Burger back in business
16 Jan 2013
Fit-again Springbok flanker Schalk Burger will captain the Stormers in Super Rugby this season.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee also confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Jean de Villiers, who led the team to the top of the combined log last season, would be the team’s vice-captain.
‘We are blessed with an incredibly strong leadership base in every position,’ said Coetzee. ‘Schalk will have the Springbok captain in Jean de Villiers to lean on, a Currie Cup-winning captain in Deon Fourie and I haven’t even mentioned the likes of Andries Bekker, Tiaan Liebenberg, Duane Vermeulen, Dewaldt Duvenage and Bryan Habana – all of whom are leaders in their positions.’
The squad has been in Hermanus since Monday and the coach expressed his delight at the work done so far.
‘We’ve upped the rugby-specific side of things this week, but we’re also having a bit of fun and the guys have responded really well. We’ve still got two days to go after this, including a fun adventure race on Friday, and then we will turn our attention to next month’s warm-up matches.’
The Stormers will face the Cheetahs on 2 February in Bloemfontein and the Boland Kavaliers on 9 February in Wellington.
132 Comments
16 Jan 2013, 14:17 pm
Returning dragon!!
16 Jan 2013, 14:26 pm
about time we had a stormers thread…!!
good news…
but will be interesting to see what form he brings to the team…
we all know he’ll give it 200 per cent and keep 2, 3 or more opponents busy…
but we’ll need to see if he can reach the level of play he has in the past…
good luck schalk…
will be great to see our forwards at work… however ac decides to select and/or rotate them…
16 Jan 2013, 14:32 pm
@ufo-2:
It’ll also be interesting to see where they use him, and who’ll play on the opposite flank. I suspect they’ll have Schalk at 6 and Kolisi in a Flo type role at 7.
16 Jan 2013, 14:34 pm
@ufo-2: We should stick to flying below the guppie radar
Prefer it when we are ignored, teased, tossed aside, disrespected, taunted and written off
Workedlikeafuckingcharm in the CC.
16 Jan 2013, 14:35 pm
@David-3: Then this could be the year Elstadt takes on a Danie Rossouw type role off the bench…….
16 Jan 2013, 14:37 pm
@David-3:
yeah david… the thought on every stormer supporters mind is how where, how and when we’re gonna use schalk…
i’m really happy he’s back but would’ve preferred him to come off the bench… but it’s all up to ac so we can just wait and see…
i think it’ll be great for the youngsters like siya, nizaam, eben and others to play with schalk… can only benefit them being in the same pack as him…
imo of course…
16 Jan 2013, 14:38 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-4:
for sure…
i see you’re doing a great job of it…
just kidding…
16 Jan 2013, 14:43 pm
@ufo-7:
Of course….. I know my place.
16 Jan 2013, 14:43 pm
Good call,AC .Great to see the legend back.
16 Jan 2013, 14:43 pm
but don’t change a thing…
i enjoy your banter…
16 Jan 2013, 14:49 pm
@ufo-6: You guys (and possibly the boks) need to use him more as a blindsider, with his new found distribution skill he is the ideal no 7 for the mountainfolk and Bokke. Gotta play him and Kolisi in the same side…throw in Vermeulen at the back and that is one potent back row! Now just to convince Flo to come to the sharks….
16 Jan 2013, 14:53 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-4:
Whatever.
Conference Title favourites.
This is your year.
16 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
@Skeppie-11:
yeah bud…
i’m not to concerned about the numbers on their backs… the key will be the roles assigned to them by ac… and, like everyone else, very interested to see what that turns out to be…
there are so many permutations… so i’m not gonna fret or speculate too much about it…
only thing is i’d have preferred to see him phased back in… to toughen up his match fitness and contact… because knowing schalk he’s likely to go balls to the wall from the get go and get injured all over again…
but yeah… i’m very excited to see him back…
16 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
Burger Kolisi and Vermullet will be a pretty killer back row for the Bokebacks.
With Burger Flo and Vermullet for the Boks.
16 Jan 2013, 15:12 pm
@gunther-14:
let’s see if schalk’s still got the shizz…
places for the boks gonna be pretty damn competitive that’s for sure… which is cool…
16 Jan 2013, 15:21 pm
Skoppie wont be happy with this.
16 Jan 2013, 15:23 pm
@John Galt-16:
That’s the least of the little fella’s problems.
Shoprite have got a steak special on at the moment and everything he’s held dear is crumbling before his eyes.
16 Jan 2013, 15:31 pm
@ufo-13: I agree, the man is a ledgend and still has a truckoad to offer
16 Jan 2013, 15:33 pm
Allistair C:
Dearestanimalfarm. Was he reading our stuff earlier this morning?
But coach Coetzee seemed to play down the possibility that Burger might do the blind-side task as a result.
“Siya was a natural seven initially, and he adapted well at six in place of Schalk. But the key thing about our loosie combination is that players are adaptable … Schalk can also play at seven, and even at eight.
“Siya is also now a year wiser, a year more mature. It depends who we are playing; what we want to achieve.”
16 Jan 2013, 15:33 pm
@John Galt-16: Does Skop not like Schalk?
16 Jan 2013, 15:38 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-19:
hehehe…
he does read this blog i’m sure…
remember in the ‘written in the stars’ doccie… where he said he’s happy for the stormers supporters on the blogs because they’re always getting stick… or words to that effect…
16 Jan 2013, 15:40 pm
@Skeppie-18:
hope he can stay injury free for the next few years…
16 Jan 2013, 16:06 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-19:
I think his best position for the future will be 8.
