The search is on! SANZAR are on the look out for a permanent CEO to manage and develop the Super Rugby and Tri Nations tournaments.

SANZAR search for CEO

The international search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer to lead SANZAR, the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions joint venture, will commence this weekend with the role being advertised in all three countries.

The creation of the new role to head up a Sydney-based SANZAR organisation to manage and develop the Super Rugby and Tri Nations tournaments follows a review of SANZAR’s existing management structures in 2009.

The CEO will report to SANZAR’s Executive Committee and will be charged with driving a strategic growth plan across multiple countries and improving SANZAR’s operational effectiveness.

Current SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew said this was a major milestone for SANZAR as it evolves not only its competitions but also its organisational structures to a new level during 2010.

“The SANZAR joint venture has been incredibly successful through the cooperation of the three Unions which have rotated the secretariat responsibilities up until this year. With the expansion of the competitions from 2011, it is timely to move to an independent, permanent executive that can focus exclusively on driving Super Rugby and the Tri Nations competitions.”

We will have to wait and see, what and if any, noticeable improvements or changes take place.

Who do you think should grab the title of SANZAR CEO? On that note, I wonder what Jake White’s future plans are looking like..?

Eeni meeni miini moh...

There has been a lot of talk lately about Springbok coach, Peter De Villiers, using the one off test against Wales on 5 June 2010, just 5 days after the close of the 2010 Super 14 competition, to test overseas based Springboks before the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

By the looks of it, De Villiers will select just two contracted players from each of South Africa’s five franchises for the game at the Millennium Stadium, meaning a chance will be given to those currently playing their trade abroad. Those players left behind will be given time to rest and focus on the upcoming 2010 Tri Nations competition.

De Villiers was quoted in the Times newspaper as saying:

“Our focus will definitely be on the Tri-Nations this year, given that we play our first game of the tournament at the same venue where we’ll be based for next year’s World Cup. We’d be stupid not to focus on that game and, by extension, on the entire Tri-Nations tournament. I will take only two (contracted) Boks to Wales from each franchise, at most.”

De Villiers has said that he will respect the ethos of the Springbok traditions and not just cap new players for the sake of this experiment, so in essence, this one-off test will act as a trial for those players who already have a Springbok cap, to push for possible inclusion in the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup squad.

That being said, I have decided to take a look at the career’s of some of these overseas based Springboks and see what they’ve been up to during their time abroad.

Joe van Niekerk

Joe van Niekerk was plucked straight from age group levels in 2001, after captaining both the Springbok u19 and u21 teams respectively, and never having appeared in either the Currie Cup or Super 14. He made his test debut against the All Blacks in Cape Town. Joe is a versatile, mobile loose forward with great hands and gas to burn. He isn’t scared of taking on, and backing himself for pace, against any back line player the opposition has to offer.

Career Stats:

• Date of Birth: 1980-05-14 (29)
• Height: 193 cm
• Weight: 105 Kg
• Test caps: 51
• Test points: 50 (10T)

Teams represented:

• South African Schools 1997 – 1998
• South Africa U19 1998
• South Africa U21 2000 – 2001
• South African Sevens 2001
Gauteng Lions U21 1998 – 2001
Gauteng Lions
Lions Super 12 Team 2003
Stormers Super 14 Team
Western Province
Springboks
Rugby Club Toulonnais Toulon) France 2008 – present

This is what “Big Joe” van Niekerk has been up to: [Toulon4ever]

But is he needed?

For: Experience can’t be bought and Joe has 51 caps behind his name. He has good hands and is one of the quickest loosies around, which is a great asset from the back of the scum, 5m out. He’s a great runner with ball in hand and links well with the backs.

Against: In a country that is currently so abundant with extremely talented loose forwards, with the likes of Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow, the smart money would say that “Big Joe” isn’t really needed.

What are your views? Would you pick “Big Joe” to be in your 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup squad?

I was looking around on Youtube the other day, as I often do, and came across this brilliant clip. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Fancois Steyn is an exceptionally talented individual!

SA Rugby needs to change their policy on foreign based players for guys with his skill set, who, as we saw in the Autumn Internationals, we so clearly cannot be without.

It looks as if he’s doing quite fine over there…

A tribute to Frans Steyn: [CombatBok]

RIP Springbok legend!

