Peter de Villiers slams Boks for “neglecting” rugby basics
It’s a desperate situation in the South African rugby union camp as coach Peter de Villiers has slammed his team following a disappointing loss to Scotland over the weekend.
"The aspects of our play which had worked so well in previous games were neglected," de Villiers told the press.
The Springboks lost 21-17 in an upset loss on Saturday 20 November, and have been struggling thus far this season after an electrifying 2009 that saw them re-establish themselves as the best team in the world.
This year though, after a hugely disappointing Tri Nations campaign, a loss against Scotland was the last thing they needed.
"We failed to carry out our first phase duties properly and in conditions as wet as these, you have to get that right,” said de Villiers.
The Boks coach is under fire for the lack of success after having been hailed for the 2009 campaign, which saw the most racially diverse South African side ever win huge accolades. But with little time left
before the 2011 World Cup kicks off, de Villiers’s criticism of his team for not accomplishing the basics seems to suggest he won’t be altering his tactics, but will rather be relying on better concentration from his players.
Still, he refused to throw referee Stuart Dickinson under the bus, while many South African fans are figuratively calling for his head after he made a couple of controversial calls against the Boks in the
Scotland game.
"Some of the refereeing decisions were puzzling, however we did not respond the way we should have done," said de Villiers.
The coach will have to regroup his team and do it quickly, as the team’s last real chance to take some confidence into the 2011 World Cup will come on Saturday 27 November, when they’ll have the huge challenge
of facing an English squad in fine form at Twickenham Stadium. The English are coming off a win against Samoa and before that a hugely impressive statement win over Australia. England is entering the game as nearly 8-15 favourites, with the Boks in the unfamiliar
position of being 28/15 underdogs.
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