16 Jan 2013, 16:08 pm
@TooMuchRugby-23: That is a stretch ……he has hardly ever played there…….with Carr and Vermeulen I dont really see the need…..unless mass injuries again.
He is suited to play blindside imo…..
16 Jan 2013, 16:16 pm
@grant10-24:
He started off as an opensider, then gradually morphed into a blindsider when guys like Brussouw came to the party.
He has the groundskills and ballskills that is required from a modern 8.
Vermeulen is a hard grafter, but lacks the “flair” and running that I would like to see in an 8.
Schalk to 8, Vermeulen to 6
16 Jan 2013, 16:20 pm
@grant10-24:
Agreed.
He’s a 7 all day long.
16 Jan 2013, 16:20 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-20:
No, not particularly. He sees him in the same light as Matfield, Smit, Rossouw, etc etc.
Has been, old guard…whatever you want to call it.
16 Jan 2013, 16:27 pm
@TooMuchRugby-25: Not convinced. Also believe AC will use him as an opensider…..which scares me when we up against the Brussows, Steggmanns, Pococks and Hoopers of the world….
But let us rather wait and see….
16 Jan 2013, 16:34 pm
‘Disaster year’: Schalk speaks
2013-01-16 15:22
Schalk Burger (Gallo)
Related Links
Burger named Stormers skipper Bok props extend Bulls stay Sharks target fast start Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Hermanus – Schalk Burger has always been a bit of a rugby wrecking ball, and seemingly one without an “off” switch, given the near constant high work rate and vigour he is renowned for.
So it will be a relief to his fan club to know that the 29-year-old loose forward – confirmed here by coach Allister Coetzee on Wednesday as resuming the Stormers captaincy in 2013 – is keenly anticipating getting back between the white lines early next month after a previous year he described as “a bit of a disaster” given his unusual absence for some 11 months of it.
Enter the Sport24 SuperBru Super Rugby challenge!
Coetzee told Sport24 that he anticipated fielding the 68-cap Springbok in one of the warm-up games (they play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on February 2 and Boland at Wellington on the 9th) – all going well, it ought to signal that Burger will be ready for the start of the Super Rugby campaign-proper against the Bulls at Loftus later in the month.
Burger himself also addressed one of the first media opportunities he has attended in some time, following a squad training session at a primary school here, held in typical summer Overberg heat of some 34 deg C.
“I’m ready to go and looking forward to it. Obviously pre-season’s been tough. Last year was a bit of a disaster; it’s good to be back on a rugby field.
“I’ve just got to try to get my conditioning back to a level where I can play some good rugby again. But I’ve got a lot of energy after just about a year on the sidelines – you build up some extra motivation.
“It’s also nice captaining the side again (Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers gets some respite from the franchise responsibility – Sport24) but it’s not about me.
“There’s a great group of experienced leaders all around … I’ve really just got to do some post-match interviews and keep you guys happy!
“Hopefully it will be a really successful 2013 for the Stormers. We’ve created many opportunities in the past to win the trophy … it’s a big competition and hopefully we can put ourselves right in contention again.
“You don’t want to jump the gun; you do have to take it week by week.”
Burger, comfortingly, has had a reputation before for getting back into the groove notably quickly after stints on the sidelines, though he conceded that the latest, long-term knee problem had been the most debilitating for him.
“When you first get back from an injury there’s always likely to be a little bit of doubt so I don’t want to heap myself with expectations. But you get yourself into form by training well; putting in the hard yards makes it a lot easier.
“Things can become a bit one-dimensional and stale when you play week in and week out. Hopefully having spent some 12 months out, I’ll have a slightly different outlook now, and put it to good use for the team.”
Burger said it was difficult bumping into rugby enthusiasts, in public, and being asked whether he had retired, given the lengthy duration of his absence.
“Yes, when you’re out grocery shopping – because that’s what you do when not (active in) rugby – every second person who speaks to you says ‘are you still playing or are you retired?’
“It does give you that extra motivational to get back into it. You’re a rugby player and want to play the game.
“But I did get good time with my wife and my little kid … I can tell you I’m an expert on the nappy drill.
“Still, getting back with the team makes you realise how much you miss rugby. It’s great to be running around.
“I’ve had plenty of (shorter-term) injuries in the past and I’m taking the view that this was kind of my sabbatical – hopefully this means I can play now to 2025!”
While Burger was sidelined, promising Siya Kolisi played commendably after a forced shift to the senior professional’s open-side flank role.
But coach Coetzee seemed to play down the possibility that Burger might do the blind-side task as a result.
“Siya was a natural seven initially, and he adapted well at six in place of Schalk. But the key thing about our loosie combination is that players are adaptable … Schalk can also play at seven, and even at eight.
“Siya is also now a year wiser, a year more mature. It depends who we are playing; what we want to achieve.”
*Follow
16 Jan 2013, 16:40 pm
I’ve been saying this.
For years, and years, and years.
Schalk Burger should concentrate on playing as a nr8.
Schalk to 8. Vermeulen to 7. Kolisi at 6.
