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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – Stormers coach Allister Coetzee may well be facing a tricky selection poser over his back three combination following a successful return by Conrad Jantjes in Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Lions.
Bryan Habana missed the 33-19 victory with an injury, which meant Jantjes was picked again and Gio Aplon moved to left wing.
Youngster Danie Poolman probably had his best game in a Stormers jersey on the right wing. He scored their first try and also broke the line nicely on attack in the second half.
While Jantjes no longer appears to be a major attacking force, he was very good under the high ball and his kicking boot is a useful attribute.
“I was very happy with Conrad under the high ball and with the way he kicked. He can feel satisfied,” said Coetzee.
“It’s important that the guys who provide depth to the squad also get opportunities to play. They have to stay sharp and compete for positions. Conrad did his job well in the Vodacom Cup in the preceding weeks and that is what a coach wants to see.”
Jantjes was picked at fullback in the Stormers’ first two games of the season, but picked up a heel injury. Aplon, who started the season with a knee injury, then came in at fullback.
Habana’s form has been a major worry this season, but there is an upward curve and his work-rate is considered a great attribute by the Stormers’ coaching staff in spite of his high error-rate.
The question is increasingly how the Stormers will utilise all the talent that is suddenly available in their back division.
There is a school of thought that they should play one of their Springbok centres – Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie and Juan de Jongh – on the wing when all three are fit. But it’s not as if they don’t already have options among the back three.
Poolman also appears to be growing in stature now and has a low error-rate in spite of his lack of experience.
But there are two tough games against the Sharks and Crusaders coming up. It will therefore be interesting to see whether Coetzee opts for as much experience as possible.
Johann Sadie, who can play both centre positions as well as wing, also performed well in the second half on Saturday after being sent on as a substitute for Poolman.
There is good depth developing, though the Stormers have to sharpen their attack.
Cape Town – Stormers coach Allister Coetzee may well be facing a tricky selection poser over his back three combination following a successful return by Conrad Jantjes in Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Lions.
Bryan Habana missed the 33-19 victory with an injury, which meant Jantjes was picked again and Gio Aplon moved to left wing.
Youngster Danie Poolman probably had his best game in a Stormers jersey on the right wing. He scored their first try and also broke the line nicely on attack in the second half.
While Jantjes no longer appears to be a major attacking force, he was very good under the high ball and his kicking boot is a useful attribute.
“I was very happy with Conrad under the high ball and with the way he kicked. He can feel satisfied,” said Coetzee.
“It’s important that the guys who provide depth to the squad also get opportunities to play. They have to stay sharp and compete for positions. Conrad did his job well in the Vodacom Cup in the preceding weeks and that is what a coach wants to see.”
Jantjes was picked at fullback in the Stormers’ first two games of the season, but picked up a heel injury. Aplon, who started the season with a knee injury, then came in at fullback.
Habana’s form has been a major worry this season, but there is an upward curve and his work-rate is considered a great attribute by the Stormers’ coaching staff in spite of his high error-rate.
The question is increasingly how the Stormers will utilise all the talent that is suddenly available in their back division.
There is a school of thought that they should play one of their Springbok centres – Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie and Juan de Jongh – on the wing when all three are fit. But it’s not as if they don’t already have options among the back three.
Poolman also appears to be growing in stature now and has a low error-rate in spite of his lack of experience.
But there are two tough games against the Sharks and Crusaders coming up. It will therefore be interesting to see whether Coetzee opts for as much experience as possible.
Johann Sadie, who can play both centre positions as well as wing, also performed well in the second half on Saturday after being sent on as a substitute for Poolman.
There is good depth developing, though the Stormers have to sharpen their attack.
