Comments on: Pienaar scoops top award

By: Stormers still top of the SA Conference(stormersboy)

Stormers still top of the SA Conference(stormersboy) — Tue, 10 May 2011 08:31:36 +0000

@grant10(grant10)-10: Yeah for sure. Steyn is a good goal kicker and solid player, if not spectacular. If Ruan can shake the "inconistant" and "mentally fragile" tag, then he'll be the answer for sure IMO.

By: grant10(grant10)

grant10(grant10) — Tue, 10 May 2011 07:31:36 +0000

@Stormers still top of the SA Conference(stormersboy)-9: It seems that Ruan Pienaar is seen as a supersub with his versatality allowing Boks to play a 5….2 bench split…..for me it makes sense to have say Ruan and JDJ on bench….Ruan can do the 9…10….15 cover….JDJ the centre and wing cover.

Against strong scrummaging sides a 5 …2 split with players like CJ and Guthro on the bench will be of huge value.

If PDV is really serious about starting with Ruan at 10 it means M Steyn will be left out of the picture completely….PDV was always reluctant to start M Steyn ….feeling he was too little of a threat ball in hand and nullified PDV s vision.

The senior Boks always wanted Butch as well…..

And to add to the confusion Ruan has always been a most reluctant 10 !

If Ruan were to arrive next Sat in Stormers camp as a 9 , I would be over the moon….as a 10, less so.

P Grant would still be my 1 st choice.

It does add spice though, especially with Butch in town as well!

By: Stormers still top of the SA Conference(stormersboy)

Stormers still top of the SA Conference(stormersboy) — Tue, 10 May 2011 07:21:46 +0000

@grant10(grant10)-6: Isn't the deal that he plays at 10? I think that's the whole point of the exersize? I have mixed feeling on him coming to us. Nice to have a good player like him, but as you say, only at 9. At 10 we have to start backing the Lionels and Garys of the world or risk losing them. From what I've seen of Lionel he can develop into a great player, now he has to take another step back. I don't think Dewald, whilst doing a good job at 9, will ever be a bok, not quite there really, so Ruan at 9 will be fantastic. It's what we've been missing in our backline for years.

By: justrugby(justrugby)

justrugby(justrugby) — Tue, 10 May 2011 07:17:39 +0000

Well done Ruan, shows what a happy/ settled player can do.

I am one of his biggest critics, but hats off to him for making a decision to leave…………………….. a decision that I believe has improved his game significantly, maybe all those promising signs of having the ability to be a great could yet be realized !!

By: grant10(grant10)

grant10(grant10) — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:42:35 +0000

stormers tried unsuccesfully last year to do a similar deal with BJ Botha, also from Ulster on a loan deal…..it fell through due to insurance costs…..so unless SARU is involved in offsetting some costs, I am a sceptic.

It was interesting , however, that Stormers toured with 25 players, with player 26 being listed as A N Other, so there is a possibility.

However, if Ulster win this Friday away to Leinster, it does mean Ruan would only be available after May 28…..which means Ruan would miss the Blues and the Rebels game as well on the tour.

If Ulster lose though, he could be with The Stormers this coming Sat / Sunday already, making him available for the Blues game .

By: grant10(grant10)

grant10(grant10) — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:29:06 +0000

well done Ruan….that is an awesome award!

Personally I would love him to assist the stormers campaign, but please at 9….

Lionel Cronje has been an excellent backup for P Grant, who is fit again….and Ruan has won this award playing the majority of his rugby at 9, which is where he is happy!

I believe Boks will use a 5….2 bench split for the ‘big’ games at the WC….and this is where Ruans versatality will be crucial.

I am surprised Sharks have not been sniffing around for Ruans services?

By: munkiboi(munkiboi)

munkiboi(munkiboi) — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:18:47 +0000

i’d love to see ruan play 9 for the stormers. its one of our weakest positions!

now all we need is frans to come play fullback, and gio can play right wing

By: Hop Hop Spinnekop(Hop Hop Spinnekop)

Hop Hop Spinnekop(Hop Hop Spinnekop) — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:12:00 +0000

What position is Ruan playing at Ulster? Scrumhalf right? What position does Ruan want to play? Scrumhalf right?
Where will he be used for the Stormers/Sharks/Boks? Flyhalf. (confusing)
If Ruan stayed at scrumhalf here in SA and not moved to flyhalf I would go as far as that he would have been better than FDP.

By: coma(coma)

coma(coma) — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:01:39 +0000

Rudolph, you moron, the guy is a Shark, we need him, McLeod has been very ordinary. If he needs some FH time, we can move Lambie to 12. Wake up, the coffee is getting cold.

By: DonutDunning(DonutDunning)

DonutDunning(DonutDunning) — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:13:32 +0000

There were also rumours that Jake White would try to get Pienaar to the Brumbies for next season.

I generally pay very little heed to unsubstantiated rumours, but it would be a hell of a pickup. They could finally say goodbye to the rubbish Valentine!

By: KevinRack(KevinRack)

KevinRack(KevinRack) — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:26:02 +0000

I would like to have seen this boy at centre. Pity our Boks dont have the commitment to the national cause like the Aussie players do. The coach asks O’connor (dam fine flyhalf) to play centre to prepare for the RWC and he does.

He will definelty be better than the two scrummies at the Stormers at the moment.