Gallant tipped for centre role

In the rush (at least from certain sections of the rugby public) to fit Warrick Gelant with a Springbok jersey at fullback or wing, Blue Bulls guru John Mitchell has opened up another intriguing possibility.

He believes the exciting 22-year-old could actually find his bread buttered in the midfield.

“I’ve been privileged to coach a lot of gifted players,” Mitchell said yesterday ahead of the Bulls’ trip to Bloemfontein to meet the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup tomorrow evening.

“It’s an amazing thought to me that there’s a lot of outside centre in Warrick.

“There’s not a lot of guys in world rugby that can turn a defender inside out but he can. He’s already great at losing defenders when the ball is in the air.

“Warrick’s running lines remind me very much of (Lions centre) Lionel Mapoe.”

It’s indeed an interesting thought and one that deserves debate, especially with Jesse Kriel and Jan Serfontein stagnating as the Springbok first-choice centre pairing.

Gelant has gradually soared in this Currie Cup campaign as the players around him have grown in confidence.

Yet Mitchell cautions that the man from Knysna perhaps still lacks the necessary balance to be a truly successful international player. He’ll get there though. “Warrick is an exceptionally gifted, attacking player,” said Mitchell.

“He’s learning defence as well. It’s a responsibility that’s becoming clearer to him. He’s perhaps a bit self-conscious - for want of a better word - in that aspect still.