16 Jan 2013, 16:40 pm
If I was Stormers coach my first choice starting pack would be
Kitshoff 1
Liebenberg 2
Cilliers 3
Etsebeth 4
Bekker 5
D Fourie 6
Elstaht 7
Vermeulen 8
With Schalk , F Malherbe, Rhodes and De Kock Steenkamp on the bench….
Unleash that bench with 30 to go and klap the Bulls into next week….
16 Jan 2013, 16:42 pm
@willievz-30: Well Schalk at 8 would still be a 100 times better than Spies at 8…..
Problem is Schalk has always fancied himself as an opensider….
16 Jan 2013, 16:43 pm
Welcome back Schalk. All the best for you. Hope the body will hold up.
Do your thing and please…don’t kick for touch if we can put points on the board. You have this habit of losing your mind as captain in the big games ie semi finals and finals.
Just take the points when they are on offer.
16 Jan 2013, 16:48 pm
@willievz-30:
Way too late for that experiment now especially if the player does not buy into it.
16 Jan 2013, 16:49 pm
@nama1-34: I am with you on this one…..
16 Jan 2013, 16:52 pm
Stormers are utilising Vermeulen not as a traditional 8, but as a pseudo-fetcher. Even more reason why Schalk would fit in there.
16 Jan 2013, 16:57 pm
@TooMuchRugby-36: Never saw Schalk do much fetching over the years…..saw Mc Caw, Phil Waugh and G Smith have many free luches with Schalk at 6 and J Smith and Spies in tandem though….
16 Jan 2013, 17:03 pm
Anybody knows if the match against the Cheetahs will be shown on TV?
16 Jan 2013, 17:15 pm
@nama1-34: He does not select himself anymore.
16 Jan 2013, 17:21 pm
This may end up being his swansong year if he picks up another injury,
I hope not. A fit Schalk Burger is one of the first players to be picked in any team.
16 Jan 2013, 17:22 pm
The Incredible Schalk was tried at No8 against lowly USA in the final pool match of the RWC, & did not impress (imo) – he was not used there again in that tournament. He played all the other matches at No6 (but then Juan Smith was at No7). To Schalk plays more like a (saffa) No7 … but mine is just an armchair opinion.
The Bokke need a No6 with stronger fetching credentials – however, the Stormers/WP can do what they like at loose forward for all I care …
16 Jan 2013, 17:25 pm
@Angostura-41: 2007 RWC
16 Jan 2013, 17:26 pm
@Angostura-41: He was Man of the Match against the USA.
Allowed him to focus more on a ball-carrying role.
16 Jan 2013, 17:28 pm
@Angostura-41: you are spot on….imo…he plays like a blindsider…is built like a blindsider….and could end up, at best, being an outstanding Bok 7…although Kolisi, Alberts and a host of others will be trying there best to keep him out…..
16 Jan 2013, 17:31 pm
@willievz-43: yes, ball carrying (& bashing up) in a saffa loose trio context, more a No7 function than a No6 function (where he is likely to be played by the Stormers).
16 Jan 2013, 17:32 pm
@willievz-30: Agreed! That makes a whole 3 of us now. You, me and Toomuchrugby.
16 Jan 2013, 17:52 pm
@willievz-39:
He is still the captain. You don’t want an unhappy captain on your hands if you are the coach. It will seep through the whole team and will have a negative impact on results.
AC should not have reinstated him as captain then.
16 Jan 2013, 17:56 pm
I just dont see Schalk happily trying to take on such a different role at 8 , at the age of 29……doesent seem practical to me…
16 Jan 2013, 17:57 pm
if schalk wanted to play 8 he would have done so in 2006 when we had the best fetcher in the country in LW being shunted to 8 to accomodate Scjhalks fetcher aspirations
16 Jan 2013, 18:59 pm
Ne1 no if we have managed to find another hooker???? We only have 1 fit hooker at the mo which is Deon Fourie. I reali hope his throwing in has improved because that is a serious weak point.
Not sure who else is around, S. Tobias was going up through the ranks but not sure if he is good enough. The hooker who played u21 last year has made the baby Bok squad so he might be ok.
Leave Duanne at 8, He’s the Bok number 8 and i doubt they gonnamove him and schalk around. Duanne is good off the back of the scrum.
I reali hope that Duvies doesnt start at 9, Schreuder and Groom are far beta.
16 Jan 2013, 22:32 pm
@Angostura-45: That is partly true, yes.
The Stormers will employ him at 7, and he shoud do well there as he is a class player.
But at international level, the Bok 7 is also a lineout option (Smith, Rossouw, Alberts) and does a lot of work in the loose. Burger does cut the mustard in the latter category though.
My main reasons for suggesting Schalk should focus on 8 is because of his defensive strengths.
He appears equally adept at defending with both shoulders, which is an important feather in the cap of a cover defender.
16 Jan 2013, 22:51 pm
@willievz – agree, schalk will be excellent nr 8, has been employed more and more as linking loose forward with backs
16 Jan 2013, 23:00 pm
@robmos-52: The running lines of the loosies, on both defense and attack, are all distinctly different.
And as you point out, Schalk has the anticipation and reads the game well enough to flourish in this linking role.
17 Jan 2013, 00:41 am
Getting late in damn London,,,,
Best thing about Schalk Burger today is that he will keep Carr and Kolisie out of the line up
There will be some efforts to move Elstadt to lock and dropping Don Armande completly out of the squad but then both Carr and Kolisie aren’t expected to last long anyway
17 Jan 2013, 06:30 am
Taute ‘loving’ his Cape switch
Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Hermanus – He has known [known or shown, Rob] useful utility value but fullback is the firm focus of Stormers loan signing for 2013 Jaco Taute.
