Leyds wants to run the show

 

Leyds is the Stormers' top try-scorer for Super Rugby this season notching up five of them, and plays a role on the wing while popping up at first receiver during broken play. 

 

The ability to come in the line at first receiver from an outside back position is not an uncommon trait in rugby. Springbok fullback Willie Le Roux is renowned for this sort of play. 

 

The game against the Rebels on Saturday illustrated some of Leyds' instinctive actions and ability to read play. His try from the right-hand blind scrum, saw him swerve off his wing in a timely fashion after receiving Louis Schreuder's well-weighted pass to run over for a try. 

 

His intuitive mind saw him read an intercept pass at the end of the first half to put the Stormers in a commanding position on the scoreboard.

 

Demetri Catrakilis has been impressive for the Stormers, with his boot basically having kicked them to the top of the South African Conference. But if the Stormers want to be a try-scoring machine, a pivot role may be the future for Leyds. 

 

"It is still one of my goals to play at flyhalf, but at the moment I'm just happy to play in the team," said Leyds at during a teleconference at Newlands. 

 

"If it does so happen that I get an opportunity, whenever it comes, I would take it. 

 

"I still like to think I can play flyhalf and hopefully one day it will come."

 

Leyds is not foreign to the flyhalf position. He played No.10 at school level for Bishops and for the University of Cape Town in the Varsity Cup. 

 

However he is content for now on the wing and is aware that Catrakilis is in good form. Not to mention the younger flyhalves in the Vodacom Cup side that are pushing for places.

 

"At the moment we have two very good flyhalves, and there is still Jean-Luc du Plessis and Robert du Preez at Vodacom Cup.

 

"Hopefully it is still not too long a wait and if it happens I will be happy, but at the moment I am just glad to be in the team."

 

Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck has high praises of Leyds and rates him as one of the best players this season.

 

"I think he has actually been one of our best performing backs of the season, he is a very good player and I like the fact he pops in at first receiver," said Fleck.

 

"He is all over the park looking for work."

 

Fleck made it very clear that Leyds is an option at flyhalf for the Stormers. Whether it is sooner rather than later is still the question.

 

"We certainly have [considered him at flyhalf], and that's why it is planned that he pops into that first receiver. 

 

"We want him to get there more and more, because he has such an influential part of the way we want to attack.

 

"He brings a different dimension, he likes to attack the line and he has got a good pass.

 

"Obviously its difficult to get him involved with him stuck on the wing, but we try and free him up as much as possible because he does make a difference when he gets there.

 

"We have considered playing him at No.10, there just hasn't been an opportunity for him with both our current flyhalves playing well, but the opportunity will come," explained Fleck

 

"First and foremost he has a role in the back three and a role coming in at first receiver.

 

"However should there be an injury he is certainly our next go-to guy."

 

@andrewslamdunc

@rugby365com