Super Rugby preparations is also underway in Bloemfontein, in anticipation of the 2015 season.
News is that Joe Pietersen who previously played at fullback for the Stormers and then went to France to try things there, is back at the Cheetahs… to exclusively play flyhalf. Pietersen is a product of Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Heinrich Brüssow, who is currently still in Japan with the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, before joining the Cheetahs for Super Rugby (as soon as his Japanese Club’s season ends) says that the standards of rugby in Japan has improved markedly.
The Cheetahs start their Super Rugby campaign with an away game against the Sharks in Durban on 14 February.
Joe Pietersen at flyhalf:
Joe Pietersen is likely to wear the No 10 jersey for the Cheetahs in this year’s Super Rugby competition.
With Johan Goosen having left to play for Racing Metro in France, the Cheetahs are looking for a new 1st choice pivot and Pietersen is seen as a candidate.
The former Stormers star joined the Cheetahs from French club Biarritz late last year.
He can play fullback, wing and flyhalf, but it is believed that he was lured to Bloemfontein with the aim of filling the void left by Goosen.
Pietersen will duel for the No 10 jersey with Francois Brummer, Willie du Plessis and Elgar Watts.
Watts, who was Goosen’s understudy in 2013, is struggling with a knee injury and won’t be fit in time for the start of the Super Rugby competition.
Backline coach Hawies Fourie confirmed that Pietersen had been training at flyhalf in pre-season, with Willie le Roux, Coenie van Wyk and Clayton Blommetjies being considered at fullback.
“He (Pietersen) is good on attack and also has a lot of vision. He’s also an experienced player that knows how to handle pressure and can put guys in gaps. I believe he has enough skills to make it (his move to flyhalf) work,” Fourie said.
With Watts on the injured list, Pietersen, Brummer and Du Plessis will each get a chance to stake their claim for a starting spot during their team’s practice matches against the Bulls, Stormers and Griffons.
Heinrich Brüssow on Japanese rugby:
Heinrich Brussow says the standard of rugby has improved markedly in Japan since he joined the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in 2013.
The influx of top coaches like Eddie Jones, Robbie Deans, John Kirwan, Gary Gold and Hugh-Reece Edwards in the last few years has played a big part in helping improve the game in Japan.
“Apart from the above-mentioned names, there are several other overseas coaches who spend a lot of time here. Club rugby over here has really developed a lot over the last two years,” Brussow said.
Japan will enter a team in Super Rugby from 2016 and Brussow is optimistic that the team could fare well, but warned that Super Rugby would still be a big step up.
“The players over here are used to playing against big players like Samoans and Tongans, but to do it on a weekly basis against a team with a strong tight five, will be a massive challenge.”
Another challenge for the new Super Rugby team would be to adequately prepare for the competition, according to Brussow.
“The Japanese league normally ends in February. The companies pay big sums of money for their players and would be reluctant to send them to training camps. I think that could be a big problem.”
Brussow, along with Red Hurricanes team-mate Johann Sadie, will return to Bloemfontein to play for the Cheetahs in this year’s Super Rugby competition, but the exact date of their return is still unknown.
Should the Hurricanes qualify for the knockout rounds this weekend, then the duo will only return to the Cheetahs in early February. Otherwise, they could be back by the end of January.
Top coaches GarybGlitter and Who Reece Edwards????????? Once you have anything to to with the Sharks you are the best in the world! 😛
Why has the Stormers not approached Joe Pietersen.
Don’t think Catrakilis or Coleman are good enough flyhalves.
@ Jeraldjay:
I remember on Keo Skopskiet always called for Joe P to be played at flyhalf. Seems now as if he might have had a point 🙂
I also do not think that Catrakilles or Coleman are quite good enough to play at the top level although they have both improved during the last year or so.
The Stormers also have Robert du Preez and Rayno Eksteen on their books though..
robzim wrote:
Skop was right, Pietersen will be good at flyhalf
3 @ robzim:
Ryno Eksteen was magnifficent when he was at Affies a couple of years ago.
Strong, tactically aware and distributed well and a mule boot.
Pity injuries have played a part in his recent progress.
4 @ Victoriabok:
‘n Blinde Hoender pik ook nou en dan ‘n mieliepit raak!
@ Victoriabok:
The relatively unstructured style of the Cheetahs might also suit him. During his time at the Stormers they played a very structured game and perhaps that is why they never considered him as a number 10.
grootblousmile wrote:
Nee ek hou van Joe, hy’s ‘n goeie speler
Op heelagter is hy altyd in posisie, hy tackle goed en hy skop vêr genoeg en kan ook akkuraat pale toe skop
Hy sou nie die Bokke in die steek gelaat het nie, hy moes eerder ‘n kans gekry het as Niknaks
Osama sien of Smoking Joe nog smoke na hy in Frankryk was en nie so baie speelkans gekry het nie.
robzim wrote:
I don’t know why but good fullbacks seem to make good flyhalves too
Fat Frans would have been a good no 10 as well if he wanted it and trained harder. I can’t understand how a professional rugby player can allow himself to be so overweight
I remember when Naas played in Italy, Northerns played Johan Heunis on flyhalf and scored lots of tries, many more than with Naas
grootblousmile wrote:
Hy daag ten minste op vir elke wedstryd, nie soos Man van Glas Goosen nie
11 @ Victoriabok:
Hy raak ookie beseer as hy net van die bus af klim nie.
Dalk het die Staat daar ene beet!
grootblousmile wrote:
Hy sal nie eers ‘n cheerleader kan spyker sonder om seer te kry nie
3 @ robzim:
Skop was also convinced Willie Le Roux should play at 10. 😆
I think Joe will do well in that position cause he has a good tactical boot, light on his feet and is not scared to tackle players twice his size.
Think Gert and Allister missed an opportunity in a crucial position.
Joe P was never played in the same light after “that” game vs the Sharks.
While Joe P could do well, I see no reason for Elgar Watts to slot back into the 10 position after returning from injury and Joe moving to fullback, the Cheetahs are going to rely on a good goal kicking season from Joe.
Jeraldjay wrote:
If he could settle without being rattled it would work
Might work better than other guys on flyhalf Jantjies at the Stormers or JLP at the Bulls
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