WP close in on De Villiers
16 Feb 2010
Western Province and the Stormers have signalled their intent on signing Jean de Villiers on his return to South Africa later this year.
Former captain De Villiers is currently playing for Irish outfit Munster, but will come back to his home country in order to win a spot in the 2011 World Cup squad. Although De Villiers is technically a free agent from June this year, the Western Province Rugby Union have stated their intentions.
‘WP Rugby noted Jean de Villiers’ media statement on the Munster website yesterday, confirming that he will return to South Africa at the end of the European season,’ said WP Rugby MD Rob Wagner.
‘Jean is a world class player who has excelled on the international stage. He has played all his rugby in the Cape having represented both WP and the Stormers. We will be contacting him to learn more of his intentions and explore opportunities.’
In a recent interview with SA Rugby magazine, De Villiers acknowledged it’s a professional era, but admitted he can’t really see himself playing for another South African province.
169 Comments
16 Feb 2010, 18:48 pm
Good.
16 Feb 2010, 18:59 pm
Bad
16 Feb 2010, 19:00 pm
Ugly
16 Feb 2010, 19:01 pm
No man, go to the Cheetahs. Come on Naka, make him an offer he cant refuse aka ‘n beesplaas!
16 Feb 2010, 19:06 pm
Well done to the WP rugby union for being proactive!!
Jean is still in the prime of his career and along with Fourie and Habana will bring some much needed potency to the WP backline!!
16 Feb 2010, 19:07 pm
Just read the last paragraph now. So there you have it, Jean doesnt see himself playing for another team in SA.
16 Feb 2010, 19:17 pm
I do not think he will fit in any other province budget, he will definetaly not fit into the bulls game plan nor the sharks for that matter, only Lions and Cheetahs and obviosly stmrs.
16 Feb 2010, 19:19 pm
Great news! It’s going to be interesting to see just how much use WP get from their Boks in the Currie Cup with the 3N’s and player resting going on…
16 Feb 2010, 19:20 pm
WPW, you should not confuse, running scared (scared of loosing him to another province), with being proactive
16 Feb 2010, 19:21 pm
well….this will make UFO extremely happy….
and will be a great boost for the 2011 Super 14 prospects for stormers.
Still feel we a top class prop and a thinking mans loosie away from the real deal….
and please lets give L Cronje a shot at 10…..
16 Feb 2010, 19:29 pm
YES!
I will have a captain!!!!!!
16 Feb 2010, 19:35 pm
It is between WP and the Sharks for his signature, in my opinion. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Sharks snap him up. They need some backline stars desperately.
The Cheetahs and Lions can’t afford him, and the Bulls don’t want him and even if they did want him, it is against their policy to bring guys in who are just after the money.
16 Feb 2010, 19:37 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
Not just yet
16 Feb 2010, 19:37 pm
@Tacitus: good day tacci , and agreed we do need some stars , as we lost many and never replaced
top notch players dont fall out of trees or experience that they bring
16 Feb 2010, 19:40 pm
@Tacitus:
I agree that the Bulls wouldn’t want him, but they do need him , and a wing
16 Feb 2010, 19:42 pm
@vasteses:
Why do you say the Bulls need him?
16 Feb 2010, 19:46 pm
@vasteses: why? who else is gonna buy him?
Bulls don’t want him, Lions and Cheetahs can’t afford him… **** I forgot about the Sharks…
Rassie… get moving.
16 Feb 2010, 19:48 pm
for me….it’s between the sharks and the lions.
and if Muir is serious about turning the entire union around, he’ll need a general.DeVilliers would also enjoy the kind of rugby Muir always wants his side to play as well as the added responsibility and junior players playing around and off him.
Before even thinking of the sharks, I’d wait and see if plumtree is going to hang around.
A move back to the Cape would be a move backwards.
16 Feb 2010, 19:50 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl:
…and let’s face it, everyone seems to get messed around at the sharks, he’ll probably end up as fullback or scrumhalf?
16 Feb 2010, 19:51 pm
Random side note… 9 of our teachers are pregnant (possibly 10), 2 of whom are dating male teachers at the school… I think they should attend out ***-ed classes… don’t you?
