De Waal crucial to culling Cheetahs
17 Mar 2010
Willem de Waal is a better backline bet than the inexperienced Tim Whitehead given the nature of Saturday’s clash at Newlands.
Juan de Jongh is unavailable for the Stormers this weekend prompting a debate on who’s the best man to fill the void. Allister Coetzee told keo.co.za on Monday he would choose between De Waal, Conrad Hoffmann, Whitehead, Frikkie Welsh and Dylan des Fountain to replace De Jongh and the suspended Lionel Cronje in the match 22. The team will be announced on Wednesday afternoon, and it seems Whitehead is the favourite to wear No 12.
The move makes sense in that Peter Grant will remain at flyhalf where he’s enjoyed a good start to the season. His hard running at the advantage line keeps the opposition defence from drifting wide, and his distribution (complemented by Dewaldt Duvenage’s swift service) is creating opportunities for the men outside. It’s believed the Stormers coaches don’t want to play De Waal at No 10, as his strengths are not with ball in hand.
The Stormers have scored nine tries in the last two matches. They want to keep the momentum going, but is exposing yet another rookie the answer? Are they so certain they can run the Cheetahs ragged? The fixture is more likely to be a hard grind up front with tactical kicking the order of the day.
Whitehead impressed in the 2009 Varsity Cup and has been part of the Stormers’ squad since the beginning of the season. With Morgan Newman injured, he now finds himself in contention for a start in the Super 14.
Another option, which has enjoyed success at this level, would be to move Grant to No 12 and play De Waal at flyhalf. De Waal only recently returned from a long-term neck injury, and but for that injury, would have started the season at No 10 as per the Stormers’ plans. Grant was originally expected to partner Jaque Fourie in midfield with De Jongh providing cover on the bench.
This move offers the Stormers more kicking options at 9, 10 and 12, with the flyhalf possessing the ability to punt the ball 60m into touch instead of 40m. And yes, 20m can make all the difference when you add the kicks up over the course of 80 minutes.
Two weeks ago, the Cheetahs were on fire against the Hurricanes. They have some good tactical kickers in Naas Olivier and Meyer Bosman, who must be the dangermen this Saturday. The Stormers need a player capable of countering this duo. They haven’t been tested in the tactical kicking department this season – the Brumbies’ kicked a lot, but lacked accuracy – and they haven’t met a forward pack that have put them to the test. They may find both on Saturday.
Coetzee is right in saying youngsters need to be backed, but not at the cost of a game-winning strategy. The Stormers have won four from five, but don’t need to get overconfident at this stage. Coetzee has also repeatedly said he will make selections or player rotations according to the opposition, and as history suggests, Cheetahs fixtures are tailor-made for De Waal.
The Stormers’ flyhalf orchestrated a win over the central franchise in 2009 and has proved the Cheetahs’ undoing in the Currie Cup as well. The Stormers are sure to continue in their attacking direction when they head off on tour, but they want to depart for that trip on a winning note. The smart selection for the Cheetahs’ fixture is De Waal. The tough decision on whether to stick with his boot or revert to Grant’s running game should only be made next week.
By Jon Cardinelli
147 Comments
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17 Mar 2010, 10:29 am
Mielieboer
Looks like a good harvest this year.,
Maybe you will be able to buy some longpant..and shoe..
17 Mar 2010, 10:33 am
@gunther: LOL, funny enough i saw a proper boer standing outside my kids school on monday holding a mielie up in each hand and a boot filled to the top.
no sales were made while i was there… prob hasnt got his, “MIIEEEEELIIIIIIEEEESSS” yell sorted yet.
doesnt look too lucrative, we might have to chip in for the longpant.
17 Mar 2010, 10:33 am
I never agree with making two changes to a backline to cover one injured player. I do believe this may even things up on Saturday.
17 Mar 2010, 10:35 am
@Zulu_baby: @Mielieboer:
Fishing… are we?
17 Mar 2010, 10:36 am
@gunther:
51
Longpant and two- tone khaki shirt do not make good fashion.
17 Mar 2010, 10:38 am
you just need to beat the SARS system … best way = farming … kry vir jou malema
17 Mar 2010, 10:39 am
Pakalolo
Microwave popcorn..,that’s where the real money is… there will be enough cash leftover from buying the longpant for a penthouse at the bloemfontein waterfront..
17 Mar 2010, 10:40 am
@WP_:
You can read??
17 Mar 2010, 10:43 am
I agree with the Whitehead move.
