Van der Merwe fully fired up
AFTER his rugby career is at an end, DTH van der Merwe dreams of putting out fires for a living. When Scotland come calling on Saturday, he will be looking to light one under Canada.
‘This game is the start of a run of matches that are the most important in years for us,’ revealed the Canadian skipper, who has already taken his first steps towards a potential career in the fire service.
The hosts are seeking a confidence-boosting win ahead of a four-team repechage tournament later this year that will decide whether they will be joining the Scots at the World Cup, with the 20th and final place up for grabs.
While Gregor Townsend is likely to play an experimental side in Edmonton as he starts preparing for the showpiece occasion next year in Japan, Canada will be at full strength.
‘Qualifying for the World Cup is our aim so, arguably, this is more important a game for us than Scotland as we need to get some momentum going,’ continued Van der Merwe, who returned for a second spell at Glasgow Warriors earlier this season.
‘Scotland have already qualified. We are still trying to get there. It is the first match of the summer series and vitally important for us.
‘Scotland are well above us in the world rankings and to beat them would be huge for the confidence of the team.
‘It would give us a massive lift and is one of our most important games for a long time.
‘We still don’t know who we will play in the repechage tournament in November but a win over Scotland in particular will help us go into these matches in a positive frame of mind.’
Van der Merwe has huge responsibility on his shoulders because of his inside knowledge of the Warriors players in the visitors’ squad — and he will be looking to ensure his side are ready for whatever they throw at them.
‘Scotland play an exciting brand of rugby,’ said the 32-year-old winger. ‘I was coached by Gregor Townsend during my early years at Glasgow and he likes to play an attacking style of rugby that can cause us problems.
‘There are aspects of Scotland’s game I know inside out because of my time at Glasgow — and I will be passing on to my team. Ultimately, in a Canada versus Scotland game, anything I can do to dissect the opposition is going to help us in this game.
‘I have told my team-mates that it doesn’t matter what team Scotland put out, it will be an exciting group of guys who love playing with the ball in hand.’
Failure to qualify for the World Cup may hasten Van der Merwe’s retirement plans, at least at international level. Although he would like to coach in Canada at some level, he has his heart set on becoming a firefighter.
‘I’m not thinking about calling it quits just yet but I have got my qualifications already for a change of career and have my sights set on becoming a fireman,’ said the man whose contract at Glasgow runs till May 2020.
‘I went to Texas to train and study a few years ago. That Texas course is world renowned.
‘Of course, I would love to get involved in rugby back in Canada as I feel I have a lot to give but being a firefighter is top of my list.’