Venter sticking with Lions
5 Feb 2009
Rejected centre Walter Venter says he won’t leave the Lions and is even willing to prove himself in the Varsity Cup.
Venter was dumped from coach Loffie Eloff’s 33-man squad last week, with Barry Goodes and Deon van Rensburg’s versatility deemed superior to that of a specialist No 12 in Venter.
There is a real possibility that Venter could be poached by another union if he remains on the outer, but he maintains he will stay in Johannesburg until the end of the year. The 24-year-old is contracted until the end of 2010, but there is a get-out clause at the conclusion of this year’s Currie Cup.
“I’ve never been approached by anyone,” Venter told keo.co.za. “I love the Lions, love the squad and I don’t want to play anywhere else. I obviously think I’m good enough to play in the Super 14, so if offers do come my way I’ll have to look at them.”
In the wake of his exclusion from Eloff’s squad Venter was in-line to help out the Cheetahs. However, his loyalty to the Lions – where he has been in the system since representing the Craven Week side in 2002 – meant he stayed in Johannesburg.
“Seeing as I was dropped I was on the draft list for other sides, so I phoned up [Cheetahs coach] Naka Drotske,” said Venter. “He said I could join with pleasure on a two-week trial seeing as they are short of centres. But we are playing the Cheetahs next Friday and it’s not in my character to be unethical, so in the end I decided to stay here.”
Venter was content with his pre-season form and conditioning, where he bulked up by 7kg.
“I was looking forward to a big season after gaining experience in my first year in the Super 14. I’m weighing more than ever, 96kg, and that was a big thing as people always said I was too small for Super Rugby.”
The former SA U21 centre now has other aspects of his game to work on,and he’s prepared to do it at whatever level possible.
“I need game-time to improve and to show people what I can do. I want to become a better distributor, not be as one-dimensional as I have been and to work on certain skills. That’s why next week I’m playing for the University of Johannesburg in the Varsity Cup.
“As long as I can play rugby, for no matter what team, that’s the most important thing for me.”
By Grant Ball
65 Comments
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5 Feb 2009, 14:57 pm
Venter Dragon!
5 Feb 2009, 14:58 pm
good man
5 Feb 2009, 15:01 pm
“Venter was content with his pre-season form and conditioning, where he bulked up by 7kg.”
If only Earl Rose would also work on his conditioning, then he will finally break the 80kg barrier … if only.
5 Feb 2009, 15:01 pm
Are some Shark contracts circling? (read with jaws theme music) I tell you bringing Loffie on board as a Sharks talent scout was the best thing we ever did.
5 Feb 2009, 15:05 pm
GO UJ!!!!!!!
5 Feb 2009, 15:06 pm
#5 ELVS:
Yes UJ go my boys!
5 Feb 2009, 15:06 pm
#4 Francois Steyn is over-rated: if Frans Steyn leaves they will move Adi to 12 and Murray to 13 but depth is a real problem for the sharks backs…wouldnt surprise me if the Sharks make a move on Venter…he is talented!
5 Feb 2009, 15:13 pm
#7 grant10: And Robert Ebersohn for the 2010 season would be another good buy.
5 Feb 2009, 15:20 pm
#7 grant10: unless Murray also leaves…
5 Feb 2009, 15:22 pm
Walter Venter must join the Bulls and become part of a winning team like Jaco Pretorius did
5 Feb 2009, 15:22 pm
As a Lions supporter you should really brush up on your knowledge of the Lions squad. Earl Rose weighs 84 kg.
5 Feb 2009, 15:22 pm
#7 grant10: don’t forget Riaan Swanepoel
5 Feb 2009, 15:23 pm
RedLion
As a Lions supporter you should really brush up on your knowledge of the Lions squad. Earl Rose weighs 84 kg.
5 Feb 2009, 15:25 pm
#10 Mclaren: I like you. You have funny sense of humours. Funny man!
5 Feb 2009, 15:26 pm
#13 chalvador: He looks like 60 kg!!!
5 Feb 2009, 15:26 pm
#13 chalvador: Ahh, but when you take off his scrumcap, shoulder pads, knee braces, chest guard etc he only weighs 65kgs.
5 Feb 2009, 15:26 pm
#12 robdylan: In what position does Viljoen specialize. Wing or centre?
5 Feb 2009, 15:27 pm
Venter sal teen Paul Bosch speel maandag. Dit sal ‘n goeie tweestryd wees aangesien Bosch gatte deur die Saracens verdediging gehardloop toe Maties teen hulle geoefen het.
5 Feb 2009, 15:29 pm
#13 chalvador: ja, but it doesn’t count if you wear 4kgs worth of strapping…
5 Feb 2009, 15:30 pm
#14 robdylan: It was not a joke but a serious statement. Can not believe he is not part of the lions S14 group. Loffie made a mistake. Which the Bulls could utilised if they are clever enough.
5 Feb 2009, 15:30 pm
#17 chalvador: he plays number 8 for the Cheetahs.
WTF? Confused much?
5 Feb 2009, 15:32 pm
#20 Mclaren: Give it up man, he’s coming to Durbs, to a currently winning team.
5 Feb 2009, 15:32 pm
#20 Mclaren: dude – the Bulls aren’t clever enough to utilised their Super 14 squad in a Super 14 warmup game. I suspect thye’re couch might have a brein problems.
