Kick the habit, says Mitchell

FORMER All Black coach John Mitchell is adamant: the Springboks have to change their defensive plans, and look to run more than they kick. The now Bulls coach,

who is widely regarded as one of the most astute and forward-thinking men in the game, was talking in the wake of the Springboks’ 57-0 thrashing by the All Blacks.

It was a record defeat for the South African national rugby team and there are now fresh questions around the coaching team, headed by Allister Coetzee, while several players are also in the firing line after such a poor showing.

The signs were good after the last year’s horror show, which saw the Boks win only four times in 12 outings, but this defeat virtually erases all those “positives”.

The All Blacks are the No 1 team in the world and the standard by which everyone should measure themselves.

The Boks came up horribly short.

“They’re too prescriptive on their exits,” said the no-nonsense Mitchell. “Kicking like they did might get one into a semi-final, but it won’t win you a championship.

“You can’t premeditate your exit and fall into the trap of giving the opposition the ball back. On Saturday it was one pass or an immediate kick.

“When you’re 31-0 down you’ve got to chance your arm,” said Mitchell. “But the Boks came out and started kicking again. You’ve got to play some rugby (in that situation), and build pressure from anywhere on the field.”

Several players were badly exposed by the ruthless All Blacks, among them the backthree of Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan and especially Raymond Rhule, who missed a slew of tackles.

Already there are calls for Coetzee to make changes and pick players with a greater “presence”. Among the men mentioned are the Lions’ Ruan Combrinck, who is a strong runner, powerful defender and a man who can kick long, with both feet, and the Bulls’ Warrick Gelant.

Mitchell said the Bulls man was ready for Test rugby, but he doubted he would fit into the current Springbok game plan.

“Warrick is a very special player. He’s got the gift to create and can turn two-on-two situations into two-on-one situations. He’s also learning to be a better defensive player and has a strong exit kick.

“I’m worried though he might be stifled somewhat in the current Bok exit plan because they don’t like to run the ball. So, the thing is, if you select him and don’t allow him to run the ball then his creativity is worthless.”

The Boks also missed three of their star players from this season on Saturday, namely Coenie Oosthuizen, Jaco Kriel and Ross Cronje. It is hoped they’ll all be back when the Boks are next in action, against Australia in Bloemfontein next Saturday. The week after that they host the All Blacks in Cape Town.

Coetzee is expected to name his squad for the two home Tests in the coming days.

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