Peyper shuts down ‘slow down’ talk

Springbok technical adviser and former Test referee Jaco Peyper has weighed in on the debate around game tempo. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.

At a media conference in Johannesburg on Monday ahead of the first Test against the All Blacks, both coach Rassie Erasmus and Peyper addressed the growing narrative around the world champions allegedly slowing the game down.

“Over five games that we’ve played [this year], we’ve not had one feedback that we slowed down the game,” said Erasmus. “Maybe [the All Blacks] have played against teams in pre-season mode. It’s like playing those Super Rugby warm-ups in January.” rocore.sbs

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Peyper offered a detailed breakdown of what actually happens once a referee marks a scrum or lineout.

“There was a Shape of the Game meeting at the beginning of the year where all the big issues were discussed,” he explained. “The thing that came out was the key focus areas for referees, basically the contract between refereeing and coaching, coaching players to play this way and referee this way.

“What we expect is to play in terms of those agreements with the play between referees and coaches. The law is very clear: there’s 30 seconds from the moment the referee puts his foot down to make a mark, whether it’s a scrum or lineout, We have to adhere to that and we respect that.”

He added that the responsibility cuts both ways once that mark is made.

“The clock starts ticking, so that’s up to you. However, the attacking team, if they’re ready to play, they don’t have to wait for you. That’s the problem.”

ALSO: Why Rassie’s keeping All Blacks waiting

Drawing on decades spent in the middle of Test matches, including numerous encounters involving the All Blacks, Peyper was unequivocal in dismissing suggestions that the Springboks deliberately slow matches down.

“I’ve had the privilege of being in Test match weeks with the All Blacks a lot. What a great team,” he said.

“The narrative is about slowing down, but you can also slow the game down by continuously infringing at the breakdown or at the maul and break the game tempo there.

“The good thing is there’s proper strong referees in these matches, and we are very clear on the guidelines. It’s up to the teams who are under pressure. They will probably try and slow the game down.”

ALSO: Pick your Bok team to face All Blacks

Turning to the tactical battle expected out wide, Peyper broke down the legality of chase-and-compete kicking strategies favoured by sides like Argentina.

“You’ve got to be realistic in a position to actually receive the ball,” he said. “If you’re inaccurate, you’re penalised because you’re offside and you’re blocking a player that can get there. How do you negate it? You’ve got to beat them with speed, get shoulder to shoulder, and get yourself into that contest.”

Peyper also praised the quality of officials appointed for the series, describing them as officials who earned their appointments based on experience, “incredibly strong characters”.

RASSIE: It’s now impossible to criticise refs

On the newly introduced coach-referee protocols limiting pre-match meetings, Peyper was candid about his personal reservations.

“It wasn’t discussed at the Shape of the Game meeting. We were as surprised as you were,” he said. “I do think, from a personal point of view, if I refereed the big Test match, I would have definitely wanted to look the captain or the coach in the eyes and let them see I’m prepared.”

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

The post Peyper shuts down ‘slow down’ talk appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

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Steven Kitshoff has revealed the brutal preparation that has gone into getting the Springbok squad ready for the first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday (5.10pm).

With much of the squad travelling to Argentina two weeks ago, a group of players remained in South Africa to prepare for the series opener. According to Kitshoff, they were not left twiddling their thumbs.

Instead, they were put through intense live rugby sessions designed to ensure they would be match-ready when the All Blacks arrived.

“For the 15, 16 players staying behind, they would run live drills, live scrummaging, tackling drills, live scenario drills for 40 to 45 minutes – maybe once or twice a week,” the former Bok prop said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“So they actually get that conditioning side built into the session without just running broncos the whole time. They actually do the rugby work, so the guys are quite geared.”

The intensity of that preparation was underlined by Malcolm Marx, according to the 83-Test Bok veteran.

Kitshoff said he had spoken briefly to the experienced hooker, with Marx revealing just how hard the players left behind had been pushed.

“I had a quick conversation with Malcolm when I arrived in Joburg and he said this week has probably been the week from hell,” Kitshoff said.

“Having most of the guys in Argentina, the guys who were left behind basically just got flogged for five days in a row. So the guys were working hard. They did a lot of live stuff to make sure they’re game ready when the Test matches start.”

This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.

Ismael Saibari produced a memorable moment on his Bayern Munich debut as he came to the aid of teammate Jamal Musiala during the club’s 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Telekom Cup.

Musiala had just combined with Saibari to score Bayern’s third goal when the Germany international suddenly appeared disoriented and began stumbling on the pitch.

Saibari reacted quickly, rushing over to support his teammate and helping prevent him from taking a heavy fall.

Medical staff immediately came onto the pitch to attend to Musiala, who was later helped from the field.

The Allianz Arena crowd was visibly relieved when medics gave a thumbs-up, while Bayern sporting director Max Eberl subsequently reassured supporters that Musiala was okay.

The incident overshadowed what had otherwise been an impressive first appearance for Saibari.

The Moroccan midfielder, who recently joined Bayern from PSV Eindhoven, provided the assist for Musiala’s goal and played a role in a 3-1 victory that saw the Bundesliga champions finish their outing on a positive note.

With Saibari making an immediate impact on the pitch and then showing composure in a worrying moment involving his new teammate, his Bayern debut proved memorable for more than just his footballing contribution.

The post Saibari Comes to Musiala’s Rescue appeared first on SportsClub.