The Springbok, who almost seems a stalwart of first-class rugby because he was playing at that level so young for the Lions (the team to which he is still contracted) only turns 22 in March, and if he gets pigeon-holed as a No 15 for the Cape outfit that suits him just fine.
“I’ve trained fairly exclusively as fullback in early-season preparations and I must say I’m mad about it,” he confirmed at a media briefing at the squad’s training camp here on Wednesday.
“It is great to potentially be part of a back three that includes world-class players like Bryan (Habana) and Gio (Aplon) – give either of them half a chance and they’ll be over the try-line plenty of times. I hope it will be a very dangerous (combination).”
Certainly coach Allister Coetzee has made all the right noises, in terms of Taute’s wishes, by indicating that he will overwhelmingly be viewed as a compelling candidate for the last line of defence.
At 1.90m and 98kg, he offers a timely, perhaps necessary element of height to a Stormers wings-and-fullbacks division that has sometimes lacked that advantage.
“It’s felt like a very, very good shift for me so far. They’re a top team – it’s a big challenge for me, seeing as they’ve done so well over the last couple of years; this is not just a team you can walk into and expect to (get a starting berth).
“I see myself as an attacking player and I believe that will fit in with the brand of play expected at Newlands.”
Asked about his Springbok blooding in midfield last year, and how this might affect his further Test aspirations considering his renewed desire to settle in the last line of defence, he replied diplomatically: “You will never try to dictate where you want to play if you have the honour of being chosen for the Springboks.
“But I came down here primarily because I wanted to be seen as a fullback – I do consider it my first-choice position.”
How is the Springs-born player adapting to softer pitches and the ball not travelling as far through the air?
“Well, it’s been lovely having so much more oxygen here! Running is much easier; I’m not used to that.
“Me and Elton (Jantjies) have already been working on our kicking, because it will be different circumstances; the wind and (slower pitches) … but those are uncontrollables, and you just have to get used to them and adapt to them quickly.
“I’ve been loving the summer weather in Cape Town. It’s very different; I’ve been a Jo’burg boy my whole life but I’ve been really liking it – the people are very friendly and welcoming too. I haven’t been homesick.
“I’m studying at the same time – a B.Comm finance, entering third year – and living in Stellenbosch for the moment. You have to juggle your responsibilities, try to find time, but I’m aware that your rugby career may only last 10 years!”
Taute said he was fortunate not to be carrying any niggles from last season into 2013.
“No, I feel very fresh, after my shoulder op last year, at the end of Super Rugby. It helped to have a bit of a rest.
“I’ve had a very good pre-season, I can’t wait to get on the field. Pre-season seems to be dragging out a bit now …”
17 Jan 2013, 06:37 am
@ufo-55:
Just read that.
The Lions mustn’t expect him back any time soon. If ever. I see him wanting to make Cape Town his home. He is already referring to it as such.
When you have guys like van Heever and Joe Pietersen able to play at FB or wing, the attacking flair will be there this year.
17 Jan 2013, 06:53 am
@robmos-52:
Burger is a great player but I’m with Skop with regards to him positioning himself as first receiver pseudo linkman….too predictable…doesn’t have the off load skills nor the step…definitely a bruising runner and hardman to put down…but linkman…no..
17 Jan 2013, 07:18 am
@Te Rangatira-57: agree…..
17 Jan 2013, 07:28 am
@I am a stormer-56:
yeah stormer…
reckon he’s ours for keeps…
will be interesting to see how ac uses/rotates gio, joe and jaco…
17 Jan 2013, 07:49 am
@Te Rangatira-57: It could work if they worked on it a bit more tactically. Burger needs to mix it up a bit if he is going to be the first receiver from line-outs and early phase ball.
His pass has improved since occassionally operating in that position.
He must take the ball up a few times early in the game and target the flyhalf and weak shoulders of players. Then as the game wears on he should rather pass. This will cause hestitation with the opposition because they will be expecting Burger to run at them. This second of hestitation could be the key to unlocking the defence further down the line and it will give the backline more time and space because the opposing backline will be holding the line expecting Burger to go hard and straight.
Also get Habana and De Villiers to run off Burger’s shoulders thus also creating confusion and creating more space for Jantijes.
They really need to develop set plays from those situations.
17 Jan 2013, 07:52 am
@I am a stormer-56: The Stormers always had the flair in the back three the last three seasons. You just do not have a flyhalf and centers that pass the ball to the wings. Elton will be a huge improvement but you are still stuck with JDV and JDJ who never pass a ball.
17 Jan 2013, 08:08 am
it is going to be fascinating to see what team AC chooses if everyone is fit…..
in my dream team I struggle to find a place for Schalk and Kolisi!!!
Great to have this depth …..the rotation and full use of the squad is going to be crucial….
17 Jan 2013, 08:10 am
After the first three matches we’ll be three loose forwards down and will be running around finding someone that can run for 80 minutes.
Deon Fourie needs to play 6, I know he has to play 2 for now, but he is a natural 6 and can’t throw a ball. Siya needs to be in the team. So that leaves Duane, Schalk and Eldstadt fighting it out. Schalk is captain so needs to be at 8. Duane and Eldstadt on the bench.
