Krige says Kolise will make a great captain

IT WAS two years ago when Jesse Kriel burst onto the Super Rugby and international scene and there was talk of him becoming one of the greatest fullbacks South Africa has produced.

But Kriel’s time in the No15 jersey was curtailed by then Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer who successfully transformed the former Maritzburg College pupil into a lethal outside centre.

While Kriel was the talk of the rugby world with his speed and skill at centre, it had a negative impact on his ability as a fullback.

As meteoric as Kriel’s rise has been in the No13 jersey, he is returning to the place that elevated him to rugby stardom.

It is the Stormers that will have to contain a refreshed and determined Kriel as he is likely to start at fullback for the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.

And Kriel is excited at the prospect of going back to where it all started.

More so because he has not gone to Japan in the off-season and a leg injury while playing for the Springboks late last year kept him out of the game for a while.

Kriel feels as though he has another lease on his rugby career playing at fullback even though he will be keeping out another equally talented player in Warrick Gelant, he believes it is the best decision that will enhance his career at Loftus and the national team.

“I spoke with coach Nollis (Marais) about the move back to fullback from centre and we decided it would be best for my career. He backs me and I back him. But regardless of which position the coach wants me to play, be it at fullback, wing or centre, I will gladly do so,” said Kriel yesterday.

“He has created a wonderful atmosphere and culture in the team and one feels privileged to be part of this unit. I’m looking forward to playing at fullback where I have done a lot of work in practice during the pre-season.”

If the Bulls are to win Saturday’s derby at Newlands and break a five-year losing streak against the Stormers in Cape Town, then they will have to look to the likes of Kriel not only being the catalyst in their attacks but in allowing him to lead from the front.

Kriel made no secret that he is comfortable playing from the back and judging from his performances in pre-season games, there have been enough glimpses to suggest he is back at his best.

“I like to counter attack and be part of the kicking strategy which plays a big role in how the team want to play. I’m really looking forward to playing at fullback.”

The scary part, well for teams that will be playing against the Bulls, is that Kriel is feeling as strong as he was in his breakout season.

And he is determined to put in better performances for the Bulls as they aim to win a fourth Super Rugby title this year with all the preparations they have put in for the season ahead.

“I feel that I am at my fittest. I feel really strong and it has been a while since I felt this way. I don’t think one realises how important a pre-season is mentally and physically. I am refreshed to have been part of the planning during the pre-season. We just want to get on the field and play,” said Kriel.

“We’ve had a very good pre-season and the guys can’t wait for the big game on the weekend.

“It’s been long and tough and we are really looking forward to getting on the field and showing what we want from the season on Saturday.” EXCITED: Jesse Kriel of the Bulls is delighted to play at fullback and looking forward to the Super Rugby challenge. He says he’s refreshed after a superb pre-season. FORMER Springbok captain Corne Krige believes that a captain’s most important role is to lead from the front. And he thinks that Siya Kolisi is the perfect man to do just that with the Stormers.

Springbok and Stormers loose forward Kolisi was named as the Stormers captain for the 2017 season yesterday, while fellow Springbok and lock Eben Etzebeth was appointed vice-captain.

Krige said that it was Kolisi’s style of play and his work rate that made him such a big fan of the new skipper.

“I think it’s a great appointment. I’ve always been a big fan of the way he plays and I have always said a captain’s most important role is to lead from the front. And I think that’s what he does,” Krige said.

“I’m a big fan of how he plays because he plays to the ball. He is always involved in a game and he’s a hard worker. A hard worker always gets a very good feeling of what’s happening in a game. I think he will get a lot of respect from the players with his play, and after that it’s easy to talk.”

Krige also said that it was a wise decision to hand the captain’s armband to a forward, as they are the men who know all about what’s going on in the game.

“They know the kind of pressure the forwards are under. And then the captain can make good decisions. And that is why I’m a fan of a forward being the captain. I’m very happy with Siya’s appointment and I think he’ll make a great captain,” Krige said.

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck, who in recent times said that he had a large leadership group consisting of seven players for the challenging Super Rugby season ahead, said that the flank would be well supported by the other “leaders” in the team.

“We have developed a number of strong leaders in this group, so Siya will certainly not be shouldering the responsibility on his own, but we felt it important to appoint someone who the team can rally around,” Fleck said.

“Although still quite young, Siya is already an experienced player who has matured both on and off the field and is one of the most popular and respected players in our squad.”

And however challenging this season might seem, Kolisi said that the team were confident after securing a good pre-season record, as they beat the Cheetahs, the SWD Eagles and the Lions convincingly in the three friendlies.

That confidence will be needed, as the Stormers will face the New Zealand sides this year.

“Winning pre-season games does create a winning culture‚ which is the most important thing.

“It gets you more ready because you know you’re playing against the best teams in the competition, they’ve been the best teams for the last couple of years,” Kolisi said of his side’s draw.

He said they were excited to measure their progress against the New Zealanders, adding that they weren’t going to focus too much on any threats that the Kiwis could pose.

“We’re excited about it. People might see it differently, but we’re excited and it’s going to show us where we are when we test ourselves against them,” the new captain explained.