16 Feb 2010, 19:52 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl: A move to the Cape would be a move home. Where is brother, mother, father and fiance’s family is
16 Feb 2010, 19:52 pm
And besides, Schalk is missing Jean
16 Feb 2010, 19:52 pm
No, it will be Province. There is no other way. It’s not about the rugby – it’s the lifestyle. If he was still a wet behind the ears youngster eager for a contract he’d go elsewhere. But he’s calling the shots on this one. And once you’ve lived in Cape Town… well let’s just say it would be like turning down the Table Bay hotel for the airport Formula One.
16 Feb 2010, 19:53 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl: uhm you forget it is the self same **** muir that more then most shifts players around and out of position
he did so at the sharks and the boks
ruan become a flyhalf at the sharks at the request of muir and snorre
16 Feb 2010, 19:53 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
16 Feb 2010, 19:54 pm
@katman: oh dear… lol… Flo’s been dropping hints for 2 months… let’s wait and see I guess
16 Feb 2010, 19:55 pm
@sharks_lover: the sad part is… Schalk said it first
16 Feb 2010, 19:57 pm
lol , hey you guys do have broke back mountain there
guess its natural down there hehehehe
jokes aside look hes a cape boy by heart and soul , i would be surprised if he went elsewhere
and of course we need him at the sharks , him and adi could again be a great partnership
16 Feb 2010, 19:58 pm
@Tacitus: well i do think that the Bulls are in need of a top class 13,
16 Feb 2010, 20:01 pm
@sharks_lover: but Jean and Jaque would be even better…
16 Feb 2010, 20:01 pm
@vasteses:
But he’s a 12.
SA’s short on talented, well behaved 13′s…
16 Feb 2010, 20:04 pm
@SpringbokSarah: this is true but you already have another young good 12
and then you have newman also a 12
16 Feb 2010, 20:05 pm
JDV to Sharks
in return for
B J Botha.
16 Feb 2010, 20:06 pm
just keep that those other 3 turbo reverse front row in Durbs please
16 Feb 2010, 20:06 pm
I’m out… one last thing…
JEAN COME HOME DAMMIT! Who’s Schalla gonna room with? Do you really want somebody else subjected to his snoring which you once described as “some animal devouring his prey in the Serengeti” … not my cup of tea… but hey whatever you’re in to…
16 Feb 2010, 20:08 pm
lets hope jean is a man of morals and take wp up on their offer. i would hate, hate, hate, seeing him play for the sharks.
PS. adi jacobs is OVERRATED!!!!!
16 Feb 2010, 20:08 pm
@sharks_lover: But who would be a better mentor for Juan than Jean?
@grant10: if he does… Gillian will make sure he can never have kids…
ciao
16 Feb 2010, 20:08 pm
@grant10:
Hehehe.
By the way, what was with John Smit sarcastically telling the ref “Welcome to the S14″, when he was getting yellow carded nogal?
That didn’t make sense to me. They gives you your marching orders and you reply with a comment that suggests you have him at a disadvantage? Seems like Jonno was the one at the disadvantage, marching off the field.
Was that meant as some kind of psychological dig at the ref? Because I guarantee all that did was reinforce the ref’s antagonism towards the Sharks, as demonstrated by his subsequent decisions.
16 Feb 2010, 20:09 pm
@stormloop: you’re my new favourite blogger
16 Feb 2010, 20:09 pm
@Tacitus:
well if you are looking for well behaved look no further than JP NEL. lol, Jean can play 13
16 Feb 2010, 20:09 pm
lol @ sarah
16 Feb 2010, 20:10 pm
@Tacitus:
Ignore the weird typing in the second paragraph. It’s been a longish day at work.
16 Feb 2010, 20:11 pm
@vasteses:
JP is very well behaved. He lines you up. He takes your head off. He quietly trots back to his position.
No theatrics, no weird hand gestures, no tappitt hairstyles.
Just gets on with his job…
16 Feb 2010, 20:14 pm
wp would just be dof to recruit him.
Rassie would be putting the finishing touches to an “ageing” backline.
januarie
de waal
de villiers
fourie
habana
jantjies
….not a hell of a lot of mileage beyond 2011 in my opinion.
big targets and nothing I’d be afraid of challenging if i was an up-and-coming 23 year old something.
outside of burger…the pack still has a young look about it and the better performance reflect this.
it’s a fine line between an experienced squad and an “old” one.
16 Feb 2010, 20:14 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl:
Good point.
16 Feb 2010, 20:16 pm
@Tacitus: 38
When last smit captained a team to a win?
Italy?
Matfield will skipper Boks in 2011 WC…..
