Legendary All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson believes that the Springboks’ open play lineout tactics won’t last a week before World Rugby steps in.
Wilson was impressed by Rassie Erasmus’ side’s performance in their 45-0 victory over Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but believes that the tactics leading to two tries will be swiftly outlawed.
The Springboks debuted the tactic in the 37th minute of the match against the Azzurri as lock Ruan Nortje leapt into the air and received the ball from scrum-half Grant Williams before South Africa formed a maul.
Italy sacked the maul but Williams whipped the ball out to Canan Moodie, who sprinted away over the line. That was followed up by a try in the second half by Malcolm Marx at the back of the maul.
Springboks tricks
While it was effective, Wilson predicts that the ploy has already had its day in the spotlight.
“Well, you know what is consistent, the number one team in the world and it’s South Africa and they were very, very good again against Italy and they played a raft of different players, but I tell you what, they’ve certainly opened up some conversations about some of their tactics,” he said on Sky Sports’ Breakdown show.
Former All Blacks fly-half, Stephen Donald added: “I saw this this morning and I was wondering what sort of state of mind I was in.
“I was wondering if I was seeing what I was seeing, where the restart they deliberately gave away a scrum to get the game going and setting up a maul off a ruck from a line out jumper.
“Technically not allowed, apparently, Goldie [Wilson]?”
Wilson replied: “At the moment, it’s a real grey area. I’m going to say that it will last a week of being allowed.
“They’ve actually picked it up off a first XV in South Africa, Paul Roos – they picked it off with their second XV or something [Editor’s note: It was from a Paul Roos U14s B team]
Justin Marshall agreed that it is mightily impressive, and if it were to be ruled out, it would annoy the Springboks fans and coaching staff.
“They’ll [World Rugby] look at it, and both of them led to tries,” he added.
“Even that one that we just saw, the first one that collapsed, but it pulled in all the defenders in, and the halfback took a run, and the centre went through, and they scored and then that second one they scored too.
“So it works. They’ll be a bit annoyed if World Rugby actually do rule it out.”
Meanwhile, former All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina felt bad for the Italian players.
“How are you feeling if you are Italy right now, they are guinea pigs,” he joked.
Wilson was irked by Makazole Mapimpi’s try, which came after an off-the-ball collision between debutant Ethan Hooker and Italy’s Tommaso Menoncello.
This was after the All Blacks had a try ruled out in the first Test against France because of a similar incident where tighthead prop Pasilio Tosi was deemed to have obstructed the defence.
“I look at a number of things though and what we’re asking for is consistency. Well, out of this game, we know we had a try ruled out last weekend for obstruction,” he said.
“Just watch what happens to the Italian centre here. Oh, yeah. No, he didn’t get touched. Look, look at this, full speed, play on try.
“I did hear that the try in Dunedin should have been allowed; it shouldn’t have been disallowed. They’ve come to the agreement that that wasn’t enough contact, but that’s absurd.”
Marshall added: “That’s knocking a player off his feet onto the ground, which didn’t happen in Dunedin.
“So, that is clearly more of an offence than the one in Dunedin. So, that should have been officiated. Consistency. That’s all we ask for, lads. Don’t we?”
