Stormers delay call on Duane
23 Jul 2012
The Stormers have decided to give Duane Vermeulen more time to prove his fitness ahead of a physical semi-final showdown with the Sharks.
Two weeks ago, coach Allister Coetzee told keo.co.za that Vermeulen may feature in the play-offs. The hard-nosed No 8 has missed the majority of the Super Rugby competition with a serious knee injury, but has made great strides in his rehabilitation.
Coetzee said on Monday that Vermeulen has participated in two training sessions over the past few days, although he is still yet to take contact. He sat out of Monday’s practice as the so as not to overwork his knee, but he will face a decisive fitness test on Tuesday.
‘He’s had two big sessions, and we decided it was best if he got off his feet today [Monday],’ said Coetzee. ‘He is really pushing hard to be ready for that semi-final and at the moment he is still in the mix.
‘I’m not a betting man, but I would say that there’s about a 65 to 70% chance he will play this Saturday. We will see how he goes in contact on Tuesday.
‘It’s a tough decision to make because we don’t want him to come back if he’s not ready, so if he is cleared to play, it will be because we feel he can make a contribution. If he can’t be effective, then he won’t be risked.’
If Vermeulen doesn’t come through a barrage of tests and is ruled out, then Coetzee will stick with the back-row combination that started against the Rebels in Round 18. In that event, Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt and Deon Fourie will form the loose trio.
While Vermeulen may yet be cleared to play against the Sharks, he is unlikely to last the full 80 minutes. He will start if available, but the combination of Kolisi, Elstadt and Fourie will finish the game.
Injured loose forwards Schalk Burger and Nick Koster remain unavailable for the Stormers, while Nizaam Carr has already been ruled out for the rest of the year.
By Jon Cardinelli
14 Comments
23 Jul 2012, 17:58 pm
Rather save the Dragon for the final
Fourie can deal with Kanko
23 Jul 2012, 18:30 pm
@Robzim-1: ja Kanko is show pony man
23 Jul 2012, 18:33 pm
Although I won’t mind a 40-50 minute cameo for Duane with Fourie coming on to run the tired Sharks ragged
23 Jul 2012, 18:40 pm
Don’t push your luck with Vermeulen too early .. if he’s not 100% let him rest up for the final… Stormers will take care of the overrated guppies any which way they wanna load their groot kanonne on Saturday..
Kanko will see his fairy faced arlie .. all that counts is for Stormers to nullify Beast Bismark Jannie Bressler and Alberts and its fait a compli…
If Vermeulen is less than 100% but better than 80% have him as a last ditch backstop on bench .. otherwise rather play Armand, Roux, Steenkamp, Carstens, Malherbe on a 5/2 bench
I would start
Pietersen
Aplon
JdV
De Jongh
Habana
Grant
Duvenhage
Roux
Elstadt
Kolisi
Bekker
Etsebeth
Harris
Fourie
Kitshoff
Carstens, Liebenberg, Malherbe, Steenkamp, Armand, Schreuder, Vd Heever
Don’t need to risk Vermeulen this weekend and we don’t need a fly half on bench.. when Schreuder comes on if Grant needs to go off then Duvenhage to 10… and don’t need to start Fourie at 6 or 8, start him at 2 where he is supposed to..
23 Jul 2012, 19:39 pm
Coetzee knows the truth: this weekend is Duane’s last chance to play Super Rugby this year
23 Jul 2012, 20:58 pm
Hou op kaksioek
23 Jul 2012, 21:17 pm
I have been reading you stormers supporter posts on Keo for months now, demanding Kolisi, Duane and Elstadt to be in the Bok set up. Well, This saturday they will have the opportunity to show what they can do. I hope that Duane is fit to play, because I wan to see him up against the incumbent Boks.
Kanko has been in sublime form for the last few weeks, he is peaking right at the end of the season. Keegan has made more line breaks than any loose forward in the S15. Coetzee has burst into senior rugby and grabbed the attention of HM and everybody else who does not wear blue and white striped glasses.
The sharks have had a tough last three games as well as having to travel halfway around the world twice in a week. Despite this, I feel that they will beat the stormers on Saturday.
23 Jul 2012, 21:32 pm
Stormers have won 13/16 local derbies in the last 2 Super 15 seasons,give these guys the credit they deserve……….14/17 come Saturday
23 Jul 2012, 21:41 pm
@mako 7
oh please the stormers are going to boss ur team all day around on Saturday. It’s going to painful to watch as a shark supporter shame!!!
Just two good games from the sharks and they the best team is SA larfout loud
they to inconsistent really and u will see that Saturday!!!
Just two good games
23 Jul 2012, 21:54 pm
@Narutokun-9: well time will tell but my money is on you being wrong.
lets see.
23 Jul 2012, 21:57 pm
that aussie crowd was a good warmup for the sharks as newlands will be just as hostile.
they dont call it boolands for nothing.
23 Jul 2012, 22:28 pm
@rangerman-11: that’s why newlands is the fortress the boo’s psyche the visiting teams out
24 Jul 2012, 07:18 am
@fitz1ella-4:
Agree with you on Fourie at 2. He is pumped. That sort of enthusiasm will energize the team. Very interesting choice of Roux at 8. I really have been impressed with him. Good hands and good anticipation, not to mention his healthy aggression. My prediction: Elstadt MOM. This will be won by the most silently violent. Vermeulen in the last 20 will galvanize the Newlands faithful, and our youngsters will need the 16th man, so to speak.
24 Jul 2012, 08:37 am
@rangerman-11: All the Saders fans will be booing the Strompies
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