Keep Grant and Duvenhage as the axis – uninterrupted.
Grant is a flyhalf. Put a CENTRE in at centre to replace the injury.
Lets not pull a Sharks / **** Muir and play scrummies at hooker and locks at centre etc etc ..
Have faith and play players in position.
This will work.
17 Mar 2010, 10:44 am
JC is an idiot and gives off the impression he’s de Waal’s agent
the oke isnt even in form
sometimes it takes a while to come back after an injury and to make 2 changes for 1 injured player could do more harm than good
look at the bulls, they make one change and keep everything balanced..ala Stephen Dippenaar when he replaced Jaco Pretorius
17 Mar 2010, 10:44 am
Robzim
Two tone khaki is the new black…
17 Mar 2010, 10:53 am
@Papoose:
They need hits bro!!
Hence the ‘controversial’ articles!!!
Why do you think they dont ban idiots like WHAT and MIELIEBOER??
Cos they need hits!!!
It’s all about the benjamins baby!!
17 Mar 2010, 11:00 am
wpw … stop being a racist c*nt .. drink a papsak & read die son …chill dude
17 Mar 2010, 11:00 am
Keo had to post this because their predictions were again proved wrong. Keo must be the only place where people actually think de Waal is a starting flyhalf for a Super 14 team. The man has consistenly failed at this level, is one-dimensional and has never been able to get a backline going. Do you not remember the Stromers campaign last year? aOr realise there’s a reason the WP Vodacome Cup team is being so roundly criticised for their lack of attacking prowess and inability to pick up a bonus point? It all starts with their no 10.
Tim Whitehead is by far the best option. Keep our flyhalf where he is and bring in a phenomenally talented player.
17 Mar 2010, 11:02 am
I can’t wait for Whitehead to perform well on his debut, the Stormers to win and pick up 5 points and Keo to STILL write an article criticising the decision.
17 Mar 2010, 11:07 am
@wpw: but now i saw a post earlier ..think from Grant, that said he spoke to Keo’s secretary who basically gave off the impression they cant give two hoots abt the bloggers and figures we’re mostly idiots anyways
the hits dont matter
was this accurate?
17 Mar 2010, 11:09 am
but wot happens then if grant gets injured?
their depth is lacking innit?
17 Mar 2010, 11:14 am
How much more risky is it to play a young, highly-rated, talented, solid rookie in his favoured position than a 34 year old, slow, “solid” kicking flyhalf that’s been out injured for ages and played no more than VC this year but has S14 experience?
AC is right, “good enough is old enough”.
And Whitehead is good. Have any of those commenting on him actually ever watched him? I for one am quite excited at the prospect. Sure, it’s a risk, but that’s where it’s down to AC and co to balance things properly on game day. If young Tim is not firing, then pull him and you can still play De Waal and Grant, but it’s far less diruptive and risky to make one change than 2 to your staring lineup.
17 Mar 2010, 11:17 am
@Vetkoek: its as simple as following the bulls formula and not **** muir/plums shifting of players
players lose confidence when that happens
its psycholgical
look at pienaar
EISH
17 Mar 2010, 11:19 am
@Papoose:
Lionel Cronje really stuffed up.
We need quality back up and he has looked good since arriving in CT.
17 Mar 2010, 11:20 am
@Papoose: Agreed and Grant is no exception to that. A few years back, he was being touted as a potential Bok 10. Then a dip in form, coupled with a lack of 12′s and suddenly he was being shifted around from 10 to 12 to bench.
Now he’s back at 10, looking good and looking happy and people want to move him around again?
If it ain’t broke.
17 Mar 2010, 11:24 am
@Vetkoek:
I think De Waal is 31 now.
I do agree though. We should rather give the youngster a go!!!
If he does well then we will have loads of depth at 12/13
Fourie
De Jongh
JDV (if he returns)
Whitehead
Des Fountain
Frikkie
Newman
17 Mar 2010, 11:27 am
@Vetkoek:
I think PDV made a HUGE mistake by selecting Ruan Pienaar at 10 for the Boks.
Peter Grant was our best 10 during the 2008 S14 and should have been in the Bok squad but PDV chose Butch James and Ruan as his flyhalves.
Grant is good enough to play for the Boks and he is by far a better 10 than Ruan!!!
17 Mar 2010, 11:28 am
@Vetkoek: 71
Agree
17 Mar 2010, 11:59 am
“It seems” ??? The standard of “journalism” on this site would make a tabloid writer blush. Come on JC, tighten up man!
