Rhodes' Du Plessis battle

 

Michael Rhodes, after covering lock for most of the Super Rugby for the Stormers due to numerous injuries in the position, has found his home at blindside flank for Western Province.

 

The role on the side of the scrum is something that Rhodes is savouring, especially with the Province attacking game plan and his ball carrying abilities.

 

"It is my preferred possession and it is good to be back there," Rhodes said ahead of their match against the Blue Bulls at Loftus this weekend.

 

"We are getting more ball to run with and in that, we are trying to be more dynamic, so it is nice to get your hands on the ball a bit more often and get stuck in on attack."

 

Rhodes' role on the side of the scrum means that he will have a defensive duty to do over the Bulls main strike runner – Jacques du Plessis.

 

At 2.01 metres tall and 119 kilograms, Du Plessis has almost 10 kilograms and five centimetres on the Province man, but that is not deterring Rhodes.

 

He [Du Plessis] has come back from injury and they seem quite gad to have him back," Rhodes said of his opposite number for the weekend.

 

"Jacques is definitely their main sort of strike runner, and like I have said before, it is about the gain line.

 

"We have to stop him and the ball on the gain line, that will be our job as a pack of forwards and especially as loose forwards.

 

"We know he will be coming around the corner and getting himself into the game quite early – we will have to deal with him.

 

Although Rhodes will be up against Du Plessis on defence, he knows that his compatriots in the loose forwards will be on hand to lend a hand.

 

"I am enjoying playing with the other guys," Rhodes continued.

 

"Nemo [Nizaam Carr] is a great runner and great at linking with the backs and running good lines.

 

"Siya [Kolisi] is great at the breakdown and last week I think he had an awesome game, he is improving game by game especially at competing at the break down.

 

"I am more of the ball caring loose forward, so it [the balance of the loose trio] is working well. 

 

"We are good mates off the field which always helps so I think we have a good combination going."

 

Western Province will be playing the Bulls for the second time in two weeks after they put the men from Pretoria to the sword at Newlands, thumping them 41-17 in Round Two.