Footy gives Aus the edge

2006-01-04 21:32

De Jongh Borchardt

Pretoria - Rugby players from New Zealand and Australia are better at kicking and playing the ball in the air than their South African counterparts.

This is the view of two northern hemisphere experts - Jonathan Callard and Mickey O'Sullivan, who are spearheading training clinics for South Africa's best and most promising backs.

Their visit to South Africa forms part of Springbok coach Jake White's high performance programme.

The experts coached the Bulls, Cats and Cheetahs earlier this week. It will be the Sharks's chance on Thursday and the Stormers will be visited on Friday.

Callard, who wore the English jersey in five Tests, is in charge of the kicks. O'Sullivan, one of Ireland's former greatest Gaelic players, is giving attention to honing the skills of the players in the air.

Callard said: "When it comes to kicking ability, the New Zealanders probably have the biggest spread. Virtually anyone in the team can kick, even the locks Chris Jack and Ali Williams."

Williams showed what he could do in a Test against the Wallabies last year when he placed a perfect diagonal kick that led to Doug Howlett's try.

O'Sullivan said the Australians' exposure to Aussie rules works in their favour.

Worked with Bryan Habana

"They definitely have an advantage, but any player who is prepared to work hard at it can improve his play in the air."

He spent some times with Springbok wing Bryan Habana and gave him a few pointers on how to catch the ball.

"If you can pluck the ball from the air a fraction of a second before your opponent and at speed, you must retain the forward momentum. It is small things like this that can make a difference."

Callard and O'Sullivan agree that kicks and air capabilities will play an ever increasing role in modern rugby, especially with the patterns of defence becoming even more impenetrable.

Callard said: "People are saying kicks are killing the game, but I think only poor kicks can do that. I try to hammer home the difference between kicking to play and kicking to score tries. This is where diagonal kicks are important. England scored quite a few tries using these kicks recently.

Ricardo Loubscher, a former Bok fullback who nowadays forms part of the Bulls' management team, says Callard and company's ideas can be of great value in the Super 14 series.

"Who knows, perhaps we can score more tries incorporating all these ideas," Loubscher said.

- Beeld