Stormers side-step NZ teams in 2016
AT 38 years of age there has been no older or more decorated Springbok player than Victor Matfield, and his record of 125 caps (and counting) will take some beating, but sometimes even the most venerable of elder statesmen require a dressing-down.
Matfield, who will be confirmed as the new captain of the Springbok World Cup squad today, said he had been well and truly put in his place by coach Heyneke Meyer early last week in a meeting between Meyer, vice-captain Matfield and captain Jean de Villiers.
At the time the latter obviously did not know that he was about to play his last Test.
Matfield is open about the fact that he and De Villiers were told that “there is only one boss, and it is neither of you.”
Rumours of a rift between Meyer and the senior players that Meyer had so ironically backed became fact when De Villiers last Friday admitted that he had been put in his place and that the coach’s instructions would be followed to the minutest detail against Samoa.
Matfield stopped short of saying he and De Villiers had thought they were above the law, but he did say that the aforementioned meeting abruptly reminded him and De Villiers that they were getting too big for their boots in not adhering to Meyer’s game plan against Japan.
“The coach sat down with us and in no uncertain terms told us exactly how he wanted things done – in preparation for Samoa and in the game itself,” Matfield said. “He left no stone unturned and it very clear who was in charge and that instructions had to be adhered to...”
It is known that the pair were told to obey or expect to be substituted, and that they had “20 minutes grace” to lead the charge against the Samoans before the coach would make a decision on whether to yank them off.
Matfield said that the manner in which Meyer had handled the fall-out from the loss to Japan and taken the situation by the scruff of the neck had renewed his respect for the coach.
“The reason why I am here playing in this World Cup is because Heyneke convinced me to make a comeback,” Matfield said. “My wife has always said that I would walk through fire for him, and this last week has shown me again why it is that I respect him so much as a coach.”
Matfield and Meyer took the Bulls to three Super Rugby titles, and now the unfortunate injury withdrawal of De Villiers means they will be renewing their collaboration. It seems to have been scripted by the rugby gods and Matfield was not shy to cosy up Meyer when he stood in for De Villiers in the post-match press conference (De Villiers was off to hospital for X-Rays).
“When Heyneke takes command like he did last week, it is a pleasure to follow him,” Matfield said. “The coach is a little bit crazy in how he responds so positively to pressure and the result was that he made it so easy for the players in that he simplified what he wanted us to do and then said: ‘Do as I say with passion and it is impossible to lose’.
“Heyneke told us the old story of how when (coal) is subjected to severe pressure it turns into diamonds,” Matfield continued. “He held a meeting with the squad and reminded the players of the responsibility they carry in wearing the jersey, and that in South Africa, rugby is more than just sport.”
The captain-elect said that the players afforded themselves a few hours of celebration after the game and are now back to square one.
“The pressure on us is exactly the same as it was last week. Nothing has changed. Playing Scotland on Saturday will be our focus (now),” he said. “It is a final for us, it is as important as beating Samoa. Nothing has changed in terms of our expectations... from last week to this week. We want to improve and keep winning, that is all we want.” EDDIE JONES’S tenure as the new Stormers coach will kick off with a blockbuster Super Rugby clash against the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday, February 27.
In the new 18-team competition, the six South African teams, including the Kings, are grouped in two African pools along with the new entrants from Japan and Argentina. The existing 10 Australasian teams will be divided into New Zealand and Australian pools.
The winners of each pool will earn automatic entry to the knockout Super Rugby Finals Series. The next highestranked team from the African conferences will also be placed in the Finals Series, along with the three next highestranked teams from the Australasian conference.
The Stormers are in Africa Conference 1 with the Bulls, Cheetahs, and the new Japanese team. They will also play against the Australian Conference teams.
Africa Conference 2 features the Kings, Lions, Sharks and the Argentinian team, and will play against the New Zealand conference teams. – John Goliath