UNCHANGED BOKS

JOHN Robbie’s enthusiasm following the last Test could be understood as he tries to encourage the Springboks after the disastrous Albany game.

I agree with him that the credit should go to the players for their bravery and individual skills but their game, as a team, did not change at all. They played the same game as before, of pushing and crawling, based on sheer power instead of running rugby, rapid passing and creativity.

In one word, true rugby as played by the All Blacks, for example.

Conveniently JR did not say a word about the role of the coach, who did not contribute with any new ideas to change the Springbok game style, but relied totally on changing the team and on the players’ determination and skills.

The World Cup in Japan is not even two years away, and there is no time for politics or niceties.

The coach proved beyond doubt, through unprecedented shameful defeats, his inability to bring the Springbok team to a worldclass level.

The first act on the way to Japan is to replace him with immediate effect with a new coach who understands true rugby and who will be able to reintroduce the type of game which won South Africa two world cups.

Without such a bold decision it is doubtful if the Springboks will qualify in their most difficult group for the World Cup.

Lyonell Fliss