Reports from abroad indicate that Bradley Barritt had been ruled out of the Waratahs match. Young Francois Steyn will operate at inside centre.
Steyn has been moved around a lot this season, starting three games in each of the flyhalf, fullback and outside center position. Coach Dick Muir apparently started the season believing that Steyn was the province’s long-term solution at pivot; a number of woeful performances in the number 10 jersey seem to have put paid to that plan.
Steyn apparently now sees inside centre as his preferred position and the place in which he would like to settle. That, of course, puts him on a direct collision course with Barritt, the coach’s pick in the number 12 shirt. A big performance against the Waratahs will see Steyn make up some valuable ground on his rival. Barritt has been more solid than spectacular this season. Steyn’s challenge will be to prove that he is able to play the role of creator and distributor as the inside centre cannot afford to be a selfish player. To date, the youngster has been guilty of trying to do too much on his own, so let’s hope he uses his precocious skills to create opportunities for the dangerous runners outside him/
Whatever the case, this match really represents lat chance saloon for Steyn and his teammates. A loss here and the race for home semifinal is no longer in the Sharks hands. Another poor performance by Steyn MUST see him dropped, regardless of the implications for the Crusaders game to come.
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I really hope Frans sticks his hand up with a huge performance. We really need him to.
I’m worried that Keegs is carrying an injury. My gut feel is that we should start with Deysel and let Keegan play off the bench.
The Super 14 is really getting tense. Should be a very exciting last couple of weeks.
I just hope my heart can take it
you have a heart rob ???
it is black and white 😉
Well we will now finally get to see the Steyn Murray pairing that we have wanted to see. let’s hope it pays off. BIG TIME.
As you said, Barrit has been solid without being spectacular, so let’s hope Steyn steps up. Honestly, the competition will be good for Barrit.
Reminds me when we had Lance Sherrel, Joel Stransky and Henry Honiball all vying for the flyhalf berth. Honiball stepped up to the plate…
Bashford 3:16, is all I have to say 😉
Bashford 3 – 16 to who? 😉
heretic! infidel! 😉