17 Jan 2013, 08:21 am
@grant10-62: It will be
6. Kolisi
7. Schalk
8. Vermeulen
How would you have it?
17 Jan 2013, 08:22 am
@garth-63: Tough calls to be made Garth….
I also would like D Fourie at 6….but I dont think that is what is being planned.
I reckon AC will start with Schalk at 6
Kolisi at 7
Vermeulen at 8…..
Elstaht may be used more as a 4 lock ……probably from the bench ….
Going to be a damn interesting season….as you say, injuries always seem to haunt the Stormers, so it is good that the depth appears to be there…except now at hooker.
17 Jan 2013, 08:25 am
@Sasuke-64: That would be a decent choice…..I would far prefer Schalk as blindside and Kolisi at openside [ although Kolisi plays like a blindsider imo ]…..
If it was up to me I would try convince D Fourie his future is at 6……
start him there with elstaht at 7 and vermeulen at 8…..
with Kolisi and Schalk on the bench……try a 5 …2 split on bench so that you can include Kolisi, Schalk and Rhodes on bench……and 2 props with D Fourie covering hooker from the 6 position
17 Jan 2013, 08:28 am
@grant10-65: Scarra injured,Teabag still carrying a back niggle and Fourie insisted after CC that he wants to claim hooker berth this season,so I’m pretty sure we’ll see him starting at 2.I’m with you at 6,7 and 8.
17 Jan 2013, 08:30 am
@Superbru-67: yes…..I know Deon wants to play 2 and only loosie if another crisis….that oke is a seriously talented rugby player….very glad the Toulon deal fell through
17 Jan 2013, 08:34 am
“I haven’t even mentioned the likes of Andries Bekker, Tiaan Liebenberg, Duane Vermeulen, Dewaldt Duvenage and Bryan Habana – all of whom are leaders in their positions.”
Yes you have AC now… Absolutely marvelous mentioned leadership….
17 Jan 2013, 08:34 am
@grant10-68: Yep,awesome skills at the breakdown,which makes him a very valuable 2,also he will have Bekker to throw to at lineout time which may make all the difference.
17 Jan 2013, 08:40 am
@Superbru-70: Yes…..in my opinion he is probably our most valuable forward as without him the pack lacks a menace at the breakdowns….essential he plays if we up against the likes of Steggmann, Todd, Hooper , Pocock, etc…
17 Jan 2013, 08:44 am
schalk is only a player (like all other players) carrying out the moves, plans and strategies of his coaches that are practiced between games with the rest of the team…
he doesn’t ‘position himself’ anywhere…
one reason for him to stand at first receiver and carry it up is because it usually takes two or three or more opponents to stop him and quick recycling will create gaps further out in subsequent phases…
another is that stopping burger takes a lot more out of the individual players than stopping grant, van aswegan or katrakilis (or just about anyone else)… that will wear opponents down over the course of a game…
but with players like eben, siya and rynhardt coming to the fore in the last year… being able to join duane and schalk… maybe this carrying up role won’t be as much a part of schalks play as it was…
can anyone recall the stormers/blues game of 2010…? one of the best exhibitions of free-enterprise rugby seen in a long time… schalk and andries wreaked havoc and passed the ball between them like french backs…
to state unequivocally that he can’t pass or offload is being rather economical with the facts… sure he may not do it as often as we’d like but that doesn’t mean he cant or doesn’t…
but first and foremost… we have to wait and see if schalk still has ‘it’… a year’s layoff is helluva long and it will be interesting to see if he plays the same energiser bunny way again… or perhaps a less physical role…
fact is… schalk has to prove himself all over again… to himself and to his teammates… i believe he will… but it’s gonna be mighty interesting and exciting watching him… that’s for sure…
17 Jan 2013, 08:50 am
i mean his carrying from standing as first receiver…
17 Jan 2013, 09:02 am
They are lucky to have so much choice and I hope they use this to manage their players which is something they have never done well. If Flo comes back it will be even more difficult to figure out. Yeah!
17 Jan 2013, 09:14 am
The illuminati aka Burger Rupert corporation are running WP rugby hence Burger straight back to captain and straight back to starting nevermind the fact that WP – Stormers had their best year in super rugby and curry cup when he wasn’t there. Burger is one player we can well do without he disrupts the balance of the team in general and becomes the individual focal point because of the illuminati led desire for fulfilment. It don’t work just like it didn’t work for Boks when Burger was go to fulcrum at WC and cost Boks the quarter final it won’t work at WP-Stormers either.
17 Jan 2013, 09:32 am
it is interesting that both JDV and Burger were not around when both Stormers and WP played some decent rugby…..
AC is going to have to make some interesting selections at time this year….
My gut feeling is Schalk will captain Boks as well…..
17 Jan 2013, 09:39 am
@grant10-76: I agree. JDV was stand in captain and it means we may be able to pick a half decent player in his place.
17 Jan 2013, 09:45 am
I think its a bit too much pressure on Schalk to be captain of the Stormers. There was such a shift in the team dynamic as well as style of play last year that I fear he may spoil what was built.
People forget that as mighty a player as he is, he is a bit of a hot headed captain with refs and not a very tactical thinker in the heat of the moment. Deon Fourie did very well last year and could sniff those moments out when a risk needed to be taken. He was also the best forward throughout the season and his inclusion is a no brainer. If Jean did not want the captaincy because of his national duties (which I do not think is a smart move from Jean) Deon should have got it.
