Stormers opt for power instead of pace
BIG wing Kobus van Wyk has been ordered in to upsize the Stormers’ backline for tomorrow night’s showdown against the unbeaten Brumbies at Newlands (kickoff 7.15pm).
“Kobus was our starting winger before the injury, and size and the fact that he has good aerial skills does count as well, so it’s good to have him back on the right wing,” said Stormers coach Robbie Fleck yesterday.
Van Wyk takes over from impressive rookie Leolin Zas, while in the only other change to last week’s run- on side, Nic Groom starts at scrumhalf in place of Jano Vermaak (neck injury), and Louis Schreuder fills the empty seat on the bench.
Zas made his debut off the bench in the 33-9 win against the Bulls in round one after Van Wyk limped off with an ankle injury. The rookie started the ensuing matches against the Cheetahs and Sharks, scoring a crucial try in each outing.
Zas’ omission is surprising but Fleck appears to have taken a longer-term view in making the decision to bench him.
“Kobus van Wyk is back to full fitness, he comes back into his starting position on the right wing, and Leolin Zas, after performing really well once again, drops down to the bench.
“It’s nothing against Zas – he has been playing really well, and we’re going to keep pushing him and putting him in big games, but this is a game where we felt Kobus was the right fit in terms of what we’re facing from the Brumbies.”
It wasn’t pretty when the teams last met at Newlands. In last year’s Super Rugby wildcard playoff, 100kg Wallaby finisher Henry Speight chased a kick, steamrolled Stormers wing Dillyn Leyds and the ball was shipped to the opposite end of the line where Joe Tomane, another one-ton Test flyer, scored one of three tries in a 39-19 demolition of the hosts.
Van Wyk arms the Stormers with stopping power on the edge and a big body to sustain the continuity of a spread attack. But many would argue that Zas has the confidence and maturity to cope with the challenge, and that Van Wyk should rather have been deployed at outside centre, where he could support both wings.
Fleck is perhaps opting to shield one of his brightest youngsters from being spotlighted this week.
“There is an element of (thinking about) what’s coming our way,” said the Stormers coach. “It made sense for us that Kobus has a little bit more experience in handling the kicking game, and he’s a fairly big chap – that does help us somewhat in the wide channels.”
Zas and fellow rookie flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis, will take their places on the end of the bench, but Fleck confirmed that they had not been selected there purely to provide injury cover.
“I’d like to bring them both on,” he said. “I need to blood these youngsters.”