Why Jean will wing it
25 Apr 2006
Stormers coach Kobus van der Merwe has explained to keo.co.za why Jean de Villiers is likely to play wing against the Crusaders in the Vodacom Super 14 on Saturday.
Van der Merwe highlighted injuries to Jongi Nokwe and Tonderai Chavhanga as the primary reason for shifting De Villiers.
“We haven’t made up our mind totally yet, and at this stage have only finalised a match 22 without deciding position,” Van der Merwe said. “The thing is that both Tonderai and Jongi are not in that 22 through injury. Therefore we are very thin in the back three and Jean has immense experience in the position, he excelled there for the Boks, and therefore is being very seriously considered to play wing.”
Van der Merwe dismissed suggestions that De Villiers would be shifted because of defensive frailty. Three missed tackles in the first half against the Reds, one that led directly to Drew Mitchell’s try, seemed ideal motivation to return De Villiers to the wing.
“I’m not worried about Jean de Villiers’ defence at all. He’s had a few lapses in concentration and that’s something we’ve addressed. I am considering Jean as a wing because of the fantastic job he has done there in the past, and not any weaknesses he has at centre.”
Van der Merwe also suggested that Marius Joubert would not be tried on the wing again.
“We can’t risk an inexperienced guy against a team like the Crusaders, and whilst Jouba is immensely experienced, he is new to wing and Jean is undoubtedly more comfortable there than Jouba.”
PROBABLE STORMERS BACKLINE
15. Joe Pietersen
14. Rayno Benjamin
13. Marius Joubert
12. De Wet Barry
11. Jean de Villiers
10. Naas Olivier
9. Neil de Kock
The Stormers side will be announced at 12h00 tomorrow.
By Chris Hewitt
55 Comments
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26 Apr 2006, 10:40 am
the continued selection of nokwe and benjamin is clearly political. not quota political, but politcal in that boland need representaion. and somehow these guys did manage to look very good in the currie cup.
26 Apr 2006, 10:57 am
Bumbling Fester should go and WP rugby should get Solomans back. I blame WP management for the state their rugby is in.
Solomans is coaching UCT at the moment. Why doesnt he have a job in top flight rugby??????
Last year Solomons arrived at UCT with nine games to go and UCT, on the verge of relegation, and proceeded to win all nine, ending in a famous victory over Stellenbosch that ensured UCT’s survival. Robbie Kempson was also part of that effort. Thats no small feat. Maties 1st side could probably give some of the the smaller unions a decent hiding.
With Solomans the Stormers had their best S12 ever. He along with JW, Ian Mac, Mallet, Kitch Christie, has one of the best SA rugby brains ever. Get him back.
26 Apr 2006, 10:57 am
JdV and Fourie are great centers, but so is DwB, but thats good for JW. great depth. Add Snyman into the mix with Joubert and 5 of the best centres around.
26 Apr 2006, 11:03 am
“Why Jean will wing it”
easy,
because although he can’t tackle, he can catch……neither of the Stormers other back 3 choices can tackle or catch.
26 Apr 2006, 19:56 pm
MC DOOS your the worst biggot racist on this site.
But clearly your iether one of the three Idots you mention on wing and back that are better than JDV or your Cobus Van der doos.
Prick
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