Stormers hope for Vermeulen boost

Stormers hope for Vermeulen boost

19 Jul 2012

Duane Vermeulen has returned to the training pitch and there is a slim chance that he will play in the Stormers’ semi-final match at Newlands next week.

Schalk Burger and Nick Koster haven’t been cleared to return to training, and are set to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby competition. However, coach Allister Coetzee remains hopeful that their other big name loose forward will be fit for the semi-finals.

‘The news is far more positive regarding Duane,’ said Coetzee. ‘He’s back at training and hungry to play so what we need to weigh up in the next few days is whether there are any risks around bringing him back [for that match].

‘He hasn’t taken contact yet, but he is able to run. We will put him into those [contact] situations over the next few days and see how he goes. If he is able to play, I believe he could play an absolutely vital role for us.’

If Vermeulen is included in the squad for next week’s match, he will start at No 8. Coetzee praised the performance of Deon Fourie, who was Man of the Match in last week’s game against the Rebels, but admitted that Vermeulen’s physical attributes could be a terrific boost in a do-or-die match.

‘Duane provides us with an extra lineout option because of his height, and is also very good when it comes to contesting opposition lineout ball,’ said Coetzee. ‘In play-off matches set pieces are very important, so it would help to have Duane available.

‘If we are going to use him, he must start. We have no idea how long he can last [considering he hasn't played for several months]. It’s better to start him and see if he can last 30, 40 or even 60 minutes if possible.’

The Stormers will only know who their semi-final opponents are following this Saturday’s qualifying play-offs. They cannot play the Reds, so will play one of the Crusaders, Bulls or Sharks.

By Jon Cardinelli


34 Comments

  • 1.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 13:55 pm

    good news…

    hope he is really okay and we don’t just exacerbate the damage…

  • 2.lockforward.com: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 13:56 pm

    I thought the #1 team plays the qualifier with the lowest log points. That means Stormers play the winner of Sharks/Reds game.

  • 3.lockforward.com: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 13:59 pm

    … Or do they play the team with the lowest log position? That’s not the same as the lowest log points.

  • 4.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:05 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-1:

    Please be true…

  • 5.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:05 pm

    @lockforward.com(lockforward.com)-3:

    Yes, Its” position” and not “points”. Therefore they will not play the Reds even if they (Reds) beat the Sharks.

  • 6.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-4:

    He appeared on a TV programme being interviewed by Dieter Voigt last night – still had the leg brace on and did not appear very mobile- hopefully the interview was recorded long ago.

  • 7.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:17 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-4:

    we hope

  • 8.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:18 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-6:

    Every week I hear it will be one more week. I hope it was recorded a long time ago…

    @ufo(ufo)-7:

    I’m living in hope. A fully fit Vermeulen is a huge bonus…

  • 9.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:21 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-8:

    definitely would be…

  • 10.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:31 pm

    Ah, good ol’ ‘Hand Bags’ Vermuelen.

    Except when he’s playing against Kiwis. Then he’s just Duanne.

  • 11.Caper: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:40 pm

    Allister Coetzee deserves credit for the way he handles injuries. He doesn’t risk players at all.

  • 12.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:41 pm

    @John Galt(John Galt)-10: Lol do you honestly think he’s afraid of the kiwis?

  • 13.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:42 pm

    Vermullet.

  • 14.kingcorn: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:44 pm

    Starting to look good for the Stormers. If they can have Duanne back then the back will definitely be on the up.

    Kitzhoff
    Liebenberg
    Harris
    Estebeth
    Bekker
    Kolisi
    Elstadt
    Vermeulen

    However I would like to see Kolisi at 7 far greater attacking threat from that position.

  • 15.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:45 pm

    Luckily Duanne will have an extra week to recover while the lesser teams fight it out for the privelage to meet the number one team in a weeks time.

