Coetzee: Nemo needs a break
Western Province coach Allister Coetzee feels star loose forward Nizaam Carr is in desperate need of some down time.
Coetzee, speaking to a media scrum in the wake of his team's 27-14 Currie Cup victory over the Golden Lions at the weekend, said that player management will be key as the competition progresses.
While Coetzee stopped short of saying he will give Carr a break against the Bulls this coming Saturday, he made it clear the No.8 was taken off in the second half at Newlands to give him a breather.
"Nizaam is all good, it is just a matter of making sure Nemo [Carr] got a bit of a break," Coetzee said of the decision to send Rynhardt Elstadt on for Carr in the 65th minute.
"He has gone through a lot of work and has played through Super Rugby without a rest," the coach said of the No.8.
"With Rynhardt [Elstadt] coming back [from injury] it was important to give Nizaam that 10 minutes [break]."
Coetzee said there are no major injuries and that while hooker Stephan Coetzee has a "little bit of an ankle injury", it is not major issue.
"Hopefully he'll be fine by Monday."
The coach said fullback Cheslin Kolbe is also fine after taking a heavy knock.
Another player who has come into the spotlight and performed like a star at the weekend is discarded Springbok flank Siya Kolisi.
Kolisi poached valuable turn-over ball as well as slowing down the Lions' recycling efforts at the breakdown.
"Sometimes players bring something different to the breakdown," Coetzee said of the flank, who was axed from the Bok squad when he lost form during the Super Rugby season.
"It is not always just about going in there and stealing the ball," the coach said, adding: "It is bringing a different skill, like we had with Deon Fourie.
"We are still turning balls over, but it is what Siya brings to the party in [terms of] counter-rucking and have the good decision-making about when to counter ruck or go for turnovers.
"His game is improving immensely. It is a matter of starting regularly and he has got the backing from us – he knows we understand his ability and we want to get him back to his best."
