Jake White says he would pick Schalk Burger before Heinrich Brussow. The former Bok coach was giving his opinion on the current team ahead of the Test against Australia in Perth later this month.
Craig Ray writes for www.thetimes.co.za
Burger is serving an eight-week suspension for reckless play, and in his absence the diminutive Brussow has performed superbly for the Boks.
But White, who coached Burger from 2002, when the flanker was 19, says that Brussow does not offer the same qualities.
“If you’re going to change a side you have to ask yourself whether it will improve the side,” White told The Times.
“In the case of Schalk Burger it most definitely will.”
“I wouldn’t have picked Brussow, but I also have to admit he has done well. But Schalk is one of the best players in the world and he has been one of the best for the past five years. He hasn’t suddenly become a bad player,” White said.
“I put a premium on the lineout and Burger will win that battle hands down over Brussow. He jumps well and the most overlooked aspect is the lifting he does at the lineout.
“Though I don’t use the term ‘fetcher’, for lack of a better word, Burger is able to do that job as well.
“Perhaps with the team at such an advanced stage of its development it can afford the luxury of having a flank the size of Brussow, but when I was coaching we certainly didn’t have that luxury.”
Brussow is only 1.81m tall against Burger’s 1.96m. But the Free Stater has punched above his weight at the breakdown with both New Zealand’s Richie McCaw and Australia’s George Smith.
Both players are considered the best at the job and Brussow was able to make life uncomfortable for them.
But before recent matches against the Boks, McCaw and Smith agreed that South Africa would miss Burger’s physicality and while it never showed because Brussow was so effective, it indicates how highly rated Burger is by his peers.
“Schalk has been voted the best player in the world in the past, but would Brussow ever win that award? I doubt it,” White said. “It will be interesting to see if the coach selects him in Australia.
“It’s simply a question of ‘is he good enough or not?’ and if he isn’t, then why is he going on tour? Schalk has been selected to do a job and he should be allowed to do it.
“I’ve read reports that suggest Schalk might have to vie for a place with Juan Smith in the No7 shirt. If that’s the thinking, and I don’t know for sure that it is, then they’re mad.
“Why change something that isn’t broken? Schalk is an openside flank and Brussow is an openside flank and the choice must be between the two of them for the No6 jersey.”
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“I wouldn’t have picked Brussow, but I also have to admit he has done well. But Schalk is one of the best players in the world and he has been one of the best for the past five years. He hasn’t suddenly become a bad player,” White said.
WTF?? 😯
“Schalk has been voted the best player in the world in the past, but would Brussow ever win that award? I doubt it,” White said. “It will be interesting to see if the coach selects him in Australia.
“It’s simply a question of ‘is he good enough or not?’ and if he isn’t, then why is he going on tour? Schalk has been selected to do a job and he should be allowed to do it.
“I’ve read reports that suggest Schalk might have to vie for a place with Juan Smith in the No7 shirt. If that’s the thinking, and I don’t know for sure that it is, then they’re mad.
I can’t believe what I’m reading… 😕
JoKE White… 🙄
jake has always had his favourites
Eish Jake – you making a tit of yourself, – First Schalk acted like a Thug and lost a good deal of respect. In fact a shit load. The Brussow comes along and proves that your no fetcher arguments was rubbish. How many times did Brussouw steal the ball when the Boks were under pressure?
I agree Schalk is a good player, but he has been jaded and quite frankly his accuracy has gotten worse, i honestly cannot think of one occasion wear Schalla actually played like a 6
@war1 (Comment 4) :
True for every coach- I suppose…but there has to be a line somewhere…
I can’t see Brussow being dropped, but will be happy with either.
Schalk will be back with a bang, just needs some game time. You can’t keep a good man down.
We are truly blessed at the moment to have such good players at the Boks’ disposal. 😎
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 5) : Brussow won that game for us last weekend. Steyn was just there to capitalise on the work that Brussow put in.