Also, I am not buying this “he wears opponents out business”. Are all other rugby players now soft or what? Schalk will be targeted. Him standing at 1st receiver and bashing it up is too easy to defend against. He is one good gang tackle and a fetcher away from losing possession. His body position in that role is not low enough to get the yards the team needs. He needs to look at how Ezebeth carries it up for inspiration.
We have all seen Schalk as captain over the years and I just cannot see what is so spectacular about him in this role. I would have played him off the bench at 7 in the begginning of the campaign to assess. Still hope he proves me wrong and nails it though!
17 Jan 2013, 09:46 am
@Stoetbul9-61: Taute joining the line from the back – at pace…. A schweet Jantjies offload. Who needs centres?
17 Jan 2013, 09:46 am
@skopdiekan-75:
Big words as usual, but can you back any of it up with any sort of evidence? If not then its just opinion, hearsay, and to be honest, BS.
17 Jan 2013, 10:18 am
@skopdiekan-75: I agree with the part where Burger becomes the focal point. He would do well to not try and take the whole game on his shoulders. If you look at the SA cricket team and how other players were allowed to come through and take the pressure off Kallis and Steyn, then it becomes evident that the best teams don’t and shouldn’t have this 1 player focal point. The other players (especially the young ones) need room to breathe and do their own thing. I am hoping Burger also understands this.
17 Jan 2013, 10:29 am
@willievz-30: Agreed. With the stormers’ defensive system, the need for an exclusive opensider is negated. The rely on their front-on defense to dominate in the contact area, which put the attacking sides’ support players to change their support lines. this extra split second allows them to compete at the breakdown.
17 Jan 2013, 10:56 am
@pompies2-82: Certainly.
But because of the specific defensive system they employ, they will also continue to experience a number of injuries this season.
They rely on counterrucking and keeping the attacking opponent in the air, rather than bringing him to ground. This means they will have to hit a lot more rucks on defense than if they employed players adept at carpet hooving.
Hence, consequently, the bodies will be sore!
17 Jan 2013, 10:59 am
It is quite noticeable that several of our loose forwards are (or are deemed to be) flexible & interchangeable across 2 or all 3 of the loose forward positions, & some of them interchangeable with lock forward as well.
Such versatile players are perhaps best utilised as off-the-bench players & are not necessarily the best in a specific position if one were to regard numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 as specialist positions (with clearly defined different, but complementary, primary functions/tasks) just as much as one would regard numbers 1, 2, & 3 as predominantly specialist positions.
Perhaps that (not starting at the foundation) is a peculiarly SA problem, i.e. not properly distinguishing & circumscribing the “job specs” of our lock & loose forward positions (especially the different criteria for No’s 6 & 7), & then, because of that omission, sometimes not selecting the BEST FIT for a particular specialist position. He who deserves to be selected in the run-on XV is the best man for a specific position given the job specs for that position & the attributes, capabilities & talent of the short-listed candidates – not necessarily the best player across several positions (versatility), or the highly rated 2nd best player in another position. Sometimes a very good player should be overlooked for a lesser player, because the lesser player is a better fit for the position they are contending.
{imo}
17 Jan 2013, 11:33 am
@willievz-83: I don’t necessarily share this concern, because they train specifically for this type of rugby. I know they do alot of grappling and body manipulation type drills. obviously the foundation for this is core & massive upper body strength
17 Jan 2013, 11:54 am
just heard Scarra out till at least april needs a shoulder op…..
AC better get on the line to Saracens pronto…..
Or find a real quality hooker somewhere……because we in the kak now !
17 Jan 2013, 11:59 am
@Sasuke-64:
You’ve got the linkman right there at 6…..Siya is capable of that role, quick ball with Burger, Vermuelen,Estebeth steaming on to the ball,and Siya there to secure it and create the quick recycle, or Siya ranging wide as in the winning Habana try v Bulls, He needs to play the 80 min if we are to see the one or two deft touches that open up the very good defences ….
@ufo-72:
The strategy of positioning Burger at first receiver in order to get the ball wide when thats the right thing to do is flawed, let jantjies do the damage when it comes to selecting runners with well timed passes.
17 Jan 2013, 12:01 pm
@grant10-76:
He was Meyers first choice.
17 Jan 2013, 12:10 pm
@gunther-88: yes….and I doubt JDV will make the Bok team on merit anyway ……
17 Jan 2013, 12:27 pm
@grant10-89:
Hasn’t HM already confirmed JdV as captain for the season?
17 Jan 2013, 12:44 pm
@David-90: yes….in a moment of madness I believe…straight after eoyt when emotions running wild….
bloody silly ….imo
17 Jan 2013, 12:57 pm
Fark I am happy Sulk Burger has strolled back into the Captaincy role…
Will put that little pipsqueak Fourie back in place… on the bench…
Of course Schalk knows how to Captain a winning side in S15 or CC unlike anyone else in Stormerville…
Hold on, wait… There is someone else…
Nevertheless GO Sulk… GO Donkey… Winning leadership extraordinaire…
17 Jan 2013, 13:07 pm
@Te Rangatira-87:
jantjies has only just joined the stormers… a bit flawed to state something was historically flawed based on being able to use a player who wasn’t available then…
flyhalf has long been our weakest link at the stormers imo… and hopefully young jantjies will be the answer to most stormers fans prayers… and yes… he no doubt will offer more distribution-wise than a forward… but we don’t simply want a passing flyhalf… that will become very predictable very quickly… we want an attacking flyhalf and jantjies will provide that…
so i still won’t be surprised to see schalk at first receiver on occasions during the game… to wrap up some of their loosies and create space for jantjies with quick ball to use his stepping skills to weave through the opposition…
jantjies not the biggest kid around… so expect ac to use the schalk and others on occasion as he did before…
it’s never as cut-n-dried as some suggest…
17 Jan 2013, 13:11 pm
@grant10-89: Who would you have ahead of him in the bok jersey?
