It is fairly obvious that the Sharks have had problems with their midfield defense this season. I am not contending that and to be honest I don’t think anyone can contend that with any sort of merit. But it is perhaps not worthwhile criticising a player to the point of it getting personal.
Meyer Bosman has come under an inordinate amount of criticism for his play over the past few weeks, in particular for his defense. It seems like Sharks fans have found their new scapegoat with Jaques-Louis Potigieter moving down to the Sharks XV and playing a big role in their quarterfinal win against Western Province. The Sharks have lost four games this season with two of these games against the Stormers particularly hurting the Sharks and their fans, especially last weekend’s drubbing at Newlands. There are generally two types of response to such a defeat. The first is a wave of optimism which is in itself not a bad thing but blind optimism undimmed by reality will just set a rugby fan up for disappointment. The second response is to look for someone to blame and then proceed to attack them. This second approach can easily descend into vindictive and personal criticism of a player who goes out and puts his body on the line for his coach, teammates and fans. I can promise you that Meyer is trying his best and he along with his teammates almost certainly dislike losing as much as the most disappointed fan, if not more so.
Suddenly people are clamouring for the return of Riaan Swanepoel to the Sharks midfield. Fans are also reminiscing about the Currie cup performance of Dries Strauss and lamenting a player who we should never have let go of. These very same players were roundly criticized when they were the incumbent inside centres for the Sharks and it smacks of hypocrisy to suddenly want them back. If the masses were to get their wish and they were to come back it would not be long until mistakes were made and the critics would jump off of Meyer Bosman’s back and onto theirs.
Let’s stand in Meyer’s shoes for a moment. He was looking for a new challenge and decided to move to Durban. Uprooting his family and moving to a new team in a city with a completely different culture to Bloemfontein could not have been easy. Things have been going relatively well with the Sharks but not as well as the team and fans would have liked. I can promise you Meyer is not happy with the tries the team has let in and will be working on improving his game and playing better. Here’s another dose of reality, Bosman is not going away no matter how much we tear our clothes and wail. He will be looking to improve this weekend against the Brumbies and help his team onto another win. It might be a good idea to get off of his back and let him do just that.
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Hear hear war. 1 fault is definatly not his alone, Stef also played a big part,I would honestly like to see kanko given a try at centre along with Meyer!!
Defensive errors in the modern game is more down to a system failure than an individual failure.
Especially if it is done at first phase situations!
Good read Warren..
Have to agree with you.. its all a bit unnecessary..
@Morné (Comment 2) : That’s what I’ve been trying to say but it does have a bit more credibility coming from you. The inside centre is also a bloody difficult position to defend in.
@war1 (Comment 4) :
I said before that the Sharks defensive system is almost a carbon copy of the Boks last year – they seem to be stuck somewhere between a rush and a drift.
The problem arises that each system is controlled best from different positions, meaning communication on defense is bound to end up in a mess which as we can see, is exactly what happens!
Who is in charge of the Sharks defense from a coaching perspective?
@Morné (Comment 5) : I don’t think we have a defense coach so I am guessing either Bashford or Reece-Edwards or both which may explain the confusion.
I`ve said all I`m going to about this.
The evidence speaks for itself.
@Original Pierre (Comment 7) : I am not saying that there is not a problem, read the article. What I am saying is that jumping on the bandwagon of criticism is just silly and does no one any favours. If you don’t like him, that is your problem.
@war1 (Comment 8) : He looks like such a nice guy. Wonder if he surfs?
@war1 (Comment 6) : If we don’t we might want to think about getting one. Preferably someone who knows how to close barn doors.
Defence is one thing and granted Adi is not the best defender either. But Meyer is so lacklustre so I am seriously surprised that Adi is not starting. What did Meyer do to deserve a starting spot?
Sorry War I will support the guy as long as he is wearing Sharks jersey but do not expect me to rave about him if his actions on the field do not provide the basis for it.
@Morné (Comment 2) : system failure my foot, crusaders breached that 10-12 channel with ease at twickenham, old dog stirling mortlock made the sharks centres look archaic, now a stormers backline that has been barren the whole season suddenly attacks the same channel and it is open sesame again…
bosman is weak on defense period!
@rekinek (Comment 11) : I am not expecting anyone to rave about him. Where did I say that? I just feel that Meyer has been unjustly targeted by bloggers. Who would you rather have at 12? Remember Adi can’t play 12 and 13.