We learn last night that the former Springbok flanker Ruben Kruger past away after losing his long standing battle against brain cancer.
 
1995 Rugby World Cup winning hero, Kruger was forced to retire from rugby in 2000 after it was discovered that he was suffering from malignant brain tumours. He had a long battle with the disease over the last 10 years of his life.

We at BlogSpotRugby would like to express condolences and sympathy with Ruben’s family and friends.
 
The tough as nails flanker has been one of the best players that ever represented the Springboks and his death is a massive blow for the rugby community.
 
Apart from his rugby playing abilities, he has been a superb human being and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

In the words of PJ Powers:

“…we must take our place in history, and live with dignity…”

Something which Ruben most certainly did. RIP Springbok and South African hero…

The World in Union: [80ToMo8]

Are professional rugby players playing too much rugby these days? This is a issue that many a fan is thinking about at the moment. As I mentioned before, there are two schools of thought on this:

One being that a few Springboks in key positions have been playing far too much non-stop rugby, and it’s beginning to take its toll. The other being that this is their profession, they are rugby players, and therefore should play rugby.

Let’s put things into perspective here, it’s just over a year and a half until the 2011 IRB RWC in New Zealand, and if certain players are going to last until then, they are going to have to be managed very carefully. My feelings on the matter being that certain players, for example, Bakkies Botha, who has allegedly been nursing a knee injury all season, should never have gone on the Autumn internationals end of year tour.

If you remember back to our exclusive Q&A sesh with Os du Randt, we chatted about the value of John Smit’s captaincy being clear for all to see and whether Os thinks he can make it to the 2011 RWC and still be a force to reckon with. This was his reply:

Os:I think he can make it, but I strongly feel he must rest from rugby for at least the super 14 next year. If you go look you will see he has played a lot of games in the last 4-5 years. I think mentally he is really tired, as the captaincy also takes a huge toll on him, not to mention before the RWC, where everybody wanted him out of the Bok squad. After the RWC he stayed behind to play in the French league, then came back and is still playing with no proper break.

We have one of the most experienced rugby teams the world has ever seen. We need to keep the backbone of this team intact, fit and rearing to go. With that and the correct mangement of blooding new players, we have a real chance of becoming the 1st nation ever to succesfully defend the RWC trophy.

Guys, I need a f&$#ing break fom this kak...

Other players who have played a lot of rugby and need to be managed carefully include:

• Victor Matfield
• Bakkies Botha
• Schalk Burger
• Juan Smith
• Fourie Du Preez
• Bryan Habana
• JP Pietersen

What are you thoughts on the matter? Are these guys playing too much rugby?

If you remember way back when, after Conrad Jantjies broke his leg during the Super 14, we asked the question: How much is too much?

IRB FAIL

All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw, in what can be deemed as a complete joke, has been named the International Rugby Board Player of the Year for 2009.

The 28-year-old McCaw became the first person to have been awarded rugby’s most prestigious individual accolade twice, having previously been named IRB Player of the Year in 2006.

Now before the die-hard McCaw fans put a hit out on me, let me explain: There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that McCaw is a great player, perhaps one of the best to ever play the game, as well as an inspirational leader. The teams he has played for have for many years dominated the face of rugby worldwide, but let’s be honest, 2009 was not anywhere near McCaw’s best year in the game. In-fact, 2009 has been one of the weakest years I have ever seen in All Black rugby.

[Remember the video we posted of just how KAK the All Blacks have actually been this year?]

He was injured for the beginning of the season, playing only 10 tests. He didn’t have a great Super 14, nor did he win the Tri Nations, where he was largely dominated by the new kid on the block, Heinrich Brussow.

If you look at the stats [Rugby Stats] McCaw made less tackles on average than Brussow did, made less turnovers than both George Smith and Jaque Fourie and gave away the same amount of penalties on average.

Perhaps McCaw could have won the award in 2008, but the award is called the “IRB Player of the Year Award” because it should be awarded to the best player of the current year, based on that year’s form alone, not past form, nor reputation. The fact that he won baffles my mind in a year where Both Fourie du Preez and Brian O’Driscoll have been ahead of him.

