The build up to this year’s RWC final has not been without drama and controversy but the sideshows are all but past us with the matter of final to look forward to. This is rugby purists’ dream final having the All Blacks and the Boks face off in a final to decide the bragging rights for the next four years. This clash of styles could not be more on display with the selection of a 7-1 bomb squad bench versus the traditional 5-3 of the All Blacks. This game will come down to a few moments and who handles the pressure better to emerge as the champs.
Here are some keys for the Boks to be that team.
Ruck speed
The difference of 0.5 seconds average ruck speed on attack and defence will decide who comes out on top in this massive encounter. The Boks got the upper hand in the warm up at ruck time and it showed on the scoreboard. The Boks need to slow down the All Blacks ball enough to set the defensive line to then launch the rush tactics that have made them the best defensive team in the world. Should they not slow it down the All Blacks will be able to pick off defenders in one on one situations as the X factor they possess across the park is significant. On attack, if the Boks get fast ball in the 22 area they will allow wave after wave of monster ball carriers coming around the corner smashing into defenders until they run out of shoulders to stop them. Slow ball for the Boks mean they can’t launch the big ball carriers which then limits any option of going wider to the exciting outside backs. Slow ball means the box kick will become the fall back option and the All Blacks are capable of counter attacking better than any other team.
Discipline
This sounds like a cliche in the modern game but the difference of 2 or 3 penalties in a game especially in the second half is often the momentum a team needs to kick on. This is why the bomb squad is so effective because it almost instantly creates penalties at ruck time or in the scrum. Scoreboard pressure will also be a telling factor in this game because of the expected cold and rainy weather making it harder to chase a game should a team get behind. The final aspect of the discipline angle is the tackle situation as a yellow or heaven forbid a red card in a match of fine margins is a game killer. They need to ensure the tackle technique is on point from the 1st minute as a card will throw the cat amongst the pigeons. This team has a cool head which is down to the veteran feel to the team make up and they will need every ounce of experience.
Big players pitching up
I don’t mean the biggest players on the park but the talismanic guys stepping up to the plate and delivering on the biggest stage. If we talk about Eben, Handre, Duane, Siya and Bongi on Sunday morning then we will most likely take the victory. The old adage of experience winning championships is as true today as it has ever been and they need to deliver monster performances to overcome the old foe. Siya on the field goes mostly unnoticed as he does a lot of the grunt work hitting rucks and making tackles but he has the ability to break a match open with his running abilities. Bongi needs to this week behind him and silence his critics with a big night in the lineout and at the scrum. Duane has been more on the quiet side the last few games but he is well respected in the team and leads from the front. They will need him to hit as hard as he ever hit with Shannon Frizell waiting to bounce on any opportunity to strike. Eben can run through walls and he inspires his team to grow an extra arm and a leg when he is steaming on attack and defence.
Bomb squad timing
Rassie and Jacques are two of the more impressive tacticians in the game with innovative and data driven decision making which is advancing the level of coaching world wide. When they decide to unleash the bomb squad will be crucial as they have a massive impact on the game but should they come on too early and then fade slightly the All Blacks are known as a great team in the last 20 minutes. Should they come on too late the result may already be done and any catch up will be in vain. This is where the data driven analysis will be key as the Boks have had an incredibly tough draw and the legs will be feeling very heavy. They need to see when the players output (which they track) is flailing and also marry that with the feel of the matches’ momentum to make the right call to unleash the bomb squad. This is going to be pivotal but I don’t think there are two better informed coaches in the world to make this crucial decision better than Rassie and Jacque
Untimely injuries
The risk of the 7-1 split is the scrum half as you have to sacrifice a specialist for a forward to up the ante but should Faf go down early it will be a disaster. The scrum half has to have a feel for the flow of the game more than any player on the field as he has to know when to speed it up or slow it down. The question is not if Cheslin or Kwagga can perform the duties of scrum half which I have no doubt they can but feeling the game takes experience in the saddle which they don’t possess. I have no doubt Rassie and Jacques will be coaching up these guys as to what they need to do in certain times on the field should disaster strike early. Any other position in the backline injury with the exception of Jesse Kriel is manageable.
This game will be won in the fine margins and let’s hope that the Boks can pull it out the bag to go down in history as the best team in the world, EVER. I just hope for a clean referring game that allows the game to be won by the best team and not the whistle. I can’t wait and GO BOKKE!!!
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