  • 16.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:47 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-15:

    This weekend is going to be so boring… :lol:

  • 17.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:51 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-16:

    Ja, bunch of power puff teams playing barbarian style rugby :)

  • 18.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 15:14 pm

    Duane at 8 , Kolisi at 7 with Deon Fourie at 6 ? How good is that guy hey ? Powerful , strong , great burst of speed and probably the second best fetcher in the comp after Bismark (we SA wise anyways). Locks can be rotated with Elksted , Etzebeth and Bekker there.

  • 19.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 15:44 pm

    I’m off to go and play paintball this weekend.

    Nice

  • 20.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 15:52 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-17: @stormersboy(stormersboy)-19:

    Ja I will be washing my car and doing some gardening… Nice…

  • 21.BishopsOD: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 15:58 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-19: @Gumboots(Gumboots)-20: Going to watch rich people play polo. Should be absorbing. :lol:

  • 22.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 16:07 pm

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-13: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAH

    Seriously, great news that he’s close to match fitness.

  • 23.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 16:20 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-19:

    Redneck.

    :lol:

  • 24.Narutokun: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 18:37 pm

    @ Gumboots 13 that’s just nasty man lol. :-)
    Vermeulin back would be a great boost, but I wouldn’t start him
    play him off the bench and start him hopefully for the final!!!

  • 25.victoriabok: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 18:41 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-19:

    I used to work with a guy that stored his paintballs in the freezer

  • 26.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 18:52 pm

    @victoriabok(victoriabok)-25: That’s just plain mean. :D

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-23: Yup!

  • 27.Jinx2: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 03:05 am

    @sparticus(sparticus)-18:
    Absolutely agree. Kolisi and Duane will need a beer from the fridge. Duane to jump in the fridge on 60, and Ryno to pack the opposition bodies into the freezer.

  • 28.whatever: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 04:01 am

    only play if 120% fit, the Boks need this bloke fit so dont risk it if any doubts.

  • 29.Jinx2: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 04:41 am

    @whatever(whatever)-28:

    I think AC has been playing mind games for weeks. I have no doubt that Schalla, Duane and others (Etzie, Koster) have been in the “War Room” for weeks. Big smokescreen. They are ready, full body contact and all.

  • 30.bangkok-bok: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 04:47 am

    Duane needs to make his comeback so that we can use him in the Boks in the upcoming championships.

    6. Marcell/ Brussouw
    7. Alberts
    8. Vermeulen

  • 31.Jinx2: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 04:55 am

    @bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-30:

    i like your choices.

    Duane in the Membrane!

  • 32.bangkok-bok: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 05:01 am

    @Jinx2(Jinx2)-31: Who would we have on the bench? I’d start with:

    6. Marcell 7. Alberts 8. Duane

    Then bring on Brussouw. If I had my way I’d also have a lock who can play loosie on the bench (Elstadt). Or maybe Kanko on the bench? I would love to have seen Josh Strauss given a go- great heart and a BIG unit at 2m and 116 KGs.

    The way Deon Fourie is playing- I’d anther have him on the bench as cover for 2 (better than Strauss imo) and he is also a loosie cover.

  • 33.Jinx2: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 06:10 am

    @bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-32:

    Ok here goes:
    1. Beast
    2. Bismark
    3. Jannie
    4. Alberts
    5. Bekker
    6. Brussouw (Marcell sub)
    7. Schalk (Kolisi sub)
    8. Vermeulen (Etsebeth sub)

    The most mobile rottweiler/ in your face Spionkop unit that every Kiwi would hate to confront. England was a doddle. Now for the real deal. Lighties must learn and earn.

  • 34.bangkok-bok: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2012, 07:04 am

    That’s a good team! Except I really haven’t been too impressed with The Beast- either his scrummaging OR his broken play. I would have Coenie there and start blooding young Kitshoff. Etsebeth hasn’t really caught HM eye- so I guess he will have his sweetheart Britney Spies in the mix until an arm/leg drops off!

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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