17 Jan 2013, 13:13 pm
@Skeppie-94: F Steyn at 12
JDJ at 13….
17 Jan 2013, 13:18 pm
@grant10-95: Not a bad choice…..I still think JDV has a part to play though, although I do think it’s time for JDJ to get his chance at 13
17 Jan 2013, 13:20 pm
@grant10-86:
are you saying WP shoulld go looking for John Smit?
17 Jan 2013, 13:24 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-97: LOL….I will then get firmly behind the Kings…..and boycott Newlands !
17 Jan 2013, 13:25 pm
@Skeppie-96: .JDV not better 13 than JDJ…..so its a straight choice between him and F Steyn imo….
17 Jan 2013, 13:32 pm
@grant10-99: Yeah that’s the thing if not for Frans a JDV/JDJ combo (presuming Fourie is not coming back) would be a good one but Fransie’s position seems to be 12…I suppose maybe it’s time for new blood.
17 Jan 2013, 13:36 pm
@grant10-98:
hehehe
whew! the world isn’t coming to an end.
17 Jan 2013, 18:49 pm
@ufo-93:
The point I was trying to make is when the ball needs to go wide, Burger should stay out of first receiver.
18 Jan 2013, 06:38 am
@Te Rangatira-102:
oh yes, i understood the point you were trying to make….
i just don’t agree that this is a personal selfish choice of burger’s but part of the team’s game plan…
a role which eben carried out with great success through the year in schalk’s absence…
people love it when eben does it and cheer him on but hate it when schalk does…
go figure…
18 Jan 2013, 07:29 am
@ufo-103: When Eben does what?
18 Jan 2013, 07:38 am
@Te Rangatira-87: Yes Siya could play that role as well. I think Burger is pulling rank and putting himself in that position.
18 Jan 2013, 07:51 am
@Sasuke-104:
carries the ball up… sometimes from a first receiver position…
@Sasuke-105:
*sigh*
yeah… of course… burger is the real coach… he tells AC what to do… can just see burger strolling into newlands declaring…
“okay allister, I’m back… thanks for looking after my team in my absence… now it’s all about me again…”
you obviously don’t have a very high opinion of burger or AC…
18 Jan 2013, 09:43 am
@ufo-103:
Well Ufo, hears to Burger having an injury free season and recapturing the form that made him the best . Perhaps that maybe a big ask but just having his name on the team sheet is a big boost for the Stormers.
18 Jan 2013, 10:14 am
@ufo-103: That is a very good point…
18 Jan 2013, 14:25 pm
@Te Rangatira-107:
yeah ranga… indeed it is a big ask… but us stormers fans are famous for living in hope…
thanks…
just btw… you do know that the blues are my kiwi team too…?
@willievz-108:
shot willie…
18 Jan 2013, 14:29 pm
@ufo-109: Hi there! What was encouraging to me is the fact that the photo of Schalk taken at their training camp in Hermanus showed no bandages / taping / Elastoplast around his knee !!
Maybe it wasn’t a contact session but still……………..usually the guys are so strapped up after a knee injury………… We can only hope !!
18 Jan 2013, 14:33 pm
BTW Ufo, a friend of mine is currently doing contract work in Upington. He has 2 season tickets available for this season on the Grand Stand Upper Gallery around the 10m line on the southern side. He will not be able to attend any matches and has decided to sell it for the season @ normal union prices. If you know of anybody interested, will you please let me know. The tickets have been in his family for ages
18 Jan 2013, 14:37 pm
I don’t think this was the right move.
This garantee’s him a starting spot and I feel he needs to ease into the game off the bench.
I hope I’m wrong though..
18 Jan 2013, 14:41 pm
@Jeraldjay-112: Although I tend to agree with your argument (in general terms), Schalk has shown in the past that he can slot in without having any game time. Whenever he has returned from injury it never seemed that he was “away” in the first place.
18 Jan 2013, 14:45 pm
@ufo-109: You might be living in hope.
But…
The only province that currently have trophies (any trophies) locked in its cabinet is the one that plays its rugby underneath Table Mountain.
Vodacom Cup
Currie Cup
18 Jan 2013, 14:47 pm
@CharlesM-113:
True. Juan Smith also has that same ability but these guys are getting older and as an upstart it was a walk in the park but when you on the other side of 30 things change.
Also I don’t think he ever had issues with his knee’s. It has always been upper body injuries.