16 Feb 2010, 20:18 pm
The Brig makes sense as well….for me i would spend the bucks on a hardebaard prop….
and of course if we could lure my mate LW back….bonus!!
16 Feb 2010, 20:19 pm
when are those Sharks going to name there team SL???
16 Feb 2010, 20:20 pm
well behaved blue bull players that snort cocaine and binge drink? Oxymoron of the day…
16 Feb 2010, 20:24 pm
it appears Bulls will make 2 changes for Bumbies clash….F Hougaard for Mametsa…and Stefan Dippenaar for Jaco Pretorious…..
Dippenaar…21 years old…up against Mortlock….
moer him stefan!!
16 Feb 2010, 20:28 pm
@grant10: not sure grant depends on an injury or 2 they waiting on
16 Feb 2010, 20:29 pm
@grant10: Stirling will chew up this kid and spit him out like chewing gum that has lost flavour!
16 Feb 2010, 20:29 pm
@sharks_lover: 51
Thanks
Helleva important game SL…helleva nb mate…
16 Feb 2010, 20:30 pm
@Transformation: 52
LOL
ja…..at least Bulls prepered to back the youngster….
here L Cronje still waits….dammit
till later
16 Feb 2010, 20:33 pm
@Transformation:
That is getting old now, at least P3 had the guts to talk about his problem and do someting about it. Thus i only know of one moron
16 Feb 2010, 20:40 pm
@vasteses: lmao,
you can believe that bullsh*t of “atleast P3 talked about it” that is fine, what choices did he have? His coach knew about it, someone out there had a tape of him snorting in a nightclub, his mother found straws in his room, methinks pedrie was cornered!
Well behaved blue bulls players my ar*e, the sanctimonious attitude stinks.
16 Feb 2010, 20:47 pm
@Transformation:
Your quite an angry man/woman, aren’t you? Watch out for them ulcers, my man.
@grant10:
The Bulls have a designated no.1 and no.2 in each position. Dippenaar is the bakcup 13. So if Pretorius is injured, he steps in. Unless strategy dictates differently for a particular game.
So each guy at the Bulls knows exactly where he stands.
16 Feb 2010, 20:53 pm
@Transformation:
Well said!!!
These Bulls and their double standards makes me wanna puke!!!
16 Feb 2010, 20:54 pm
@Tacitus: since we’re into being judgemental….you are quite a polarising figure Tac, a stain in the fabric of this blog.
16 Feb 2010, 20:55 pm
@Transformation:
Still angry, I see.
16 Feb 2010, 20:58 pm
@grant10: as XhosaKid mentioned it earlier it is strange that WP/Stormer would be more that eager to play Matt To’omua a flyhalf in the last games of the currie cup but are somehow reluctant to start Lionel Cronje.
The Brumbies started with To’omua pivot on friday, with Christian Leallifano as his back up, both players are young…
16 Feb 2010, 21:01 pm
de jongh on the wing…….
duvenhage/ januarie
cronje ( bigger upside than grant)
de villiers( jean will have a calming affect of nerves with cronje)
fouries
habana
de jongh
pietersen/jantjes
16 Feb 2010, 21:12 pm
@Transformation:
wasn’t a whole bunch of blokes injured during that period?
also, I remember their was a rule withregards to minutes being played, addmittedly can’t remember the full story but they didn’t want to chuck a youngster in at the deep end vs the bulls who still had a long career with WP.
Basically, they had no problem fcking up an ozzies career. And he only sat on the bench most of the game anyway.
anyway, what’s all the hype with this cronje bloke? Has he even played vodacom cup yet? Or Currie Cup?
rightfully, the WP management aren’t betting their entire season on a unproven greenhorn flyhalf in the worlds toughest rugby tournament.Flyhalf is such an important position.
16 Feb 2010, 21:29 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl:
Cronje has not played CC or Vodacom cup rugby. He is still a youngster, played SA under 20 last year at the IRB world championship and was also picked up the SA under 21 player of the year award.
When To’omua (brilliant player) came to CT to play cc rugby he already had Super 14 experience behind him – could not really compare him to any of the young flyhalves available in the WP at that time.
WP also has another brilliant young flyhalf/scrumhalf available in Conrad Hoffman – Sadly his talent is currently wasted at Varsity cup rugby.
