Latest news with #JerryFlannery
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Boks aim for defensive improvement against Wallabies, says Flannery
The Springboks have been working hard on defence, particularly in the mauls, ahead of their game against the Wallabies. Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery says the team are aiming for a defensive improvement when they take on the Wallabies in their opening match of the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday. The Boks have produced an up and down showing on the defence so far this season, starting well in the rain in Cape Town during their 54-7 thumping of the invitational Barbarians (BaaBaas), before they struggled in their first Test against Italy at Loftus, winning 42-24. In the second Italian Test in Gqeberha they were immaculate, handing out a bagel, as they clinched a 45-0 win, despite being down to 14-men for most of the match. In their most recent Test, against Georgia in Mbombela, the Boks started poorly, conceding an early maul try to go down 7-0, before improving drastically and keeping them out over the rest of the game on their way to a 55-10 win. Hard yards Earlier this week Flannery said that they had put in some hard yards in training on defence, especially in the mauls, ahead of the start of the Rugby Championship. 'None of us were pleased with how we performed in Italy one. We conceded a maul try in that game and we also conceded a maul try against Georgia. That's something that teams pick up and look to go after,' explained Flannery. 'So we have invested a lot of time into our maul defence. But I think there is always something that you will be able to work on. We conceded 41 points across the four games if you include the BaaBaas as well, which isn't too bad. 'So far this season we started really well against the BaaBaas, were really poor in Italy one, we were good in Italy two and then kind of in between against Georgia. 'So there is definitely a lot of scope for us to improve, especially on the back of the level of intensity that Australia has been playing at (recently), and we have tried to replicate that with our training.' Inexperienced subs In this weekend's match the Boks have named two inexperienced props on the bench, in Boan Venter (one cap), and Asenathi Ntlabakanye (one cap), and although they could be thrown into the cauldron if the Boks are struggling in the second half, Flannery said they fully back them to perform. 'When you have guys who are inexperienced (in the squad) you would ideally like to be winning comfortably when you put them on. But we have selected them because we feel they are good enough,' said Flannery. Venter has come into the side late because of an injury suffered by Jan-Hendrik Wessels. 'That even if it is a tight game, we can bring those guys on, because with the amount of work that the front row has to get through, you very rarely see a front ranker play 80 minutes anymore. 'So when we put these (inexperienced) guys in the squad we are saying that if it is tight, we will make the change and bring them on because we trust them. And we do, they have been performing (well) for us and I hope they do it again this weekend.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
No weak teams in the Rugby Championship, says Flannery
The Springboks have their work cut out for them if they are to defend their Rugby Championship title, says defence coach Jerry Flannery. Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery believes that there are no weak teams in the Rugby Championship and that the Boks will need to be at their absolute best if they are to retain the title they picked up last year. With the Wallabies on the up, Argentina always a wild card, and the All Blacks their biggest rivals, the Boks truly have their work cut out for them if they are to go back-to-back in the competition for the first time in their history. If they are to do it, they will need to get off to a good start against the Aussies at Ellis Park on Saturday. The visitors are brimming with confidence after beating the British and Irish Lions in their last game, and Flannery admitted that they will be a different beast to last year when the Boks thumped them Down Under. 'If you look back at last year, Argentina were the dark horses. They came out of nowhere and shocked New Zealand, and beat us as well,' said Flannery at a Bok press conference on Tuesday. 'There are no weak teams in the Championship. That is it. Looking at last year objectively, Joe Schmidt had only just taken over the Wallabies after the World Cup, where they had looked rudderless. 'So they started slowly, and we benefited from that because we played them early in the tournament (beating them 33-7 and 30-12). That is not the case with the Wallabies now, but we want to play the best teams when they are at their best. 'With all due respect to Georgia and the Barbarians (who the Boks played last month), we want to be playing the best teams in the world because that is how you get better.' Schmidt factor Flannery previously worked with Schmidt, during his successful tenure as head coach of Ireland, that many have credited for building them into the powerhouse they currently are. He explained that the New Zealander was laying a similar groundwork for the Wallabies to rise from, after a dreadful 2023 World Cup, and that the breakdown battle would be a key one that could decide the way the game swings this weekend. 'They play very direct rugby with a lot of detail, and the breakdown is a massive part of their game. You could say the breakdown is key to stopping them,' said Flannery. 'Joe's teams are meticulously planned, not just for the first three phases but for five or six. That requires accuracy at the breakdown, and they always have two players in quickly. 'Bringing in guys like Taniela Tupou, Will Skelton and Rob Valetini gives them huge ball-carrying power and momentum, which feeds into that quick-ball game. Our system won't change, but we'll emphasise certain areas more.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
How the Wallabies' bruisers have boosted their attacking play ahead of Springboks clash
Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery says the Wallabies' attacking breakdown is key to their attack. Image: Backpagepix A lot has been made of the Wallabies' newfound hard edge since the return to the starting line-up of players such as star forwards Will Skelton, No. 8 Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou. All three had a massive impact on the Wallabies' performance in the second and third Tests against the British and Irish Lions, bringing much-needed physicality to their efforts in the collisions and at set-piece time. Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery suggests this has also elevated their attacking game, as their ruck speed improved with these powerful ball-carriers getting over the advantage line and giving their cleaners the best chance to secure possession. Australia scored some fantastic tries in those Tests, as they managed to bring their young but extremely dangerous outside backs into the game. Overall, the Springboks' defence has been solid against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia, conceding just 41 points across those four matches. However, the majority of those points came in the first Test against Italy, where the visitors managed to score some excellent tries—particularly in the second half, when they dominated the home side. Flannery says the Springboks' defensive system won't change much, but certain focus areas will be emphasised where they believe the Wallabies could pose a threat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park (5:10pm kick-off). 'When you bring in Tupou, Valetini and Skelton, they're massive ball-carriers, and they can give you huge momentum,' Flannery told reporters in Johannesburg on Tuesday. 'This then feeds into the breakdown narrative, and they get quicker ball. So that was obviously a big part of it, and I suppose they also give them a little more of a confrontational edge outside of play.' The Boks head into the match with Bulls fetcher Marco van Staden wearing the No. 6 jersey, while captain Siya Kolisi will pack down at the back of the scrum. The home side will also have the luxury of Kwagga Smith coming off the bench, with his energy and ability to slow the ball down — or steal it — at the breakdown. The Wallabies, under Joe Schmidt, employ a number of structured plays in the later phases of their attack. Flannery experienced this first-hand during their time together in Ireland, and knows just how important it is to disrupt the Wallabies at the breakdown. 'For most teams in attack, getting quick ball is going to be the big thing for them,' Flannery added. 'When you look at how meticulously Joe Schmidt plans his plays, you could see that the players were really aligned to a plan that might stretch five or six phases—to retain the ball and be in the right place. You have to be really, really detailed at the breakdown. 'I think when you look at that, there are two players instantly cleaning all the time.
