Thomson may get the chance to direct the Stormers operation against Umaga’s Blues

STORMERS coach Robbie Fleck has a few key choices to make, not only in preparation for their date with Tana Umaga’s Blues, but also for the remaining rounds of Super Rugby.

Fleck’s side suffered a number of injuries during their three-match tour to New Zealand, and so the most crucial of Fleck’s decisions will be who takes over at flyhalf after Robert du Preez sustained a torn pectoral muscle against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Du Preez’s loss made the Stormers’ already-thin pivot resources even more of a concern, with Kurt Coleman also on the sidelines with a torn ankle ligament, while young Damian Willemse has joined the Junior Boks for the Under20 Championships.

The Stormers are yet to give an update on the fitness of Jean-Luc du Plessis, who was ruled out for four to six weeks in mid March with a groin injury. Fleck is expected to provide details on his return today.

So if Du Plessis, pictured, won’t be back on the field soon, Brandon Thomson is the Cape side’s only real bet to fill in at No 10. Du Plessis is the ideal flyhalf for the Stormers, not only now, amidst the injury crisis, but in general. The 22-yearold Thomson – who is on duty with Western Province in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge – doesn’t come close to rivalling Sonny Bill Williams fans (or should should I call them SBW fans) are probably counting the days until they see the offloading king in Cape Town when the Blues arrive for their clash against the Stormers at Newlands on Friday. The All Blacks centre is fit and ready after recovering from the concussion he sustained during the Blues’ win over the Waratahs in Sydney. The flashy back has been named in the Blues’ 25-man squad for Friday’s fixture, and coach Tana Umaga has said that he expects Williams to be available for their meeting with the Stormers. Du Plessis’ X-factor, but he is a promising player in his own right and he could be a decent stand-in for the Cape side, and his reliable goal-kicking will also serve them well.

Fleck has also mentioned fullback and wing Dillyn Leyds as a flyhalf option in the past, while scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage has also been considered as flyhalf cover.

The other selection dilemma Fleck faces is in midfield, where the loss of hard-working No 12 Dan du Plessis for four months leaves the Stormers coach with former Highlander Shaun Treeby and Dan Kriel, while Damian de Allende started training with the team after they returned home.

Juan de Jongh is also ready after he was called up as back-up to New Zealand but didn’t feature, and his willingness on defence, speed and elusiveness make him a fit at No 12 or in the wider role. Now I know that the quality of De Jongh’s tackles at this level can possibly be questioned at times, and although De Allende was in cracking form against the Bulls before injury struck, he still needs to prove that his return to his big-tackling ways, just like a number of other areas, wasn’t a once-off thing, and that he can do so off the bench.

It would be cruel to hand the No 13 jersey to De Jongh based on reputation alone, especially given the fact that EW Viljoen has undoubtedly been one of the standouts in every single game the Stormers played prior to their tour to New Zealand. How he performed on tour is a different story, and the same applies to the majority of the team. But don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t bad, he just didn’t replicate his form from the first six rounds.

I’d say Fleck should go with De Jongh and Viljoen this week. My reasons? Treeby isn’t a long-term plan. Kriel has done absolutely nothing to prove that he deserves a starting spot. And De Allende should be eased in ... besides, De Jongh can put Viljoen in space.

Then there’s wing Seabelo Senatla. The Sevens superstar is fit again.

SP Marais has been mostly effective at fullback, and the same can be said about Leyds on the left wing. Senatla, obviously, has that pace in abundance. Marais at No 15 and Senatla and Leyds at right and left wing respectively could be a good selection. But I doubt Fleck will just leave Kolbe out of the starting equation, so it will be very interesting to see how Fleck mixes up his outside backs.