16 Feb 2010, 21:33 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl: hi brig…only willem de waal was injured.
Peter Grant was fully fit when Matt came to town, i even remember the story was that Bash was going to go fetch him @ the airport and show him around before going to Newlands…
Grant started the game against the Lions at ellis park and matt was to come on in the second half, then Bash moved to 12 & de jongh to 13
But i guess it was as you say, they were okay with messing up an aussie’s career
16 Feb 2010, 21:33 pm
i would back L Cronje….but have no problem with him being introduced gradually.
16 Feb 2010, 21:35 pm
James o Connor about to start at 10 for WF sat as well i see…Toomua a damn fine 20 year old 10…..
Sometimes maybe take a chance…..Grant seemingly not really the answer at 10….
Tough one
16 Feb 2010, 21:47 pm
@Transformation:
They did not mess up his career at all – he slotted in without any problems at CC level – in fact, WP was so impressed with him that they were keen in signing him up for the 2010 Super 14 but the Aussies would not even consider it to let him go.
16 Feb 2010, 21:50 pm
@grant10:
I will also take the chance and start with Cronje and have Grant on the bench covering 10 and 12.
btw I heard Wikkelspies had a solid game for a WP Xv against SWD the past weekend. It is now only a matter of time…..
16 Feb 2010, 21:58 pm
Damn right he’ll come back to WP.
Jean and Jaque in the centres…
Nothing better
16 Feb 2010, 21:58 pm
@Robzim: LOL
Yeah….although somehow WPmanaged to lose that game!!
But i would throw L Cronje into the 2 nd half Sat…..will be a helleva baptism…..gonna be tough….
But if Dippenaar and Toomua and O Connor , as well as a host of young Kiwis are being thrown in, then we too should be prepared to throw in Cronje….IMO
16 Feb 2010, 22:01 pm
Hello Ladies.
Still going on about Lionel.
16 Feb 2010, 22:02 pm
@SodaJoe: 72
My kingdom for a 10 !!!
For Stormers
And a 3
for boks
16 Feb 2010, 22:03 pm
@SodaJoe:
how serious can you take a rugby player called “lionel” in south africa?
he sounds like a Paff if you ask me.
16 Feb 2010, 22:04 pm
Matchup:
Scrum : Tahs (with Blaauw out)
Lineouts: Stormers by a mile
Defence: Equal
Kicking game: Tahs (Barnes in a class of his own)
Rucks/breakdowns – Tahs by a whisker
Outside Backs : Stormers
50/50 game imo.
16 Feb 2010, 22:05 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl: I have to agree. But WP have always been La Cage Au Folle. So he should fit in well.
The tutu section will have their ballet pumps all in a flutter.
16 Feb 2010, 22:07 pm
@grant10: We have many good 3′s – BJ, WP Nel, Buys. Enough for the Boks. We just have to play tehm.
I am very concerned with Beast. He is not scrumming at all well, and hasn’t for some time.
16 Feb 2010, 22:08 pm
@Robzim: Have to say that I might be betting on the Tahs. But if Stormers can win, it bodes very well for chances to finish very high up at the end of the season.
16 Feb 2010, 22:12 pm
Can’t say I blame Jean. Ireland in the winter is fairly grim!!
Wonder if he has become a Guinness or Jamesons man?
16 Feb 2010, 22:12 pm
@SodaJoe: 77
true….but hell WP Nel was given a harsh lesson by Guthro ….went down a peg or 2 in my estimation….at times reminded me of smit against that aussie robinson.
16 Feb 2010, 22:13 pm
@SodaJoe: Lionel or Percy both very Victorian names!!
No one in Britain under 70 is called Percy or Lionel!!
16 Feb 2010, 22:13 pm
@grant10:
Howdy..
16 Feb 2010, 22:14 pm
@Robzim:
Same to you!!
16 Feb 2010, 22:14 pm
@SodaJoe:
#78
Ja Joe, It might be a good bet – I am also concerned about Saturday.
on another issue: have you ever read the Clapton autobiography – I am busy with it at the moment – great read – the man is one hell of a survivor.
16 Feb 2010, 22:14 pm
this weekend a litmus test for stormers aspirations….
And the Rubicon for Sharks and Cheetahs….
And Bulls must be wary of them Brumbies….
Lions need to bounce back…..and by the way Chiefs never ever win in Joburg before…..
16 Feb 2010, 22:16 pm
@grant10: I watched the game. But not all the time. So I can’t really with authority say what happened in the scrum.
