Stormers jolted by Jean scare
14 Feb 2006
Keo.co.za has learnt Jean de Villiers pulled out of training earlier this afternoon, and is likely to miss the Stormers’ clash with the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday.
De Villiers, who was set to continue in jersey 12, had to abandon training after injuring his groin whilst running.
Dr Ryan Kohler, the Stormers’ chief medic, was on the scene and his initial diagnosis was that De Villiers will be out for 7 to 10 days.
The player immediately returned home to apply ice to the injury.
Stormers head coach Kobus van der Merwe would not rule out De Villiers’ participation in Saturday’s fixture, despite Kohler’s medical opinion, and stated that the Bok playmaker would be given every opportunity to regain fitness in the next two days.
“We’re not sure at this stage if Jean will be fit or not,” Van der Merwe said. “We are obviously very hopeful that he recovers. He would be a big loss.”
When asked of an alternative plan should De Villiers not recover sufficiently, Van der Merwe stated that Gus Theron would move into outside centre, with captain De Wet Barry moving one closer to the scrum – a position he’s extremely familiar with.
When Barry was doubtful for the Cats encounter, Werner Greeff was on standby to move into 13, allowing Joe Pietersen to slot in at fullback. Against the Waratahs, however, that will be the last move Van der Merwe and his coaching team consider.
Waratah training suggests that Lote Tuqiri will return to the wing, and with Wendell Sailor would want nothing more than to chase kicks onto a back-three comprimising Jongi Nokwe, Rayno Benjamin and Pietersen – three players whose weaknesses include defence and aerial ability.
Another scenario would see Peter Grant shifting to 12, with Naas Olivier coming in as flyhalf. It would be a brave decision, but whether entrusting Theron with marking either Morgan Turinui or Tuqiri is any less courageous is a subject for debate.
There is no chance that Marius Joubert will be fit to replace De Villiers.
Meanwhile Hanyani Shimange is also set to lose his race to retain jersey 2, with the leg knock suffered against the Cats likely to keep him sidelined. Schalk Brits will start his first competitive game for the Cape side at Newlands, with Huia Edmonds promoted to the bench.
PROBABLE STORMERS TEAM TO PLAY THE WARATAHS
15. Werner Greeff
14. Rayno Benjamin
13. Gus Theron
12. De Wet Barry (c)
11. Jongi Nokwe
10. Peter Grant
9. Bolla Conradie
8. Adri Badenhorst
7. Schalk Burger
6. Luke Watson
5. Andries Bekker
4. Ross Skeate
3. Eddie Andrews
2. Schalk Brits
1. JD Moller
29 Comments
14 Feb 2006, 19:54 pm
Bring on the gas man! Yeh!
14 Feb 2006, 19:57 pm
I reckon this move will strengthen the Stormers considerably. While we are at it, why not bring Koen and that other legend, Klein Slappies, back as well. Go you good thing
14 Feb 2006, 20:05 pm
Eish this is no joke ! Gasman will be a massive liabilty….
14 Feb 2006, 20:10 pm
Ja Ig I was just venting. I just cannot believe our bad luck. The Gasman is like a bad case of swybrand. Jissie…will we never see the back of this plonker?
14 Feb 2006, 20:10 pm
eish….things could get ugly at Newlands.
Lets all keep our fingers crossed and hope for jetlag.
14 Feb 2006, 20:11 pm
Gus Theron for Jean
Brilliant
I’m sure the Tah’s are happy
14 Feb 2006, 20:53 pm
Noooooooooooo !!!!
Not Gus ….
Nooooooooooo !!!!
Please noooooooo !!!
Don’t do it !!!
Noooooooooo !!!!
Can’t Eddie play centre … Please just not the Gas ….. Noooooooooo !!!!
The last time I was this disapointed, was when Pamela made her fake boobs smaller ….. Nooooooooooo !!!! Not smaller !!! Please NOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!
14 Feb 2006, 20:56 pm
Please not smaller … Please !!! BIGGER, BIGGER .. Pamela Please …. We NEED you to make it even BIGGER … Noooooooooooo!!!!!
14 Feb 2006, 21:09 pm
Chill Grune…take two rennies and stay away from spicy food.
