Cats jolt Januarie
3 May 2006
Ricky Januarie’s appalling form this season for the Cats has finally caught up with him.
Januarie, who was particularly poor in the 34-all draw with the Western Force last Friday, was one of several changes to Cats team to play the Blues on Saturday. His place is taken by young Jano Vermaak, who has improved with each outing this season.
Januarie’s alarming dip in form – and he seems to have gained some weight too – will also be a major worry for Springbok coach Jake White, just a month ahead of the international season.
Also missing from the team released on Wednesday is inspirational captain Wikus van Heerden who has been ruled out again. Flyhalf Andre Pretorius retains the captaincy armband, after deputising for the past two matches.
Despite the Cats showing a marked improvement in the second half against the Force, coach Frans Ludeke is clearly still unhappy with several of his underperforming stars.
The Cats have also dropped Grant Esterhuizen as well as inside centre Doppies la Grange for Saturday’s match against the Blues at Ellis Park.
Jaque Fourie moves back to outside centre and he will be partnered by Springbok team-mate Wayne Julies in midfield. Wylie Human, who scored the try at the death against the Force as a replacement, regains his place in the starting line-up in the No 11 jersey.
Up front, Willem Stoltz returns to the second row after a cheek bone injury to the Gerhard Mostert rulled the youngster out of the clash. Tighhead prop Daniel Muller is also axed and his place goes to Bertus Smit.
Cats team: Earl Rose, Conrad Jantjes, Jaque Fourie, Wayne Julies, Wylie Human, André Pretorius, Jano Vermaak; Ernst Joubert, Trevor Hall, Cobus Grobbelaar, Willem Stoltz, KleinJan Tromp, Bertus Smit, Delarey du Preez, Lawrence Sephaka. Replacements: Willie Wepener, Pietman van Niekerk, Alten Hulme, Gerhard Vosloo, Enrico Januarie, Doppies la Grange, Grant Esterhuizen.
By Andrew Hollely
61 Comments
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3 May 2006, 16:01 pm
Quota out, two quota in, what’s the excitement all about?
3 May 2006, 17:08 pm
Sieg heil, Onlooker, you ****** doos.
3 May 2006, 17:21 pm
Watch how useless Wylie is going to be. The new Gus for sure!
And there is nothing wrong with the play of Januarie this year andrew, stop making **** up. He is just playing in a **** team.
3 May 2006, 17:30 pm
Viper,
Wylie isn’t exactly a youngster. I reckon this backline is looking more solid than it did.
It might not be spectacular but I believe it’ll work. If you’ll notice, the backline players have all perormed outside of Ludekes influence.
3 May 2006, 17:39 pm
Agree, David. This is probably the best Cats backline of the last 5 or 6 games. Lets hope they defy Ludeke and play some constructive rugby.
3 May 2006, 17:54 pm
Pierre,
Just referred to the numbers game with the Cats’ line up, let’s not playing denial
RJ was sensational last year, no more quota than say S. Burger, however, he got some heavy knocks to his somewhat undersize frame as a result of his overly aggressive style and it tells this season
On performance alone I cannot justify his place and paycheque this year, he is a Cats fixture nevertheless?
3 May 2006, 17:59 pm
I’m not a Cats supporter but when I look at the teamsheet I cannot understand why they don’t have the most potent backline in the country. What is the problem?
3 May 2006, 18:10 pm
Probably because they get a slow, inaccurate ball from the scrums and rucks, the Cats must address the quality ball issue or there won’t be any viable backline in place
3 May 2006, 18:59 pm
Why is the word ‘Inspirational’ used in every sentence with Wickus Van Heerden’s name…..he obviously can’t even inspire water to freeze in the Arctic.
4 May 2006, 00:44 am
About time – Quota only carries you SO far. He has been **** this whole season – much like the cats.
4 May 2006, 10:39 am
Have to agree with Ig. FdP has done nothing to secure his place in the Springbok side. Way too slow.
January is not performing well at the moment but he didn’t play too badly for the Boks last year. He still played better than Fourie. Fourie should be playing like an ace behind the Bulls pack. Have not seen that happening in S14 thus far.
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