The Schalk Brussow debate will surely add some spice to future Cheetah v WP/Stormers matches. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 9) :
Im think Luke will be a much tougher opponent for Brussow than Burger will. 😕
@robdylan (Comment 8) : He did indeed. and defensively, he steals when we are under pressure – which makes ahuge difference Schall would just concede a penatly 🙄
@blackshark (Comment 6) : yeah, i think that line was drawn under de wet barry/marius joubert/big joe/jaco vdw and that seems to be about it
the most overlooked aspect is the lifting he does at the lineout.
That’s a good point. On Re-union after the AB tests someone mentioned how the Boks not only have tall guys to jump in the lineout but also how they use the tall guys to do the lifting which gives them an even further advantage.
did jake watch the s14? “he hasn’t suddenly become a bad player” wtf, this guy wants to drag us throught the same bulldust he did with de wet barry & marius joubert! Schalk is playing nonsense and is living on reputation alone these days!
@wpw (Comment 10) : Probably, but not many matches between Bath and the Cheetahs coming up.
Me Thinks the Sharks can put a bid in on Brussow… 😉 Skim is just not what he used to be… 😳
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 16) : he would be a excellent buy, for any team! 🙂
Brussouw has the edge right now, but Schalk is not suddenly a has-been at 26 – the competition is good for the players and the team.
@McLovin (Comment 15) :
Oopsie daisy!!!
I forgot about that… 🙄
@Big Fish (Comment 18) :
just because you are way past that age does not mean one cannot be a has-been.. 😈
@war1 (Comment 17) :
I betcha he can rather ‘negotiate” a good deal right now…with anyone..
Jake White is typical of people who can’t admit when they are wrong…that doesn’t impress me.
@McLovin (Comment 13) : It’s not like the Boks lineout have been struggling since Burger hasn’t been there. 🙄
Jake White, I have a lot of respect for you, but don’t go and make an ass of yourself 👿
@Pokkel (Comment 21) :
Yep…the lineout has been going ok…
Brussow’s work-rate and discipline is amazing…
I’m not saying Schalk is a bad player – I actually want him back on the team (22) so he can regain the form that made him the Incredible scHULK.
Until then – Brussow 6…the end.
@Pokkel (Comment 21) : True. Brussow has convinced me of his worth and keeps doing every test. So I’m happy. Regarding Mr White, like they say in Afr ‘Hy skop teen die prikkels’.
On another note from Rugby365:
The Wallabies’ newfound penchant for onfield violence came to the fore again at training on Thursday, as the Australians continued their preparation for the next instalment in their Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup campaign.
Not for the first time this year tensions boiled over at a Wallaby training session – when teenage sensation James O’Connor and veteran Phil Waugh got involved in a stand-off.
🙄
Yes, of course Jake, we really need another line-out option.
Matfield, Spies, Bakkies and Smith are surely not enough.
I cant remember when last Schalk was used as a line-out option. Even under Jake.
What a ridiculous thing to say.
@McLovin (Comment 24) : 🙄 Goodness, whats with these hooligans
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 26) : Ja well, when your forefathers arrived on the island in leg irons and handcuffs it’s not really a good start. 😈
help me out guys… there’s a song out at the moment that has a chorus something like the following:
“So if you love me
Why’d you say you don’t love me”
Anyone know what it’s called? I think it’s by the Fratellis
@robdylan (Comment 28) : 😯 ❓ ➡ 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 28) : no eye deer.
What a crock of #$%@7 Jake. He is almost rubbishing Brussow’s ability with his bitter remarks and that is unfair and uncalled for.
@quota (Comment 14) :I dont know about the S14, but it is obvious that he didnot watch any of the last 3 tests.
@wpw (Comment 1) :
Nothing wrong with that?
What Jake doesn’t say though is whether he would keep Brussouw in the team ahead of Burger now that he has seen what he can do.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
Oops he actually does. Sort of.
“If you’re going to change a side you have to ask yourself whether it will improve the side,” White told The Times.
“In the case of Schalk Burger it most definitely will.”
@robdylan (Comment 28) :
Whistle for the Choir…
So if you’re lonely why’d you say your not lonely … 😉
He hasn’t suddenly become a bad player,” White said.
