LOOSE TRIO BALANCE KEY FOR STORMERS
The Stormers are looking for backrow balance, and for the first time in a while, they are confident that they’ve found it.
Speaking during a virtual press conference yesterday, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani gave an update on their preparation for their opening Rainbow Cup SA game against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
One of the areas he focused on was the loose trio.
With Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit ready for action after being on the sidelines for more than a year through injury, the Stormers’ looseforward reserves are well stocked.
Speaking on the area, Hlungwani said: “If we operate with Nama (Xaba), Pieter-Steph and Evan Roos, it sort of gives us a different balance compared to before.
“When we would go with Jaco Coetzee (at six), Juarno Augustus (at eight ) and say Ersnt van Rhyn at seven … those guys all have a big ball-carrying mindset.
“But now we’ve also got guys with big engines, maybe they don’t carry the ball as well as a Trokkie (as Augustus is known), but in terms of our engine and our work rate, I think the balance is a little bit different and we are happy with the way it’s going at this stage.”
It wouldn’t be unrealistic to expect Du Toit to feature off the bench against their coastal rivals given his extended lay-off period, but considering the fact that the British & Irish Lions Series is fast approaching, it could also be that we won’t see much easing in where the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year is concerned. After all, he’s one of the most vital cogs in the Bok machine.
On that matter, Hlungwani didn’t touch, but he did mention that what the likes of Du Toit and Augustus bring in terms of physical presence remain important to their mission, regardless of what the make-up of their back row looks like going forward.
“Balance is crucial for us. We still want to have a dominant setpiece, we still want to have quick breakdowns, we still want to hit the advantage line, we want to get that balance right.
“All those guys can carry ball, maybe not as well as Augustus, but we still want them to execute our plan, whatever it may be for the weekend.”
The assistant coach added that they have a clean bill of health heading into Saturday’s clash: “Everyone is available, unless something happens between now and Friday.”