Boks could win RWC 2019 if….
They were brave and fearless. However, they were still beaten.
Yes, our beloved Springboks gave it everything that a, limited, four years of building a game plan could produce and New Zealand won.
No issues, no complaints and no excuses.
The best team won and will become the first team to retain the Webb Ellis Cup and the first country to win it for a third time.
Congratulations to the mighty All Blacks and their supporters.
Some Key moments (and by this I'm not blaming the officials at all, just wondering):
1. Was Jerome Kaino's try not from a forward pass?
2. Bryan Habana. Only once a kicker makes any movement (forwards or backwards) are you allowed to charge. You may not slap the ball out of the scrumhalf's hands! His fan club easily tells AussieBoer how great he is, but, forgets how many tries and games his lost over the years.
3. With Lodewyk de Jager and Eben Etzebeth, who outshone their counterparts, except for the line-outs, how was this possible to lose four line-out balls when Victor Matfield, once the guru of line-outs, was part of the squad? Easy, you can't just form a line-out in today's game and just jump. There has to be some deception. When it rains, you throw the ball at No.2. Etzebeth, will not lose his own line-out ball!
4. The All Blacks added to their score while the Boks had just 14 men on the field, the Boks didn't when New Zealand were a man down.
5. Was Victor Matfield's neck roll not just a clean-out? That was a reversal and thus a six-point penalty - which could have resulted in a 21-20 win for Boks.
In the end the World Cup champions, the world's No.1 team and the dominators of the game, pulled out another win.
So let's play Marty McFly and Doc Brown and travel to the future.
RWC 2019: The Springboks wins the RWC in Japan!
What is the way forward?
1. Heyneke Meyer, like most previous unsuccessful top dog's teams' coaches, must go. With a record of 31 wins out of 47 tests (65 percent) and only one out of eight wins against the might All Blacks, it is unacceptable. He became the first Bok coach to ever lose against the Pumas (in the Republic) and Japan! In 2012 he drew a poor English team and was lucky to escape with a draw against the Pumas. In 2014 he also lost against Ireland and Wales.
2. We need a coach with a more attacking mindset. And if we have to hear over the next four years, judge me on the World cup, he must proof that he is actually building by bleeding youngsters. Not go and knock on the old age home's door and pick players who has hardly played leading up to the World Cup. Experience is important, but, not the end all. Players must be able to last and be the best to be picked. Plus 30 tests is, experienced enough.
3. The Currie Cup Final showed that South Africa, with better coaching, could become a force and be able to play by keeping possession and running rugby.
4. Tactical kicking that used to be a Bok strength has to improve. It was easier in Naas Botha's day with different defensive structures. However, tactical kicking is not just about long punts. It's about when to kick, the purpose of the kick and what type of kick.
5. Who should coach the Springboks? Many will cry out for Johan Ackermann and not trying to take anything from the former Bok stalwart, but the Currie Cup is not the Test arena. Heyneke Meyer is living proof that even winning a few Super Rugby titles, the Test arena is another level up. So Ackers could be considered as forwards, not head coach!
6. The Bok coach need assistance that will improve his weaknesses and challenge him. Steve Hansen and Graham Henry had Wayne Smith. Michael Cheika has Stephen Larkham. Pieter de Villiers may stay, on the evidence of the Bok scrum's performance against the All Blacks in the semifinal.
7. Boks need 'starter moves' of set play. They have not been a threat at all. When the All Blacks and Wallabies have an attacking scrum or line-out, most spectators 'feels' a try is on the cards. With the Boks, nope.
8. The new Bok coach should not necessarily pick a captain four years out. Two years are ample time. Thus, Handré Pollard should be the captain in 2018-19. Duane Vermeulen could be the captain next year, although he makes his living abroad. If SARU doesn't want to open that can of worms, Schalk Burger should lead the Boks next year. It should be an interim captain.
9. AussieBoer's advice to the next Boks coach" 'Here is you core to work with - enhance their skills and win the World Cup in 2019 - Willie le Roux, JP Petersen, Adriaan Strauss, Pat Lambie, Marcell Coetzee, Duane Vermeulen and Schalk Burger will be the leaders to build up these youngsters over the next two years.
These 'youngsters' will be lethal if coached properly by 2019 - Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Trevor Nyakane, Eben
Yes, some have weaknesses, but that is what coaches are for - to improve and up skill players.
Cheslin Kolbe could be the Boks' Shane Williams.
Jaco Kriel must now be groomed that he is the Boks' Michael Hooper in 2019 and thus play his first Test next year.
Other players will also come through, but, use the above as your core to build with.
Who should be the Boks' coach and assistants?
Who should be the next Bok Captain?
Kevin D
AussieBoer
SARU Level III & ARU Level II coach.