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Unfair criticism levelled at Bok wing?

The Springbok's defensive frailties have been well-documented, particularly in 2017 when he proved to be a liability on defence in South Africa's Rugby Championship campaign.

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It has been more of the same in the Stormers' Super Rugby campaign so far where Rhule has been found wanting on defence on a number of occasions.

However, Feeney says it is harsh to single him out.

"People don't see the quality he [Rhule] brings to training and his professionalism and the research he does," said Feeney. 

"He's been great for us. He missed a couple of tackles, but no more than anyone else. I look after the unstructured defence and I know who misses tackles and who doesn't.

"It [the criticism] is a bit harsh when he misses a tackle on Waisake Naholo. There were a few people that missed him [Naholo].

"He missed one against the Blues on Rieko Ioane… aw that is a big sin isn't it? But people don't look at it like that. 

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"Have a look at some of the people he has been trying to tackle, they are some of the best-attacking players in the world. He won't be the last to miss Naholo or Rieko, I can tell that for free.

"Individual tackle technique is something we are working on constantly with all our players and for him to get singled out I think is exceptionally harsh."

The Stormers face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

@rugby365com

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