@Morné (Comment 2) :
Good luck trying to get that message across.
Bosman is no Andries Strauss, but the problem isn’t man on man tackling (technique), its a defensive system that is defective.
Well said war1 – players are not above criticism; but at least let. Be fair.
@Megatron (Comment 12) : thank you. I also feel that our superPat needs to take some responsibility here as well.
@Big Fish (Comment 14) : Thanks, you probably summed up my point in your last sentence there.
@war1 (Comment 13) : perhaps not at the same time 😉
To be frank I would change our centers combo completely and went for Swanepoel and Adi or even would try JLP and Adi. But if you need to keep Stef I would put Adi at 12 or Stef 12 and Adi 13. I would experiment so that to find a better formula.
I am not going to paint Swannie better than he really is but Meyer does not justify keeping him in the starting XV IMO.
@Megatron (Comment 12) :
When opponents exploit the space around or inside a defender it is not the technique that is in question, the question should be why that defender did not know who is covering his inside and outside.
What was evident in the Stormers game was how the Sharks failed to attack tackles, but sat back waiting for the Stormers to run at them.
The problem when you do this is that no-one leads the defensive line and players shoot up or out as individuals.
Once that happens gaps are so much easier to hit.
Habana got blamed for a lot of defensive errors last year at the Boks where that too was as a result of a system not working and the team not defending as a unit, but as individuals.
@Big Fish (Comment 14) :
Yeah, I think I will give up now 😉
@Morné (Comment 18) : so who takes the blame for system not working. coaches? or is it something the players can fix on the field.
Surely after years of playing they do have a feel of what’s working and what’s not.
@Morné (Comment 19) : don’t be a sissy
@rekinek (Comment 20) :
Coaches implements systems, players executes it.
Take your pick 😉
@rekinek (Comment 20) :
My problem with the Sharks (and Boks last year) specifically is I find it difficult to identify which system they are trying to use which can mean two things, either they are using a hybrid defense (mixture) or they are not executing the system they use effectively (which comes down to how this is practiced on the pitch during the week).
Bottom line is, when defenses are breached of first phase play, you are in deep trouble and something is seriously wrong.
@Morné (Comment 18) : i never said it is the technique that is in question, when the sonny bill waltzed through that channel twice if i remember, meyer should’ve woken up and the sharks as team should’ve addressed whatever perceived confusion there was.
funny thing is as talentless as strauss was on attack he certainly knew how to boss his channel on defence!
@Megatron (Comment 25) :
Mate in all honesty SBW has waltzed through every single defensive line in union in the last 12 months…
@Morné (Comment 2) : if it helps, I agree with you fully
@Megatron (Comment 25) :
Where we agree, is that the Sharks should have/must have woken up that there is a problem – for me its more a coaching problem than a player one
@robdylan (Comment 27) :
Thanks bud.
All I am going to say is that you learn in primary school to be on the inside shoulder on defense.
MB and ST are always on the outside shoulder.
@Honey Badger (Comment 30) :
If only defense could be as easy as it was in primary school! 🙂
@Morné (Comment 31) : you’ve heard this “go back to the basics” 😀
@Morné (Comment 26) : let’s see how the Stormers cope with him… because if there’s one thing they seem to have sorted, it’s their defensive SYSTEM
@rekinek (Comment 32) :
Touche! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 33) :
Will be fascinating.
@Morné (Comment 31) : Yes but if you still do not do that today…….inside step and tada.
If you watch ST he always points with his hand watch the inside with his back turned,inviting the attack and I think MB is uncertain who to cover 12,13.
@Morné (Comment 22) : But you sometimes need to play the situation…professionals… 😉
@Honey Badger (Comment 35) :
Confusion on defense is because of lack of communication.
Lack of communication (on who covers who) is down to lack of role definition on defense.
Lack of role definition comes straight back to the system they work under.
@Charlie (Comment 36) :
You can forgive the odd mistake every now and then in open play, what is unforgivable is when plays are at its most predictable (first phases) and the players fail.
@robdylan (Comment 33) : i’m actually looking forward to this game. either way gonna be interesting.
@Morné (Comment 37) : I think ST is the problem.He can’t turn his back on the attacker and think they are not going to take that and thats why I think MB is looking worse on defense then he really is.
