Heyneke Meyer: 'If the team loses, it is always my fault'
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Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has refused to blame individuals for Saturday's 21-11 loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin, and instead took sole responsibility.
New Zealand might have struggled to secure their fourth victory in the tournament, but did enough to all but secure the inaugural Rugby Championship title.
The overseas leg of South Africa's Rugby Championship campaign was a failure if you consider that they drew with Argentina and lost to both Australia and New Zealand.
But there were several aspects of the Bok game at Forsyth Barr Stadium that were immeasurably improved on previous weeks. And the Bok mentor was nevertheless positive about the team's prospects for the future after they matched the All Blacks in all facets of play.
"We wanted to instil a belief in the team after the World Cup that they can beat any side in the world and I think we have achieved that goal," said Meyer.
"Obviously we are very disappointed with the outcome of the game because I thought we did enough to win it, but at the end of the day we didn't.
"But there were a lot of positives we could take from the game."
Meyer has come under severe public pressure regarding the team's game-plan and the coach's loyalty to fly-half Morné Steyn, who has been struggling with his form this year. Steyn missed four of his kicks at goal, centre Francois Steyn failed with two attempts while replacement fly-half Johan Goosen missed one shot at goal.
However he refused to lay the blame at the door of Steyn saying the team had to take responsibility for their performances.
"I will never blame an individual," he said.
"If the team loses, it is always my fault, but I think we played the right game plan and put the All Blacks under pressure.
"Even they were surprised at how we kept them under pressure."
Meyer added that squandered opportunities had cost the team dearly and the team as a whole needed to do introspection in the week before they assemble again on Sunday.
"I think if one looks at the context of the game it was 5-3 at half time and it would have been close to 15-5, which is a totally new game," said Meyer.
"They would have had to chase hard and you can build pressure from there."
The former Bulls boss compared Steyn to Habana, and believes the former can replicate the latter's return to form. Habana struggled in the 2010 and 2011 seasons before returning to his best in 2012, and Meyer hopes that in time Steyn will do the same.
"In general Morné did not play bad but according to his standards his kicking at goal wasn't good, the same goes for Frans (Steyn)," he said.
"Morné is mentally tough, he's been there a few times...Bryan was there and with the right guidance he's playing great rugby.
"I've always - without boosting myself - been great with getting the best out of players.
"I think this mental break will do him well, but we will look at the whole situation and decide who's the guys that will play in the next Test."
Meyer also praised the performance of his inexperienced forward pack, who threw down the gauntlet against their more experienced All Black counterparts and said this was another major sign of progress.
"We scrummed well I am very happy with the front row and if you look at the amount of loose forwards, which are out at the moment," Meyer said.
"The combination of those guys were great as it was the first time they've played together and they were superb against probably the best loose trio in the world.
"So I know exactly where we are going," he added.
"I really have a special feeling for this team going forward.
"There is a great vibe in the team, the guys have high standards and they aren't happy with their performance.
"I think the results will come and I think this can become a great side.
Comments
darthbok says...
to take the pressure off steyn -- give kicking duties to ruan pienaar -- he is the iceman and kicks superbly for leinster -- then you will get the best from him and he can concentrate on defence channels and pinning oppositions back -- he worries too much , and doesnt want to trash himself if he then needs to kick
Posted 07:33 25th September 2012
letsgoboks says...
saffastormer - if anything. Habana lost his form heading over to the stormers... took him a while to come round.
Posted 13:53 23rd September 2012
boksmashoffice says...
@Dylbull. With due respect. I would not play Kirschner. He is not an international full back. I would rate Pietesen, Ludek or Aplon as better full backs. Lambie is a 10 and should be fighting with Goosen for the 10 jersey. JDV is past his best. De Jongh is a better option with Frans Steyn. We have the makings of an excellent forwards pack. The combinations are getting there. I would still like to Broussow in the mix. Alberts, Louw and Vermulen were very good against the AB's. Once we get Bismark, Smith and Jacques Fourie back we should be up there competing. HM has to develop players. At the moment I am not seeing evidence of this. I hope he can turn it sround. Still think we need a better backs coach. Maybe Carlos Spencer or dare I say wayne Smith.
Posted 21:29 20th September 2012
volbrechtt says...
The right game plan put the All Blacks under pressure? Which aspects of the game plan? Did the field kicking of Pienarr, Morne Steyn and Kirchner put anyone under pressure? It's pretty obvious that most international teams now use some field kicking to put their opponents under pressure. General consensus seems to be that Meyer's game plan involves over-reliance on this tactic. Also consensus that the Boks need to learn how to make better use of the offload in attacking play.
Posted 23:44 19th September 2012
APV1 says...
@ Dylbull - according to PdV, it's because the Team is "too white".
Gotta say, I do miss him. Not his coaching, of course, just the stuff he comes out with.
Posted 14:13 19th September 2012
flyman says...
If talking crap was a disease, HM would be stone dead!
Posted 10:55 19th September 2012
Dylbull says...
I don't know what this fascination is with knocking Kirchner week in week out...
I agree Morne Steyn has to go!
