Eyes on Taute at centre stage

 

The former Lions man has long been regarded as an out-and-out fullback making only brief appearances in the centre when needed – as he did when covering for the injured Frans Steyn against Australia in 2012 for the Springboks.

 

However, in the Province camp he has found his usual No.15 jumper occupied by the ever-impressing Cheslin Kolbe, he has now been forced to take up the vacant No.12 jersey as he makes his way back into the starting line-up after an injury and compassionate leave.

 

The opportunity arose for Taute when a hamstring injury to Michael van der Spuy against the Lions left a vacancy that the usual fullback could fill – having played there before. 

 

“I played at inside centre before for the Lions, and also earlier in my career," Taute said.

 

"I’m familiar with the position and enjoy playing it so I am very excited.

 

“I like playing both centre and fullback, I feel equally at home in both, and feel I can perform in both.”

 

Taute possesses many of the skills and attributes to make him a quality centre – he has the size and build to control and dominate that channel, but for backline coach Robbie Fleck, there is more to him than size.

 

“One of Jaco’s core skills is that he’s extremely strong at the breakdown,” added Fleck.

 

“He made a great hit on [Lions centre] Howard Mnisi and then powered through the breakdown.”

 

“His organisation skills are a real plus for us.

 

“He is also an excellent communicator to the guys around him, and that’s a key point for us going forward.

 

“Jaco is clearly a strong ball-carrier and he gets in there and secures good clean ball, because he’s very strong on the deck.

 

However, it was not all praise and worship from the backline coach who also noted an important aspect of centre play that Taute will need to personally sure up.

 

“There are a few things that he will still need to work on,” admitted Fleck.

 

Jaco will have to get used to defending in that channel, but in those 20 minutes [against the Lions as a replacement] he made some decent hits there.

 

“But overall, I think No.12 is going to be an easy transition for Jaco.

 

"He invariably shifted to first or second receiver for us in Super Rugby, so it’s something he’s used to and it’s technically not such a big jump.”

 

For Taute, it seems that the move to the centres will not cause to much of an issue for him as he looks to become more versatile to the teams needs.

 

“The way the team is playing now, I have a chance to play inside centre and I will seize it with both hands.”

 

“I've realised that the way we’re currently playing, I’m needed at No.12.”

 

The Bulls will host Western Province, two weeks after receiving a humbling from the at Newlands, at Loftus on Saturday with coach Allister Coetzee hopeful of retaining his unbeaten record for the season.