Stormers flyhalf race open

Coetzee surprised on Wednesday when he named last year’s Western Province under-21 flyhalf Gary van Aswegan as his pivot for Friday night’s opening Neo Africa Tri-Series fixture, also at Newlands against the Lions. Most would have anticipated that Lionel Cronje, who was considered the next in line to Peter Grant and Willem de Waal for most of last year, would start the first game.

However Coetzee says that the order is far from finalized, and that is one of the reasons that Van Aswegan is getting a run on Friday, with even first choice Grant, currently in Japan, possibly having to fight for his place if one of the players used in the pre-season games impresses.

“It definitely isn’t a clear cut thing at the moment as to who my number one is and who my number two is,” said Coetzee in explaining his selection.

As he did not appear in the squad for the Neo Africa series it seemed that Cronje, the former SA under-20 flyhalf who moved to the Cape from the Free State at the start of last year, might miss out completely on a chance to impress in the serious part of the build-up to Super Rugby. But Coetzee confirmed that Cronje will get a look in for the next tri-series game against the Sharks.

“Lionel has been in the system longer than the others so I just think that this is the right time to have a look at what someone like Gary can offer at this level. Elgar Watts, who will back Gary up in this game, has been with the Pumas and with Boland but we would like to see what he can do in the Stormers system," said the coach.

“Then Lionel will come into the reckoning for the Sharks game on Saturday week, and we’ll take it from there,” he added.

Coetzee has stressed that Van Aswegan’s decision making abilities will be closely assessed against the Lions. He is known as a player who makes good decisions, but Coetzee wants to see him operate under the extra physical pressure he will face in a senior match as opposed to one at under-21 level.

“Teams normally try to bully youngsters. So the first question that will be asked is whether Gary is physically up to it at this level. I have no doubt that he is solid in defence. He looks small, but he is a very physical player who does not shy away from tackles. But there are also other requirements of a No10, and Gary as time on the ball and he does make good decisions.

“His kicking is a great attribute and he has a very good passing game too. Where he will be tested is the decision making at 10 – how he organizes and plays the options off 10. Hopefully those will be the answers he will provide for us in the next two games.”

After the tri-series the Stormers play one more warm-up game against Boland at Newlands on 12 February. It is anticipated that the Stormers mix for that game will resemble more a WP Vodacom Cup team than a possible starting line-up for the first Super Rugby match, which will be played on 26 February. The Stormers have a bye in the first round.