Butch vs. Hodgson
The UK press is all in a tis-was, about the comments of Jake White regarding his intentions of man-marking Charlie Hodgson with Butch James, so I thought I would give my own 5 cents/pence worth.
This is all a mind-game. Yes Butch is a physical player, and yes I'm sure at some stage during the game Butch will unleash a no-arm 'tackle' (read shoulder charge). However I seriously doubt that in this day and age of video refs, and video evidence in disciplinary matters that Jake White will give Butch the sole purpose of inflicting pain on Hodgson with an eagle-eyed ref watching.
Given the way our loose forwards struggled to secure turn-over ball last week, and the predicted weather conditions, it is obvious that the English flyhalf will play an even more vital role. Jake knows that Hodgson is a confidence player and only really has a good game when this pack is on the front foot.
Come tomorrow afternoon the English loose forwards will secure the ball, and the ball will flow freely to Hodgson, who, as he gets the ball will not only be thinking of what move his backline are running, looking for gaps in which to kick or run the ball, he will have the constant knowledge that there is a 100+kg springbok called Butch James hunting him. In the split second the flyhalf has to make game breaking decisions, Hodgson will rush his decision forcing a mistake. During this time Butch has in fact been simply shadowing him knowing that the ref is watching his actions very closely. Later in the game, once Hodgson figures this out, (and the ref is no longer giving Butch the evil eye) he will think he has more time on the ball, and it is at this stage that Butch will be given the half second needed to absolutely crunch Hodgson.
Just my guess! Alternatively the first chance Butch gets he'll steamroller Hodgson and get sent off for dangerous play. Good strategy guys, tell the opposition a week in advance what you plan to do!
This is all a mind-game. Yes Butch is a physical player, and yes I'm sure at some stage during the game Butch will unleash a no-arm 'tackle' (read shoulder charge). However I seriously doubt that in this day and age of video refs, and video evidence in disciplinary matters that Jake White will give Butch the sole purpose of inflicting pain on Hodgson with an eagle-eyed ref watching.
Given the way our loose forwards struggled to secure turn-over ball last week, and the predicted weather conditions, it is obvious that the English flyhalf will play an even more vital role. Jake knows that Hodgson is a confidence player and only really has a good game when this pack is on the front foot.
Come tomorrow afternoon the English loose forwards will secure the ball, and the ball will flow freely to Hodgson, who, as he gets the ball will not only be thinking of what move his backline are running, looking for gaps in which to kick or run the ball, he will have the constant knowledge that there is a 100+kg springbok called Butch James hunting him. In the split second the flyhalf has to make game breaking decisions, Hodgson will rush his decision forcing a mistake. During this time Butch has in fact been simply shadowing him knowing that the ref is watching his actions very closely. Later in the game, once Hodgson figures this out, (and the ref is no longer giving Butch the evil eye) he will think he has more time on the ball, and it is at this stage that Butch will be given the half second needed to absolutely crunch Hodgson.
Just my guess! Alternatively the first chance Butch gets he'll steamroller Hodgson and get sent off for dangerous play. Good strategy guys, tell the opposition a week in advance what you plan to do!
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