Captain30,741 posts
15 Oct 2024, 20:00
#1
15 Oct 2024, 20:00#1
So we often hear that players are often selected or recalled because they know the system - it forms a big part of Rassie’s narrative
I understand this to a certain extent as test coaches do not have the luxury provincial coaches do in terms of time spent with the players. However it grates me that this very narrative stands in the way of more worthy players not being selected.
A good example of this is the recall of Nico Janse v Rensburg ahead of all the home based younger and more deserving locks like Ruben v Heerden or Ruan Vermaak. He knows the system but he is bog ordinary and 30 years of age.
So now we have the EOYT coming up and an opportunity for Rassie to spend a month with the players and blood new players with the system. A month is more than enough time for new players to learn and buy into the system.
Those older players like Willie, Mapimpi, Reinach, Nyakane, Koch and Mostert need to go and it’s the perfect tour to bring in the likes of some of Jordan Hendrikse, Edwil vd Merwe, Tyrone Green, Jurenzo Julius, Ethan Hooker, David Kriel, Masuku, Nohamba, Papier, vd Bergh, Wilco Louw, Sadie, Jacobs, Mchunu, AH Venter, Dweba, Grobelaar, Jason Jenkins, Ruben v Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Rahl, Ludwig, Buthelezi , Hanekom, Vincent Tsituka, Ruan Venter, Horn, Gumede, Dayamani and Emmanuel Tsituka
The lucky ones already on board are Fassi, Moodie, Sacha, Jayden Hendrikse, Williams, Steenkamp, Wessels, Thomas, Nortje, Moerat, BJ Dixon, Roos and Elrigh Louw
The incumbents are Kolbe, Arendse, Am, Kriel, de Allende, Esterhuizen, Willemse, Pollard, Libbok, Faf, Kitshoff, Ox, Marx, Bongi, Malherbe, Eben, RG, Lood, Kolisi, Kwagga, PSDT and Wiese.
We need a mix of the new, the lucky ones and the obvious incumbents on this tour