But Venter is already better than Wynand Olivier in one respect. At least he KNOWS he needs to work on his distribution.
5 Feb 2009, 15:34 pm
#22 Francois Steyn is over-rated:
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2009/02/04/come-to-durban-walter-venter/
5 Feb 2009, 15:37 pm
#22 Francois Steyn is over-rated: He will only consider the Sharks if Steyn leaves.
#23 robdylan: Olivier was on fire in the CC last year. Passing is not his best skill i agree, but with ball in hand he is very good.
5 Feb 2009, 15:40 pm
#15 Mclaren: #16 Francois Steyn is over-rated: #19 robdylan:
I saw him up close at the Bulls vs Lions warup game. His legs is still rather skinny but he has bulked up a great deal in his shoulders and upper back. He is even starting to develop a neck.
5 Feb 2009, 15:42 pm
#25 Mclaren: he pass very well when he see a touch judges
5 Feb 2009, 15:44 pm
#25 Mclaren: Why? He can’t even make the Lions squad. He can take Barrit’s place. He is a good little investment prospect. I still don’t understand why Loffie is so highly rated. He keeps ignoring talented players, its not like he has a squad of superstars. His past record also sucks.
#24 robdylan: Good article.
5 Feb 2009, 15:45 pm
#26 chalvador: For all the slagging Earl Rose gets, whether justified or not, whenever he’s taken a big hit in the last year or two, for the most part he’s just shook it off, gotten up and carried on.
However, what for me was inexcusable was how he gave up chasing when Kankowski (spelling?) scored in the CC semi-final.
5 Feb 2009, 15:46 pm
#26 chalvador: Do not worry we will develop hin into a real Bull.
#27 robdylan: Wynand will prove to us this season that can pass a ball. But i like it when he takes the ball fowrard himself..
5 Feb 2009, 15:46 pm
#25 Mclaren: Meisiekind had a great Currie Cup, but he never really looks at home at Super 14 or Test level. Great Currie Cup player though.
5 Feb 2009, 15:48 pm
#29 Scrumdown: Did you watch the 2007 season when Doug Howlett kept milking him? ***** that was funny!
5 Feb 2009, 15:48 pm
#29 Scrumdown: Agree, he didn’t even make an attempt to get close to Konkowski.
5 Feb 2009, 15:49 pm
#28 Francois Steyn is over-rated: Ok you have a point. With Doppies around he will not play anyway. I also think that Loffy has made his share of mistakes. The Lions did not produced the goods as planned.
5 Feb 2009, 15:50 pm
#33 chalvador: Cause he was scared he would catch him. Shouldn’t have worried Kanko will leave him for dead anyday.
5 Feb 2009, 15:53 pm
#31 chalvador: He is also one those players with all the talent in the world. I am sure he is good enough to shine on international level. He must just believe in his ability when he has the ball in hand. The Bulls focus to much on defence and that is not good for Wynand.
5 Feb 2009, 15:56 pm
#35 Francois Steyn is over-rated: Did you know that Pierre Spies is faster than Kanko???????
5 Feb 2009, 15:58 pm
And now presenting a Loffie Eloff production…………… The Wizzard of Oz (he might beat the reds this year)
Starring: Earl Rose as the Tin Man, Earl Rose again as the Cowardly Lion and Todd Clever as the Scarecrow.
Coming soon to an empty Ellis Park near you!
5 Feb 2009, 15:58 pm
#31 chalvador: Tend to agree with you there. WO is a very good CC player, but has always struggled to take the step up IMO.
The exception may be the year the Bulls won the S14. They played a brand of Rugby that encompased their strong forward game, and let the backline loose once the forwards had demoralised the opposition. WO seemed far more confident that year, and hate it as I do to admit it, I found them an attractive side to watch.
Interesting to note that when that Aussie backline coach (forget his name) left, along with HM,the Bulls didn’t seem the same team.
5 Feb 2009, 15:59 pm
#37 Mclaren: Yes, I did, but did you know Kanko actually has hands at the end of his arms?
5 Feb 2009, 16:02 pm
#23 robdylan:
Hey what you on about, Wynand Olivier has the best distribution to guys in row C
5 Feb 2009, 16:03 pm
#28 Francois Steyn is over-rated: why thank you
5 Feb 2009, 16:03 pm
#40 Francois Steyn is over-rated: This year Pierre will shine, he will even receive compliments for his handling skills!!
SA has good no 8′s. Spies, Kanko, Alberts, Vermeulen. Not bad for a developing country.
5 Feb 2009, 16:06 pm
#41 PissAnt: To much fresh air in Slaapstad today PA?
5 Feb 2009, 16:06 pm
#41 PissAnt: ah yes… he’s thrown me a many a pass on the few occasions I’ve braved Snorstadion
5 Feb 2009, 16:07 pm
#39 Scrumdown: Todd Louden?
5 Feb 2009, 16:09 pm
#46 robdylan: Pieter Rossouw is doing a good job with the backline. The Bulls must keep him, he is a big asset for the team.
5 Feb 2009, 16:09 pm
#44 Mclaren:
Now fires all around.
5 Feb 2009, 16:11 pm
#48 PissAnt: O ja, saw that on news24. Than the smoke is not very good for you!!!!!!
5 Feb 2009, 16:13 pm
#28 Francois Steyn is over-rated: btw, I also think Francois Steyn is overrated
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