But I can’t say I’ve ever seen Guthro scrum anyone, so if he did that’s disappointing.
WP Nel was excellent last year anyway.
16 Feb 2010, 22:16 pm
hi carol….trust you well?
I got 2 mates by name of Lionel….quite a common name here….
16 Feb 2010, 22:17 pm
@Robzim: I haven’t read his book Robbie, not ahuge Clapton fan. I did love him whn he played with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers though – genius.
Shakey – the neil Young biography is excellent by the way.
16 Feb 2010, 22:18 pm
@SodaJoe: 86
Ja….he was murdered by Guthro….popped almost every scrum….Guthro magically improved….may have something to do with Gary Botha?
Of course OS would have cheetahs hard at it this week….Sharks may cop another front row mauling if they not careful…
16 Feb 2010, 22:18 pm
@carol: Stormers are famous for retreading ballet dancers.
16 Feb 2010, 22:19 pm
@grant10: I have NEVER EVER SEEN Gary Botha scrum for ****.
Completely overrated imo.
But who knows, these guys come back from Europe very improved it seems?
16 Feb 2010, 22:23 pm
@SodaJoe:
Even if you are not a fan I am sure you would like his book – very direct and honest – one of the best autobiographies I have ever read.
I will give Shakey a go, thks
16 Feb 2010, 22:24 pm
@grant10: Carol, just in Cape Town.
We have much more manly names every where else. Like Joe. Usually they call me Big Joe. or King Joseph. Normal manly stuff like that.
It’s the Speedophiles in Cape Town that are called Lionel or Percy or Claude.
16 Feb 2010, 22:25 pm
man u 1 AC Milan 1
39 minutes gone
At the san siro
away goal
luv it
16 Feb 2010, 22:25 pm
@SodaJoe: The ballet dancing comment just flew over my head, lots of talk about tutu’s and cross dressing about today but speed reading Afrikaans did not really enlighten me much!!
Percy had the fine legs of a ballet dancer on reflection!
16 Feb 2010, 22:26 pm
@SodaJoe: 93
or Gilbert….
my mate here in Clifton is Gabrielle
but he aint no angel
16 Feb 2010, 22:27 pm
@grant10: Still amazed at some of your christian names over there.
Wynand for one!
16 Feb 2010, 22:28 pm
@grant10: Gabrielle of Clifton SMOULDERS!! Grrrrrr
Well he did when I met him!!
16 Feb 2010, 22:30 pm
@carol: 98
Ja, he is supercool…..
His wife still pops in for my peanut butter sandwiches….Gabrielle very strict on his eating habits…..so she loves visiting me!
16 Feb 2010, 22:34 pm
if WP are gonna try and bring JDV back to the Cape, they going to lose the talented De Jong.
the sharks are better off taking JDV. seems his short stay in ireland could be have been a ploy to get a short holiday in with his fiance and also to raise his earning value in SA.
think it might also do his rugby a bit of good by getting further exposure playing for another province in SA.
c’mon sharks get cracking.
i wouldnt shift de jong to wing to accomodate JDV, as it would take 2 promising players out of position. aplon and de jong. aplon is an awesome talent.
16 Feb 2010, 22:34 pm
1 each half time….
go man u !
16 Feb 2010, 22:35 pm
@carol:
A 28-year-old Cape Town man has just won the Mr. World *** pageant. He is called Carl van den Berg from Sea Point.
Quite a manly name?
16 Feb 2010, 22:36 pm
@Tomsta: ja….some valid points there
but he will comeback to wp…of that i am sure.
but we need a prop here….
and LW loss will be felt …
16 Feb 2010, 22:37 pm
@Robzim: 102
Thank the merciful angels he is not from Clifton!!
Another 400 m up the road and some okes on the other blog sites would have died laughing!!!
16 Feb 2010, 22:38 pm
@grant10:
Did you watch the Luke Watson/Butch James video that Elliot2 mentioned yesterday?
16 Feb 2010, 22:39 pm
@grant10: Oh I thought that Gilbert was a Durban name, like Clifford. Those Modern Dance names.
16 Feb 2010, 22:39 pm
@Robzim: *** Pagent, Bwahahahahah now that is good.
Have to eat, see you guys!!
Grant, not peanut butter sandwiches although I too am partial!!
16 Feb 2010, 22:39 pm
Scholes missed it completely, hit his other leg and trickled in. Luckyest goal ever. Typical Man u flukery.
