Duane Vermeulen
If there was ever a good time for Stormers coach Allister Coetzee to rest captain Duane Vermeulen it is now.
The SA Player of the Year was always going to have to miss the 1st game of the Stormers tour against the Highlanders, having played 5 straight games at the start of the season, but having 4 wins under the belt and plenty of loose forward depth at his disposal does make it easier for Coetzee to give him the time off.
The plan was always to give Vermeulen an extended break with the BYE this week followed by a week off in Dunedin, as part of SARU’s request that top Springboks be given regular games off to manage their workload this season ahead of the World Cup.
Coetzee admitted that it may be tougher to rest Vermeulen when there is more pressure on later in the season, but for now he is happy to stick to the plan.
“It is a plan that we have had long ago, irrespective of the situation.
“Where the challenge will come with the resting is when you are in a tight spot and whether you are going to continue with the plan,” he said.
Another factor which makes it easier to do without Vermeulen is the long line of loose forwards who are fighting for a starting place in the squad at the moment.
“Because he is a category A guy, he has got to get a longer break and I am happy because in the loose forward department it is only Rhynardt Elstadt that we have lost, we have got Schalk Burger back so we have got sufficient depth there.
“We have got the next Springbok eighthman in our squad as well in Nizaam Carr so it is really pleasing to have loosies like Michael Rhodes coming back,” said Coetzee.
The Stormers coach said that with Vermeulen out of the mix, his biggest concern is finding the right balance in his loose trio, with vice-captain Juan de Jongh poised to take over the leadership role.
“Mikey (Rhodes) was really on form, he has played great rugby before he got injured, but I am not 100% sure if he will be at that level again.
“The big thing is we must not pick 3 guys who are similar. Schalla and Nizaam basically bring the same thing as passing and linking loosies. You need to have a hard-running loose forward and a line-out option and an abrasive guy because we will be without Duane so we will need that,” he said.
Vermeulen will lead a squad with no selection surprises and a playing group which includes hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi, prop Oli Kebble, lock Eben Etzebeth, flank Mike Rhodes and wing Johnny Kotze – all of whom did not play against the Chiefs at the weekend, while the only player unavailable because of injury is flank Rynhardt Elstadt (broken leg – suffered against the Blues in Round 2).
Coetzee is keen to see how the leadership group cope without Vermeulen for the 1st game under the guidance of Currie Cup-winning skipper De Jongh.
“This is a great opportunity to see the depth of our leadership group and how they operate. We lacked a bit of composure in the 2nd half against the Chiefs and they must learn from that.
“I think that is where Schalk is still important in terms of being a pack leader who has got all the experience, and maybe that is something we will consider when we select the team.
“Juan has done well in the Currie Cup, the halfbacks Nick Groom and Louis Schreuder have been leaders and Damian de Allende is really stepping up,” he added.
The Stormers coach dismissed talk that locks Jean Kleyn and Eben Etzebeth are leaving for France, explaining that Kleyn has recently signed a new 2-year contract and Etzebeth’s current contract only expires next year.
“Not according to my knowledge, he (Kleyn) has signed and Eben’s contract is until 2016, that is how I understand it,” he said.
DHL Stormers touring squad: Ruan Botha, Schalk Burger, Manuel Carizza, Nizaam Carr, Demetri Catrakilis, Kurt Coleman, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh (Vice-captain), Eben Etzebeth, Nic Groom, Huw Jones, Oli Kebble, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi, Johnny Kotze, Dillyn Leyds, Frans Malherbe, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Siyabonga Ntubeni, Michael Rhodes, Louis Schreuder, Kobus van Wyk, Alistair Vermaak, Duane Vermeulen (Captain).
rugby365
Showing the Saarks ow its done (we will have to see, maybe even the Bulls as well).
I understand the Sharks need to win this game, but what if they lost? will they rest Marcel and Lambie then?
I think both SARU and the Sharks needs to open to compromise as well, each bok should get 3 off weeks(or 3 weeks of the bench? not sure how it works) and this should be managed, with the suggestion that key players rest every 5 games. So if Lambie plays this weekend rest next weekend, then he can only play about 4 games till his next forced rest.
Resting players is much easier for Coetzee at this stage, I would like to see the tact if they lose the next 5 games.
I also think this player rotation makes rugby more interesting, it really ads an extra element.
@ MacroBull:
It’s very simple, if the Sharks can flout the agreement, then so can every other franchise.
The players are still being paid by the provinces, so the franchise can in effect, play them 18 weeks in a row.
To use the excuse “do or die game” “important match” “difficult oposition” etc as an excuse is a joke.
Nobody told them to lose to the Bulls, Stormers and Cheetahs with all their Boks causing them to be in this do or die situation.
We hear from coaches before every game that “there are no easy games in this competition bla bla bla” so does that mean every game the best team must play?
I just think the Bulls and Stormers must also play their Boks for as long as they want and screw SARU and their “wishes” if another franchise can do it.
@ nortie:
I am frustrated that there is no transparency from SARU regarding the issue. Maybe the unions feel the same way?
Also with AC’s track record, do you think he would have rested Vermeulen if not for the good start?
No one would be to blame but the coaching staff of the sharks who should have planned better, KNOWING what will happen, watch the Force win against them as well.
maybe the “player list” is left to be dynamic, in cases such as PSDT getting injured that one of the next players in line will get onto the rest list
4 @ MacroBull:
The Guppy fangirls already had their panties in a knot just with the mere thought of Pat and Coetzee not being allowed to play, have a look at EmoWorld.
