Junior Genia to the rescue
5 Mar 2013
RICHARD FERGUSON updates keo.co.za followers of the latest Super Rugby news from Australia.
Junior Genia to the rescue
Nigel Genia, brother to the legendary Will Genia, might see Super Rugby game time this weekend for the Reds.
The Reds are without Will Genia at scrumhalf, and Ben Lucas left the field injured against the Hurricanes last weekend, and might have to turn to junior Genia to fill the gap. Nick Frisby is likely to start the match against the Rebels this weekend, but if Lucas does not train in time, Nigel will get a spot on the bench.
Other likely changes to the Reds team will be in midfield, where Anthony Fainga’a is set to return from injury, while Mike Harris is set to get his fullback jersey back, after youngsters Chris Feauai-Sautia and Aidan Toua were rewarded for preseason form.
O’Connor shifts to pivot
Rebels coach Damien Hill had no choice but to move James O’Connor from fullback to flyhalf, replacing the injured Kurtley Beale.
O’Connor will lead the backline against the Reds this weekend, playing their fourth Australian derby match in as many weeks.
Other changes to the backline sees Angus Roberts making his debut at fullback, while a shuffle sees winger Mitchell starting in midfield and Alex Rokobaro gets arun on the wing.
O’Connor will continue as captain of the side in the absence of Gareth Delve.
Rebels: 15 Angus Roberts, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Alex Rokobaro, 10 James O’Connor (c), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson. Substitutes: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordy Reid, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Tom English.
Smith, Pocock partnership confirmed
Brumbies coach Jake White has confirmed that George Smith will start the match against the Waratahs on the bench, but will get to run in tandem with David Pocock later in the match.
Smith’s return has been hailed as a masterclass by the Australian press, Jake White the mastermind behind it all.
White explained his decision to start Smith on the bench, stating that he wants Smith and Pocock to run side by side for a while, before bringing Pocock off. He is wary of the fact that Pocock cannot play 80 minutes of rugby every week.
Waratahs lose Palu, gain Barnes
The Waratahs are having a nightmare injury run as news came through that Wycliff Palu will miss the match against the Brumbies with an ankle injury.
While coach Michael Cheika rues the loss of Palu, he is hopeful of a return from injury for Berrick Barnes. Barnes needs to pass a fitness test to prove his fitness, and is likely to make an appearance off the bench.
There was further good news on the injury front as Pat McCutcheon is back in the selection frame after dislocating an ankle a year ago.
47 Comments
5 Mar 2013, 08:44 am
Pocock and Smith in tandem.
2 world class fetchers….?
what a Damascus Road Jake must have had…..
5 Mar 2013, 08:49 am
Junior Genia to the rescue http://t.co/8XK1WX6Ycq via @sharethis latest Super Rugby news from Australia
5 Mar 2013, 08:50 am
RT @mark_keohane: Junior Genia to the rescue http://t.co/tJSWKq4ZxC via @sharethis latest Super Rugby news from Australia
5 Mar 2013, 08:56 am
I would love to see Jake return to SA in a couple of years and take over a team like the Cheetahs.
Looks like they appreciate him in Canberra though and will hold onto him there as long as they can.
5 Mar 2013, 08:59 am
@grant10-1: hahaha
5 Mar 2013, 09:00 am
“legendary Will Genia”
Dont think he can claim that yet.
5 Mar 2013, 09:06 am
Folks I am ashamed to say that my cousins boy could end up playing for the Reds – yes he was only but a cub when he left so the the Lion did not grow in him. This is all very sad, very sad.
5 Mar 2013, 09:10 am
Jake the f’ng two face fake.
2006 ‘I don’t need fetchers in my team the only fetching I need is my sons fetching me a beer from my fridge’ Bam lose 49-0 to Lullabies. Then he selectively picks Solly Tyibiliyka as his ‘fetching’ open side instead of Watson to go on tour to UK.
Scroll down to 2013 Jake the two face snake first ‘Fetches’ Pocock then he fetches George Smith who was a Watson type player and after he plays a Luke Watson clone Hooper in 2012.
5 Mar 2013, 09:15 am
“Cape Town – Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn does not think his international career is over after he signed a three-year deal with French club Stade Francais.
Steyn, 28, on Monday decided to take up an offer with the French giants and will join them until June 2016, but will see out his contract with the Bulls, which expires on October 31 this year.
However, according to Beeld website, Steyn held a meeting with Bok coach Heyneke Meyer at Loftus Versfeld on Monday, with the pivot keen to represent the Boks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
Steyn believes playing rugby in France will take his game to another level which will stand him in good stead when he represents his country.
“Heyneke still picks Ruan Pienaar, Francois Louw and a lot of guys who play overseas. If he still wants to pick me, then I’ll be there,” said Steyn.
So the exodus is being encouraged by HM. As long as players like Steyn and others believe that the move won’t affect their Bok chances they’ll continue to leave, and the SA franchises Super series chancesdecline. It also sends the wrong message to youngsters who thought that staying in SA will improve their chances of a Bok cap.”
5 Mar 2013, 09:20 am
Aussie only up the Fakes arse like nobody’s business it’s where the Fake belongs after all it was all the Aussies who ever taught the Fake everything he ever learned in rugby after they klapped him silly by 49-0 then they bailout his fckup useless dead end game plan and hold his little trembling handy all through his fluke WC lucky packet win only for Aussie to offer him a job when nobody else did. Jake suits Aussie like Aussie suits Jake two little Waltzing Matildas in a pod.
Hope he gets the Aussie job and gets another 49-0 thrashing just like he did in his formative years.
5 Mar 2013, 09:22 am
@skopdiekan-6:
pragtig
5 Mar 2013, 09:23 am
Rebels would be better off with James O’Connor as their flyhalf anyway.
Kurtley Beale had his best season as a fullback in 2011. Since then he’s been up and down non-stop.
5 Mar 2013, 09:28 am
@hendrikp-10: Yes agreed. Blessing disguise actually.
5 Mar 2013, 09:28 am
@David-7: When does Habana leave?
Boks backline?
9. Pienaar
10. M.Steyn
11. Habana?
12. F.Steyn
13. De Villiers
14. Pietersen
15. Kirchner
5 Mar 2013, 09:31 am
@hendrikp-10: They should move him back to fullback.
5 Mar 2013, 09:36 am
@Big Hit-12:
Habs leaves after the Super 15.
Goosen, if he can stay fit, will be the Boks starter. His goalkicking was terrible against the Chiefs yes, but in general play he was alright in a poor team effort & coming back from an ankle injury I’m not surprised he’s struggling to find his rhythm when kicking at goal. He’ll find form.
If Serfontein breaks into the Bulls starting-XV then they’d be crazy not to look at him for the Springboks. We need a guy who’s going to break the line. Who will make things happen. I’m somewhat of a JdV supporter but I don’t think he should be at centre.
And not Kirchner, please. Hopefully Taute does something but really we are stumped at fullback.
5 Mar 2013, 09:37 am
Rebels can beat Reds this weekend with O’Connor in vs Cooper at 10. Cooper is a washout and so was Beale at 10. Reds down to 4th scrummy no Higginbotham no Genia or Horwill and Cooper the pooper vs a real playmaker like O’Connor at 10.
5 Mar 2013, 09:51 am
@David-7:
{“Heyneke still picks Ruan Pienaar, Francois Louw and a lot of guys who play overseas. If he still wants to pick me, then I’ll be there,” said Steyn.}
This is the problem we’re going to face in the near future when all the front line players are in Europe because they are still in contention for Bok selection. These players won’t be available for our S15 teams. So if the bulk of our senior players leave for Europe in the believe that can still be selected for the Boks, we’ll be left with the up and coming youngsters to play in the S15.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the RC take place outside of the IRR window for internationals. Clubs therefor are not oblige to release players for international duty. SARU will therefor have to make special agreements with the clubs if they want to use overseas based players for the RC, like with Flo last year.
This relaxing of the policy wrt overseas based players being selected for the Bok team, will lead to a lot of tears in the near future.
5 Mar 2013, 09:54 am
Boks should go
Andries Coetsee
JPP
Serfontein
Steyn
Habana
Goosen
Van Zyl
Vermeulen Deysel Coetsee Etsebeth Alberts Du Plessis Bismarck Beast
Meller Fourie Herbst Bekker Botha
Reinach Lambie
mbie De Jongh / Aplon / Taute
5 Mar 2013, 09:58 am
@skopdiekan-17: Are you insane?
Wait, don’t bother answering that.
What has Coetzee done to merit selection above say Killian?
Serfontein has had like how many senior games?
Goosen has played shite so far and should prove himself not to be a sick note
Vermeulen/Deysel/Coetzee…now there’s some speed there
5 Mar 2013, 09:59 am
@nama1-16:
What I find worrying is Steyns comment that he’s discussed this with HM, which suggests HMs approval.
I prefer the NZRUs approach, where they allow players a year or two sabbatical in Europe to earn some money, before returning for the pre RWC Super season in order to compete for a WC place.
5 Mar 2013, 09:59 am
@skopdiekan-17:
Andries Coetzee – most overhyped player so far this year.
And your loose-forwards scare me.
Vermeulen is losing his touch. Doesn’t seem to break tackles anymore. Not sure what he brings to a side these days. Deysel is a great battering ram, and that’s about it. Rather give me Willem Alberts. Marcell Coetzee was a big fat failure for the Boks as an openside last year, and he’s had a poor start to 2013. He wasn’t perfect last year but got through on a tremendous workrate. Haven’t seen anything close to that yet this season.
5 Mar 2013, 10:02 am
Was a classic interview after a Bledisloe Cup game when Rod Kafer asked Genia if he was alright after the game (Genia was in crutches after he injured his knee) Genia interpreted as Kafer having a go at his performance in the game.
5 Mar 2013, 10:05 am
@skopdiekan-17:
Your’e just trying to be different now
5 Mar 2013, 10:08 am
Well Andres Coetsee for my money was the best Lions player through 2012 and would offer way more than Kirchner
Otherwise bite the bullet and play Pollard at 15 with Goosen at 10
Vermeulen still best option at 8 with Botha as backup to cover Deysel at 7 and Vermeulen at 8
Alberts or Elstadt best option at 4
Etsebeth and Bekker to share 5
Kolisi and Coetsee to share open side
With Fourie to cover Bismarck and also provide cover for open side
5 Mar 2013, 10:12 am
@skopdiekan-23:
Deon Fourie has had a pathetic start to this years SR campaign. He does some things well, others terribly. I don’t think he will ever be a Springbok.
Also, do you remember what happened last year when we didn’t pick an openside who plays more towards the ball? Having a guy like Brussow or Francois Louw makes a big difference to any team.
5 Mar 2013, 10:18 am
Looks like Jake learnt a lot from his mistakes. From no fetcher to 2 in the squad !! Said at the start of the season that the Brumbies is the dark horse this year , I now reckon they could be fav for the aussie conference
5 Mar 2013, 10:22 am
@skopdiekan-23: Deon Fourie??? Ray Charles would find his jumpers with more ease and he also not the 2nd best opensider either.
Kenner indeed.
5 Mar 2013, 10:22 am
I take Francois Louw but Brussow hasn’t had a decent game since earlier in 2011 he was a flop at the WC
Current playing players if Bismarck regains full fitness I play Bismarck to start with Fourie on bench enough fetching capacity between those two to cover for Kolisi and / or Coetsee at open side as well as manage fine at 2.
Etsebeth should concentrate at 5 not 4 enforcement or else his career will be short lived. Alberts and Elstadt or Psdt to cover at 4 / 7 at a push.
Only area of concern in my team is full back where I’m prepared to risk Andries Coetsee Willie Le Roux or Handre Pollard there ahead of Kirchner.
Ludick is a decent S15 player but I wouldn’t elevate to international level above my 3 choices and have Taute on bench to cover centre or FB
5 Mar 2013, 10:26 am
Deon Fourie almost fckd up Sharkishits again last weekend just like he did in October. Deon Fourie is best no. 2 option after Bismarck to provide everything a team needs off the bench fire tenacity work rate speed time the ball upper body strength and mongrel fetching capacity like no other.
5 Mar 2013, 10:30 am
@skopdiekan-6: “Then he selectively selects Solly…instead of Watson…”
Would you say that that selection was a direct result of the quota system then?
5 Mar 2013, 10:31 am
Free State loosies of Vd Walt Viljoen and forget the other flanks name should also be considered as fringe Bok options they’re all three playing out their skins and fckd up Sharks loosies behind a poor tight 5 plus gave Chiefs a big scare through first 40 minutes.
5 Mar 2013, 10:34 am
@Big Hit-12: No de Villiers please. No Pienaar please. In fact I’m not sure about any of those players barring the wings and currently Lambie deserves to the 10 jumper.
For the other positions is just a case of nobody else is better right now which should worry us.
5 Mar 2013, 10:34 am
aaaahhhhh….here we go again…
coulda, woulda, shoulda….
almost….
There’s only one thing standing in the way of Gobshyte’s perfect 20/20 selection in future and find excuses in hindsight method:
DID NOT!!
5 Mar 2013, 10:35 am
@BrumbiesBoy-29: Watson may have had a hard time being classified as an honorary quota….
5 Mar 2013, 10:36 am
@skopdiekan-23:
How about Goosen at 15 until he settles, and Lambie at 10? The role of the 15 has changed and is now an integral part of a back 3 unit.
5 Mar 2013, 10:36 am
@skopdiekan-30: A game is 80 mins, no?
5 Mar 2013, 10:38 am
@RL-5: sounds like a smart lad… recognised the uselessness of the lions and went elsewhere in the hope of playing rugby
5 Mar 2013, 10:40 am
Jake’s just a two face bullshit artist snake who talk with forked tongue glad the Aussie have got him because that where he belongs. Went out of his way to avoiding selection of Watson while George Smith and Richie McCaw couldn’t understand the logic then comes with his bullshit beer fetching analogy and in next breath selects Tyibiliyka and raves about him as his ‘new open side find’
Jake’s a fake snake and just like leopard don’t change spots snake don’t change it skin less it sheds it and tries wearing a new one till the old colors come creeping back again.
5 Mar 2013, 10:41 am
@Dilligafrican-33:
5 Mar 2013, 10:47 am
This fckface Dilly pseudo white skinned African just one more imbecilic fckup that thinks it knows so much about its religious relationship with rumpled up delusional infantile idiocy he calls rugby. Stupid stuffedup moronic mug from moegoe virtuosity ville. Get fckd you stupid moron what you thinking you so knowledgeable about is next to f’ng zero. Dumber than dumbass dummy dumbbell.
5 Mar 2013, 10:50 am
@skopdiekan-37:
Jakes selection of Solly was a cynical FU to SARU as an “I told you so” regarding a fetcher.
5 Mar 2013, 10:55 am
David I don’t think I’d play Goosen at 15 I rather go with perhaps Pollard there as insurance or Lambie off bench.
Goosen offers far more than Lambie in open play. Pollard perhaps lacking some pace but a big boot and another place kicking option from 15.
As exciting running fullbacks that can link with 3/4s I like Coetsee and / or Willie Le Roux perhaps Taute off bench though looks like Taute maybe better as a no. 13 backup off bench where I would start Serfontein.
5 Mar 2013, 11:00 am
Anyway work to do
Out
5 Mar 2013, 12:10 pm
Junior Genia to the rescue http://t.co/v1n4GsO4Vs via @sharethis
5 Mar 2013, 12:24 pm
@skopdiekan-39:
Slit your wrists – it will lower your blood pressure.
Your “knowledgeable” predictions have all come to nought. You’re a fine one to label anyone a dummy dipshit.
5 Mar 2013, 14:50 pm
RT @mark_keohane: Junior Genia to the rescue http://t.co/8XK1WX6Ycq via @sharethis latest Super Rugby news from Australia
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