16 Feb 2010, 22:41 pm
@Robzim: Carol V Berg is not so manly to me.
16 Feb 2010, 22:41 pm
@grant10:
104
LoL, he might not be from Clifton but is probably a honorary citizen of 3rd Beach by now.
16 Feb 2010, 22:42 pm
@grant10: It is rumored that he is coming to The Lions to be backline coach as well. So he will have a pleyr coach type role, which will see him through RWC and tehn he will start coaching in earnest.
With him and Carlos we will be good.
16 Feb 2010, 22:42 pm
@Robzim: 105
No Rob….
16 Feb 2010, 22:43 pm
@grant10: Come on you guys. I know you like Luke, think he’s good, etc, etc. But the Stormers loose trio were outstanding and Duane Vermulen got man of the match. WTF?
16 Feb 2010, 22:44 pm
@SodaJoe:
hehehe, sharp!
16 Feb 2010, 22:44 pm
You guys writing of Peter Grant giving him the same phobia’s and self doubt that they hang around Ruan Pienaar’s head.
This Lionel Cronje looks like another Gaffie du Toit to me. Whole lot of promise but does he have the spunk? Saffa’s love kicking fly halves thats why the running variety never make it. Peter grant starting to believe all the negative press they all laying on him like here on this site.
16 Feb 2010, 22:44 pm
@SodaJoe: 111
Swop JDV for Heinke anyday…..juan de jongh deserves a run …
16 Feb 2010, 22:46 pm
@skopskiet: 115
Well skop he is given another chance Sat….so lets see how he goes…L Cronje a lot more than a kicking 10 from what i have seen.
16 Feb 2010, 22:48 pm
Stormers went awol after half time like Bob would say, no direction known, like a complete unknown, lie a rolling stone. Zero coherence, Lions were running rings around them. Lucky we got those 2 first half tries else would have been panic stations second half.
16 Feb 2010, 22:48 pm
@skopskiet: I can’t comment as I only saw him as a sub last week. But there is a tendency to say that guys are world beaters when they’ve hardly played a game.
By the way what has happened to Nick Koster?
16 Feb 2010, 22:50 pm
@SodaJoe:
113
They were good, but imo all 3 are very similar type of players and the balance will be better if they have someone who is a bit of a lateral thinker/”linkman” in the mix.
I think a player like Koster could also add another dimension – apparently he is another 4-6 weeks from playing.
16 Feb 2010, 22:54 pm
Grant had so many chances but he has failed to improve his kicking game and imo his distribution skills is nothing to write home about either.
To me he is only a journeyman flyhalf whose best asset is his tackling.
16 Feb 2010, 22:55 pm
@Robzim: Is Koster as good as everyone says he is? If he is he needs to go and play somewhere where he can be an 8′th Man – in SA or Europe or Australia. Playing on the wing was and always will be the height of stupidity.
16 Feb 2010, 22:56 pm
@Robzim: Robie I have to take this criticim with a pinch of salt. You’re a guy who thinks Willem De Waal is the answer.
I am with Skops – Grant is a very good flyhalf, international class. He is however a better 12.
16 Feb 2010, 22:58 pm
Fkn Leeds are going to break my heart this year. Again. I can see it. 0-1 Walsall up.
16 Feb 2010, 23:00 pm
1-1. Thank you god.
16 Feb 2010, 23:02 pm
@SodaJoe:
All I can say about Koster is that he was absolutely brilliant at school level – one of the best schoolboy talents I have ever seen.
I agree, he should not play wing again and must try and make the Stormer team as a no 8 or otherwise go to another Franchise where he can get game time in that position.
16 Feb 2010, 23:05 pm
Peter Grant played for Pieter de Villiers in 2007 in the Bok development side and should have been incumbent fly half straight into 2008 season. If they would have done that and played January instead of Fdp in 2008 and Grant instead of Butch 2 things would have happened. We wouldn’t have come stone last in the 3N. We wouldn’t have gone into this kick and chase malignancy, and Peter Grant would have realised the potential that was denied him and which he now doubts he ever had.
Poor player management and piss poor decision taking which cost us a whole season of realignment. Fdp, Butch, Percy, Jdv and F. Steyn proceeded to lose 19-0 at Newlands because of it.
16 Feb 2010, 23:06 pm
Koster must get fit….and go back to 8
IMO
16 Feb 2010, 23:06 pm
see how passionate we are about rugby. 1 week into the new season and all sorts of comments made on potential of players
whats PDV have to say on the new attitude of the refs wrt to breakdown rules, etc?
