Ex Supersport
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has given up his search for an overseas loose-forward to bolster his resources in the period building up to the break from Vodacom Super Rugby for the June international window.
Coetzee sparked a lot of debate in the Cape when he brought in Canadian Jebb Sinclair on a short-term loan, and when Nizaam Carr broke down in the match against the Cheetahs, he admitted that he would look overseas for a replacement.
However he was unable to get anyone in before the game against the Waratahs, and with two matches to go before the break, he has now decided to stick with what he has.
“I have been in touch with a number of players since Nizaam broke down, but we now have only two games to go before the June break so I feel I must back my local depth,” said Coetzee.
“Western Province won the Vodacom Cup and as it is only two games we are talking about, I feel we can get by with players from there if we need them. Some of the guys in the Vodacom Cup team have played Currie Cup rugby so they shouldn’t be intimidated if asked to play against the Sharks or the Bulls. They have played against those teams and those players before.”
Coetzee said that once the June break was behind the Stormers he expected to be well served at loose-forward.
“Schalk and Nick will be back by then, and we are targeting the match against the Cheetahs (the penultimate one of the league stage) for Duane’s return. If not, he will be ready to play against the Rebels in the last league match.” (Great News that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Coetzee confirmed that former Springbok Danie Rossouw was one of the overseas-based players that he had approached, as was Ernst Joubert, who captained the Lions before moving to England to play for Saracens.
“I spoke to them but we couldn’t finalise anything and now we are dealing with the situation,” he said
Well if we can keep winning we will be back on track for the last stage of the comp. We will not have many players in the Bok side. Only possibly Etzebeth and Bekker in the pack and Jean and Habana in the backline. The rest get a good rest.
