De Waal to spearhead WP assault
1 Jul 2010
Allister Coetzee will favour the limited but experienced Willem de Waal over the multi-talented but green Lionel Cronje in the coming Currie Cup tournament.
After a great showing in the Super 14, the Cape side’s premier pivot, Peter Grant, signed a six-month contract with Japanese club Kobe Steel Ltd. Grant’s departure meant the WP coaching staff were left with two flyhalf options. They could persist with the tried and tested De Waal or develop Cronje with the Super 15 competition in mind.
De Waal’s kicking game and experience is viewed as a massive plus, but there is a feeling within the WP coaching ranks that Cronje is a flyhalf for the future. He has the raw attacking and kicking abilities, skills that will only be polished through an extended run in the Currie Cup.
It may serve the Stormers’ cause to utilise De Waal and Cronje in equal measure during the domestic competition, but Coetzee told keo.co.za that at the moment, one player is favoured over the other.
‘Willem was the man next in line behind Bash [Grant] during the Super 14, so it’s not just a case of saying Lionel needs opportunities, as Willem needs opportunities as well,’ the WP coach said. ‘We can’t just talk about Lionel’s development, as we have to look at what’s good for the team too.
‘It must be remembered that Lionel had his great opportunity with the Stormers and then something unfortunate happened [Cronje was suspended after he was involved in a brawl outside a nightclub]. He will get his chances in the Currie Cup, but we can only make those calls on a week-to-week basis. We will have to see where we are in the competition before we start making changes.
‘Lionel still qualifies to play U21 rugby so he may be used there as well.’
WP are short on first-choice backline players, as aside from Grant’s move to Japan, Joe Pietersen and Sireli Naqelevuki have joined French clubs and Ricky Januarie, Bryan Habana, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie and Juan de Jongh are in the Springboks’ Tri-Nations squad.
Twenty-two-year-old Dewaldt Duvenage is the new WP vice-captain, and perhaps management felt that De Waal’s experience was necessary in a back division where there’s no established combination in midfield or in the back-three. It may be a risk to start Cronje at 10, but it begs the question, if you can’t give him an extended run now, when can you?
The downside of starting De Waal is his obvious shortcomings on attack. While he possesses a prodigious kicking game, he isn’t know for his running or creative prowess. If WP were really hoping to pick up where the Stormers left off, perhaps they should have favoured a strong attacking player like Cronje, who also has the boot to hurt opposition teams in a tactical battle.
Starting De Waal will require a change in tactics, and Coetzee admitted that the Currie Cup will also be used to address the weaknesses that cost them in the Super 14. After the Stormers’ loss to the Bulls in the final, Coetzee said there were a few areas in which the Cape side must improve if they’re going to win their first Super Rugby trophy.
The kicking game requires refinement, although it’s hard to see how they can improve their kicking game when their best flyhalf is playing in Japan. They will look to maintain the high standards set by their forwards, but they were only starting to develop some attacking versatility in the second half of the Super 14. Will De Waal provide them with versatile options in this department? It’s hard to see them building on that momentum.
As his record suggests, the veteran is capable of winning Currie Cups, and while this remains an ambition for WP, they also need to address the development of the next generation. Coetzee said it will be difficult to strike this balance.
‘It’s a great challenge, but there must be no excuses. We’ve lost a lot of players, but there’s still quality players available. While they may have not played in the Super 14, these players have been training with us for some time.
‘We want this team to build momentum and then we can think about phasing guys like Lionel in. There are a few other players we have to think about [like Nick Koster and another young flyhalf in Gary van Aswegen]. We have to weigh it up and decide whether it’s worth having them on the bench or letting them develop in the U21 side. We are working towards a solution.’
By Jon Cardinelli
94 Comments
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1 Jul 2010, 09:20 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-48:
I didn’t say I rate the Vodacom cup as a competition to rival the Super 14.
I was merely answering Slartibartfast’s question about which senior title Brummer has won for us.
The point is – I don’t think Brummer is necessarily the next great thing. He has had poor performances as well as decent ones, from what I’ve seen.
My point is just that he’s achieved a heck of a lot more than this Lionel “the Ghost” Cronje, and is still an U21 player as well.