Being a South African, maybe I am biased, but let’s take a look at Fourie du Preez’s year in rugby:

• Played a massive role in the Bulls’ victorious Super 14 campaign.
• Was inspirational in the Springbok’s series win over the B&I Lions.
• Dominated the competition during the 2009 Tri Nations tournament.
• Had a marked impact on the Bulls’ comeback to win the 2009 Currie Cup.
• Was consistently the best rugby player in the world in 2009

Let’s call a spade a spade here. In my opinion, the award went to the wrong player!

What are your thoughts? Should McCaw have won the award? If not, who should it have gone to? Leave your comments below

Alright, don't touch me...

Brian O’Driscoll: BOD as he is often referred to as, made his international debut at the tender age of 20, on 12 June 1999, in a 46-10 loss to Australia in Brisbane.

Since then he has established himself as one of the best outside centres the game has ever seen. Often being referred to as the worlds best outside centre over the last 5 or 6 years. A title that would be closely fought between him and his opposition counterpart, come this weekend’s match-up.

O’Driscoll played for Ireland before he played for the senior Leinster team. At one stage he was so popular in Ireland that T-shirts were made, bearing the motto “In BOD We Trust”.

Some BOD magic: [docathail]

Thats the kind of KAK this fleet footed star is capable of on the day, but does he still have what it takes to claim the title of the worlds best #13?

Run chicken, run...

Jaque Fourie: Fourie made his international debut on the 11th of October, at the 2003 IRB Rugby World Cup, at outside centre for the Springboks against Uruguay, at Subiaco Oval in Perth, and scored a try on debut.

He is still the only player in world rugby to have scored a try against every nation that he has faced. Fourie has scored 28 tries in 53 tests for the Springboks and has established himself as the premier #13 in South Africa since 2004 where he took over the reigns from Marius Joubert.

Fourie is a deceptively quick, incredibly strong, try scoring machine of a #13, who played a pivotal role in both the Springboks 2007 RWC victory and the 2009 series win over the B&I Lions.

 Some Fourie Power: [irb]

Is Jaque the best in the world, with his pace, power, strength, tackle and turn over rates?

The best centre pairing in world rugby reunited once more...

To the excitement of many Springbok fans, Jean de Villiers has received a call up to the Springbok squad who will face Ireland this Saturday.

Since de Villiers departed our shores to join Irish club, Munster, things haven’t been the same in the Springbok midfield, with both Adi Jacobs and Wynand Olivier being leaps and bounds behind de Villiers as far as performance in the Green and Gold strip is concerned. PDV’s hand has been forced, due to injuries, once again, in going against his policy of  non selection of overseas based players.

We all know what Jean de Villiers is capable of, and it’s an exciting prospect to see the centre pairing between him and Jaque Fourie renewed, but just in case you suffer from occasional short term memory loss, probably brought on by years and years of binge drinking, this should jog your memory.

JDV – the magician: [CombatBok]

On the other hand, the Irish coaching staff have opted to go with a relatively unknown #10, as far as the fact that us Southern Hemisphere fans haven’t seen much of him before. Jonathan Sexton from Leinster has cracked the nod ahead of experienced campaigner, Ronan O’Gara. This is probably due to the fact that O’Gara will be 34 by the time the next IRB Rgby World Cup rolls around in 2011, and the Irish will be keen to see exactly what they have waiting in the wings.

This is the only clip I could find of Sexton: Read More >>

A marked difference

The Springboks were able to record their 1st win of the 2009 Autumn Internationals with a somewhat sketchy, somewhat good win over an Italian team that is fast progressing into quite a competitive unit.

Although this was only the Springboks 2nd test on their 2009 European tour, losses in both matches by the Springbok XV, or “Dirt Trackers” as some call them, were beginning to make some people nervous. In my opinion, the Springboks were never ever going to be in any danger of losing against Italy, no-matter how negative some of the rugby loving public in this country may have been before kickoff.

I always find it amusing how some South African rugby supporters (now before you get ready to march me off to the gallows, I did say “some”) can be so very fickle about their support of the Springboks. When we are winning, we are the greatest team in the world, yet when we lose a game, we are kak, plain and simple. Perhaps this stems from our high expectations of the Springboks, who knows why we turn so easily when the results don’t go according to plan.

