SARrugby.com

http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks/is-no-9-really-hougaard-s-niche-1.1317076

Does that count as an original ugly mug?

 All the "experts" but no solutions...

All the "experts" but no solutions..."

As a matter of fact it's a matter of conjecture as witnessed on every other Forum as well as this one. Clearly a subject worthy of debate....dontcha tink?

No-one has provided a solution as yet so the question remains...are the Boks getting the very best from him as a scrummie or would his talent be better utilised in a different position?

 That is us debating the point, not what I was refering to.  The experts I refer to are the scribes who utilise the media to distribute their nonsense.  Personally I think our key players are buggered around too much.  This whole utility back thing really gets me.  Hougaard needed to play much more at 9.  Just look at the improvement in Ruan's play since he is allowed to play in one position - also some good coaching |I suppose.  Maybe SA should start ith Ruan and then in the last 20 min when the higher altitude starts wearing them down introduce Hougaard who is a difficult customer on attack.

I can't think of any other national side that plays musical chairs with players like we do....can u?

 Blame SARU - no centralised policy - no centrl brain..

u know what, im a big believer that to each their own with their opinion in their posts, but IMO all those who think hougaard should be moved from 9 are retarded.

i dont think he had a bad game last week, i think the english won the first half and dominated the rucks, piling pressure on houggard from all angles nearly every single time, but he still got away plenty of good ball and even made a few linebreaks.

but the reality is, hes only started in the starting XV 6 times, his most recent starts included last week adainst england and the other start against namibia at the RWC, WTF??? o_O
give the dude some time to find his groove, u all know hes a bundle of talent, but hes been operating in du preezs shadow for most his career. yes he has things to work on, but none of them are nothing he cant handle.
mark my words, soon all u nay sayers will be talking about how crazy it was when all these suggestions about moving hougaard to the wing were the flavour of the month.
 

Sasukeuchiba

Agree with you on the issue of Hougaard - but he needs further coaching and he could do it with such a move.   However, I always thought that Du Preez is not a good role model for the passing game and if he is to be based on slow service to the back line - our back line play would be jeopardized.     Coaching is the answer in this case - but I believe it is possible.   The problem was - he was not successful on Saturday and the same can be said about the past 5 Super 15 games - hence the negative comments aboiut the guy.