Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Coleman gets chance to kick on as Stormers pivot
Bug slows down Catrakilis, giving second-choice a golden opportunity Stormers squad
SOMETIMES all a talented rugby player needs is a lucky break to catch the coach’s eye... many times at the expense of a teammate.
In this case Kurt Coleman is the recipient of a run-on start for the Stormers in place of first- choice flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis, who has a tummy bug and was shifted to the bench for today’s pre-season friendly against South Western Districts Eagles in George.
And the pivot’s performance will be closely scrutinised by head coach Allister Coetzee.
Coetzee said yesterday that Coleman has a chance to challenge main rival Catrakilis for the No 10 jersey.
“There’s a healthy rivalry between the two main contenders with Demetri the preferred choice at the moment after producing solid returns for both the Stormers and WP Currie Cup side last season,” said Coetzee.
“That doesn’t mean that the pivot position is cast in stone; seasons are longer and longer in the modern era and anything can happen at any time, like injuries which have hampered Kurt’s progress.”
Seen as the second-choice for the No 10 jersey for most of his career at senior level in the Western Cape, 24-year-old Coleman will want to showcase his attacking talents and general all-round improved play that has shone through over the past few seasons.
Whether he can go on to satisfy Coetzee’s thinking in the build up to another Super Rugby campaign, only time will tell, but Coleman – a former Grey High pupil – will lap up the chance to show that he has the game to compete at the second highest level of the game.
Since making his Super Rugby debut in 2011, Coleman has battled to be first in line when the No 10 jersey was being handed out.
He was loaned out to SWD to play Currie Cup First Division in 2012 in order to get some much-needed game time. He also tasted triumph – playing at fullback for WP – when they won the Vodacom Cup title that year.
But with Catrakilis set to leave the Cape franchise at the conclusion of the 2015 Super Rugby season to further his career in France, this is potentially set to be Coleman’s year as the lead-man for the Super Rugby franchise.
He has the skills set to make a go of it. He is viewed by many, including former Bok coach Nick Mallett, as the guy who can set loose a back division that gushes class while at the same time holding his own on defence and able to use the boot to release pressure or put his side on the attack.
And his goal-kicking under the watchful eye of kicking coach and former Springbok Vlok Cilliers, has come on very nicely as well.
So the Stormers, who have used many players at No 10 over the years without finding a genuine match-winner, will be hoping that Coleman realises his full potential.
Province have been grooming him through the age-groups since he arrived in Cape Town in 2009 and will be expecting a positive return from an investment in Coleman who spent his early years as a youngster in the Eastern Cape.
Coetzee believes Coleman has what it takes to make a go of it.
“I don’t see why Kurt can’t kick-on to the next level from where he is at the moment. We believe in his abilities, hence his start in the game against SWD,” said Coetzee.
“I believe we have a player who can leave a mark on the game if he plays to the potential we feel he is capable of. There’s nothing like experience to bring along a player, and the more game time and freedom of the park he is given can only bring him on in leaps and bounds.
“We back Kurt, he must just back himself now and I’m sure he will.”
Coleman, who played a part in WP’s Currie Cup success last season, will be itching to add to that success in the upcoming season.
“I’m just glad I got a start today. Demetri being sick opened the door for me to play against SWD and I hope I do enough to keep in the coach’s good books,” he said.
WP Vodacom coach John Dobson knows just how well Coleman can play.
“Kurt’s a good player, full stop. He’s a good attacking 10, a great distributor of the ball and his place- kicking has improved big time over the past few years. I see him as a player of the future without a doubt,” Dobson said.
Coleman feels his game has come on nicely over the past few years. “My goal is to become a more influential member in the team. I want to be the guy that can turn a game around, who can make the right calls and ultimately alter the outcome of a game by way of my contributions. And the more I play the more confident I become.”