16 Feb 2010, 23:10 pm
@Robzim: he will struggle to get game time with vermuelen there. he might have to go to Melbourne Rebels.
@skopskiet: be serious, no coach in their right mind would drop a talent like fdp to try and redirect the state of play. PDV is making progress and im especially looking fwd to seeing what he comes up with for this test season. there is noise that these new ‘rules’ will be applied for incoming tests in june.
16 Feb 2010, 23:10 pm
Rooney header 2-1 United
16 Feb 2010, 23:10 pm
@SodaJoe:
123
That is fair (the pinch of salt part).
The moment the Stormers lose a match they will pick Willem again. And he will win matches for them. Mark my words.
Many people do not realise that he is a better distributor who has much better ball skills, tactical awareness and flair for the game than Grant will ever have. They only see the kicking part and do not realise that he is playing according to a game plan that was/is designed by Rassie and Alister.
Conrad Hoffman and L Cronje are also potentially much better flyhalves than Grant imo.
16 Feb 2010, 23:14 pm
@Robzim:
Hoffman has the same silky skills as Ruan Pienaar and probably kicks better.
16 Feb 2010, 23:14 pm
@skopskiet: 131
yES!!!
lOVE IT!
16 Feb 2010, 23:17 pm
that 10 spot giving me sleepless nights….
16 Feb 2010, 23:20 pm
in 2008 Fdp and Butch James were our absolute Achilles Heel’s. Should never have played either of them. January won the game in Dunedin then got dropped for Perth and Fdp and Butch lost us that one then Cape Town and Durban. Fdp is no genius imo and if were me Pretorius and Pienaar or Grant would be half backs.
What did Fdp and M. Steyn achieve in Europe this last Eoyt? More up n under kick and chase one dimensional rubbish.
Only time bok’s looked like anything resembling a running rugby team was when Adams and Pienaar were running the back line against Saracens with Rose in able support until Hougaard came on and produced more Fdp clone trash and proceeded to undo all the positives and stuff it all up again.
Another Rooney header ManU 3-1
16 Feb 2010, 23:22 pm
rob and wikkelspies….a passionate love affair
me and smit….the exact opposite….
amazing how we al have our favorites….1 mans drink is another mans perfume…
Skop and FDP springs to mind
Justrubys aversion to Ruan Pienaar…
LOL
16 Feb 2010, 23:28 pm
@grant10:
LoL, that is how it goes.
Some more examples:
Tacitus and the whole blue bull team
Carol and Percy
Puma and Francie (sic)
Sarah and the whole Stormer team
Soda and Leeds United (WTF)
16 Feb 2010, 23:28 pm
2-3
16 Feb 2010, 23:29 pm
greatest fc in the world – 3
sorry eyeties – 1
hope hater hasn’t slit her wrists.
on a serious note….
robzim, i am right behind you…peter grant is very ordinary.
has always been, even at maritzburg college.
sorry eyeties got one back — 3-1 to manu
16 Feb 2010, 23:30 pm
Seedorf gets one back 2-3
16 Feb 2010, 23:32 pm
@charo:
sorry 3-2
16 Feb 2010, 23:44 pm
138 – Hey Rob, there was one point when it was Grant and Francie (that was until Jake’s Barbarians Match) !!
Actually, Percy and Carol does have a ring to it!
16 Feb 2010, 23:46 pm
@charo: Hiya Charo, what’s new in your neck of Africa?
16 Feb 2010, 23:47 pm
Peter Grant is no flash fly half, some might say he’s ordinary. But the real issue is not Grant but the style and game plan we play to. Correct coaching would have identified players strengths and weaknesses and brought out positives instead of relying on negatives. Bok rugby gas reverted to negative rugby to win ugly and win without the ball.
We were playing far more enterprizing rugby in 2008 except were not converting it to tries until Ellis Park and Twickenham. Then we got hijacked back into stereotype negative kick n chase mode and reverted to 2007 type. So we won some prestige but lost our rugby soul, now lets see if we can get it back again. Somehow playing our 2007 dead beats I doubt it.
16 Feb 2010, 23:55 pm
@carol:
I remember about Grant and Frans – it was quite intense
Carol and Percy sounds quite alright, at least much better than Carol and Bakkies!!
