Carr happy to be back on the Bok bus
WANTS TO IMPRESS ALLISTER AND BIG MATT
AFTER making his Springbok debut in November 2014, Nizaam Carr was on top of the world. He had earned two Test caps by the end of the tour, and was an established starter for the Stormers and Western Province, teams he had even captained on occasion.
Carr was well set to make a real challenge for the Bok 2015 World Cup squad, but he was suddenly struck down by a virus that several doctors couldn’t diagnosis. That meant he missed the pre-season for the 2015 campaign, and he never quite got to optimum shape for the rest of the year.
He noted at the start of 2016 that he just wanted to forget about last year, and that showed in the performances on the field. Carr seemed to be getting back to his best in Super Rugby, and was a bit unlucky not to make Allister Coetzee’s first Bok group for the Ireland series.
A shoulder injury kept him sidelined for a week and even though he returned for the playoff against the Chiefs, he wasn’t at his best. An operation done the trick, and Carr has looked like his old self again in the last few rounds of the Currie Cup, running with freedom with the ball and putting in those hits on defence.
So, to be called up to the Bok squad for the Barbarians game on November 5 at London’s Wembley Stadium is almost like coming full circle for Carr from that heady afternoon in Padova, when he made his Test debut and set up a try for Cobus Reinach with his first touch of the ball, as he beat Italy captain Sergio Parisse with some smart footwork to break the line.
“I actually missed just being involved and seeing everyone. Also some new faces, which is exciting for the whole set-up going forward. But just to be back here, on the bus again, driving in that Springbok bus – it’s really like a dream come true for me for a second time after I made my debut in 2014,” Carr said.
“I have been struggling with my form, I will be honest with you. I know what type of player I am and every player pushes to have that perfect game, and sometimes it just doesn’t happen for you. It’s a common thing for rugby players where the harder they try, the worse it gets.
“Despite the illness and injuries, that was the main thing for me. I was aware of it and I am honest with myself, because that’s a good thing if you want to overcome something. Just being back here now, all that hard work and sacrifice, and putting things on the line… I wanted to sacrifice some things, and it’s lekker to be back.”
The injury prevented him from playing with absolute confidence towards the end of the Super Rugby season, but the time off the field has given Carr a new perspective on his game.
“I felt very confident whenever I stepped on to the field after my shoulder injury. What worked for me was taking a step back with the injury. It put me in that position where you have to watch rugby a bit, and you get that desire and hunger back for the game,” he said.
“Sometimes you lose that if things don’t go your way, or you get too comfortable. I’m not saying it happened to me, but it was nice to be a spectator and watch the game. I could hear and see a lot more, and I told myself, ‘Nizaam, you know what, just go out and enjoy yourself’.
“I am really grateful after every practice and game. That’s why you could see I was playing with a smile on my face. A lot of credit must go to John Dobson and Dawie Snyman (WP coaches), as they played a major role in helping me get there.”
Carr isn’t in the Bok Test squad for the November tour and is one of five loose forwards for the Barbarians game, along with Oupa Mohoje, Uzair Cassiem, Jean-Luc du Preez and Roelof Smit.
There is a strong chance of Carr starting at Wembley as he is the only recognised No 8, and he will hope to make a big impression on Coetzee and forwards coach Matt Proudfoot.
“Allister actually gave me my big break in 2012 in Super Rugby, and 2011 in the Currie Cup. All of us at the Stormers know what type of person he is, and what he wants from us in the gym and on the training field, and in the game,” Carr said.
“So it will be easy to slot in as we have some experience of him and Matt Proudfoot as the forwards coach. I would need to be physical and aggressive in terms of Matt Proudfoot’s expectations, but also to play with freedom and enjoy yourself. Hopefully we’ll have the chat this week to back up those expectations.
“The idea is to stay here for as long as possible. But I just want to take everything day by day, and the Barbarians match.
“Whatever happens after that is a bonus for me, but I’m not really worried about that. For me, it’s about training well, gymming well, recovering well – trying my best to do well in the game.”