Willemse can add spark, De Allende looking good
WHILE THE Stormers have been dealt another couple of injury blows after their match against the Crusaders, they will be boosted by the return of Damian Willemse for their match against the Highlanders.
The pivot sustained a haematoma against the Waratahs two weeks ago, and in his absence against the Crusaders, Dillyn Leyds started at flyhalf, while SP Marais ran out at fullback in Christchurch.
Having Willemse, a natural No 10, back in the flyhalf jersey will be a great addition to the Stormers’ arsenal.
Although it didn’t always result in much, Willemse looked threatening on attack against the Australians in Sydney, and his attacking presence was missed as soon as he left the field about halfway through the contest. But now he’s available for the clash against the Highlanders, and it’s a boost that can only help the Cape side.
With the Paarl Roos Gymnasium product’s ability, he can keep the opposition guessing on attack, while his magical feet and X-factor also comes with solid defence.
And while the Stormers have Willemse back, they have been dealt a couple of other injury blows. Former South Africa Schools captain and lock Salmaan Moerat will join the squad for the final match of their tour as replacement for JD Schickerling after the hard-working second-rower picked up a shoulder injury against the Crusaders.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, who left the field after a knock to the head at the weekend, passed his concussion test and will continue the return-to-play protocol over the next five days.
Loose forward Cobus Wiese – who was one of the top performers against the Crusaders – and hooker Ramone Samuels sustained minor shoulder injuries which will be assessed further today.
On Saturday, the Stormers looked as if they were in for another 50-plus hammering in the first quarter after they were 26-0 down, but they put up a good fight in the third quarter of their second match on tour to Australasia and scored three more tries to end the game on 45-28.
In terms of the other backs, the Stormers can also be pleased with inside centre Damain de Allende’s contributions over the last two weeks, especially with what he produced in Christchurch – big carries, good support play, stepping and getting over the gain line. Maybe it’s the start of his return to top form? Seabelo Senatla also looked promising on the wing, while as a unit, the backline looked better than what they did against the Tahs, although it would be the forwards who’d bag the award for the greater contribution in that game.
And the improvement the Stormers showed against the defending champions should also give them a bit of confidence going into this weekend’s match.
The Stormers will take on the Highlanders in their last match on tour on Friday (8.35am kickoff ). THE LIONS are three from three in what can only be described as a perfect start to the 2018 Super Rugby season under new head coach Swys de Bruin. And it could be six from six in the coming weeks if all goes according to the form book.
After opening their season with a hardfought win at home against the Sharks, the Lions swept past the Jaguares and on Saturday moved up a gear in beating the Bulls, at Loftus, for their first away win of the new campaign. It was always going to be a big test for De Bruin and his new-look coaching team, but there was only one team in it – and that was the visitors.
The two-time runners-up from 2016 and 2017 combined raw forward power with pace and skill at the back to win 49-35, a scoreline that flattered the Bulls, who got two late consolation tries. Both De Bruin and captain Warren Whiteley said switching off at the end was something they’d have to work on in the weeks to come.
“Three from three is a good start, but we know Super Rugby isn’t won in March. We need to keep building, keep working. I thought we should have kept them (the Bulls) out at the end. There were some soft moments, but there were also many positives,” said Whiteley.
De Bruin said: “We’re grateful for the win but we made a few errors at the end and that’s disappointing. It’s a pity about those tries we let in, but that’s rugby.”
The Lions though did a lot of good for most of the match; their driving maul was especially good and they scored several tries from the move.
They scrummed strongly and Malcolm Marx hit his targets at the lineouts, while at the back Ross Cronje and Elton Jantjies combined well to keep their team on the front foot and in the right areas of the field.
“Hats off to Philip Lemmer (the forwards coach) and Franco (Mostert, who played well at blindside flank) and Wozza (Whiteley) ... those lineout drives worked according to our plans, so I’m very happy,” said De Bruin.
It was a slightly different approach from what the Lions normally dish up, even though their set-pieces have always been solid; proof that getting it right up front before anything else remains a cornerstone of the game.
“We’ve seen in the last few years you can only play the game you want to play if your tight phases are good. It’s still the bread and butter of the game,” said De Bruin.
On Mostert, who was a tower of strength in the lineouts, playing No 7 flank instead of lock, De Bruin said the plan was a major success.
“I was a bit nervous about the change in position, but I also know what he’s capable of and he was unreal. It worked well for us. The ice is now broken and I know he can play flank or lock at any time,” he said.
The Lions face the erratic Blues at home this weekend and then the Sunwolves in two weeks’ time before travelling to Buenos Aires for a return date with the Jaguares – all three games De Bruin & Co will believe they can win.