Coenie as a tighthead

Ex Keo

Os du Randt says Coenie Oosthuizen’s transition from loosehead to tighthead prop will be good for the player and the Springboks.

Oosthuizen will make his comeback from a serious neck injury when the Free State Cheetahs take on the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. He has been out of action since hurting himself during the Springboks’ June Test series against England.

His return will see him feature at tighthead prop, a position he has hardly played in during his professional career. He has predominantly been selected at loosehead since making his senior debut in 2008.

Bok head coach Heyneke Meyer sent an SOS to Cheetahs boss Naka Drotske to give the player an extended run in the No 3 jersey during the Currie Cup as it’s a position South Africa lacks depth in at Test level.

Following the departure of Cheetahs tighthead prop WP Nel to Scottish club Edinburgh after Super Rugby, Oosthuizen will have the opportunity to do so.

Cheetahs scrum coach Du Randt believes a successful positional switch will have major benefits.

‘Coenie’s transition from loosehead to tighthead prop was always on the cards,’ Du Randt told keo.co.za. ‘It’s a position he played in at school level. With WP Nel gone, the Cheetahs need a long-term replacement there too.

‘First of all, it will help prevent future neck injuries. At tighthead, you scrum with both shoulders and that offers you more support. At loosehead, you only scrum with your left shoulder. So if something goes wrong, it’s easier to get hurt.

‘If Coenie can can make a big impact during this switch, it will be a massive boon for the Springboks and Cheetahs,’ he continued. ‘It’s usually the loosehead prop that has a high work-rate. But with Coenie at tighthead, we will see both props all over the park.’ (If beast doesnt go awol again - but i think Meyer had some straight talking to both beast and janie as they wee much improved. The loss of WP Nel is a scandal!!!!!)

Du Randt added that Oosthuizen’s return to the Free State match-day squad is a much-needed boost following the Bloemfontein union’s poor start to the Currie Cup. Free State are currently in second-last place on the log after losing four of their six fixtures.

With the Bulls also struggling at the foot of the table with the same league record, this will be a must-win clash for both teams.

‘Coenie’s presence will lift the spirits in the squad. He’s the kind of character who always motivates his team-mates and leads from the front,’ said Du Randt. ‘With his strong ball-carrying ability and his solid defence, he’ll offer us a lot in the forwards battle.’ (Something both Bok props have not excelled in but Coenie at 127 kg does get the pack going forward for sure - as does WP Nel)

All the best Coenie hope it goes well.

Bean brain why do u reply to all keos articels on here instead of on the keo website where they r posted? Just asking.

I really rate Coenie highly, could be the next OS Du Randt. If he ccan cover both sides of the scrum, all the better!

i rate coenie a lot too, i was a little sceptical to hear they wanted to play him in at tighthead, but if he really has played there before, then the transition will be a lot smoother then i had originally anticipated.
if coonie does master the tighthead, then that may very well cement his place in the 22 for years to come, i think hes better then the current loose head props available at the moment, except maybe kitshoff, but his impact coming of the bench is un matched. i honestly cant think of a better prop to have come of the bench then coenie.

what a shame tha coonie got injured cos the Boks could really use him right now, between him and wpnel they
were IMO the form saffa props of 2012.
 

Kitshoff and Coenie are the next wave of Bok props it seems. Hope it works.

Talking of props the Cheetas have a pretty big hardman at loosehead.  see Juan Smith is aiming also to be back for them next year. Wonder how he will go. Nice to have 4 SA franchises in top 6.

Yes saSUE he is one of anumber of class acts missing right now. Makes you think does it not of the WOTW bit? I  agree saSUE he is better than Beast.

Jallopy for the same reason other folk reply here, including yourself.

Next

That doesnt realy answer the question Bean Brain. U have explained (in a manner of speaking) why u post that crap here but u still havent explained why u dont respond to those posts on the Keo website where they r originally posted.

It wdnt by any chance be because u left the Keo website with a red face and yr tail between yr legs after the Keo bloggers laughed u off the board and cos they all think yr a complete and utter arsehole, wd it?

Ive always felt that Jannie is a massive weakness in the tight loose!

Coenie and Beast would be like having 2 extra loosies on the field.

Hope my dream front row of Beast, Biz and Coenie materialises!

Extra strong scrum and frikken mobile fatties!

Chippo that is a pretty good front row indeed. I have had a complaint about Beast in that he is by nature a loafer. Meyer quite obviously had words with both Beast and Jannie and both had better games against nz.

I would also liked to have seen how a front row of Coenie, Bissie and WP Nel went. I have no doubt whatsoever that outside of scrumming they would be a big improvement on our current three. I think their scrumming would be fine but would need to be tested out on the international stage. Both Coenie and WP Nel have the abilty to sucessfully drive the ball up - a must have skill for a front rower.

With WP off to Scotland it appears the chances of this are very slim.

Looks like Bean Brains reputation on Keo is something of a sore point!! LMAO!

At least Bean Brains' sore point isnt in his broeks!

A tighthead with a damaged neck? It seems like a stretch. I wonder if this kid should even be playing rugby at this stage.

But just looking at this change, it's hard to find a succesful example. Firstly as we discussed in other threads, most position changes aren't succesful. Secondly tighthead is the most demanding position in the scrum......although I will say, loosehead dominance seems to have receded in the last few years. Thirdly, failure at tighthead is usually catastrophic for the team.

My guess is, if loosehead is too demanding for Coenie, he should find another sport. Sad maybe, but better than further damaging the spinal cord.

I hate to say this, but given Coenie's neck injury, I would rather go for WP Nel at 3. There are some young guns in the pipeline, like Marcell and Malherbe, but they won't be ready for a couple of years still. It would thus be stupid to let WP go overseas now.

Letting WP go is a massive mistake. But its not too late even now. Meyer should call him up.

What happened on Keo jallopy - do tell!

 @ Chippo. Beast another loosie??????????

Give me a break mate! He's as slow as any other Bok prop and believe me they don't come any slower than your props!

I'm not sure why you scream his name when he touches the ball about once in a game because from what I've seen he NEVER EVER makes it over the advantage line and is always stopped in his tracks by the first defender!! But keep selecting him. We like it cos he's one of those BIG boys that Beeno fancies will dominate OZ and the ABs.

Muleou Beast is actually pretty pacy when he wants to be - its more a case of him loafing about.

I always though that given this pace he could have had an outstanding career at hooker. At the moment luck is going his way as Coenie is being moved to tighthead - Coenie would get his spot otherwise.

I have to agree with you muleou those cries of Beast  only harken back to some years ago when a hungry Beast emmerged on the scene. Today he just loafs about. However, I did notice an improvement last Saturday and Meyer I believe read the riot act to both Beast and Jannie who also cant carry the ball up that effectively.

Hence my call for Coenie and WP Nel to be our props - these guys really get going.