Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Midweek Madness - Prop Brok Harris clears his line
They face the Bulls in the final on Saturday in Soweto, having named an unchanged side from the one that beat the Waratahs in the semifinal in Cape Town a few days ago.
Packing down in the front row will be Brok Harris, who at times this season has shown that hes more than just an ox who does the hard work up front come the set pieces.
Thats been a trademark of the Stormers play this year, in that theyve scored tries from all over the park with numbers one to fifteen getting involved to the point that weve seen props give scoring passes, and loose forwards combine out wide as if theyre midfield veterans.
Theres even been a 6ft10 giant galloping around as though hes a wing, such is the confidence in the side. Theyll be truly tested against the Bulls though, playing them away from home in what will probably be a far tighter contest.
This short clip from earlier in the season is a pretty funny example of just how much confidence the players have out there on the park, and how the game has changed over the years.
Whether hes been secretly practising at training or its natural ability, prop Brok Harris shows us that its not only backs who can impress with the boot when called upon.
Posted at 11:23 am | 25 comments
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Viewing 25 comments
Anonymous May 26, 2010 12:42 pm
obvisouly noone's interested in this video!...claim it
The Schpoople Master May 26, 2010 12:49 pm
Reminds me of Peter Kay on that old John Smiths advert 'have some o that!' classic
jimmymc1 May 26, 2010 1:10 pm
lovely strike! theres no reason why props cant kick / run like backs.look at cau cau.....
Anonymous May 26, 2010 1:15 pm
brilliant i think ali williams kicked a monster spiral during the lions tour
Jeroz May 26, 2010 2:41 pm
ali also put in a cross field chip kick for dougy to run onto
You thought Mat Dunning is the only prop with skill with boots? Now here's Brok Harris!!
You thought Mat Dunning is the only prop with skill with boots? Now here's Brok Harris!!
Les Bleus May 26, 2010 6:00 pm
While the Stormers are good at Super 14, I doubt many of these players would be good at international level, bar the obvious ones like Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger.
The problem is, being a forward who runs in the backline is fine for Super 14, but at international level you need to really hit those rucks and get involved, not many of these players do, especially Andres Bekker. Botha and Matfield will still be the locks, I doubt Bekker would make the match day 22, but possible.
Some players just need to learn what their position is actually about and the main thing is clearing rucks and hanging around the fringes.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see many of these players as international players, it is a whole different ball game.
The problem is, being a forward who runs in the backline is fine for Super 14, but at international level you need to really hit those rucks and get involved, not many of these players do, especially Andres Bekker. Botha and Matfield will still be the locks, I doubt Bekker would make the match day 22, but possible.
Some players just need to learn what their position is actually about and the main thing is clearing rucks and hanging around the fringes.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see many of these players as international players, it is a whole different ball game.
Anonymous May 26, 2010 6:05 pm
^^^ Wait till Sat, bulls v stormers, sure all of SA will be seeing who should wear the Green and Gold after that match, still think the bulls are too good though although the stormers are exciting and have the best tries during the s14, the bulls are champions and know how to win the important matches. The bok coach has alot of choice available to him ....
cheyanqui May 26, 2010 6:30 pm
Les Bleus,
If anything positive can come from the Bakkies Botha suspension is that it means Bekker should get a shot at at least 1-2 tests alongside Matfield.
It should be a good acid test, both for Bekker as a test level lock, and for the coaches to find out which is the best Springboks pairing.
I honestly think that Matfield is the first lock you pick for ZA (both as a player and as a leader). The secondary question then becomes, which OTHER lock gets your the best combo with Matfield?
While I think Bekker is a better individual lock than Botha right now, I think that from a pairing (with Matfield) perspective, Botha is way better.
If anything positive can come from the Bakkies Botha suspension is that it means Bekker should get a shot at at least 1-2 tests alongside Matfield.
It should be a good acid test, both for Bekker as a test level lock, and for the coaches to find out which is the best Springboks pairing.
I honestly think that Matfield is the first lock you pick for ZA (both as a player and as a leader). The secondary question then becomes, which OTHER lock gets your the best combo with Matfield?
While I think Bekker is a better individual lock than Botha right now, I think that from a pairing (with Matfield) perspective, Botha is way better.
Les Bleus May 26, 2010 6:40 pm
Botha and Matfield compliment each other, you need the tough guy with a skillful guy. I feel if Bekker and Matfield played together, the heart of the pack would lose its mongrel.