18 Jan 2013, 14:52 pm
@willievz-114: have = has
18 Jan 2013, 14:54 pm
@CharlesM-110:
hey bud… that’s very good news… as you say… we can only hope…
also enjoyed your news about carlos and lambie… great for sharks and bok rugby… if pat can play a little like carlos the rest of us are gonna suffer…
@CharlesM-111:
i will ask around charles and see if i can find anyone… most of my mates have season tickets but will put the word out and see if anyone is interested and let you know…
@Jeraldjay-112:
yeah jj… i said a while back and several times since the announcement that i would have started schalk from the bench in the second half to give him time for his body to get used to the knocks again as only playing time can… so you and i would have done the same thing as coach…
but we’re not… and there’s little point in all the hating on schalk (not suggesting you’re one of them) as if this was all his idea and doing…
i don’t know why some fans get so personal about players…
if anything it must ruin watching a game if a fan dislikes a player so much…
right now we can do two things… wait and see… and live in hope…
but it’s gonna be fascinating to watch it all unfold…
can’t wait…
18 Jan 2013, 14:59 pm
@ufo-117: Thanks !! My friend doesn’t really have a network of friends and asked me to ask around – I said I’ll try: no harm in asking.
I still have to renew mine as well – I usually wait until close to the cut-off date. My son is starting varsity this year and I can’t actually afford the season tickets but hey…….this might be our year and I don’t want to miss out !!! (Okay….the “dream on” comments etc will soon follow lol)
18 Jan 2013, 15:03 pm
have said a couple of times already that in the long-term interests of wp/stormers i would have made eben captain and have had schalk and jean as his onfield mentors…
apparently not a popular view on keo… but i reckon it has so many benefits for eben and the team it would have been worth it…
18 Jan 2013, 15:08 pm
@CharlesM-118:
no harm in trying charles and i certainly will too…
i can’t really afford them either but it’s my one splurge a year for the last few… my mates are not financially challenged like me so they do it without even thinking… and sometimes don’t even make it to the games… which I always give them a hard time about…
but life is about living and sharing and making memories… and what better way to do that than with family and/or friends watching rugby at newlands…!
(while it is still held there…)
18 Jan 2013, 15:19 pm
@ufo-119: I’m not too sure about Eben’s leadership qualities though!
As far as I can recall he hasn’t been a team captain before – schools etc.
Maybe in a year or 2 perhaps ?
18 Jan 2013, 15:27 pm
@CharlesM-121:
yeah i know charles…
thing is… i’m really worried that eben is going to earn himself a label as a thug and ruin what could be a legendary career…. maybe giving him that responsibility will teach him to channel his energy more positively… and that’s why having schalk and jean to mentor him onfield would be so important…
i do believe he can do it though…
remember when he was trapped under the ruck in the highlanders game and two guys charged him while he couldn’t defend himself… and he just looked up and gestured for them to try again…
takes a certain type of person to take that sort of a hit and still keep a clear head as eben did… and it’s those little things that make me believe he’d be a good captain… and grow into a great one…
but yeah… all speculation on my part…
18 Jan 2013, 15:29 pm
earn the label of a thug because he’s starting to believe all the press and others about him being the new bakkies…
i’d rather go the other way by making him captain the press and others would be talking about him having to be responsible as the captain…
18 Jan 2013, 15:36 pm
lekker
SuperSport has secured the rights to the
Sonny Bill Williams vs Frans Botha
boxing bout next month (Quade Cooper
on the undercard).
18 Jan 2013, 15:38 pm
@Te Rangatira-102:
@ufo-103:
Nobody actually said that Burger will be doing this. Let’s wait and see.
18 Jan 2013, 15:43 pm
@TooMuchRugby-125:
indeed TMR…
18 Jan 2013, 15:50 pm
@ufo-123: I hear what you’re saying but I feel that with Bekker (fit hopefully) next to him and Duane behind him they’ll be able to keep him calm. Obviously Schalk will be there as well.
IMO he has much more controlled aggression than Bakkies for instance………….but that is just my view
18 Jan 2013, 15:57 pm
@CharlesM-127:
The press’ labelling of Etsebeth as a thug is totally unfounded. He hasn’t scratched the surface of Bakkies’ stupendous displays of thuggery.
18 Jan 2013, 16:07 pm
@CharlesM-127:
i agree his aggression is a lot more controlled… but the stupid little things like the air-headbutt and the eoyt stuff could see him being labelled… fairly or unfairly… captaincy can bring the best out of players and a reckon it would from eben too…
also on current form he is about the only player guaranteed his place in the stormers… ( a few more too)… so we wouldn’t have the issues of believing he was just getting a start because he was captain…
anyway… as i said all wild speculation on my part…
but that’s what’s really great about keo… discussing things and getting considered rational feedback from people who know what they’re talking about…
19 Jan 2013, 02:22 am
@ufo-109:
I know this is a belated reply mate….yes I know you like the Blues and they are your Kiwi team of choice….I wish I could reciprocate and put the Stormers up there but I usually follow certain players from Sa not teams, now the Kings are joining the comp I feel some affiliation with them and they are the Sa team I will be cheering for. Go Kings…..
19 Jan 2013, 07:59 am
no prob ranga… wasn’t expecting or suggesting a reciprocal thing… just having you, popps, hurricane, china and cane giving the nz perspective is cool enough…
i want the kings to do well and put up credible performances and to be taken seriously… i reckon everyone is interested in how they’re gonna do… looking forward to it
19 Jan 2013, 16:50 pm
Another walking sicknote.
Go and stand next to Andre Pretorius…and don’t move. Something is bound to fall off.
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