Heyneke Meyer may only be in the first real testing week of his tenure but he is already setting up structures that are far more advanced than the national team has ever had before.
Along with Saru’s new General Manager: High Performance Rassie Erasmus, Meyer has already set the wheels in motion to see that players are up to speed with what he wants from them ahead of the England test series, including game plans, individual skills and a number of small intricacies that could make the world of difference when the international season rolls around.
Brendan Nel – Media24 (Sport24 & SuperSport)
Meyer and Erasmus have already started setting up the structures — both short and long term goals that will benefit SA Rugby, with players from the Toyota Cheetahs and MTN Lions being the first to benefit from the new unified structure that Saru wants in place for its national teams.
For the first time at this camp, a national coach will tell his players where they rank on the national pecking order, what they need to improve in their game and how long they have to do it and, more importantly, just what he’s looking for from them.
While it seems absurd that this hasn’t been the case before, in the past coaches chatted individually to players and their provincial coaches, and often it wasn’t followed up, or simply ignored.
But now, Meyer and Erasmus have already set up a system to track player statistics, and other than walking through his game plan for the England series, Meyer and Erasmus have had one-on-one meetings with all 30 players present in Johannesburg to let them know where they stand. This system will eventually include an online database where players can log in and download drills and plays so that they understand them when they get to the national camp.
New Zealand have had this system up and running for years now, with great success and their national coaches are welcomed when they visit the franchises in a country where the national team comes first.
Erasmus will help Meyer in the long term set up similar structures for all the national age-group levels, so that players are given individual skills coaching and analysis from the national set-up so they are up to speed when they reach the national team.
It is an ambitious project, but one which, if successful, will reap the benefits of a team that uses the time it has productively to focus on beating the opposition.
Meyer already faces an uphill battle to prepare his first side in a short week after a bruising north-south derby, and will need all the help he can get to have players ready to understand his vision when they get to camp.
“Rassie already started doing some work for me behind the scenes and for the first time we have statistics on all the players. He will sit with me on the one-on-ones and we will be able to discuss with every player where they stand in relation to the national team,” Meyer explained.
“Say its Pat Cilliers for instance, I’d be able to tell him where he’s graded in relation to the other props, what he must do to improve and with three weeks left what chance he has of making the squad. Rassie will be a big help in this, and we both agree that if SA Rugby has a strong technical committee, we can produce analysis that is more substantial.”
The camp with the Cheetahs and Lions players will be followed by a second camp next week with the Sharks and Bulls players and one the week after with the Stormers players
Come on… even the most fervant Meyer doubters and Disco-Rassie detractors (the last of which I’d been guilty of at times) must agree that this sounds awesome… almost too good to be true – and for once it seems like SARU and the Springbok coaching plans are one the same page to boot!
If this plan works, even to a lessor degree than it could… it would still produce amazing rsults and bear fruit which will stand South Africa in good stead for yonks to come.
If I was a supporter of any other Nation in the world, I would seriously start worrying!1
Go Heyneke… gooooooooo Rassie!
Make SA proud!
Dit voel of ek droom! Amazing!
“For the first time at this camp, a national coach will tell his players where they rank on the national pecking order, what they need to improve in their game and how long they have to do it and, more importantly, just what he’s looking for from them”
Lets see how this fans out, remember PdeV had exactly the same plan, but it never materialized.
I believe it will be great if players know their ranking, but what will happen if we all know who is number 1 in every position and HM does not pick that player?
Remember in a team sport you must also look at combinations.
If this list is open for all to see the pressure on HM would be unbearable and many of his picks will be under severe questioning.
A rankings list of the top South African rugby players in every position will be drawn up and made available to the news media this year.
New Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says this will be done in conjunction with the coaches of the SA Super 14 teams.
The rankings will be compiled halfway through the Super 14 competition and by then all top players will know exactly where they stand with De Villiers.
“Every player will know where he is on the list. We want to encourage them to come and discuss their shortcomings so that they will know how to improve their rankings,” De Villiers said this week.
“We’re not going to include anyone on a list because we like him or his manners. Everything will depend on his performances.”
Players may be shocked to learn that the rankings will be made available to the news media.