Gavin Rich on Supersport:
“Peter Grant has really been playing well for us at flyhalf so I think we will only make the one change if it is necessary to do so because of injury,” said Coetzee.
17 Mar 2010, 12:12 pm
@Michael:
If AC said that, then I’m in full agreement with him.
Grant has done well so far and deserves to stay at 10. No need to mess him around just because we need a 12. There are other players available for that position. Choose one of them.
17 Mar 2010, 12:20 pm
Here’s Rugby 365.com’s team of the week. An interresting suggestion made on the site is to have a “plonkers” team of the week. That should get some (more) lively debate going here: any ideas?
Rugby365.com’s team of the week:
15 – Israel Dagg (Highlanders):
He showed how to live off scraps and is a master of making something out of nothing.
Bubbling under: Joe Pietersen (Stormers)
14 – Sireli Naqelevuki (Stormers):
It was indeed a close call – brute force against blistering pace. We opted for Naqelevuki after once again looking at his collision with Cory Jane – it was brutal.
Bubbling under: Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls)
13 – Jaque Fourie (Stormers):
His true qualities are shining through in a winning culture and he is a vital cog in an impressive Stormers backline.
Bubbling under: Digby Ioane (Reds)
12 – Berrick Barnes (Waratahs):
He is certainly making sure he is near the front of the line for the Wallabies’ No.12 jersey.
Bubbling under: Wynand Olivier (Bulls)
11 – Drew Mitchell (Waratahs):
Yes, we know it was the kittens they played against, but he still showed some blistering finishing qualities.
Bubbling under: Zac Guildford (Crusaders)
10 – Quade Cooper (Reds):
He does still have a tendency to be over-elaborate, such as his one-handed goose-step knock-on. But without doubt the standout flyhalf of the weekend.
Bubbling under: Morné Steyn (Bulls)
9 – Fourie du Preez (Bulls):
Without peer in the No.9 jersey.
Bubbling under: Kahn Fotuali’i (Crusaders)
8 – Pierre Spies (Bulls):
Teams must have nightmares about Spies when they know their next opponents are the Bulls.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (Crusaders)
7 – Francois Louw (Stormers):
One of the most underrated loose forwards in the competition.
Bubbling under: Daniel Braid (Reds)
6 – Scott Higginbotham (Reds):
Another man that moves his huge frame around the park like a midfielder.
Bubbling under: Schalk Burger (Stormers)
5 – Andries Bekker (Stormers):
He’s adding a physical edge to his game – which is handy when you already have plenty of skill and pace.
Bubbling under: Isaac Ross (Crusaders)
4 – Dean Mumm (Waratahs):
Again, it was the kittens, but Mumm was a monster.
Bubbling under: Anton van Zyl (Stormers)
3 – Owen Franks (Crusaders):
He would have earned a few ticks of approval from the All Black selectors.
Bubbling under: Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes)
2 – Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs):
Ditto numbers 11 and four.
Bubbling under: Tiaan Liebenberg (Stormers)
1 – Ben Alexander (Brumbies):
It was his general play, more than his scrumming ability, that won him our vote.
Bubbling under: Gurthrö Steenkamp (Bulls)
17 Mar 2010, 12:26 pm
77. Who chose that team – Bob Skinstad?
17 Mar 2010, 12:29 pm
The value of having the Kings/Spears franchise can not be more stated, all these boys wouldn’t have left the SEC
6. Luke Watson, Keegan Daniels
7. Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann
8. Kankowski
9. Kockott
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Jongi Nokwe
12. Tim Whitehead
13. Lionel Mapoe
14. Bjorn Basson
15. Zane Kirchner
17 Mar 2010, 12:33 pm
There are a few journalists, and they aggregate their choices. here are the individual selections:
Len Kaplan XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Smith, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Alexander.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Ben Alexander.
Tim Hancox XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Alexander.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Ben Alexander.
17 Mar 2010, 12:33 pm
@XhosaKid: 79. What makes you think that if there was a Kings/Spears franchise, they all would not have left the SEC?
Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side.
17 Mar 2010, 12:33 pm
“It’s believed the Stormers coaches don’t want to play De Waal at No 10, as his strengths are not with ball in hand.”
if they don’t want him at 10 wtf is he doing in cape town?
17 Mar 2010, 12:34 pm
@XhosaKid:Yeah like all the guys left the Free State because there wasn’t a Super 14 team there either…
17 Mar 2010, 12:40 pm
Whitehead is set to start – there is not much doubt.
