Leyds has ‘a bit more options’ at fullback
WESTERN PROVINCE coach John Dobson is confident that his backline will be able to handle the big kicking game they’re expecting from the Pumas in their Currie Cup fixture tomorrow (7pm kickoff ).
Dobson named Dillyn Leyds at fullback with SP Marais and Sergeal Petersen on the wing, and added during yesterday’s team announcement that Craig Barry will be able to contribute in that regard off the bench as well.
Leyds, who captained the team in their 32-0 victory against the Free State Cheetahs last week and against Montpellier in their second pre-season friendly in France, will continue in the leadership role.
WP have also welcomed back Springboks Damian de Allende and Wilco Louw as both have been released from the Bok squad for the clash at the Mbombela Stadium.
De Allende will start at inside centre alongside Ruhan Nel in the place of Dan Kriel, and Barry – who missed out last week – Dan du Plessis and Herschel Jantjies will offer backline cover on the bench.
“It’s nice to have him (De Allende) back. The Springboks want him to get some game time, he hasn’t played since towards the end of Super Rugby,” Dobson said yesterday. “He has trained incredibly hard, so now he just has to get on the field.”
While Dobson explained that some of the changes to the backline were injury-enforced, he also said that he feels this is the right line-up to hunt their second consecutive win at Mbombela Stadium.
“We feel that this is the right way around for the game we’re expecting,” he said.
“JJ (Engelbrecht) is injured, he’s got a thigh. Salmaan Moerat took a big knock (against the Free State Cheetahs) and to me a six-day turnaround seemed too risky for such a young player, he’s not 100 percent and he’s got such a massive role to play at the union.
“Chris (van Zyl) hasn’t played for a long time, so he needs to focus on his game (so Leyds will lead the team again).
“All three of them are brilliant in the air and Craig Barry will also be good in that regard when he comes on.
“We just felt that Dillyn’s counter-attacking skills... he’s got a bit more options at (No) 15. At 15 he’ll have a bit more freedom to strike on that field.”
Up front, Ernst van Rhyn comes into the starting line-up at lock, with Van Zyl set to make his return from the bench. With Louw back in the mix, Michael Kumbirai moves to the bench as well.