Dobson: Let Manie build a Bok innings
09/27/2023 12:00 AM
John Dobson questions the Springboks’ strategy of long-range penalties on goal, instead of setting up lineouts for rolling mauls in their World Cup loss to Ireland.
Speaking on the latest episode of Off The Ball Breakfast, Dobson was puzzled by the Boks' decision in the 13-8 defeat on Saturday, considering the 7-1 bench chosen by Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, and wonders why they didn’t encourage Manie Libbok to kick for touch, as the Irish did.
The DHL Stormers coach also backs the under-fire Libbok – the Capetonians’ first-choice flyhalf for the last two seasons – for his attacking prowess, suggesting that he offers the best chance to penetrate the opponents' 22.
MONTY: Play Libbok and Pollard
He also raised an eyebrow at the idea of moving Handre Pollard to inside centre to accommodate both the World Cup-winning pivot and Libbok, which would neutralise the Nuke Squad.
Dobson believes that Libbok’s presence at 10 for the Boks enhances their attack, and urges the coaches to consider giving him easier goal-kicks to build his confidence.
“We'd lose a lot [without Libbok] and also potentially on the counter-attack,” Dobson said. “Sometimes with Manie, the thing to do, unless it's a conversion, is to let him build an innings by giving him the easy penalties. Otherwise drill it to the corner.”
“Why 7/1 and then go for distance with a goal-kicker who’s best described as erratic?”
Stormers head coach John Dobson could not understand why South Africa persisted with kicking for goal vs Ireland |
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 26, 2023
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Photo: Nicolas Tucat/AFP
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