“Why not?” De Villiers asked. “It will begin halfway through the Super 14. Any player must know who is ahead of him.
“Players have the right to know where they are on the list.
CRITERIA WILL BE ANNOUNCED
“This will lead to more debating and will provide insight into what people think. The people will also know what you (the coach) are thinking.
“The criteria used to judge players will also be announced.”
De Villiers may not necessarily select the top-ranked player in any given position for the Springbok team.
“There are, for example, things such as a player’s attitude. If his attitude is not right, and he does not have time for children, I can’t make him a Springbok. He must be a role model,” the coach said.
De Villiers promised that the Springbok team would be selected on merit. “For me, the team has nothing to do with transformation. We will now see, for the first time, a team (chosen) on merit.
“I have no reservations. I do not pre-judge anyone. A player is good enough or he is not good enough. This is why I say we will see, for the first time in our life, a team on merit.”
De Villiers has already had discussions with Springbok captain John Smit. However, he will start talking to other players only once he has permission from their Super 14 coaches, and then only in the presence of the coaches.
“I believe a player should retain the respect for the one he works with.
“If I talk to a player and tell him I am considering him for the first test against Wales, you will see his form go down because he will think he is already part of the setup.
PLAYERS WON’T BE CONFUSED
“He must first perform well in the Super 14 because that is equally important for South Africa.
“If coaches want me to talk to players in a group, I can do so, but not without their permission. And it must be in their presence.
“The little time I will have between the Super 14 and the test matches is a concern to me.
“It is important to work well with the Super 14 coaches so that the players won’t be confused and the coaches do not create expectations that do not exist.”
No one will be certain of a place in the Springbok team, says De Villiers.
“What I’m going to tell the players is, ‘Do your share because every Springbok match can be your last.'”
superrugby.co.za
super @ 4
kannie wag vir daai rankings nie … DIT gaan baie debate veroorsaak.
anyway
moet sê eks redelik opgewonde oor die bokke se toekoms, beide met die coaching staff en opkomende talent
super @ 4
o, ek sien nou!!! sien, dit gebeur as mens nie alles lees nie, lol.
wou nog sê dat ek ook nie kon dink dat spelers nie voorheen ingelig was oor waar hulle staan nie,
ek dink die grootste probleem vir vorige coaches
en vir hmeyer
was (en sal wees) om te besluit wanneer ñ (gevestigde of no1) speler genoeg kanse gehad het en dit tyd is om iemand anders te probeer!!
..
wonder of die online database wat deur rassie opgestel word (ekt gedog dis die database waarvan jy in #4 praat) beskikbaar sal wees vir die publiek!!
..
btw, die media (of wie ookal die artikel oorspronlik geskryf het), het verskriklik baie moeite gedoen om die indruk te skep dat dit die EERSTE keer gebeur!! dis nou ñ goeie voorbeeld van hoe die media iemand kan maak of breek!!
super @ 3
dit is waar. nie net wat kombinasies aanbetref nie, maar ook hoe die speler by sy gameplan/s inpas!!
maar
kom ons wag en sien. ons kan dit ook nie afskryf as onbereikbaar, voordat ons nie gesien het hoe heyneke van plan is om dit te bereik nie!!
Hopelik sal spelers nou op meriete gekies word??
“Rassie already started doing some work for me behind the scenes and for the first time we have statistics on all the players. He will sit with me on the one-on-ones and we will be able to discuss with every player where they stand in relation to the national team,” Meyer explained.
“Say its Pat Cilliers for instance, I’d be able to tell him where he’s graded in relation to the other props, what he must do to improve and with three weeks left what chance he has of making the squad. Rassie will be a big help in this, and we both agree that if SA Rugby has a strong technical committee, we can produce analysis that is more substantial.”
..
What many other national teams are doing already. Its all about application!
@ superBul:
Super, was this ever implemented by PDV? I cannot recall reading anywhere, what the official player rankings were when he was coach.
It looks like what HM and Rassie are doing is making the info available ONLINE to the players via a website accesible only to the players. If we read the main article we see that this was done for the first time in a training/info camp. In your article Super, PDV spoke to players and their coaches on an individual basis, and that is also what the author of the article has said.
