RUGBY: Frankie Deges
IT WAS as a result of the vision of a handful of=20 administrators from Argentina, New Zealand, Australia=20 and South Africa (ANZASA) that the inaugural Under-21=20 southern hemisphere tournament was born.
Argentina, the instigator of the idea, was given the=20 go-ahead to stage the first event and, midway through=20 it, the concept was already given full approval by the=20 participating nations. So much so that, at their recent=20 meeting in Buenos Aires, ANZASA have approved the=20 tournament’s venue for 1996: New Zealand.
It is already noticeable that many of the stars of the=20 future will remember this tournament as their stepping=20 stone into full international rugby.
”This tournament is the only way to go,” says Wim=20 Hollander, the former Transvaal player, now assistant=20 coach to the South African Under-21’s. ”The pace is=20 different as you go through the ranks — and these=20 matches are very helpful to the young players who’ll=20 now know what is needed to play international rugby.”
The South Africans had a wonderful comeback against the=20 young Wallabies. After being 22-6 down, they eventually=20 won 26-25. They showed that the World Cup win by their=20 seniors was not a flash-in-the-pan.
With a pack of forwards that is still inexperienced,=20 but with size that would be the envy of many provincial=20 sides, the leadership of captain Derek Branderhorst was=20 inspirational in the opening game.
With backs of the calibre of Andre Snyman (Northern=20 Transvaal), Joe Gillingham (Transvaal) and Bernard=20 Linee (Tinus’ brother), both attack and defence is well=20 covered. And goalkicking is entrusted to the capable=20 boot of Kobus Engelbrecht.
But the continuity and tackling ferocity for 80 minutes=20 of the world champions is still lacking in a side that=20 has certainly shown players for the 1999 tournament.
”You can’t come to this tournament and expect to play=20 the same brand of rugby as the top team,” says Ross=20 Cooper, coach of the New Zealand Colts, who defeated=20 South Africa 24-7 in the second round. ”The tournament=20 helps us to develop players, with their own range of=20 skills, while trying to give them some tactical=20
The Kiwis — the only unbeaten side after two rounds –=20 have the most experienced squad. With many hardened=20 provincial players, they have played the most effective=20 rugby. Carlos Spencer, Justin Cullen and Anton Oliver=20 will become All Blacks very soon. ”Many of these guys=20 will be on enormous contracts by next season,” adds=20 Cooper, destined to succeed Laurie Mains.
With their natural rucking game, the All Blacks have=20 power in the forwards and effectiveness in the backs,=20 yet they are too young to be able to control a game in=20 the solid manner their elders are capable of. Against=20 Argentina and South Africa they did not win as=20 handsomely as they should have.
Argentina Under-21, similar to the Pumas, are hot and=20 cold. They were awesome against the All Blacks –only=20 losing after conceding a dubious try five minutes from=20 the end — tackling like demons and unsettling the=20 opposition. Yet, come Australia and the young Pumas=20 fell apart, not only losing 33-5 but having a player=20 sent off.
”They didn’t know what to expect coming into this=20 tournament,” explains one of Argentina’s provincial=20 coaches. ”But now they know what the standard is and=20 what they will need once they outgrow this age group.=20 They are the future of our rugby, and hopefully the=20 ones that will get us out of these winless years.”
While the four nations use this event as a=20 developmental stage for their prospective full=20 internationals, the Australian is being sponsored by=20 the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), a government- funded institution where sportsmen are identified and=20 coached by experienced hands.
”Our players are the next in line for Wallaby honours.=20 Therefore, we must make sure that we can provide them=20 with early exposure, so that come their day, they can=20 perform accordingly,” says David Clark, head coach of=20 the AIS.
The continuity game that was a trademark of the=20 Wallabies pre-World Cup comes right at times in this=20 Under-21 team. A mobile backrow is always linking with=20 a flat-lying backline. Yet, with no big names or=20 matchwinners in the capacity of a Michael Lynagh, Tim=20 Horan or David Campese, this side has to rely more on=20
And if the ever-present issue of money and=20 professionalism is believed to affect the spirit of=20 rugby, then this tournament has an important meaning.=20 ”Yeah! It was great to get to know players from Aussie,=20 Argie and South Africa; they became good mates and we=20 certainly hope to see them a lot throughout our=20 career,” smiled Taine Randell, the New Zealand captain.