75% correct there. he may not have become a BAD player but he sure as hell isn’t nearly as good as Brussouw is at the moment.
@Salmonoid (Comment 31) :
What a crock of #$%@7 Jake
Woulda been classic if there was a 6 at the end of your swearword. 😆
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 34) :
The Fratellis is right though..
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 34) :
Ok…you were fast.
I don’t know the song – but after some google-work I found Whistle For The Choir. Woulda been easier with the right lyrics Robbo… 😈
@Salmonoid (Comment 31) :
Brussow did well in the Super 14 too – just not easy playing for “that team”…
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 34) : you are my HERO! Thanks
@blackshark (Comment 38) : whoops 🙂
@blackshark (Comment 38) :
Neither do I! But googled once, saw the correct lyrics – saw it was easy to mistake the lyrics as Robbo did…and Whalla!! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 40) :
I need a super girl Avatar!! 😆
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 37) : You should get a prize. 😉
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 42) :
I wish I had speakers – I really like the lyrics would love to know what the song sounds like!
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 42) : R50 in your maxispaar.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Thunder Horse) (Comment 44) : it is awesome… surprised it’s not on the radio there?
@robdylan (Comment 46) :
I’ll listen tonight at home..maybe it is a familiar song, got this great site I buy music on…very cheap.
@McLovin (Comment 45) :
R50 bucks are a few pints in the pub – its okay with me!! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 46) :
It probably is – I guess we’ll catch it on the UK Top-40 on 5FM…
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 47) : which one is that?
NICE pic, BTW… need to get the wife such a costume 🙂
I think I need to buy that song off Amazon. You know that their MP3’s are completely DRM free 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 50) : +1
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 48) : Just email Rob your details. 😉 😆
is Schalla REALLY 1.96m tall?
@robdylan (Comment 54) : Not sure, maybe when his got long studs in.
@robdylan (Comment 50) :
gomusic.ru
@McLovin (Comment 53) :
Cheapskate!!
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 56) : is that site still up? I thought they closed it down. It’s not all that legal, from what I’ve heard!
@robdylan (Comment 57) :
I got some music from it the other day…
I pay – so I see it as legal!! LOL
Or maybe they actually gone legal now?
@robdylan (Comment 57) :
BTW – you got mt FB invite? Send it to about 60 odd people…
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 58) :
Or Rather – an IT friend (who i do not see would do something illegal) and who always does a lot of research actually recommended it…
If you wanna buy any appliance or whatever – ask me – My friend has done expetnsive research and would give you the best options available!! LOL
Unbelievable. Fortunately for Jake, he’s not the coach anymore. 🙄
Why don’t we ever see Jack Bauer go to the toilet? Or at least mention it. Something like: ‘Chloe, send me something I can read to my phone. I’m going for a dump’.
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 56) : I use gomusic.ru as well. I agree with you..if I pay it must be legal.
@klempie (Comment 61) : Hello Klempie. Wat nou??Wil jy nog steeds eerder vir JW as afrigter sien an PdV?? 😈
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 59) : got it, thanks… let see how many of then sign up!
@Pokkel (Comment 21) : Ditto.
Dot ru is Russia right? I don’t trust ’em.
@McLovin (Comment 62) : Who’s Jack Bauer?
@Pokkel (Comment 64) : Jy bedoel wil ek nog steeds eerder vir JW as afrigter sien ipv van JS en Victoria. 😈
@Pokkel (Comment 68) : The dude from 24 I think. Kiefer Sutherland.
@klempie (Comment 70) : That are him. I’m not a fan though just wondering.
@McLovin (Comment 62) : Haha. I just read this. That’s a very good point. 😉
@klempie (Comment 72) : I see now….I never did watch 24
@klempie (Comment 69) : Ek dink Victoria en JS sal eerder hulle groot pel Schalla in die span wil he 🙄
@Pokkel (Comment 74) : Nee wat. Ek glo dit nie. Miskien sou Victoria. Maar JS is te slim vir dit.