I was siting in a pub watching the game on Saturday, and behind me was an older Springbok “supporter” (or alleged supporter), clearly on his 5th or 6th round, lambasting us before the game had kicked off, saying how we are going to lose to Italy, how kak we are and some other things I probably shouldn’t mention. Then the game kicked off, and all of a sudden we were 2 tries up. Jaques Fourie’s try was like a muzzle for this dude. The guy who was so outspoken before the game was suddenly silent, and left shortly after it was clear that the game couldn’t slip away from us.

I too have very high expectations for our beloved team, but it is the law of averages that we will not win every game. Let us not forget though, that we are still the IRB world champions, a South African team won the 2009 Super 14, We beat the touring British and Irish Lions, we won the 2009 Tri Nations and untilwe lost against France last weekend, we were still number 1 on the IRB world rankings. Let us also not forget that the so called “Dirt Trackers” or mid-week team, is not an actual Springbok team, majority of the team are not capped, and until the Springboks start playing so dismally (if ever they do), we can’t very well claim that the Springboks have lost all but one of their games on this tour. In reality, we had a very uncharacteristically shocking night in France, where we went down 20 – 13, but this past weekends 32 – 10 win against Italy puts the score at 1 all.

Then just to put it into perspective, Italy are no longer the walk overs of international rugby. The All Blacks only beat this same team 20 – 6.

Some points I’d like to make about the game:

• Jaque Fourie was a machine as usual. I was glad to see he kept his record of being the only player worldwide to have scored a try against every nation he has played against.
• Besides one or two good runs and a great offload, Ryan Kankowski was once again uncharacteristically very ordinary.
• Although Francois Hougaard only got a few minutes on the park, he is definitely one to look out for for the future.
• Fourie Du preez was himself… brilliant.
• It was great to see BJ Botha back in the Green and Gold, what an impact.
• Morne Steyn had his worst game so far in a Springbok Jersey.
• Adi Jacobs once again showed he is not the answer at number 12. Both him and Morne Steyn made KAK with that try.
• After last week’s butchering of our national anthem, the Italians were too scared to attempt to sing our anthem

Here are the highlights: [Rugbydump]

Earl had a "pearl"- er by his standards. Time to chill hard for the next year or so...

So we went down 24 – 23 in the Springbok “Dirt Trackers” final game of the tour against  a relatively star studded Saracens team, consisting of quite a number of South African born payers.

The coaches however will be looking at various good aspects of the game itself (yes there were good things that came out of the game) and the way certain individuals played.

Some points I’d like to make about the game:

• I think Earl Rose had possibly the best game of his senior career. He showed glimpses of the deft, “Larkamesque” handling skills that he is capable of, which culminated in the neat pop ball behind his back. What scares me about the fact that he had such a good game by his standards, is that with his erratic play, it only happens every year or two, and PDV will be sure to use Tuesday night’s game as an excuse to keep Earl touring for another year or two
• Heini Adam’s isn’ t the answer, he was like a dear in the headlights for the 1st 20 minutes of the game, and then when the Springbok XV did start getting go forward ball, Adams does a two step before he passes, like George Gregan in old age.
• Francois Hougaard uncharacteristically had a game he’d soon like to forget.
• Although Ashley Johnson gets around the park well, and shows good ball skills, I’m not quite convinced he is up to international standards as of yet. Let’s be honest, there is a massive step between playing a Northern Hemisphere club and playing international rugby. Johnson needs to get more involved at the breakdown areas and vastly improve his scrum technique.
• Once again Wynand Olivier showed how he is nowhere once he pulls the Green and Gold strip over his head. I don’t know what happens to him, but something definately does. Brilliant hit on Derick Hougaard though.
• Juan De Jongh showed some good strength in going over for his try.
• Jongi Nokwe contested very well under the high ball, and generally played quite well.
• Odwa Ndungane on the other hand seems adament to prove how he isn’t up to international standard with each new game he plays.
• Adrian Strauss showed exactly why he should have been picked in the 1st place.
• Jean Deysel was a machine as always.
• The ref was pretty hopeless at the breakdown – both ways.
• I wouldn’t be too worried about the scrum free kicks, it a sign of a team that hasn’t played together much. We know what those boys are really capable of.

The Highlights: