Comments by a blogger on news24.
Fellow bloggers,
I must admit I enjoyed a little Friday afternoon chuckle at the news that Springbok and Lions centre Jaque Fourie appears unlikely (for the moment at least) to be heading to Western Province and the Stormers.
The Lions’ reluctance to release Fourie follows hot on the heels of confirmation that another WP target, Bulls centre Wynand Olivier, has signed an extended contact to stay at Loftus Versfeld.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m an avid WP and Stormers supporter and would like nothing more than to see them succeed both domestically and at Super Rugby level, but NOT at the expense of all those youngsters who’ve come through the ranks in the Cape, but are then unceremoniously swept aside by WP Rugby’s cheque book.
WP Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, arrived at Newlands a few seasons back with a glowing reputation having guided the Free State Cheetahs to Currie Cup success. However, it appears all he’s done since his arrival is hoover up all the available talent – both locally and internationally – to cover the gaping deficiencies in the WP set-up rather than groom and take a chance or two on the prodigiously talented crop of youngsters at his disposal.
The WP Craven Week side for the second consecutive year reached the ‘final’ (this year etching their name on the trophy), while the WP Under-19 and Under-21s hold their own year after year, so it’s hard to argue there isn’t talent bursting for an opportunity on a higher stage.
I’m beginning to ask myself how good a coach of talent is Rassie… and how bad would I, or anyone with any coaching background, be in his place if we had an open cheque book?!
The list of players purchased by WP over the past few season’s in staggering and sadly, in numerous cases, one is left scratching one’s head at the thought process involved in having them putting pen to paper.
They include: Brian Mujati, Adriaan Fondse, AJ Venter, Chris Jack, Hilton Lobberts, Duane Vermeulen, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Peter Grant, Willem de Waal, Frikkie Welsh, Gcobani Bobo, Sireli Naqelevuki, Wylie Human, Conrad Jantjes, Anton van Zyl, Tiaan Liebenberg.
That’s 17 names off the top of my head. Feel free to add those I’ve overlooked to the comments section below… I’m confident there are several more.
Granted Stormers captain Jean de Villiers’s decision to move to Irish club Munster has created a void in midfield, one WP Rugby attempted to fill with either Olivier or Fourie – or both.
However, that’s life. One has to accept that at times rugby will throw you a midfield crisis curveball. If one is harsh, but truthful, De Villiers hasn’t been in stellar form since injuring himself midway through this year’s Super 14 and the Stormers and WP have achieved pretty much all they deserved in his absence.
WP Rugby will just have to console themselves with the reported R1.1 million for permitting De Villiers to break his contract obligations early – and heaven forbid, groom one of Morgan Newman or Juan de Jongh in his place.
Sadly I fear after failing to lure Olivier or Fourie, the feelers will already have been put out for another recruit to join the WP stable.
Anyone in agreement? Violent disagreement?
Purchase a Jan!
Grant shouldnt be on that list…he has been there for years.But its still a alot. Wonder what their budget is like?
@Supa Die Bloubul –
And then WPRU say they have no money and therefore have to sell Newlands….
This article is spot on, imo.
And for each of those 17 players they bought I can probably name you a local one just as good or better that they could have played instead.
Fourie kom WP toe, mark my words.
@isigidi – mark my words daar is nie genoeg geld of slim prokurowers daar nie. Die Coke blik se geld is nog nie gebruik nie, hulle het mos miljoene gekry vir vir die naam Ellispark.
Hy gaan nerens.
Fourie sal WP toe gaan, een of ander tyd, die Leeus stel die onvermydelike net uit. As n ou regtig wil gaan na n ander span is dit baie moeilik om hom te keer. Bakkies was n uitsondering.
Twee jaar terug het hulle oor Mujati ook gestry.
Dit is sinneloos om die standpunt in die artikel te huldig in die professionele era. Dan beteken dit ook dat niemand van werk mag verander nie. Koop WP, koop.
Toe ek die opskrif van die artikel sien toe weet ek Supa het dit gepost!! hehehehe
@1,2,3
En vir wat praat julle 2 deesdae Engels met mekaar?
It’s bye bye bye in the Cape sal ook werk.
As mens darem vir soveel jaar vroeg in die seisoen afskeid neem van enige trofee kanse…………
@bul-a-bhloo – Ja ja, het jy daai kwote ook van die Bulls website gaan copy?
Ek haat alle Bulle!
Kul jou hier en kul jou daar…..
Hallo rugby talkers!
@KingPaul – Snaaks maar nog nooit daar gaan kyk nie. Deel van die lekker is om met alle supporters te gesels.
@isigidi – Nee wat, los hulle. Dink jy ons moet begin sidebets vay oor of JF Kaap toe kom of nie?
@isigidi – Haat is goed, haat is fine.
As julle manne ons begin like is dit minder goed 🙂
Dan is ons besig om wedstryde te verloor!!!
Oh and the best thing Jean de Villiers could ever have done…went to the best franchise rugby team in the world…well the Blue Bulls supporters may disagree…lol
Yeah very happy to have him on our books too.
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