Interesting though this potentially could create a depth crisis. Imagine a player being told he is 45th in the ranking system he will cut his losses and play for money and go overseas.
How does one rate a great youngster…do rate him in the senior level rating system or do you rate him in his age group. A gen Y player will give you the two finger salute if he is ranked outside the top 30.
What happens if a players stats are great but as a combination he is very poor. Rugby is about combinations!
Thats why you can get great players in a team that as a team are just poor…its not about aptitude!
wallabie @ 13
agree
#12
theres quite a few things i believe that still need to be looked at. i just think the writer try to create the impression that no-one has ever done this before (or even thought of doing it). what he (the writer) shouldve done is highlight the DIFFERENCE in the application between the current coaching staff and those who went before him and/or anything else ADDED which no-one else before him has done!!
..
but then
the writer is Brendan Nel, who made his name while harassing PDV about the so-called sex scandal!! cant expect better from an ass like that!!
from supersport:
…
Heyneke Meyer may only be in the first real testing week of his tenure but he is already setting up structures that are far more advanced than the national team HAS EVER HAD BEFORE.
Along with Saru’s new General Manager: High Performance Rassie Erasmus, Meyer has already set the wheels in motion to see that players are up to speed with what he wants from them ahead of the England test series, including game plans, individual skills and a number of small intricacies that could make the world of difference when the international season rolls around.
…
the rest of the article is above, as presented by that lazy ass!! (not you gbs, the other one!!)
…
14 @ Ashley:
Before Brendan Nel joined SuperSport, he was writing for Sondag, the Afrikaans Sunday “Titty Tabloid” (page 3 girls and all) in the Media24 group…. and of course the Snor Sex Scandal suited that paper’s readership perfectly.
The guy who now mostly writes for Sondag is Rian Bam.
That said, there is a big difference in someone who talks the Talk but cannot impliment the structures (Snor) and someone who Talks and Walks the Talk (Heyneke Meyer). Heyneke has proved in the past that he knows and understands and then impliments the structures needed to complete the job… and thus build an empire to be proud of.
What is even more positive is that SARU looks to be fully behind this new era, which clearly was’nt the case before.
I am excited about Springbok rugby’s future…
gbs @ 16
i’m as excited about the future of sarugby as you are
but, i
just hate it when journalists dish up such k*k without checking on his facts … i cant think of one previous coach (ok, may kitch, but only because he had such a short time to do his “hospital joppie”) where players may not have been sure where they fitted in his/their plans … ok maybe in most instances players outside the group may have not known where they stand (which in heyneke’s case seem to be different), but to say that it was never done before or even attempted, is just poor journalism!!
..
😀 ag, or maybe he just reminded me of keo and his bunch? 😆
I know HM is a great coach, his structures was great etc. But just like PdeV started with great promises and he had a good start to his career, HM must still show he can be better. I feel more at ease with him there but remember the rest of the World will try their best to upset his structures, every structure stands on pillars i hope for the best.
Laat ek eerder se ek hoop , hou duim vas vir HM.
Maar die berig hierbo het die kat aan die dinges beet. Ek het binne 2 minute ge google en op Peter de Villiers se planne afgekom, ja ek kan daardie berigte nog onthou oor PdeV. Maar iets of iemand het gekeer dat dit gebeur. Nou wonder ek of Jake en Mallet nie ook maar n tipe “ranking system” gehad het nie.
Ek raak sommer al kriewelrig as ek aan Rassie se ligte en sy komper skills dink. Kombineer dit met strukture en siedaar n moerse complicated afrigtings era.
super @ 18
ek weet jake het een gehad!
vir die wat nie by sy planne ingepas het nie
het
hy as troosprys aangebied om hulle vliegtuigkaartjies te koop sodat hulle kan f*kkof en oorsee gaan speel (ala schalk brits, lol) …. btw, brits was volgens baie pundits EN stats die beste speler in sy posisie, maar het nie by jake se planne ingepas nie.
hopelik verduidelik heyneke darem situasies soos dit beter en/of het spelers in situasies soos dit (met hom daar) ñ beter idee van waar hulle staan, waar hulle tekortkom en of die afrigters wel in hul dienste belangstel!!!
weereens … sal maar moet wag en sien!!
