Season over for Kolisi

 

Season over for Kolisi

 

 

02nd July 2013 07:04

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Injury blow: Siya Kolisi

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• South Africa
• Stormers

The Stormers have been hit by yet another injury blow after flanker Siya Kolisi was ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing ankle ligaments.

 

 

Kolisi suffered the injury in Saturday's 28-3 Super Rugby win over the Cheetahs at Newlands and will be out of action for six weeks.

 

"It's the least problematic ligament, the anterior one, so no surgery will be required, but he will out for six weeks," coach Allister Coetzee told the Stormers' official website about the injury.

 

"The loose forward (injury) bogey doesn't want to go away, but, I guess, we should be thankful that it's not as serious as the other guys (Eben Etzebeth, Peter Grant, Michael Rhodes) in terms of their ankle injuries.

 

"It happened in the first half (against the Cheetahs), but Siya didn't even feel it. He felt it on Sunday only...so, yes, it seems like we have a curse at loose forward!"

 

Injuries seem to have been part and parcel of the Stormers' 2013 campaign, not just at loose forward, and Coetzee pointed out: "We've got 12 top players out at present - that's almost a full team - so I guess we're almost immune to these big injury blows on a Monday.

 

"The big thing for me, however, is that the players that step in are ready to do so...and to take that opportunity that presents itself. It's been our mantra all season long. Players cannot get the opportunity and say, 'Well, next time I'll be ready', they must take that chance when they get in.

 

"A player like (centre) Damian de Allende has taken his chance this season and continued to develop along the way. (Hooker) Scarra Ntubeni came in at the 11th hour last week and look at how he performed? (Lock) Gerbrandt Grobler is also coming through nicely now. That's how it is in this game and you need to build your depth - it's crucial."

 

In better news, prop Pat Cilliers (ankle) and flank Rynhardt Elstadt (knee) returned to full team training on Monday after a long time on the sidelines.

 

"I am pleased that they came through training well today," said Coetzee.

 

"It's ongoing, however, and we will monitor them and see how they react after today (for starters)."

Bad luck for Kolisi....he changed some minds with his performance last weekend. Meanwhile Coetzee is striking the right note, being positive and talking up his players.

Darn, massive loss for the Stormers. Kolisi became a more all-round player this season, adding some individual skills to the tackling and brute-carrying he showed last year. His breakdown nous has improved, he now looks for space when carrying, and his tactical awareness seems much sharper now.

 

I wonder what AC will try now. Liebenberg is yet to be cleared for the Kings' game. Elstadt is fit again, but will he be shoehorned into the 7 jersey just like that (with Deon Fourie as openside)? His physicality and donkey work will be needed against the Bulls.

 

I'd just stick to Don Armand and keep Elstadt on the bench. Start Ntubeni with Bezuidenhout on the bench.

 

I'd also LOVE to see some of the WP young prospects taking the pitch now that the Stormers' play off chances are nil. Guys like Swiel, Howard, Lleyds, Williams, Smyd, etc.