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Fans question Brüssow snub

Cape Town - Sport24 readers have questioned the wisdom of Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer's continued omission of Heinrich Brüssow from the Springbok squad.

Meyer has only included two recognised openside flanks in his 38-man Springbok team - Marcell Coetzee and Siya Kolisi - neither of whom is regarded as a true 'fetcher'.

Sport24 readers have questioned the wisdom of picking a squad without the option of an out-and-out fetching openside flank, however this could be an indication that the incumbent, Francois Louw, not named in the Springbok squad due to playing for overseas club Bath, is still very much in the Bok coach's plans.

Earlier this year, Brüssow revealed that the Springbok management had told him his penalty count was too high, and that he needed to improve his discipline if he wanted to play Test rugby.

Ironically, Meyer's surprise Springbok inclusion, Brüssow's fellow Cheetahs team-mate Pieter Labuschagne, has conceded more penalties than the nuggety flank in the 2013 Super Rugby season, according to Rugbystats.com.au.

The omission of Brüssow from the Springbok team seems to confirm Meyer's preference for larger, more physically intimidating players.

Here's what Sport24 readers had to say about Brussow's exclusion from the team:

"Still no Brussow?, ai jai jai." - Louis Bensch

"Meyer is the biggest idiot in the world for not selecting the best damn flanker in the country, and I (and I'm sure everyone else), wants to know the real reason why cause that penalty count bs is not it, and it's not weight either because Brussow is 1kg lighter than Lappies. So why, why, was he not chosen!" - IM

"I'm not too worried about the Brussow debate but we do lack a genuine openside flanker. HM chose the following loosies: Siya Kolisi, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Arno Botha, Lappies Labuschagne, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski. Brussow would have made sense."
- Hanjo

"HM did seem to like Francois Louw last season and he does fill the openside issue(he might join the final squad) and add a bit of balance to the possible trio." - H

"Where is Brussow? He is head and shoulders above any loose forward in the country and would make any national 15, All Blacks included, did HM watch the Reds game? He is a better ball-carrier then most of these loose-forwards an can kick better then most flyhalfs!"
- Terence Vincent Berne

"Not one openside flanker! not even one! FFS..."
- Deon Rossouw

"It's mind blowing that Brussow did not make the squad. HK's obsession with size is probably to blame. Shocking!" - Ivan Schoeman

"Can only hope that Flo is still in the picture."
- Twakkie van Staden

"The sensible amendment would be to remove Ryan Kankowski and add in Heinrich Brüssow. Yes, not like for like but we need Brüssow." - hilton.ralphs

"Waar is Brussow? Die man speel wedstryd na wedstryd sy hart uit." - Maryke le Roux

"According to HM he is not adapting to the new rules yet (too many penalties).. He should get another chance." - Deon Louw

Has Heyneke even watched a Cheetahs game this year? Next time, just concentrate on Brussow for a while. Everything he does is in the background, but he makes a HUGE impact."
- Witgemors Werner


Heinrich Brüssow (Gallo Images)

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