He is a good player – Not nearly as good as Paul Bosch or Juan de Jongh, but should hopefully be OK against the Cheetahs.
I do not agree that Grant is playing so well this year – he had one very good match against the Canes, before that he was average and his tactical kicking against the Brumbies was nothing short of woeful.
In previous seasons (And against the Brumbies this year) he failed time and again when up against teams with good kicking games and organised defences when his predictability on the attack and below average ability as a tactical and line kicker was exposed.
There is no reason why it will not happen again later this year when he plays against teams like the Crusaders and Bulls (Carter and Steyn) for example.
17 Mar 2010, 12:42 pm
@Heavens Game: Simply, look at the difference the Warriors cricket franchise has had as opposed to EP and Border cricket individually, do you think SEC school boys are dreaming of playing for the Dolphins, Lions, Eagles or Titans, the answer is NO, they are happy to stay and play in the region and thats what a professional franchise brings to the region.
Colin Ingram, Wayne Parnell, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Jon Jon Smuts, Colin Ackermann, Rusty Theron and Johan Botha would have left SEC if there was no franchise in the region, Boucher did but now he is back and brought along his mate Kallis
17 Mar 2010, 12:43 pm
@Heavens Game: the grass is greener in the SEC, just ask Kallis
17 Mar 2010, 12:45 pm
@XhosaKid: that’s about the only thing ep has going for it, and if that was such an attraction the h gibbs would have been there long ago.
17 Mar 2010, 12:49 pm
@XhosaKid: 86. Grass as in Boom?
17 Mar 2010, 12:49 pm
@XhosaKid: 85. Its just not cricket…
17 Mar 2010, 12:51 pm
@XhosaKid:
The warriors did brilliantly but they must thank Shukri Conrad for chasing Kallis,Prince and Boucher away from the Cobras.
If there was ever a blind move by any coach in any sporting discipline then that takes the cake.
17 Mar 2010, 12:53 pm
@the peanut gallery: My sentiments exactly. I am thankful that the power that be realized that he is not what we want at 10. Maybe the Cheetahs want him back?
17 Mar 2010, 13:01 pm
@GI POT:
@the peanut gallery:
The Stormers braintrust sang a different tune as short as a month ago when they were quoted that he only needs to regain his match sharpness to make it back into the team.
I am not sure what made them change their minds during the last month but it was certainly not something de Waal did.
I would like to see how Grant performs behind the Wp vodacom cup tight forwards who is giving a new meaning to the concept of Turbo reversing.
17 Mar 2010, 13:08 pm
@the peanut gallery:now who would the warriors rather have jaque kallis or herschelle gibbs?
@Robzim: who is “Jonkwe” is he like Brangelina?
17 Mar 2010, 13:11 pm
@GI POT:
Rassie signed De Waal didn’t he??
The fact that WDW is not getting an opportunity proves that Allister and his assistants are the ones calling the shots!!!
17 Mar 2010, 13:12 pm
@Robzim: #90 was content with taking “greener pasture seeking” boys like monde zondeki & robin petersien from SEC
17 Mar 2010, 13:12 pm
Robzim
Shukri must still have nightmares about that ..
Russel Domingo drinking champers out of two limited overs trophies wearing nothing but a warriors trophy …
I think they should call the rugby franchise the warriors as well. Success breeds success..
17 Mar 2010, 13:14 pm
@the peanut gallery: what does gauteng have that is so wonderful? Then bizhub lions & the golden lions? Pfffft!
17 Mar 2010, 13:17 pm
@gunther:
Did you hear that Niel McKenzie rejected a contract offer from the Cobras!!
Thank goodness!!!
Now all we need is for Shukri to get fired and we’ll recruit Domingo from the Warriors!!!
17 Mar 2010, 13:17 pm
Transie
He is Marius Jonker’s and Jongi Nokwe’s love child..
17 Mar 2010, 13:21 pm
I’m sorry this article is as braindead as they come.I really didnt think you guys could top yourselves after the absolute rubbish that has been written about the stormers ( and the bulls) but this just takes the cake. Has anyone from this site watched de waal play vodacom cup this year? Obviously not. Even making allowances for his pack, he has been atrocious. Not to mention that to call de Waal a weak link in the defence would be laughably understated.
To remove Peter Grant from flyhalf would annihilate all the progress this backline has made. Grant is far and away the best flyhalf in this country (miles better than the massively overrated Morne Steyn who is protected by the worlds best scrumhalf and who is going to get exposed as soon as he leaves Loftus, just like he was on last years overseas tour).
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