘is Ardie Savea an 8?’. My view, you’d be a fool not to learn from history. Look at Mark Andrews, Toutai Kefu, Lawrence Dallaglio, Danie Roussow and Duane Vermeulen. All those No 8s have all won World Cups. They are all big men, who are a lineout option and big ball carriers. Kieran Read was a lineout option and had a certain skill set. I’ll leave it there.
That’s the beauty of rugby. We all have opinions on what the key component to success is. Some say it’s your back three. Some say it’s your loosies who win games, while some say it’s your half-backs who dictate your game plan. One combination that has become increasingly important is the back three because of the importance of kicking. I remember in 2011, they fielded Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Cory Jane, when they used to have Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko, which was a big departure.
Now listen, no one is saying it’s right or wrong, but what is beyond doubt is that Argentina have beaten the old Tri-Nations firmament by changing the way they play. When they had a scrum, lineout, maul and pick and go, they were not as successful as they are now. Why is that? There are so many permutations to discuss but I’m thinking that there is no singular area that takes precedence over the other one. If you focus on one part, you inevitably lose out elsewhere.
This exciting Pumas team is a reflection of the coach and Felipe Contepomi was an enterprising, cerebral No10, who also spent a long time at Leinster where he would have picked up many so many rugby lessons. If Argentina can refind their set-piece dominance, then watch out. You have to give them credit. They don’t have their own league, players are dotted all over the world and they have scant time together as a squad but look what they’re doing. For neutrals, it is a joy to watch.
The old Mike Tyson, everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face is true in Test match rugby. You think you’ve got it cracked and you get embarrassed. Coaching is like Jenga. You pull away one block and it all risks falling apart. That’s why coaching is increasingly an art. Having the ability to stay ahead of the curve when everyone else is looking to topple you. I’d love to know your thoughts.
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)
No one addresses the refereeing in the matches w the Pumas, inequality is the norm when it comes to penalties, whereby the AB, Springboks or even Wallabies are forgiven many trangressions, the Pumas are being observed with a magnifying glass, when the the numbers are really close towards the end of a match, the Pumas opponents a re "miraculously" awarded a penalty ..it is really shameful and very obvious. I remember Ritchie McCaw and his hand showing everywhere and was never penalized for that. Same for playing almost constantly in offside ....
Last two world cup cycles were very much about forward and set piece dominance, probably because of the dominance of the rush defence. It appears to me after a few tests that this world cup cycle is going to be very focused on the breakdown and attack.
As Rassie identified, the breakdown was a big part of the two springbok tests against NZ. The pumas also won the breakdown battle in Wellington. Ireland's dark arts were also on display in the springbok - Irish tests.
On the attack side, you see teams willing to play more open rugby and play a bit more freely on defense. In particular, England and Springboks have looked a lot more attack orientated than before.
If I were to compare it, 2017-2023 were like 2003-2009, when a much tighter and physical game was trending, The way teams are playing at the moment is a bit like the end of 2009 going into 2010, with south africa still dominating through their physicality but teams starting to open up again and run the ball more.
Very well written by one of the great coaches. Many kiwis are deeply concerned at the ongoing placement at eight of Savea.
My personal view is that he won't make the next world cup at the age he is and the franchise he's headed to won't help either.
He's already not able to perform across eighty minutes of test rugby and has now lost two rugby world cups as a starter.
For some reason nobody seems to be able to get any minutes at eight to see how the alternatives go, perhaps it's written into his contract?
The Boks coaching team are so far ahead of the Allblacks equivalent it's embarrassing.
People have some pretty short memories about the reigning world player of the year. His form on returning from Japan has been a bit off but he'll improve.
Who'd have thought that a coach in his seventh year with the core of a team that's been together even longer would have an advantage at home over a first year rookie?
One bad kick made this article almost relevant. South Africas split system has failed against Australia in previous Championships but this time it was 2-0. Argentina must watch out next time around. The real test will be this weekend.
What about the Pumas missed kicks?
Jake White is always so clever yet his history with the Bulls, considering all he has to his disposal, is not that flattering at all. I wonder why?
Better than any of the other South African teams this year.
Nice article. Just a couple of corrections.. Argentina's first win over South Africa was in 2015 in Durban 37-25. And Ben Smith didn't play in the 2011 World Cup for New Zealand. The backline was Dagg, Jane and Richard Kahui.
Jakes way of saying the rise of Argentinian rugby is the best thing since sliced bread, now all it needs is some butter and mollejas asadas in the form of a world class tight five.
Argies playing a good testing brand of Rugby. Great attacking flair and speed in their backs and they have so many physical hard running ball carriers plus great finishers out wide. Underrated team for sure. If only they were more consistent
Great article Jake. It is incredible how the rugby landscape has changed over the last few years. The NH teams has improved remarkably. Due to very shrewd decisions and willingness to take a hard look at themselves. The Boks lost to Argentina, but I was glad it was to them. I have always rated the Argies, they just needed a coach to put everything together. They have that in Contempomi. Watch out! They are becoming a true force in rugby.
Australia is suffering from inept administration. New Zealand is an enigma to me at the moment. If you look at their back line, they have real superstars there. Experienced players. But something is just off with them. The AB's will always be a good team, but they have lost that hard, ruthless edge. Is it the change of in the coach? Too soon to tell. I think it is their core leadership. Scott Barret is a good player and is now captain. Is he hard, tough and unrelentles like a Rettalic, McCaw etc? I don't think so. Razor comes with accolades galore but somehow I don't think he has that tough approach of a Steve Hansen or Graham Henry.
Somehow surfing and breakdancing would not sit well with me if I was a NZ supporter.
I might be proven wrong, and I will admit it when I am.
The Boks are trying to evolve their game. Great. But it is done too quickly and it seem forced. Our breakdown has gone backwards and this leads to our defence regressing as a result of less competition at the rucks.
Keep to our strenghts, it has won us 4 WC's. Then evolve our attacking play with time. Slowly, without compromising our strenghts.
Yes, Barrett doesn't seem to talk to the ref, Cane seems to be doing it all. Expect Sititi to get the armband after the next World Cup. Razor will come right though eventually.
I agree about the Boks changing their DNA. That doesn't often work, although I wouldn't bet against Rassie getting it right eventually.
Argentina have beaten France, New Zealand and South Africa this year. Stuck 67 points on Australia. That Ireland game in November is not such a foregone conclusion anymore, especially as Ireland will be playing NZ the week before and Argentina play Italy.
The autumn is shaping up to be a cracking few weekends of rugby.
Honestly I think the Ireland game is a foregone conclusion. Ireland haven't lost a single home test in over 3 years.
Argentina beat a French b team - an impressive feat given France's depth, but given how handily Ireland beat the French first team this year its not a result that will worry Farrell particularly. The wins against New Zealand and South Africa are more substantial achievements, but both were very close games against weaker opposition than Ireland.
Excellent insight!!
Mr Jake , amazing piece of rugby by your knowledge . I enjoyed it . But I humbly think like Tom Hanks ( altered ) , “Life is like a box of chocolate , you never know what you get “. Not trying to argue , but …. In the 2nd match AB - Australia, who could have signed the final score . The same after 10 minutes in Santiago del Estero . Apart all the things we love about the game the play seen in those games I found excellent . Thank you Mr White .