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Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee believes Deon Fourie's best chance at becoming a Springbok would be as a flank and not a hooker.
Coetzee confirmed to Die Burger's website that Fourie will again lead Western Province in this year's Currie Cup, which starts for them with a home game against the Blue Bulls next Saturday.
The coach also confirmed that Fourie will play at flank in the competition - as he did so successfully when he led them to Cup glory last year.
"Deon will be the captain and openside flank. If there's a crisis at hooker, he'll have to help there," said Coetzee.
While Fourie prefers to play hooker, Coetzee feels his best chance at higher honours would be if he plays flank.
"He's been right up there in terms of openside flanks in Super Rugby. It's not only his ability to turn over possession, but also his work ethic in terms of the amount of times he carries the ball, the manner in which he climbs into rucks and the tackles he makes.
"Normally you won't see a player who carries the ball a lot also get involved in the rucks and also be factor on defence. Deon, however, is outstanding in every facet. His work-ethic in phenomenal," said Coetzee.
With Tiaan Liebenberg still recovering from aback injury, Scarra Ntubeni will start at hooker against the Bulls, while Fourie, Rynhardt Elstadt and Nizaam Carr are expected to make up the loose trio. Duane Vermeulen and Siya Kolisi are expected to be called up to the Springbok squad this weekend which would make them unavailable for the Bulls game.
Coetzee confirmed to Die Burger's website that Fourie will again lead Western Province in this year's Currie Cup, which starts for them with a home game against the Blue Bulls next Saturday.
The coach also confirmed that Fourie will play at flank in the competition - as he did so successfully when he led them to Cup glory last year.
"Deon will be the captain and openside flank. If there's a crisis at hooker, he'll have to help there," said Coetzee.
While Fourie prefers to play hooker, Coetzee feels his best chance at higher honours would be if he plays flank.
"He's been right up there in terms of openside flanks in Super Rugby. It's not only his ability to turn over possession, but also his work ethic in terms of the amount of times he carries the ball, the manner in which he climbs into rucks and the tackles he makes.
"Normally you won't see a player who carries the ball a lot also get involved in the rucks and also be factor on defence. Deon, however, is outstanding in every facet. His work-ethic in phenomenal," said Coetzee.
With Tiaan Liebenberg still recovering from aback injury, Scarra Ntubeni will start at hooker against the Bulls, while Fourie, Rynhardt Elstadt and Nizaam Carr are expected to make up the loose trio. Duane Vermeulen and Siya Kolisi are expected to be called up to the Springbok squad this weekend which would make them unavailable for the Bulls game.