SARU will have no choice but to just allow them to do whatever they want, yet, none of the Stormer fans complained about Duane being given a break, we all knew about the agreement and expected it, and I’m not sure, but I haven’t seen the Bull supporters crying about the possibility of Vic, Hougie and Pollard being rested as per agreement either.
The best thing that can happen IMO, is they play their Boks against SARU’s wishes, but still get pasted by the Chiefs
@ nortie:
Again the Stormers winning their conference games helped make AC’s decision easier.
Luckily for the bulls they dont have to rest anyone yet, a bye weekend does reset the “consecutive rest weeks” BUT certain specific need 2-4 games off, so you don’t want those at the end of the season either… its all actually quite confusing.
Either way I would be highyl irritated if the bulls played their springboks, Strauss, Vic, Pollard and Serfontein vs the Force.
Out of all the teams it seems that the sharks could be worse affected?
@ MacroBull:
“Out of all the teams it seems that the sharks could be worse affected?”
Self inflicted Macro, not SARU’s fault they lost with all their Boks.
Not my problem who they play or not, but isn’t it ironic that they are the only franchise throwing a hissy fit now, when before the comp started everyone was supposedly on the same page.
But I guess before the comp started they were all cock a bull that they will beat the Cheetahs at home and those mountain goat moffies away.
You can’t assume that AC is only honoring the agreement because the Stormers have won 4/5. Not many people expected that to happen, just as not many expected the Sharks to be up shitcreek without a paddle by round 6
@ nortie:
Plus the Shark supporters were championing Brendan Venter for his rotation policy and they ar efinally rid of Jake playshisplayersintotheground White.
The irony 😆
To be fair, there seems to be a balanced view on SW between those that want “the best available every week because that’s what they paid for” and those that have been following SuperRugby (Sharks, Stormers) the last few years.
If a player is being “rested” does that mean he misses out on the matchday 23 completely.
PS why is the Vodacom Cup 22 players again? I swear SARU can be a backwards thinking lot sometimes… or they still believe the entire world will go back to 7-player reserves?
MacroBull wrote:
They all do it
AC played Eben, Thor and Parkie Bekker into the ground in previous seasons
Frans let his bench gather so many splinters their asses look like porcupines. And when his favourites gets injured he’s farked
nortie wrote:
I take it you don’t like the Guppies? 😛
Victoriabok wrote:
Seker so veel soos jy van die “brokeback moffies” hou
nortie wrote:
Nee ek het nie ‘n problem met jou span nie
Ek hou net nie van sekere spelers nie, daar is ‘n hele paar Bulls wat ek ook nie van hou nie soos Spies, Visser, Callie ens.
@ MacroBull: @ 1
@ nortie:
@ 3
The agreement that SARU and the franchises have come to is that no contracted Bok may play more than 5 matches in a row. Resting a player like Duane now makes perfect sense. I was hoping for this as the Stormers have a bye so he gets an extra week off. Clever thinking by Allister Coetzee don’t you think?
Makes sense to me.
@ IAAS:
Yes, that is supposed to be the agreement, unless your team happens to be situated down the coast of Natal, then you “come to a different agreement” with SARU when you realize your planning sucked and you must face the Chiefs without Lambie and Marcell
@ MacroBull: @ 10.
Yes. They probably only do fitness training as well as they are not part of the match day squad.
14 @ Victoriabok:
Ek bedoel eintlik hoe jy enige foto, soos die chokers een, kan omdraai en verwys na die “Brokie supporters”
@ IAAS:
Imagine how chaffed Zeilinga must be feeling.
“Fred, you are our back up and we trust in you and believe in you, don’t worry, you will get your game because Pat must rest as per agreement, but we don’t mind, because you are the man”
5 weeks later ” nee o fok Fred, we can’t play you, this is an important game and obviously you suck too much for us to trust you, so SARU can take a flying f… And stuff their deal”
@ nortie:
The Sharks must do what they have to do. If their players break down, well then “Don’t cry for me Argentina.”
The Sharks probably think they are still in pole position to win Super Rugby 2015. 😆
HM just wants to put a competitive squad go into the WC.
nortie wrote:
Net soos jy altyd fotos van daai lelike dikgat vrouens as Bulls supporters verkoop
@ Victoriabok:
The camera don’t lie 😆
@ Victoriabok:
The one’s with the 48 inch boep getting into a 34 inch jean pant. 😆
@ IAAS:
Yep, just ironic that the other franchises accept the situation and get on with business.
Even with the Boks they still lost to the Cheetahs and us, so at this stage it’s not as if it matters too much
nortie wrote:
The showers at Newlands knows how to keep secrets too
No soap on a rope allowed
Dis moeilik om daai stukkie seep vas te hou, dit glip maar vanself uit mens se hande…..accidents happen
IAAS wrote:
It’s fighting a losing battle
Much like a Stormers supporter owning a toothbrush and a passion gap at the same time
nortie wrote:
It’s my story and I’ll stick to it?
Is Pieter Dirk Uys ook ‘n Stormers ondersteuner?
Hy bly mos ook innie Kaap
Is hy in die ondersteuners klub?
Hy sal jou baie nuwe tricks kan leer
“Pret saam met Pieter” 😛
Pieter se peester
@ Victoriabok:
Of daai Casper de Vries storie met die dominee en sy puppet Pieter P…etjie
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