@Honey Badger (Comment 39) :
And I happen to agree with you 100%
@Morné (Comment 40) : Cool,do you think they should have tried ludik @ 13 and ST @ 15?
Because really what do the sharks have to lose.
Sharks backplay will be going nowhere with the backline coaches in place at the moment…full stop….
@Honey Badger (Comment 41) :
I think the Sharks should play Adi at 13
Stef should play 15
@Morné (Comment 26) : All the more reason why one would expect there to be some sort of plan? 😯
@Morné (Comment 37) : 😉
@Morné (Comment 43) : @Morné (Comment 44) : Try and convince Plummo and we will make you President of Hamchutney
😆 
@Morné (Comment 43) : 100%
@Morné (Comment 44) : can you captain a team effectively from fullback? I’ve never thought so
who’s doing the defensive organisation now that we don’t have either Barritt or Strauss?
@Morné (Comment 26) : i agree but no ntirely, his try against the bulls was also from 1st phase, where he stood @ 13 & fruean stood @ 12 and as berquist received the ball the two centres criss-crossed with sbw running behind robbie on to the pass at an angle and waltzing past wynand who was drifting with fruean.
it seemed to me the stormers studied the weak points of the sharks defence and realised bosman was the weakest link
When I first heard that Meyer was coming to The Tank I was delighted. Although Andries is a very good defender (& strong on the ground), I was looking forward to Meyer’s distribution to help ignite the back line. Roll on 8 or so months, & it’s clear we have a problem in defense in the centers. First of all, I dont think SBW did all the damage against us in London. I felt that Carter carved us open with his timing of the pass & especially the inside ball to a flying wing. Unfortunately Pat didn’t play, but it seems that the defense structure & communication are lacking. Reading a SA Rugby a few months back, Meyer admits that his defense has let him down a few times in the past, & that it’s something that he’s working hard on. It also mentions that he might take awhile to develop control over the back line and seems to hint that he might take awhile to settle in. While I commend the Sharks for sticking with him, it’s clear that his confidence is low and maybe he needs to be kept out the lime light until it grows. However, this weekend is a good test of his character, & I hope that he’s been given extra responsibility to sort out the defense and lead the line. He needs to be more aggressive and then let his slick passes ignite the line with ball in hand. I had initially thought that maybe in defense, he should defend 10 and Pat at 12, but I now believe that Meyer is the man to right his wrongs!!
Both Murry and Barrit have complained that when they were returning from injury, they weren’t supported in getting game time to get back their form. In this case I commend Plum for sticking with Meyer, but there must be a limit of course. I do feel sorry for Adi, because in many ways he hasn’t been given the support to play himself into form either. I do hope that Plum is transparent with his team and selections, because all players need game time in a consistent position, and every position needs competition.
He does deserve a break. Goodness knows he’s given other players plenty of breaks. 😉 😈
@McLovin (Comment 54) : thwack…. 🙂
wahh waah waah waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh
@robdylan (Comment 49) :
Not really, but then you raised the captaincy concern at the Sharks in another article today… 😉
@robdylan (Comment 50) :
That is the million dollar question…
@McLovin (Comment 54) : is that MC Esher, BTW?
@Morné (Comment 56) : my info is that we at times saw Strauss preferred to other more creative centres because of his good communication and organisational skills.
Now I met Mayer a few weeks ago and he struck me as a very quiet, thoughtful individual. I’m not convinced that he’d be the right guy to take on that role
@robdylan (Comment 57) : It is. 😎
@robdylan (Comment 58) : But shouldn’t our vice captain do the organisation. does it need to be 12?
Maybe I missed it but was there any personal criticism of Meyer Bosman?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) : Plenty….where have you been? 😉
Bosman deserves his fair share of criticism . I feel sorry for the guy because to be honest we had such high expectations of him, we thought he would add more value in the midfield than Strauss .Before he came to the Sharks I always thought he was a great defender and great attacker but he has been poor ,perhaps he suited the Cheetahs game and is battling to adapt to ours .
I think the Stormers game also exposed a few weaknesses in our pack.
Our lineout’s, despite having an athlete type lock didn’t function ,and on that matter they haven’t functioned well at all this season, perhaps it is the system or coinciding poor execution from both jumper and thrower.
