Big Joe’s caution for Koster

Big Joe’s caution for Koster

20 Jan 2009

Joe van Niekerk has some sage words on the management of the Stormers’ emerging star Nick Koster.

Koster impressed with limited game time in his rookie season with the Stormers and Western Province, and is now poised to play a more significant role in the Stormers’ 2009 Super 14 campaign.

The 19-year-old loose forward has been tipped for stardom, and has a string of respected critics, including World Cup-winning Springbok coach, Jake White, who selected him in his Barbarians squad for their match against Australia in December.

Van Niekerk can identify with the scrutiny Koster will come under in the forthcoming season. He too was deemed a teenage prodigy, and was considered talented enough to play at Test level as a 21-year-old. This before he had competed at Currie Cup or Super Rugby level.

However, the exposure to and effects of the physicality of Test rugby on a body that was yet to complete its development would have an adverse effect on Van Niekerk, with his career subsequently punctuated by a series of serious injuries.

Van Niekerk has overcome that difficult period, and when he captains his French Top 14 club Toulon against Mont de Marsan this weekend, it will be his 30th consecutive match – the most his ever played at senior level without injury.

He believes there are lessons to be learned from his misfortune, particularly for Koster, whose all-action style has been likened to a young Van Niekerk.

“The boy has a helluva lot of talent and he has a bright future, there’s no doubt about that. Just a superb talent,” Van Niekerk told keo.co.za from his home in Carqueiranne, Toulon.

“He is at the level where he could easily make a Springbok side, but the key is not to push him too fast. I was pushed through at a young age, and while I loved every moment of that early period, there’s no doubt that physically I may not have been quite ready for the demands Test rugby puts on a forward. It probably had a lot to do with the recurring injuries I suffered throughout my career.

“But Rassie [Erasmus - Stormers coach] is an astute man-manager and I’m sure he’ll manage him properly. If not, I’d worry about the longevity of the player. He’s one of the best of the emerging group of wonderfully talented loose forwards, and it would be a shame if his career was blighted by injury.”

There has been speculation that the Stormers are considering utilising Koster at wing. He ran in the position at Stormers’ training sessions last week and Erasmus is reported to believe that he has the size, pace and handling skills to hold his own in the position. Van Niekerk, however, fails to see the sense in this positional shift, should it materialise.

“If those reports are accurate, I don’t know why they would tinker with his position,” Van Niekerk said. “You can see he’s wired to play in the loose forwards by the way he reads the play and the positions he assumes.

“He’s big and quick enough to be very effective in the loosies and would be a bit of a waste on the wing. You want him in positions where he gets his hands on the ball as often as possible. That won’t be the case on the wing. The boy needs to be close to the action because he is something special.”

By Ryan Vrede


943 Comments

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  • 901.carol: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:12 pm

    #898 Puma: Sorry Puma, got called away for a bit…..see you

  • 902.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:14 pm

    # carol: I should think so too. Me, Puma & GBS just felt we were stood up. And you nagging me yesterday about keeping up. No respect for your elders :-)

  • 903.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:16 pm

    I the meantime me being so anal I’m going to scroll back on this thread & see what atrocities were committed today :-)

  • 904.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:17 pm

    ROAR!!!! Im a Lion!!!!!

  • 905.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:19 pm

    #56 Expatinus: Feel sorry for him really. Expectations are being raised too high. Let’s give him a realistic chance. Otherwise 6 months from now media will be tearing him to pieces, especially if the economy does not get moving :-(

  • 906.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:20 pm

    #904 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Hi K 9. Should we be scared? :-)

  • 907.KingPaul: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:20 pm

    #904 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Jy’s vervelig man, gaan slaap…

  • 908.Tomsta: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:22 pm

    howzit
    not sure if this is old news already. matt stevens in the england squad is suspended coz of recreational drug use.

  • 909.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:24 pm

    #906 JimT: Howzit Jim…..u should be afraid…very afraid ;) #907 KingPaul: Ja ja!!!!!

  • 910.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:24 pm

    #58 yliad: That’s a stretch Skoppie. The guy has no relevant experience. Let’s wait & see, then make our judgements. True it helps to be articulate in that position but he has to back it up with substance. Here’s hoping.

  • 911.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:25 pm

    #908 Tomsta: Old news :) Cant understand in this day and age that they still take chances like that

  • 912.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:26 pm

    I see Ted Kennedy collapsed during the luncheon today. The speech wasnt that bad???

  • 913.KingPaul: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:26 pm

    #911 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Wel, as Pierre Spies kon wegkom daarmee het hy seker gedink hy kan ook wegkom.

    Wanneer land julle in Kaapstad? Vlieg julle?

