Blindside gap for Rhodes

 

The Stormers utility forward's versatility has meant that he has battled to get an extended run in any one position, switching regularly between the side of the scrum and lock in a career that has seen him play for the Sharks, Lions and Stormers.

 

Last season the Stormers suffered a crisis at lock and he found himself stepping up in the second row as the Cape side made some steady improvements following a nightmare start to the season.

 

This year however, it looks as though he will finally get a chance to play in his preferred position of blindside flank, with Schalk Burger's return date from Japan uncertain and a lack of direct competitors in the current squad.

 

Rynhardt Elstadt is his most obvious threat, but he was used at openside in the Currie Cup last year and finds himself in the No.6 jersey again for the warm-up game against South Western Districts on Saturday.

 

The other flanks in the squad – Nizaam Carr, Siya Kolisi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe – are all opensides, which means that Rhodes is likely to get some meaningful game-time in the No.7 jersey.

 

Rhodes is looking forward to teaming up with Elstadt and Duane Vermeulen on Saturday, and expressed his preference to playing in a big, bruising loose trio that will physically dominate the opposition.

 

"All three of us like to carry the ball and get our hands on the ball. We are quite good in the air when it comes to the line-outs so hopefully we can take advantage of that and set that up going into the competition.

 

"It is always nice to play with someone like Duane who had a great season last year and Rynhardt has been in good form as well.

 

"I really look forward to the combination and I think it is one that really could work throughout the compeitition, having three big loose forwards is obviously great from a ball-carrying aspect," he said.

 

Although not known for his prowess at the breakdown, Rhodes said that he has taken some valuable insights from Springbok breakdown specialist Richie Gray who visited the Stormers recently.

 

"We have all been working with Richie Gray so in general play we have all got to make decisions at the breakdown about attacking that ball on defence and attack, so we have got to put into practice what we have learned and make it work.

 

"We have learned a lot, he has brought a new energy and emphasis on the breakdown that perhaps we might have lacked at stages last year. Some fresh ideas that have got the guys thinking about things from a different angle.

 

"You can always work on different aspects of your game and an aspect of mine that does need work is stealing, generally the taller you are the less of a threat you are at the breakdown and Richie actually worked with a couple of us personally to give us that ability and things for us to work on so he has definitely helped me," he explained.

 

Having three big loose forwards such as the Stormers trio that will take the field in George may not be the answer against all teams, but whoever partners him on the other side of the scrum Rhodes should get the opportunity to show just how good he is in the next few weeks.