Stormers invite three young players – Super Rugby update
Allister Coetzee the Stormers coach has crushed the assumptions and all the myths that he has never bridged the young blood to the professional level.
Critics said that Coetzee is scared of supporting young players, but the coach nullified all suppositions by taking three young individual in Stormers squad for the opening clash for Vodacom Super Rugby on Saturday against Lions at Newlands.
It was a big question mark revolving all week, whether Coetzee would go for Peter Grant as a fly half or would make a difference this time. Peter Grant just returned from Japan with Springboks after a successful tour. Coetzee brought in the star of last
season’s under-21 Western Province, Gary van Aswegen as a backline specialist.
Danie Poolman, another Western Province star from under-21 has been brought in by Coetzee as a wing. On the second row, Andries Bekker will be joined by Rynhardt Elstadt, who was a part of a few matches last season for Western Province in Currie Cup. Elstadt
has been brought in as a blindside flanker.
All the three players will be joining in with former Cheetas player and a Springbok, CJ van der Linde, as debutants for Stormers on Saturday in Super Rugby clash.
Schalk Burger, the Stormers captain said, “It’s very exhilarating to have fresh players coming in and it helps keep everybody revitalized. It is similar as last year when we had Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana joining us.”
Coetzee seems happy with these new entries and has full confidence that his young players will bring out the best and do what they are expected to do. Coetzee is impressed by the youngster’s calmness and maturity in the pre-season clashes. The key point
that attracted everyone was the ability of these young players to tackle pressure and staying intact with the basics.
Coetzee said, “Apparently the big assessment will come on Saturday, but I am certain that all the players will come through. We have a thrilling new age band of young players coming through and these players are all part of that.”
Coetzee must be having a huge heart for accepting a player who just made it at under-21 level 18 months ago. The 21 year old Elstadt has also got an offer from Saracens, which e might consider in future.
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