17 Feb 2010, 00:02 am
carol would do well to snare bakkies quite a catch I must say…
17 Feb 2010, 00:04 am
@Robzim: Intense, however Grant was gracious enough to recognise that was not Fransies finest hour (ok 80 mins)!!
I still have a bit of a crush on Bakkies!!
Rob and Eva….! Hahahahah
Whats with the ‘Shaky’ nick name Soda has given you btw?
17 Feb 2010, 00:05 am
@grant10: With incumbents like Fourie, JdV and Habana hardly allows new talent like Juan deJongh to get experience and game time. WP don’t need JdV I’m afraid wherein the Sharks have non-existent talent at 12. I wonder how a JdV/Murray combo would work.
17 Feb 2010, 00:10 am
@skopskiet: I sort of agree there but we’ve been playing like this for years. What is needed is a culture change and the golden – do not kick ball if you’re outside your own half, PASS IT! Ok Boks repeat after me – gee die bal vir Bryan, gee die bal vir Bryan *cue weird ukelele music*.
17 Feb 2010, 00:12 am
@skopskiet:
south africa aren’t the only ones who tend to pick kicking flyhalves. Fact of the matter is, is that a flyhalf that can kick you into the right areas on the field is going to be a hell of a lot more consistant than a player who tries to run you into the right areas.
First prize is still the flyhalf that can do both equally well.
look at the best flyhalfs in the last 20 years…
Carter and Wilkenson(pre-injury)
Giteu…is a brilliant running flyhalf but can’t kick for toffee out of hand really. Certainly not to the point to which I would say that he is singele handedly dominating a game in all aspects.
There’s also something to be said for “Kop” and “Composure”.
In south africa, the player that comes closest to doing all aspects equally well is morne steyn.
PS:….I’m sure no one is stopping Grant from improving his kicking out of hand on his own.
PPS:…I’m far happier when the boks win ugly than I am when we lose pretty. Not that I call 3-0 against the kiwis as ugly wins.
17 Feb 2010, 00:18 am
@carol:
No, I think it was Adam and desperate Eva the snake
Rob and Jessica (Alba)sounds more or less right to me.
Shakey is the name of the biography of Neil Young (the ancient Canadian rocker).
17 Feb 2010, 00:28 am
@gunther: Imagine trying to snare something like Bakkies….
You would need a big dose of tranquiliser to bring that beast down!!
17 Feb 2010, 00:29 am
@ carol or a crossbow…
17 Feb 2010, 00:30 am
@Robzim: Do you ever go to bed before midnight Rob?
I’m off, goodnight…
17 Feb 2010, 00:33 am
@carol:
only if it’s with someone else…..
17 Feb 2010, 00:38 am
@gunther:
154
Or on the odd occasion a headbutt by a French forward who grew up in the backstreets of Marseille
17 Feb 2010, 00:44 am
@ robzim in the backstreets of marseilles a headbutt is considered foreplay..
17 Feb 2010, 06:06 am
JDV to come to the Stormers and Grant to be sold off to the Sharks.
17 Feb 2010, 06:52 am
@garth: actually Grant would be useful right about now, grant and james would be two good signings, the real problem is at lock however
17 Feb 2010, 07:43 am
@Big Hit: 160
Biggest problem is that pap snoek,turbo reverse,soft as melted butter front row that keep on getting shunted.
17 Feb 2010, 10:39 am
Good to see they’re being proactice and not leaving anything to chance…
17 Feb 2010, 10:40 am
just seen the other thread way down at the bottom of the list…
17 Feb 2010, 10:41 am
sheesh… wrong thread again…
farking
17 Feb 2010, 10:44 am
I hear the Sharks and The Bulls are lining up massive offers for De Villiers…can it be true?
17 Feb 2010, 10:47 am
@Ned: I doubt very much whether the Sharks have anything left to offer after the JMH fiasco . .
But surely Jean won`t go anywhere but CT??
Unless his gf is still in P/town . ..
17 Feb 2010, 10:52 am
It will be depressing to see Jean play elsewhere, but its the nature of the game in this day and age. The professional era
17 Feb 2010, 21:10 pm
@grant10: they didn’t go in reverse against the chiefs and they’re hardly soft as butter come on
12 Mar 2010, 11:13 am
Habana, De Villiers, Fourie, Aplon and Pietersen in 1 backline. thats dangerous.
All they need is a 10 capable of giving them good ball.
SA teams should look at investing in more american players.
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