And yet he isn’t constantly being punted as a Bok in waiting or urged to be fastracked into the Bulls A team.
He is sitting on the bench for the Bulls friendly this weekend, by the way. So he is a backup, just like Cronje.
1 Jul 2010, 09:24 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-48: tells you something about the depth or lack thereof at province
1 Jul 2010, 09:24 am
By the way. What’s the status of At Koster?
Does he still do “11 seconds flat for the 100m barefoot on grass” according to Bagel?
1 Jul 2010, 09:29 am
@mamma_lou(mamma_lou)-52:
Here is the strange thing though.
For the last couple of years WP schools almost always reached the final match at Craven Week.
WP universities has dominated the Varisty Cup.
A WP club even won the club champs in 2009.
So the question is not depth or the lack of it, but more to how it is managed.
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-53:
No idea, saw him in one VC game this year and thats about it.
I know he is a loosie now (or again)…
1 Jul 2010, 09:29 am
yeah van den heever is better than mapoe .. way better
1 Jul 2010, 09:32 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-50:
Silly me, I’ve just remembered that it would cut down on page hits if it cut down on searches. There’s also the slight matter of finding myself logged off every so often in order to up the site hits.
Looks like keo and co are trying to rig the figures for the advertisers.
1 Jul 2010, 09:33 am
You see, Danie Rossouw at least donners all the guys inside the bar. Then, when they’re all lying comatose, he puts on his jacket and exists the establishment with dignity and composure.
You don’t take your fight out onto the street like some Parrow Arrow. That’s just bad style, man.
1 Jul 2010, 09:35 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-57:
1 Jul 2010, 09:36 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-47: 50 lashes with a wet noodle for you.
it’s the greatest book ever written. don’t judge it by the movie, which was very mediocre.
douglas adams was a genius.
1 Jul 2010, 09:39 am
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-59:
Haven’t seen the movie. The book though was rubbish. I’m sorry, but it’s not even funny, which is supposed to be it’s great hallmark.
Guys who rave about it really just like it for its nihilistic theme.
It is essentially 500 pages about nothing.
1 Jul 2010, 09:40 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-60:
Just like the average Keo thread.
1 Jul 2010, 09:42 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-54:
It would be interesting to know what the WP budget is for contracting young players. I assume that as they sign youngsters they must also lose some existing ones to make way for the new crop every year.
Then there’s also the matter of how many of these students are from outside the WC and want to move back home after their studies.
One thing that we tend to overlook, as rugby fans, is that some of these kids don’t want a future as a professional rugby player, regardless of how many women they can attract. Hard to believe, I know, but it does happen.
1 Jul 2010, 09:45 am
@David(David)-62:
Well whatever the budget for youngsters is, I can guarantee you it is a whole lot smaller after buying Mrs. Habana and Mr. Fourie.
Nice investment for the future there…
1 Jul 2010, 09:45 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-61:
I see life has returned to normal in Slummies after the departure of the Bok roadshow.
Nothing to do other than to talk to ones self on some B Grade rugby website
1 Jul 2010, 09:46 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-63:
The “Mrs.” was initially a typo, but I actually like the way it looks.
1 Jul 2010, 09:46 am
Not sure why all are so negative about WP rugby…. imo it’s improving. The wheel is turning….. although slowly…
imo..
1 Jul 2010, 09:46 am
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-59:
4 books. BTW have you read his “Last Chance to See”. It’s extremely amusing yet very sobering reading for anyone interested in the environment.
1 Jul 2010, 09:47 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-63:
I think the takings from the semi final and final paid for them.
1 Jul 2010, 09:48 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-60: if you didn’t like it that’s fine. many people don’t.
i guess everyone has a different sense of humour.
i loved it.
1 Jul 2010, 09:50 am
@David(David)-67: have you seen… “The End of the line” …. google it..
new documentary on Sea fisheries….
friggen scary…
1 Jul 2010, 09:50 am
@David(David)-67: actually trilogy in 4 parts.
i’ll check out your recommendation, thanks.
1 Jul 2010, 09:51 am
@Staal(Staal)-66:
Staal the day WP rugby retains 40% of their schoolboy and club rugby talent and bring them through the system to WP senior level I will share your optimism.