@klempie (Comment 75) : So jy dink nog steeds JS rig die span af ❓
I’m just about 120 comment away from breaking into the top 20 as far as comments are concerned
@Pokkel (Comment 76) :
kan ek maar die boxing gloves bring?? 😈
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 78) : Nee wat ek is nie in die mood nie….ek stir net n bietjie 😈
@Prof. Ice Babe(Super Girl) (Comment 78) : Ek en Klempie stem nogal saam oor meeste goed 😎
@Pokkel (Comment 76) : 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 77) : Nog nat agter die ore. 😉
@klempie (Comment 82) : Ek gat jou nooit vang nie, tensy ek n professionele blogger word.
@Pokkel (Comment 80) :
Vinkel en Koljander…:wink:
@Pokkel (Comment 83) : Ag ek is maar stil deesdae.
@klempie (Comment 85) : Jy stil…wat’s fout??? het jy varkgriep opgetel in die Leeus locker room 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) :
BRILLIANT!! 😆
Sevens, along with golf, are set to appear at the 2016 Olympic Games, after an International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board vote on Thursday.
@Pokkel (Comment 86) : Besig by die werk. Kannie eers na die game by die Coke Can oor die naweek toe gaan nie. 😥
you guys realise that one of the conditions of the advertising I host here is that all content should be in English? 🙂
Still no news on the armband inquest??
@robdylan (Comment 90) : Nee ek het nie geweet nie
@Pokkel (Comment 91) : They are really taking the piss. How long do they need? The hearing was on Monday not? 👿
@robdylan (Comment 90) : Staan dit ook so in die reels, gaan ek ook verban word…oo my gonna Klempie ons beter regkom 😉
@robdylan (Comment 90) :
@Pokkel (Comment 94) : it’s not in the rules cos I only read the fine print for the first time a few days ago 🙂
I’m just messing with you, dude… I don’t care what language you post in.
@McLovin (Comment 93) : I would have thought the bastards would have at least cited Gitau just so it doesn’t seem so blatantly obvious that they are screwing us. 👿
@robdylan (Comment 96) : When you really pissed about something there is no better language to really express how you feel…..you can’t truly translate a word like ‘gatvol’ and get the same meaning in english 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 97) : I hope he gets trapped at the bottom of a ruck and someone accidentally steps on his nuts.
@Pokkel (Comment 98) : there’s another word like that 🙂
sommer & mos are my favourite english words.
@McLovin (Comment 101) :
You didn’t tell me you grew up on the Cape Flats?? 😯
@wpw (Comment 102) : No dude, he would use “soema”
@wpw (Comment 102) : 😆 Nah, maybe an ancestor or two, you never know. 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 98) : I am ass full.
@klempie (Comment 105) : 😯 I just inadverntently figured out the etymology of gatvol! I’d have had enough too if something was up my ass that didn’t belong there! 😆
@McLovin (Comment 101) : bliksem is another. As well as a few other choice ones which cannot be listed here.
@wpw (Comment 102) : @provincejoulekkading (Comment 103) : 😆
@klempie (Comment 107) : once we go down that route it’s a slippery slope.
But I guess one of them is the one that starts with d and ends with oos? 😈
@McLovin (Comment 109) : another one starts with ‘p’ and ends with the Japie for ‘harvest’. 😈
@klempie (Comment 110) :
That is probably the all time favourite swear word.
D-east and pea harvest, doesnt have the same ring to it.
Go away you pea harvester!!, slightly better.
@Salmonoid (Comment 112) : LOL
@klempie (Comment 105) :
Multitasking were you? 😈
Hope it was enjoyable at least. 😳
@Big Fish (Comment 114) : clever 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 115) :
To make it worse, this statement makes it sound as if some things (not all) actually belong there:
“I’d have had enough too if something was up my ass that didn’t belong there”
@Big Fish (Comment 114) : @robdylan (Comment 115) : Come on okes. That was the whole joke. 🙄
@Big Fish (Comment 116) : Pooh belongs there and that is all. lol.
I see I opened up a can of worm and left before the fun started 🙄