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All Black legend Jerry Collins has praised the contribution of Springbok Ricky Januarie during the Ospreys’ 62-7 victory over Viadana on Saturday, saying the Stormers star had been forced to play ‘blindfolded’ and yet still showed his quality.
Rugby365 reports that Collins, leading the Welsh region in the absence Ryan Jones, produced a commanding performance himself as Scott Johnson’s men picked up five Heineken Cup points and maintained the pressure on Clermont and Leicester in the race for quarterfinal qualification.
Of course, Collins has seen plenty of his new teammate Januarie before - having clashed with the Hopefield-born South African star in both international and Super 14 action in the past.
Now on a three-month loan with the Ospreys, Januarie met up with his new team the day before the Heineken Cup fixture but, because of their long list of scrumhalf injury problems, was rushed straight into the starting line-up.
“He was good, he pretty much got off the plane yesterday and had to play. That’s a tough ask for any player,” said the powerful Kiwi flank to the Western Mail.
“He was pretty much playing blindfolded.
“But we stressed up front all week that to make his job easier we had to just play, get the ball on the front foot and deliver it.
“Ricky has been around a long time, he knows how to play and we are pleased to have him. A player of his calibre knows what’s expected of him and what needs to be done.
“We didn’t want to complicate things for him and he was happy to get a try in his first game.”
Speaking after the match, Januarie said he was just looking forward to playing some rugby and using his chance in Europe to get himself back to full fitness.
“In my time with the Ospreys I will be playing rugby, which is important,” he stressed.
“I haven’t played for five weeks and my last game was the Currie Cup semi-final.
“Playing for three months for the Ospreys is going to be good for me, it will help me to get back into fitness.”
Jitte Ricki I really hope you realise how fortunate you are to play at this level.
Its time to pull finger and get into shape!!
(And by shape I don’t mean round)
@wpw (Comment 1) :
Wes give the guy a break,that is exactly what he is trying to do and by all accounts, he played bloody well, even if it was against the blind school
if you want to read a good article go to http://www.rugbyzone.com/ and read Tony johnson’s article looking back on 09.
Geez. Exactly what Bok rugby needs. An AB legend giving Ricky a false sense of ability.
@Whindy (Comment 3) :
I have been one of Ricki’s biggest supporters even when he hasn’t been at his best. I just think he needs to realise that time is running out and there are loads of other good scrumhalves waiting in the wings.
@klempie (Comment 4) :
Where’s that ignore button??
@wpw (Comment 5) :