1 Jul 2010, 09:51 am
@David(David)-62:
I dont think money is a problem, it is the management and planning where it falls apart.
1 Jul 2010, 09:51 am
@David(David)-68: No – it didn’t.
Trust me on his…. (actually a stupid comment to make but trust me anyhow)
1 Jul 2010, 09:54 am
@Staal(Staal)-74:
Reminds me of that old line “Of course I loves you, I F…s you don’t I?
1 Jul 2010, 09:55 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-72: To be honest – you will have to start at T Titus…….. if you don’t start there… and right down to the lowest level AT MANAGEMENT WP will still struggle to keep the younger guys…
but imo… Rassie is doing wonderful work and by winning any cup – it will make a huge difference…. and they are close…
1 Jul 2010, 09:56 am
@Bod(bod)-64:
I wouldn’t know.
1 Jul 2010, 09:57 am
@UnbeataBULL(UnbeataBULL)-42: fyi is the current u21 player of the year, he was in competition with both sias ebersohn & francois brummer for the flyhalf berth
1 Jul 2010, 09:59 am
@Staal(Staal)-76:
I’m still trying to work out how Rassies 200 top international players in his 20/20 will benefit the guys who don’t make the Boks, as he explained.
1 Jul 2010, 10:04 am
@David(David)-79: got to confess – i havent got a clue what this 20/20 thing is about.
1 Jul 2010, 10:16 am
@Staal(Staal)-70:
Thanks, I’ll check it out.
1 Jul 2010, 10:25 am
cant believe this shitte. wdw is no spearhead. province has probs at 10 and this is by far the best oppertunity to break cronje in who is the future. bloody fools
1 Jul 2010, 10:48 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-77:
So you have relocated then?
1 Jul 2010, 11:04 am
@David(David)-79: He will struggle to get top international players. The Aussies have said they won’t let any of their players go – they will have to become “rebels”. So, a number of players who are off contract might be interested – Waugh, for example.
I am not sure how many players from Europe will be willing to break contract either. They get paid a lot – most of them anyway – and why would they want to annoy their employers by breaking contract to play in a break away league?
I don’t think Rassie realises that, apart from a number of players who might retire after the world cup, this is essentially at attempt at something mirroring World Series Cricket.
1 Jul 2010, 11:07 am
@Bod(bod)-83: No, he still stays in Quigney, moved from Cambridge, just wont say so in public.
1 Jul 2010, 11:13 am
People take this stuff far too seriously.
1 Jul 2010, 11:24 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-84:
Seeing it’s right in the middle of the NH season, I don’t see how he can come good on his promise. Nobody decent from the NH is going to give up a career for a 3 week payday.
1 Jul 2010, 11:35 am
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-85: hahaha are you serious? Tacitus stays in quigney?
1 Jul 2010, 12:53 pm
What the hell is this pop up thing on my screen. Or is it just my browser?
Very annoying.
1 Jul 2010, 13:00 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-89:
Yep, a number of us agree with you. They’re just fishing for more page impressions.
1 Jul 2010, 15:31 pm
Well. Can’t say I feel sorry for De Waal or Cronje (neither who was good enough the last season). They made the stupid move to go to Rassie.
(Still can’t figure out what De Waal was thinking! Rassie hated De Waal’s guts since the Cheetah days… that last season in the S14 with the Cheetahs De Waal had to warm the bench even though he won the CC the previous season.)
1 Jul 2010, 17:11 pm
If de waal is the great province hope it could be another long CC season for the 2ndraters and long may it last as i think he is by his sell bye date.I have just finished watching the bulls v the 2ndraters super14 final again and every time i watch it it just gets better and better and that victory is the SWEETEST of them all.Have a nice day.
1 Jul 2010, 18:54 pm
@blueboy(blueboy)-92:
Hope you had a tissue handy when you were watching, and I don’t mean to mop up your tears.
1 Jul 2010, 19:22 pm
@blueboy(blueboy)-92:
Don’t celebrate the fact that two SA teams contested the final which proves our rugby is strong, nnah not a blue bull like you hey ? haha must have had a Brandy or two by now , gotta talk your mouth off again. Blah Blah Blah. Matfield and Fourie Du Preez won’t last forever
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