Whitehead praises Fleck

Sharks star thanks his ‘mentor’ for shaping his career

SOME centres may not entirely embrace the idea of being typecast as a protégè for the at times manic, yet perennially influential Robbie Fleck, but Tim Whitehead wears the badge like a headboy.

Whitehead’s lofty estimation of Fleck as mentor may surprise some as he uprooted himself from the former Springbok centre’s nurture for a new career at the Sharks.

There he has hit the road running, quickly removing the shackles under which he operated in the Cape.

“Robbie Fleck used to coach at UCT before he went to Western Province and I learned so much from him. He is probably one of the most inspirational coaches I’ve had, with John Dobson,” came Whitehead’s unqualified thumbs up.

Whitehead operated mostly at outside centre at Grey High, but his calm head and dexterous handling were qualities better used in the number 12 jersey.

“When I went to varsity I was playing both positions,” said Whitehead. “He (Fleck) saw that I have a bit of a distribution game as well as an attacking game and he thought I could play both. He liked the look of me at 12, that pretty much changed my career.

“I probably do prefer it. I think I am a little bit more comfortable there, for the moment.

“I played one or two games at 13 with Meyer (Bosman) inside me. I really enjoyed that because he’s a brilliant distributor as well. He puts you away a lot.

“When I play with JP (Pietersen) it’s also great because he’s got such an x-factor. He could be one of the three most talented players I’ve seen. He was born with everything.”

Whitehead’s move from Cape Town was a journey into the unknown: “I didn’t know anybody in Durban. I had been in Cape Town for five years and I needed to re-ignite my game. My performances had plateaued a little bit.”

Personal development may have been at the core of his decision to move east but he left behind a team destined to go places.

“The Stormers have been the most consistent side. They have benefited from their style of play. They are probably a little more structured in their attack and their defence is basically flawless. They are a worldclass defensive side.

“At the Sharks we have a little bit more of an attacking mentality. We are having a go from all over the place. It suits my game a little better, I think.”