14 Feb 2006, 21:11 pm
Jean is doomed to be one of those injury prone guys I’m afraid. He cramps almost every game, not a good sign imo.
14 Feb 2006, 21:12 pm
Gus T,reminds of the Hof, except the Hof is way cooler.
14 Feb 2006, 21:41 pm
Yeah, but the Hof aint no way as cool as Chuck Norris!
14 Feb 2006, 21:49 pm
eish, ice on a groin injury, its tough being a prof rugby player.
15 Feb 2006, 00:21 am
Well in this article on http://www.news24.com says that : Move to Plan B
The Waratahs centres, Morgan Turinui and Lote Tuqiri, both weigh more than 100kg and Wendell Sailor on the wing, the new acquisition from the Reds, also is used often in midfield to attack the the advantage line – all 106kg of him.
Van der Merwe was not overly concerned about the injury, but has a Plan B.
“If Jean cannot play, De Wet Barry will be the inside centre, Werner Greeff will move to outside centre and Joe Pietersen will get his chance at fullback.
“When there were doubts about De Wet being able to play last week, Werner practised in that position.”
For the Stormers, that scenario won’t be the ideal one.
Greeff showed his value under the high ball and his presence in the back will be important, as the Waratahs often use cross kicks.
15 Feb 2006, 00:39 am
Ag nee man,
Oh well, makes my tipping decision easier
15 Feb 2006, 07:08 am
Is this the same Gus Theron that was part of the WP team (including players like Gerber & Delport) that were downed by the Mighty Elephants this past weekend in PE.
Keo, see no reports about WP’s loss to EP in the Vodacom Cup.
15 Feb 2006, 07:22 am
sigh…..
15 Feb 2006, 07:23 am
Mind games ? JdV will probably make a “Rassie” type miracle recovery before the weekend.
15 Feb 2006, 08:22 am
Gus ? gus theron, wow why is this guy still playing for the stormers ? eish can’t believe this
15 Feb 2006, 08:27 am
CORRUPTION ALERT!
Can anyone explain why a Replica Stormers Jersey costs between R500-R640!? How is the average Joe on the street (ie.true stormers supporter) supposed to afford that!? Is this exploitive pricing not a new form of APARTHEID…
15 Feb 2006, 08:53 am
Grune
My thoughts exactly. To the T.
Oh….. and about Gus as well.
15 Feb 2006, 09:16 am
Smell – I know it’s a f%&*$ing rip off…
15 Feb 2006, 09:49 am
F*&K !!
There are so many other options. Greef at 12 where he was for most of the CC and Pietersen at the back or the locigal answer… EGON SECONDS at 13. If Gus is getting in instead of Egon, the management and coaches need to be flogged. KOBUS if you read this please take note of what the community of Stormers supporters think of this.
EGON SECONDS EGON SECONDS EGON SECONDS EGON SECONDS
15 Feb 2006, 09:56 am
lol @ grune
I think we are all with you buddy…
ah ****!! can you imagine Gus defending Lote?
never mind 75-14 …. more like
1,005,234,567,234 -0
15 Feb 2006, 10:01 am
when Superman goes to bed.. he puts on his Gus Theron pajamas!
15 Feb 2006, 10:34 am
Can’t we call Chuck Norris in to stare at Gus until he explodes?
15 Feb 2006, 11:41 am
Jeez, I thought the cats were well clear of the pack for the race to relegation. Seems like they might actually have some competition this year. The Waratahs must be thinking its a pity they can’t get an extra bonus point for ten tries. I’m definately going to pick lots of Waratahs for my fantasy league teams, they’re gonna score biiiiiiiiggg!!!!!
15 Feb 2006, 14:17 pm
Hierdie storie is niks anders as sensasiesoekery nie. Jean is reg en het nooit regtig die gevaar gestaan om nie te speel nie. Kobus vd Merwe het in elk geval fokkol van Gus gesê, dis maar net hierdie site se ouens wat die Stormers fans die moer in wil maak en “hits” wil kry.
15 Feb 2006, 15:05 pm
Gus must be very cheap…in the fantasy league
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