Revealed: The plan for Chilliboy
14 Feb 2006
Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has responded to keo.co.za’s concerns regarding Chilliboy Ralepelle’s premature exposure to Vodacom Super 14 rugby.
Meyer, who has an impressive track record of developing and nurturing players, clarified to keo.co.za that Ralepelle’s case was no different to that of Morne Steyn or Derick Hougaard – players he acquired at the age of 18.
“I will never push a guy who I don’t think is ready. I’ve said that before and I stand by that. This is particularly applicable to the tight five. But we have a situation where our No 1 hooker Gary Botha is injured. Our other options, Deon Strydom and Adriaan Strauss, are also injured. So after Kobus van der Walt (the starting hooker against the Cheetahs) Chilliboy is the only other hooker in the region who is available.”
Meyer stated that even though Ralepelle’s elevation to the bench was injury necessitated, he felt Ralepelle is ready for the step up in measured doses.
“In three warm-up games preceding the Super 14, I didn’t give Chilliboy more than half an hour off the bench, and that will remain my policy. He will get game time in the next three weeks, but no more than 30 minutes. The same applies to our other SA U21 hooker Adriaan Strauss when he regains fitness. It is critical that we don’t overplay anyone who isn’t 100% ready, no matter how much talent they have.”
Meyer also cautioned that when Ralepelle does revert to the Vodacom Cup side, this should not be interpreted as an axing.
“Chillboy will get game time in the Super 14, but I’ll also send him to the Vodacom Cup side every now and then to get a full 80 minutes under his belt. Let me say right now that in my eyes he’s an unbelievable talent, he’s been training with the senior squad every day since last year, and now we will blend him in. The five minutes he got on Friday night was the beginning of that process.
“I can comfort anyone who has concerns about Chilliboy’s development. We’ve always had a plan for him and we are not abandoning that.”
23 Comments
14 Feb 2006, 11:36 am
All the best to Chilli Boy! Will be a great day for SA should he one day become Bok captain
14 Feb 2006, 11:36 am
Fair enough.
Keo,
I asked you this earlier, but it was so far down a thread that I dont think anyone was paying attention.
Why are we playing the Poms at Twickenham (twice) this year?
Howcome they dont come play us at home? What factors decide who plays who and where?
14 Feb 2006, 11:39 am
Unless we have no choice, he should be playing Vodacom and only next year be allowed to play S14.
14 Feb 2006, 11:39 am
I recon Meyer knows exactly what he is doing.
Good to know Chilli will get the perfect exposure.
I look forward to seeing him in action.
14 Feb 2006, 11:41 am
Money mackie, money.
More money for Boef v Rooyen and his bunch of thieves to pay for the Rovers and bankrupt business.
14 Feb 2006, 11:41 am
Mackie
I gave a reply on your question.
As for what determines who play where – MONEY!
Cheers
14 Feb 2006, 11:45 am
We play the poms 2 times in SA in 2007
14 Feb 2006, 11:45 am
I hear what you saying, but the money comes from filling the Stadiums and televising the event right? So if we were to play the Poms in the UK or home and fill the stadiums, then surely that means money for both unions involved? Am I being really thick here?
14 Feb 2006, 11:54 am
We still get much more by playing there than home. Also much less work for our incompetent president and cronies. They just do the Africa salute and bank the money.
14 Feb 2006, 12:17 pm
Mackie – tickets for Twickenham, for a lucky few who have contacts, start at around GB£120 to GB£150(R1300-R1600)!! Plus any “hospitality” can basically be multiplied by 8 to 10! Money . . . money . . . money! ! !
Plus BVR gets to put on his smart suit, fly over to the UK and look smart on TV!
14 Feb 2006, 12:23 pm
Hmmmmm……looks like there are too many good hookers at th Bulls.
Gary Botha
U21 Adrian Strauss
U19 Chilliboy
One of them will need to another union unfortunately.
14 Feb 2006, 12:34 pm
Chilli’s in good hands. I would rather have The Meyer of Pretoria looking after the kid, than any other coach in SA.
14 Feb 2006, 12:34 pm
Shot Wolverine!
Duh, thats what I was missing. The good ol currency conversion!
B Van RUIN does dig dressing up, although the last time I saw him on telly with his BOEP, he was simply wearing a black T shirt whilst all the other okes were sweating in their suits in the hot sun.
14 Feb 2006, 12:38 pm
If the man is good enough, as they say, he is old enough.
14 Feb 2006, 12:44 pm
Blueblood,
The Meyer of Pretoria or Tshwane?
14 Feb 2006, 13:54 pm
Ig
Why is the site so slow,not experiencing the same problems on any other site?
14 Feb 2006, 14:29 pm
On the subject of hookers!
1. Gary Botha
2. Schalk Brits
3. H Shimange
4. And soon to be added – Chilliboy Ralepelle
A short list of hookers who consistently perform better than……who else – JOHN SMIT!
14 Feb 2006, 14:35 pm
i must say i’m not a bulls fan but if there’s one guy in the country i’d rather have nurturing chlliboy – it’s heyneke
14 Feb 2006, 14:45 pm
spokie,
2 words: F**K OFF! What did Smit do wrong at all last year?? Dont climb the bandwagon that too many uninformed SA fans are on!
14 Feb 2006, 15:40 pm
Being a Bulls supporter I’m glad that Meyer is looking after Chilli…
Spokie, what the hell’s your problem? John smit was the SA players player of the year in 2005. This means that in the eyes of his peers, he was the best player last year.
14 Feb 2006, 15:40 pm
I am tired of this John Smit debate. barring injury he will captain the boks in 2007. Live with it.
14 Feb 2006, 19:03 pm
Haven’t seen that guy Chilliboi playing but it smacks of yet another mobilized compaign to rush a player of colour into the starting line up even though he may be inflicted an irreversible injury.
14 Feb 2006, 19:26 pm
Chilliboy you beauty!
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