Nienaber brushes off criticism from former All Blacks coach Hansen
Bok coach says each team has its own playing style and each squad has its own skills set, its own unique DNA
02 September 2021 - 16:07
byMahlatse Mphahlele
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Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber. Picture: RICHARD HUGGARD/GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has been focused on preparations for the remainder of the Rugby Championship and preferred not to take note of criticism from former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.
The highly respected Hansen‚ who guided the All Blacks to World Cup victory in 2015‚ recently joined the bandwagon of high-profile rugby figures who have criticised the Springboks’ style of play.
The Springboks recently beat the British & Irish Lions to win the series 2-1 and are leading the Rugby Championship after two victories over Argentina in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape‚ but the critics have not been complimentary.
“To be honest‚ I didn’t see the comment‚” said Nienaber when asked about Hansen claiming the Boks play it safe and are not adventurous by throwing the ball around.
“With everything that’s happened regarding quarantine and stuff‚ doing our reviews and setting our goals for this week‚ and what we have to produce as a team‚ I haven’t seen Steve’s comments.”
Nienaber‚ who over the past few weeks has had to repeatedly defend the playing style of the Springboks‚ said each team has its own DNA which is determined by the skills of the players.
“Each team has its own playing style and each squad has its own skills set. Each team will have its own unique DNA and they will play according to what strengthens their DNA.
“I think that is the beauty of rugby. There are different styles and ways to win matches and obviously you play with what is in front of you and sometimes you have to adapt. I don’t want to go back there continuously‚ but I said in 2019 we played probably the most exciting and attack-minded team in the form of Japan in the quarterfinals of the World Cup,” he said.
“And then in the semifinals we had to adapt and change again to play against Wales‚ which was a huge arm wrestle. And then we played England in the final‚ which was probably a blend of Japan and Wales‚ with their good kicking game and good defence system and they put pressure on you.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Nienaber brushes off criticism from former All Blacks coach Hansen
Bok coach says each team has its own playing style and each squad has its own skills set, its own unique DNA
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has been focused on preparations for the remainder of the Rugby Championship and preferred not to take note of criticism from former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.
The highly respected Hansen‚ who guided the All Blacks to World Cup victory in 2015‚ recently joined the bandwagon of high-profile rugby figures who have criticised the Springboks’ style of play.
The Springboks recently beat the British & Irish Lions to win the series 2-1 and are leading the Rugby Championship after two victories over Argentina in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape‚ but the critics have not been complimentary.
“To be honest‚ I didn’t see the comment‚” said Nienaber when asked about Hansen claiming the Boks play it safe and are not adventurous by throwing the ball around.
“With everything that’s happened regarding quarantine and stuff‚ doing our reviews and setting our goals for this week‚ and what we have to produce as a team‚ I haven’t seen Steve’s comments.”
Nienaber‚ who over the past few weeks has had to repeatedly defend the playing style of the Springboks‚ said each team has its own DNA which is determined by the skills of the players.
“Each team has its own playing style and each squad has its own skills set. Each team will have its own unique DNA and they will play according to what strengthens their DNA.
“I think that is the beauty of rugby. There are different styles and ways to win matches and obviously you play with what is in front of you and sometimes you have to adapt. I don’t want to go back there continuously‚ but I said in 2019 we played probably the most exciting and attack-minded team in the form of Japan in the quarterfinals of the World Cup,” he said.
“And then in the semifinals we had to adapt and change again to play against Wales‚ which was a huge arm wrestle. And then we played England in the final‚ which was probably a blend of Japan and Wales‚ with their good kicking game and good defence system and they put pressure on you.”
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