I think the idea is great, and from a players perspective, exactly what is needed, but also agree with Wallabie, if you see you’re 10/12th on the list, for example, and you are at the height of your career, the chances of you staying, or chasing the bigger buck change radically.
However, and this is very important, every one of us is clutching at straws art the moment. Meyer has said nothing yet of any substance. Hell, he hasn’t even actually appointed his assistants yet, only named who he wants. Yet some journo’s start these rumours, write a story here and there, start some threads on twitter and Facebook, then wait for the comments – just stoking the fire every now and then.
Just look at twitter, read the blogs on Keo, Ruggaworld, followthebounce, sportbilly and tank lanning. A story that emerged that Victor Matfield was going to be used by Meyer as a line out specialist when Meyer was first appointed has now blown up out of all proportion to him not only coming back and playing, but being captain as well. Meyer hasn’t actually come out and said any of this yet, not even that he is actually going to be used as a line out specialist. Yet the whole thing has been twisted and bent out of all proportion, to a point where the hacks start using the word ‘Provincialism’ again.
This is how it ends up every time, it’s exactly how the media play it. Who coined the latest phrase ‘Blue Boks’? Bet it was a hack, if not, it was taken up by them very quickly. What does this do? Makes everyone think that Meyer just wants his beloved Bulls are going to be the team. As zoo as the hacks get their ‘provincialism’ label under the table, they will start on the next angle – you watch, it’s going to come. The murmurs have already started.
At the moment the entire country is behind Meyer. As soon as ‘provincialism” takes root, the divided loyalty towards Meyer will start. It will be blamed on the Western Province this time as Meyer is seen as a Blue Bull. The anti Meyer campaign will begin, and the ‘for and against’ arguments will begin again. We will be divided into those that want HM to stay, and those that want him fired. And that is when the fun begins, and the likes of Voldy go into overdrive. We know the outcome – it’s not pretty.
Yet through all of this Heyneke Meyer has said precisely nothing yet. No plans, no team, no captain, just the training groups.
So my feeling is that Heyneke Meyer needs to come out, tell us his plans, lay these stupid rumours to rest, and tell these stupid hacks which bus station to get off at. Give the very knowledgable rugby supporters a chance to debate healthy issues, and enjoy the outcome of a very successful coaching tenure.
Just to prove my point, I put up an article or two with these rumours, just to stir up some reaction. The results have been interesting to say the least.
Like GBS says, just look where some of the hacks who start these rumours come from, and perhaps, then, we can judge what their motives are for doing so.
walla @ 10
ok, lets put it like this … since re-admission we had:
political in-fighting
guys there with own agendas
a few poor coaches
political interference
etc etc etc
but despite this (and a lot more stuff) we were more than competitive for most of the time!!
..
yes, what heyneke suggests has been implimented by most international teams for years now …. we’re only in the process of doing it now,
but
just think boet, if we get our act together, and everyone is working towards the same goal (and it seems like both the coach and sarugby is doing just that), then i can guarantee you, we’re gonna be more than just competitive.
we
have FINALLY reached the stage where we’re ready to claim our rightful place in rugby, boet, so you guys better look out!!
What we must guard against is to think Heyneke’s term in Office will be flawless…
… but I’d be happy with improvement and taking SA higher and higher in the World Rankings.. until we are No 1.
Whatever World Coach’s tenure we compare to that of Heyneke’s tenure which starts now, we all have to agree that nobody’s results were perfect, that there were some blips and some losses in the process… and this will be no different!
Let’s not kid ourselves about this!
I’d be happy if and when EVERY Test result matters, when EVERY Test is approached with a win in mind… and no Test is sacrificed at the expense of a “Judge me at the World Cup” mindset.
That Heyneke will and already has his detractors, we all know…
I hope they fall on their own swords though, it’s time to bury our Provincial bias and make this chance a reality, for the good of our rugby and for the good of our game in SA.
Personally, I like the mindset displayed by Asbakkie and by most others… the one which is positive but careful, the one which is excited but realistic, the one which is supportive but inquisitive, the one which demands clarity and improvement!
Any slant on Meyer at the moment calling his side the Blou Bokke or whatever, is premature, speculative and downright destructive!
