Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is going to have to make a big call ahead of his team’s first Super Rugby game of the season, against the Hurricanes in Cape Town.
Coetzee has told Die Burger that he has not been overly impressed with any of the four flyhalves he has seen play in the preseason so far, saying that van Aswegen, Francis, Catrakilis and Coleman’s tactical play has not been up to standard.
Coetzee is still waiting to see when his first choice flyhalf Peter Grant returns from Japan, and could be left having to select one of the four deputees for the first, possibly even the first two matches. The second match of the season is against the Sharks at Newlands.
Gary van Aswegen looks to be the front runner amongst these four to take the helm in those games, and we should see him start in that role against the Kings this Saturday, in Port Elizabeth.
The Stormers team to face the Kings is expected to be announced later today.
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Why don’t they play Peter Grant at 12? He and Gary could make a great combination, like Carter and Mauger for the Crusaders. I think Jean De Villiers is getting a bit old now.
Why not go with the Greek ?
I Hear Burton is an awesome guy but clearly he is not up to SR standards im afraid.
did the Lions just offload a not good enough player to the Stormers ? oh dear how did that happen ..
@StevieS (Comment 1) :
Not a bad idea but we have two Bok centres in JDV and JDJ.
Grant is decent but I am yet to see him take the game away from the opposition ala Lambie, Elton or even Steyn.
I think Gary has shown promise so we’ll just have to stick with him for now!
@wpw (Comment 3) :
may i ask what your opinion is on Gary Vs the Greek ?
@Zibbie (Comment 2) :
I dont think Catrakelis is up to Super rugby standard either. Whilst he has a good boot he doesnt have the defensive mettle or tactical nous to make the step up at this stage im afraid, i remember Elton Jantjies bounced him ridiculously in the CC semi final and think bigger traffic might come his way in Superrugby.
I think Van Aswegen is the most talented backup, but it seems Coetzee isnt too impressed with either of the flyhaves ability to kick tactically. They should try and get Sias Ebersohn for next season.
As for Grant moving to 12. He played quite a number of games there for College and the Junior Boks and could be a very good backup in this area, however, De Villiers provides enormous leadership to a fairly young backline, so i think he is pivotal at this stage.
@wpw (Comment 3) :
Have to agree with you..
Don’t break up the Springbok midfield, should be good to see them in action..
I’ve always liked the idea of Grant at 12, hell he looked a very good 12 with Willem De Waal playing at 10 so he must be good right?
Like Wes said, we have Jean at 12 who has the inside lane, he may have lost a yard but still has mad skills
@Zibbie (Comment 4) : @Pat (Comment 5) :
I agree with most of what Pat has just said.
Gary VA is very talented but he needs an extended run imo. He was out most of last year due to injury so let’s hope he can get back to the form he showed when he first came through the age group ranks.
Go with the Greek, and not just until Grant gets back either.
why not play de Villiers at flyhalf?
@robdylan (Comment 10) :
Finally someone talking sense!!
@robdylan (Comment 10) :
😆 you recalling how every man and his dog wanted that pre 2003 WC …nevermind that he couldn’t kick ..but then again we did go with Koen ..
Last year the Stormers had injured flyhalfs now they have 5
I probably missed the announcement if he’s no longer with WP but what happened to Dewaldt Duvenage? He looked pretty useful filling in at flyhalf last year.
@vanmartin (Comment 14) :
He is preferred in the scrumhalf position..
I don’t think any of the 4 FH are good tacklers but defensively Gary v A and Demitri seem like the better players.
Stormers look set to have a smallish line if Duvenage, GvA, JdJ, Joe P and Gio Aplon are in.
@beet (Comment 16) :
That is a pretty tiny line-up, now that you mention it..
But plenty of speed in there!!
😯 Just last year every man and their dog were telling us how fantastic Province was with their depth and willingness to blood their youngsters and how it would benefit them come Super Rugby time… well its that time now.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 6) : hey we might see jpp @ 13 for the boks as well
@berroos (Comment 19) : Not if the Stormers can help it.
See they`ve gone ahead and copied us again!
Habana at 13 against the Kings this weekend.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) : They should move him to flyhalf in my opinion – unless they’re facing problems at scrumhalf too!
@Original Pierre (Comment 20) :
when he started he played 13 for the Lions . SO thats nothing new
@Original Pierre (Comment 20) : Where’d you read that??
@Original Pierre (Comment 20) : would still prefer jpp, habana is oor die muur!
@berroos (Comment 24) :
hys al oor tenminste 2 mure …
@Zibbie (Comment 25) : 😆