But Kirchner? What has he done that has been so bad? He is solid under the high ball, makes his tackles (except with Aaron Smith) and kicks well. Is he the best man for the job? No, but neither is Pienaar, Jannie Du Plessis, Jean De Villiers and I don't hear people slating them every week for having an average game....
Here is some food for thought though, anybody ever considered that Meyer has been given instructions to play a certain ammount of black or coloured players?
Lets be honest.... it is possible.
Posted 10:14 19th September 2012
benski says...
What a dork!
Posted 08:28 19th September 2012
noord_transvaal says...
hear hear!
Posted 06:06 19th September 2012
sandal says...
1. Oh, I think he's really getting to be a bit much. Over the past three games he has blamed everyone else before getting around to blaming himself.
What he said about Greyling was good, though one suspects the prop was put up to his misdeeds by the team and management.
Now HM should just let it all rest for a while. I do recognise, however, it cannot be easy in face of all the media clamour.
2. What's this? "We wanted to instil a belief in the team after the World Cup that they can beat any side in the world and I think we have achieved that goal," said Meyer.
I don't believe the Boks, or South Africans, have ever lost that belief. The World Cup didn't so much as put a dent in it.
Posted 04:43 19th September 2012
rugbyforever says...
By his own admission the problem is with the backline. His backline coach is Ricardo Loubscher who just does not have the skills, experience, class, ability, quality or plan to be anywhere near any international team. Get rid of him and most of the problems will go with him.
Posted 00:03 19th September 2012
scot_rsa says...
Better language. What actually is HM's gameplan? He never actually spells it out which probably is understandable in disguising tactics but I'm starting to think it is a lot more complex than the perceived kick and chase, he just hasn't started to implement those additional tactics yet. He always states there is a long way to go. Hard to read this guy, guess that's Bok coaches for you.
Posted 20:48 18th September 2012
NHSaints says...
Surprisingly I agree with you Meyer...it was your fault the boks lost and it wasn't the fault of one player. It was the fault of two you had more than ample replacements for- Steyn (goosen) and Kirschner (Lambie). With Goosen's better kicking and Lambie's far superior countering and cooler head the boks would have edged it...
Posted 20:44 18th September 2012
melkdave says...
Well at least his taking responabilty for a change,personnally i dont think the bokke have improved.They exacuted better ,and F.Louw made a big differance at tthe breakdown that was the differance,and as we all know when this basic gameplan is exacuted well its hard to breakdown and beat.Its telling though that both Australia and New Zealand in the end though did overcome the gameplan and win I still think HM will persavere with this gameplan ,and M.Styen.,but will work on the players exacution .They really should get at least 1 victory and with the home advantage both.Time will tell though ,as i think the ABs arnt to happy with their performance,and to my eyes still look in 2nd gear ,and not as slick as they usually are.
Posted 20:11 18th September 2012
rolf says...
put the blame on....
Dean Greyling.
Ten minutes sinbinned and a penalty in the final seconds to give away a losing bonus point.
Apart from that Heyneke, you are right, its your fault but everybody is entitled a seciond chance to learn from their mistakes.
Will you?
Posted 19:13 18th September 2012
ZAChris says...
No doubt there were positives to come out of that game. The team and certain individuals ie - the pack, Houghaard and Habana showed that they can dominate even the All Blacks. However , Morne Steyn AGAIN failed the Boks , Pienaar was not very good , Frans Steyn was okay , De Villiers was awful and Kirchner was average at best. We do have the players to go forward but too many of them are on the bench. I think without doubt the time has come for Goosen to get a start with Lambie either as back up for him or starting as FB and switching later if needed. I think Joe Pietersen should be drafted into the side as well as Aplon and De Jonge. Morne Steyn , Kirchner must clearly regain their form in the Currie Cup - we know the Bulls need them , and Dean Greyling must never come near a Bok jersey again . Also Heinrich Brussow must come back into the side and Sarel Pretorius should be looked at as a scrum half option.
With a team selection similar to that I believe we could beat anyone in the world.
One thing the Boks did show is that they are not miles off of the best and actually really should have won that game.
If Meyer makes those or similar changes it could get very interesting and the previously invincible Super All Blacks just could come in for their first defeat of the season - that is if they do not find another gear.
Posted 16:13 18th September 2012
SACanuck says...
Of course he cannot blame individuals, because he is the fool who picks them.
Posted 15:33 18th September 2012
zambokke says...
I watched the game again last night. Yes, Morne had a shocker with the boot. In general the game wasn't too bad and the forewards played well - great use of the driving maul, some good platforms and contested well on the ground at times. Only two people (apart from Morne) should be highlighted for losing the game though and those are Greyling and the dunce who brought him onto the field - Meyer. Better kicking, more discipline, the return of our injured and things don't look too bad. 2 wins in SA and we will all be smiling and looking forward to the UK tour. Surely Meyer will adapt and improve?
Posted 14:20 18th September 2012
saffastormer says...
"Bryan was there and with the right guidance he's playing great rugby. "
Yes, he moved to the Stormers and regained his form, but please don't send MS anywhere near Cape Town
Posted 13:52 18th September 2012
saffastormer says...
What an about turn on all your other excuses, pfffft !!
Posted 13:50 18th September 2012