With Spies automatically playing in the loose, Juan Smith hitting rucks whenever he pleases, you are limited when it comes to rucking then. Burger is the only one out of the main loosies who goes into rucks, and then the front row.
It would be interesting to see what happens, but if Bekker plays, expect to see a lot less South African dominance at the ruck and a lot less aggression.
With Spies automatically playing in the loose, Juan Smith hitting rucks whenever he pleases, you are limited when it comes to rucking then. Burger is the only one out of the main loosies who goes into rucks, and then the front row.
It would be interesting to see what happens, but if Bekker plays, expect to see a lot less South African dominance at the ruck and a lot less aggression.
Maximus May 26, 2010 7:38 pm
Totally off topic:
I'm happy to hear Caucau is back in the Fidji squad, along with Bobo. Apparently next 5th June against Australia. (I couldn't wait for another thread to share my joy)
I'm happy to hear Caucau is back in the Fidji squad, along with Bobo. Apparently next 5th June against Australia. (I couldn't wait for another thread to share my joy)
Greiffel May 26, 2010 8:03 pm
That's cool Maximus. Hopefully he sheds a few kg's and finds his form again.
Why not join us on the forum for stuff like that? Just post a topic/news item, and it can be discussed there. Register/post here
Why not join us on the forum for stuff like that? Just post a topic/news item, and it can be discussed there. Register/post here
Madflyhalf May 27, 2010 9:53 am
I partially agree with Les Bleus, Za are going to loose something in rucks picking Bekker, but... wait a minute.
It seems that Matfield & Botha were the only ones that do that kind of job, but there are Du Plessis, Burger & Smith, John Smit, and probably also the prop is goin to play...
So if they're gonna pick Bekker in the XV, yes they're probably gonna loose some physicality, but no more than the more flair and more option they're gonna have in open play...
well, mate I'm not english, I hope you can understand what I said & mean before! :D
It seems that Matfield & Botha were the only ones that do that kind of job, but there are Du Plessis, Burger & Smith, John Smit, and probably also the prop is goin to play...
So if they're gonna pick Bekker in the XV, yes they're probably gonna loose some physicality, but no more than the more flair and more option they're gonna have in open play...
well, mate I'm not english, I hope you can understand what I said & mean before! :D
Les Bleus May 27, 2010 1:09 pm
I think it will be interesting when they play France, I don't think they need another skillful lock, what more do you want if you already have Victor Matfield. Bekker limits options, he doesn't bring them. Pierre Spies needs to be dropped really, he is an amazing athlete, but his forward work is non-existant, he might aswell have a 12 or 13 on his back, because he does sod all.
Once Brussow is back, I'd pick
8. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
6. Heinrich Brussow
Once Brussow is back, I'd pick
8. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
6. Heinrich Brussow
Anonymous May 27, 2010 1:36 pm
Schalk at 8? NO!
Spies is an animal and works his socks off. He compliments the bulls forward pack (and Bok pack) really well.
Botha and Matfield are still the best Bok lock combo. Bring on Bekker after 50-60 min in place of Matfield for now. Bekker's day will come after the World Cup.
Spies is an animal and works his socks off. He compliments the bulls forward pack (and Bok pack) really well.
Botha and Matfield are still the best Bok lock combo. Bring on Bekker after 50-60 min in place of Matfield for now. Bekker's day will come after the World Cup.
Les Bleus May 27, 2010 6:24 pm
Spies is brilliant, he is not a forward. He doesn't play like one and while it was good last year, this year it is about retaining ball as the ref gives the advantage to the attackers, the Bulls got out muscled by the Reds and the Blues, you know why? Because not enough of their pack has the mongrel to hit the rucks.
The game has evolved again, forward-backs are no longer needed to create space, because the space is there again.
I'm not the Boks coach, so my opinion doesn't really matter, but that is what I'd do.
The game has evolved again, forward-backs are no longer needed to create space, because the space is there again.
I'm not the Boks coach, so my opinion doesn't really matter, but that is what I'd do.
Anonymous May 28, 2010 10:51 am
The Bakkies or Bekker call is a hard one Bakkies is a harden vetran in the second row. Bekker is a great player and probably better at a few technical aspects of the game but Bakkies experience will keep him in the squad.
Secondly the dynamic between Matfield and Botha is about as good as it gets for a lock combo. You've got a strong technician and an enforcer, but both are good all rounders.
Secondly the dynamic between Matfield and Botha is about as good as it gets for a lock combo. You've got a strong technician and an enforcer, but both are good all rounders.
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