  • 914.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:28 pm

    #913 KingPaul: 2de Feb. Ja vlieg.

  • 915.KingPaul: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:29 pm

    #912 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Kyk, ek is nou nie heel bokbefok oor Obama soos baie ander nie, maar daai speech was vir my een van die bestes wat ek nog gehoor het. Ou Zuma moet maar hoop die krag is af volgende jaar sodat niemand sy oningeligte babbel kan **** nie. **** vandag hy het nie eers standerd 5 nie!! Darem seker nie waar nie.

  • 916.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:29 pm

    #912 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Really? He Looked pretty shaky just before the inauguration ceremony. He has aged very rapidly. Guess he’s sicker than they let on :-(

  • 917.KingPaul: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:30 pm

    #914 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Hoe lyk julle planne?

  • 918.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:32 pm

    #916 JimT: Yeah sezuire (spelling?). Rushed to hospital.

  • 919.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:32 pm

    #917 KingPaul: Sal jou mail.

  • 920.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:34 pm

    #13 superBul: That is an astute observation actualy superbul.

    it is not that the pseudo backline players do not do the hard graft – but that they are also very capable with the ball in hand. The future of SA rugby looks bright.

  • 921.Dust: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:37 pm

    #916 JimT:
    Ted Kennedy’s words wonderful at the end of his failed bid to secure the democratic nomination in 19..
    The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.

  • 922.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:40 pm

    #918 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: His doctors have been advising him not to travel. But these guys just cannot give up the limelight I guess. Makes you think though how fit they are to fulfill their office. Voters seem to lack the killer instinct & prefer to let them die in office. Would never happen in business or academia. But politics get’s treated differently & then we wonder why we have such **** national decisions being made :-(

  • 923.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:41 pm

    Guys, I’m outa here !

    Cheers !

  • 924.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:42 pm

    #922 JimT: Another senator who is 92 also collapsed……

  • 925.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:42 pm

    #921 Dust: True he gave a good speech then. But I could never forget what he did to that young woman who he left to die. Clear that he was self absorbed & lacked character :-(

  • 926.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:43 pm

    #923 grootblousmile: Cheers Don GBS

  • 927.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:45 pm

    #923 grootblousmile: Cheers GBS!!!

  • 928.Dust: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:45 pm

    #922 JimT:
    Happens in academia all the time. Not at the top, they just get shifted aside and become deadwood

  • 929.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:47 pm

    #924 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: I think they ought to establish a rule, you hit the 70 mark & your outta here. These guys occupying key positions at 90+ does not make sense. But then I ‘m in favour of term limits for the pols. If you cannot make a contribution after 10 years you don’t belong there. There is need to inject fresh blood. The experience factor is over blown. US Senate in particular is an old boy’s priviliged club :-(

  • 930.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:48 pm

    #928 Dust: But are they allowed still to make decisions?

  • 931.Cheetahj: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:52 pm

    CHEETAAAHHS

  • 932.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:52 pm

    #929 JimT: Yeah….the boys on the hill!!!!

  • 933.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:55 pm

    #931 Cheetahj: Lions!!!!!

  • 934.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 22:59 pm

    #932 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: More like the old farts on the hill :-)

  • 935.carol: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 23:06 pm

    #902 JimT: SOORRYYYY, too many interuptions……..have to go now. Catch you another time!

    Cheers Chaps… :-)

  • 936.K9_BaasPatrolliehond: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 23:06 pm

    #934 JimT: Yeah ur right ;)

    Cheers JimT Im out of here. Have a good one.

  • 937.JimT: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 23:08 pm

    #935 carol: Cheers Carol & K 9. See you tomorrow.

  • 938.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 23:11 pm

    Hi guys

  • 939.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 23:12 pm

    Finally we got a new President, Not sure why the market dropped over 300 points :(

  • 940.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 23:12 pm

    Hey GBS JT and Hurricane

  • 941.Roy: Reply to this comment
    20 Jan 2009, 23:16 pm

    hey guys the site is going down for an upgrade in a few minutes …..

  • 942.superBul: Reply to this comment
    21 Jan 2009, 03:30 am

    upgrade finished????

  • 943.Wallabie. - The English always have an excuse after a pomp!!: Reply to this comment
    21 Jan 2009, 07:16 am

    #93 PissAnt:

    Struggle to agree with this….how can the stormer be ahead of the Brumby.

    The brumby have been in more semis and finals than the stormer.

    The flaw is that stormers may have played less games due to being out of the finals..less games.
    The other possible flaw is that some teams may win many more games by small margin than the games they lose by huge margins.
    How can Force be up there when they only win about 50% of their games each season.

    I wont be reading too much into that formula in the S14.

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