The Springbok management feel that Heinrich Brüssow’s penalty count is too high, yet he is not even on the “Most penalised” list this year.
Brüssow has long been told that his penalty count is too high, hence him yet again not being included in the recent Springbok training squad.
“The Springbok management has told me what I need to work on, they said my penalty count stands against me,” said Brüssow told SA Rugby Magazine.
To his eternal credit, this was his response to the magazine: “I’ll just have to work harder to prove that I deserve to be in the Springbok squad. It’s frustrating sometimes because penalties will happen as referees are so strict at the breakdowns. But I’ll do whatever it takes to earn my spot. I’m even working hard on becoming bigger.”
The rugbystats.com.au website reveals the following “Most penalised” list from this year’s Super Rugby season:
Most Penalties Conceded
1. Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders) 18
2. Ben Mowen (Brumbies) 13
3. Greg Holmes (Reds) 12
3. Steven Kitshoff (Stormers) 12
5. Matthew Hodgson (Force) 10
5. Sam Carter (Brumbies) 10
5. Scott Higginbotham (Rebels) 10
8. Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 9
8. Morne Mellett (Bulls) 9
8. Schalk Ferreira (Kings) 9
11. Ali Williams (Blues) 8
11. Beast Mtawarira (Sharks) 8
11. Deon Stegmann (Bulls) 8
11. Ed Quirk (Reds) 8
11. Nick Phipps (Rebels) 8
11. Pieter Labuschagne (Cheetahs) 8
11. Rene Ranger (Blues) 8
11. Salesi Ma’afu (Force) 8
11. Scott Fuglistaller (Rebels) 8
11. Steven Sykes (Kings) 8
Yet Brussow does make it into the “Most turnovers” attained list:
Most Pilfers
1. Rene Ranger (Blues) 6
1. Sam Cane (Chiefs) 6
3. George Smith (Brumbies) 5
3. Liam Gill (Reds) 5
5. Jacques Botes (Sharks) 4
6. Anthony Faingaa (Reds) 3
6. Jean Deysel (Sharks) 3
6. Michael Fitzgerald (Chiefs) 3
6. Michael Hooper (Waratahs) 3
6. Nick Phipps (Rebels) 3
6. Scott Higginbotham (Rebels) 3
6. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs) 3
13. Chris Alcock (Force) 2
13. Duane Vermeulen (Stormers) 2
13. Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs) 2
13. Lourens Adriaanse (Cheetahs) 2
13. Meyer Bosman (Sharks) 2
13. Mitch Inman (Rebels) 2
13. Saia Faingaa (Reds) 2
13. Scott Fardy (Brumbies) 2
Even if he was at the top of the most penalties list, he should still be picked. A fetcher is always going to give away a lot of penalties, it is a high risk approach. Pocock gives away loads but how many more turnovers does he win? The fact that he is not on this list shows what class he is.
I have never understood why Heyneke won’t pick Brussouw and these stats make me even more confused.
How is his blocking techniques and his off the ball obstruction techniques to create holes for the players to run into? At his midget size not good I would say. Sorry Brussouw rugby has changed and stealing ball have become less important and off the ball blocking more important. But no one really knows that considering most are ball watching
To me Brussouw has been disappointing this season. The times I have watched he appears to spend too much time hanging out of the rucks and mauls rather than getting in after the ball. This would explain his low penalty and pilfer counts.