The fact of the matter is we have Meyer (former Bulls mentor) and Rassie (former Stormers and Cheetahs mentor) at the top of the pile running the show, but with clear intent from them to have the whole of SA benefit from their terms in office. We currently have a select Lions and Cheetahs group under their tutelage and will have 2 more camps where the other 3 BIG Franchises are represented.
What I do know about Meyer, is that he would rather err on the side of caution and conservatism, than be too bold… but that NEVER, EVER implies that he won’t bring youngsters through from EVERY Franchise. In fact Meyer is known for his prowess in Identifying and Bringing talent through!
I like a careful man… and I certainly like a wise man who does’nt shoot his mouth off at every opportunity, and so far we can say this about Heyneke.
All speculation about his tenure has been coming from rugby journalists, who are desperate to sell sensationalism, to bolster their readership and circulation… one can say it is their job to make this as discussible as is humanly possible. A lot of “Joppie-soekers” on a mission…
Like Asbakkie says…. the other team’s followers better watch out!
Goooooooo Bokke!
gbs @ 22
i’m quite surprised that meyer do have so many critics so early on in his international career!!
😯 it might be fair to say that his international career hasnt even started!!
1. is it because of the matfield rumours? he wont be the 1st guy returning to international duty after retirement … os did the same and were successful!!
2. is it because of his coaching staff? who else was available or better suited?
jeez, i’ve always had nothing but praise for the bulls for their talent identification and how they could bring these guys through! if the guy/s who’ve done that at the bulls is in the coaching setup, than i’m more than chuffed!!
..
ok, on de udder hand (darren) … wonder if the coaching staff was entirely made up of stormers’ guys whether a certain mr. groot_stormer_smile wouldve been so calm? 😉
#23
dan’t hy seker weer geskel dat die spoeg spat, lol
#24
en sy speelgoed uit die cot uit gebliksem
#25
en seker nog vir my geban ook!!
#26
en seker weer vir arme ou Super gesê hy’s ñ Allistair-dissipel!!
23 – 27 @ Ashley:
Etzakkerly!
Hehehe
Nee man, vir my maak dit ookie saak wie hy aanstel nie… solank daai ouens bekwaam is.
Jy’s donners reg… wie anders moes hy aangestel het of in belang gestel het? Elke ou werk maar mos graag met mense uit sy eie verwysingsraamwerk, nie waar nie!
Dis nou soos vir my om in ‘n kritiese pos in my IT besigheid ‘n vreemde flokker aan te stel, hoekom sou ek dit wou doen?
Ek sou mos eerder graag een van die ouens wou aanstel wat ek onderrig het, goeie goed geleer het.. vertrou, kên, weet wat in die ou se kop aangaan, weet dat die ou my en my strukture aanvaar en aanhang.
SuperBul is alles behalwe ‘n Allister-dissipel… hy dink nie veel van die man sedert sy tyd reeds met Jake the Snake as hulpafrigter nie…. maar hy is wel ‘n Snor-dissipel !
PS! Dis meesal Kaapse en Natalse flokkers wat reeds teen Heyneke gekant is… hulle soek mos maar altyd ‘n stok om iets hier uit die goeie Noorde te probeer moker. Daai lotte van Voldy, of The Bounce, of Dawid van der Merwe van Dave’s views… klomp slap peesters, man!
gbs @ 28
ok, met verwysing na sy assistente het ek net van huidige afrigters betrokke by sa spanne gepraat … eks seker daars ouens wat na “beter afrigters” kan verwys wat nie op die oomblik betrokke is by ander spanne nie.
ekt g’n probleem met die huidige afrigtingspan nie … of moet ek sê nog nie, lol
eks gatvol van kiwi oorheersing en as ek 2 uit 3 of selfs meer kere sa gebore maori’s se gevrete in hul nederlae kan smeer, sal ek MEER as gelukkig wees … o, en ñ nr1 posisie sal ook nie te versmaai wees nie.
Look guys, what we must also realise is that since the inception of the Springbok that the national coach will always have a provincial bias. Even old Andre suddenly found a few Griquas players that would otherwise not have had a look in with a coach from any of the big unions.
The same with the coach’s assistants. No big surprises there.
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