Breyton glad to see WP bus again
IF you’re wondering why Breyton Paulse has a big smile on his face, it’s probably because he is loving the fact that the Stormers are starting to play some good old-fashioned “WeePee rugby” again.
The biggest positive the Stormers have produced so far has certainly been the attacking intent they’ve shown – and former Stormers and Bok wing and Cape Town hero Paulse is very impressed that Robbie Fleck’s team are returning to the “exciting and expansive” traditions of Western Province rugby.
After the Stormers’ first three Super Rugby matches against the Bulls, Jaguares and Kings, it was clear that Fleck has made it his mission to improve the attacking spirit in the side.
Late last year, former Blues skills coach Paul Feeney joined the Stormers as their new attack and skills coach, while they also focused on improving the team’s physical conditioning during the pre-season to suit the more expansive approach Fleck mentioned so often last year.
Fast-forward a few weeks from their pre-season prepping to their Super Rugby season-opener against the Bulls at Newlands, and it was clear for all to see that Fleck’s vision and his support staff’s added training and techniques sure paid off.
They kept the ball in hand more, their attacking lines looked good, and they took the ball through the hands a lot more.
It was also good to see their appreciation for the offload, while the inside pass has also been put on display more regularly – especially against the Kings, where inside centre “We had a lot of fun with the Men in Black, it went well for us. We didn’t win a trophy, but it was one of those things that people will never forget. People still talk about it. It was almost like a golden year for us, except that we didn’t win a trophy, and the Stormers are certainly on the path to that, ” Paulse said. In yet another injury blow, Stormers flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a groin injury. Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh and Leolin Zas are already on the injury list, and now Du Plessis, the 22-year-old playmaker, underwent scans on Monday, which revealed that he has a bone stress injury to the pubic bone, complicating the recovery from his groin strain. Dan du Plessis and Robert du Preez used the skill to great efficacy to create space in the inner channels.
But the Stormers didn’t neglect the other important areas in their game.
Their scrummaging against the Bulls was simply brilliant, and their work at the breakdowns was just as good.
Paulse also said that the Stormers have also improved on their linking game – something that they can use to great effect given the kind of loose forwards they have at their disposal.
And when asked if he was pleased that the Stormers were making a U-turn to their attacking ways, he said: “Absolutely. Over all the years Western Province and Stormers rugby has always been exciting and expansive.”
“You can clearly see that they’re trying to make things happen. It’s early days still, but with what I’ve seen so far I’m very, very impressed,” he said.
“The intent that they’ve shown in their execution so far has been quite impressive. And also how the link between the forwards and backs work. It can only lay the platform for better things to come.
“It’s very positive and it’s exciting.
“I think for me as a former player I’d rather have a bad season trying to play rugby than to lose every game or have disappointment towards the end, and not even try playing. At least you can see there’s a new bus that’s going by.”
One of the biggest things that the Stormers have gotten right in the first three weeks of the competition has been the ability to score tries. The Cape side have racked up 15 tries in three games – an impressive stat compared to previous seasons.
But despite all the progress the Stormers have made, Paulse was wary of the Kiwi threat, and added that the “real test” will come when the Stormers take on the New Zealand sides.
“Sometimes in rugby you have to fight fire with fire. They’ve been getting it right for the last 20 years – when to kick, when to play, how to expose the opposition at all times,” he said.
“And they play for 80 minutes. Sometimes you’d think you’ve won a game, but they’ve got strong minds. ”
The silky offloads, the swift inside passes, the exciting runs from the back and a huge scrummaging effort weren’t the only things the Stormers put on show so far this season.
We’ve also been introduced to a number of promising youngsters. And Damian Willemse has surely been the standout.
Against the Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, Willemse came on in the last five minutes and made a big impact with his scintillating stepping and handling skills, and Paulse praised Fleck for giving youngsters a chance.
“He’s a young boy and we’ve seen what he’s done at school level,” Paulse said.
“He’s the kind of player who’s got that instinct and natural feel for the game. It’s kind of easy for Fleckie to bring him in and say ‘go in there and play your game’.
“Players like that … when the team’s doing well they thrive and they will relish the opportunity to get out there. I’m really glad that Fleckie is giving younger guys an opportunity, even if it’s against a weaker side, I’m sure Damian appreciated that.
“He’s certainly one for the future and I wish him all the best.”