The breakdowns have been poorly secured, this has been a problem for the last two seasons, and once again it’s a sum of the players poor play and the system or lack thereof. For instance the stormers not only compete well at the breakdown they also have a solid structure in place which all players abide by ,how often will you see aplon or de joghn bridging or acting as pillar/post , when do you see our players do that? They don’t and it needs to be addressed.
In my mind the stormers good defence stems from sound structure and accountability from each individual ,you can see they buy into the structure . In the Sharks case there is no structure . When you watch the sharks play our tight five seemed to pick and drive alone ,think the beast and how often he did that ,what can you expect to happen when you drive into two or three hungry defenders, this lone running/driving by our forwards needs to stop .
I would stick with Bosman . I would perhaps keep Smit at two and make Bismarc practice his basics ,forget about Skeate and Hargreaves and play Mostert/Bressler/Sykes ,my reasoning is that with a light “jumper” ,Daniels and kankowski you lose some physicality.
I would also like to experiment with Coetzee at 6 ,Deysel at 7 and Alberts at 8.
This forward pack ;
1.Beast 2.Smit 3.Jannie 4.Mostert 5.Sykes 6.Coetzee 7.Deysel 8.Alberts
Only thing that may worry me is the mobility :/
@rekinek (Comment 60) : well, no… it doesn’t need to be Meyer. What I’m saying is, I’m concerned that it might BE him who’s being forced into a role that doesn’t suit him
Strauss was at the sharks for 5 seasons (2006-2010) and only came into his own in the latter part of 2010.
Meyer bosman has only been at the sharks for 5 -6 months..
In short the sharks have alot of attack stratergy and not so much defence stratergy, rugby is becoming more complex on defence to the point where I think we will see games or teams play styles and players based on who they play . The thing is you want be able to adapt to a game whilst playing it and may mean substituting Alberts for kankowski or the other way round as a ficticious example
What type of studs is kanko using this season?? Remember him slipping a few times this season when looking to step..
@Talent (Comment 63) : you right he was supposed to be an improvement on strauss and i do not think that’s such a big ask and he just did not deliver. I guess it was easier to shine at Cheetahs…
@bergshark (Comment 65) : but he did not come as a youngster to be groomed but as an experienced player (a springbok even) 🙄
Let’s discuss his season at the end of 2011 season..
@bergshark (Comment 70) : we can discuss it then as well.
my spell check let me down … 😡
At brive,ronnie cooke seemed to be the player that was organizing the defence..outside centre.(Hope sharks still looking to sign him,only bout 26 now).
@Morné (Comment 18) : this from SA Rugby Magazine:
Bashford has been impressed by the work ethic that Bosman has brought with him from the Cheetahs.
“He was honest with us and admitted that his defence had let him down a bit when he was with the Cheetahs. He has worked really hard on his defensive game.”
so Meyer himself admits his defence is rubbish, enough said!
Well words are true but it comes from the whole team we can’t just blame one and not the other
the whole Sharks team must pull as one family and not as a broken one
Well, if you run with the big dogs….
Meyer the creative midfield player!! What a joke!
He cant create he cant defend so what can he be used for? O,I know he can be used for the Vodacom cup.
I still beleive, Ndungane at 13 and Adi at 12. What do we have to lose if we try this? The worst is that they will destroy us in midfield. Sorry I forgot it has been happening the last few weeks.
@Reynier Jacobs (Comment 76) : 👿 👿 😈
not nice words at all
if you can do better why arn’t you there
@Pokkel (Comment 62) : with that avatar all the other teams will give a run away to know where
Great article and even better comments. The problem boils down to coaching. We need a defense coach! This is clear for all to see. Plum believes that we’ll just hold onto the ball and therefore won’t need to tackle! Bull! The Stormers are a well coached outfit, I admire how they send with purpose, numbers to the breakdown to manufacture a turnover. Our defense is sh!t and Plum must be held accountable and not Meyer. I think Lambie must be given the responsibilty to arrange the defense on the field.
@chaz (Comment 75) : One on one defence lapses can NEVER be blame on the team… 🙄
We must be careful of confusing issues here, the fault of an one on one defence lapse can be blaimed on the individual but if the individual is exposed as a result of a defense system than the fault lies with the coaching staff. Again, after our game against the Crusaders, Plum said that we were defensively naïve in the 1st half. I then stated that the comment made by Plum was and still is scary and means that we only have 1 system that we follow blindly. I also questioned the captain’s role on the field, surely he must be able to make changes on the field according to the opposition’s game plan.