Dobson reveals the type of lock that will replace France-bound Moerat
Departures and injuries are forcing the Stormers to go into the ‘transfer market’ to replenish their second row stock for next season.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson confirmed that he is speaking to a ‘potential replacement’ for France-bound Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden.
The second row crisis has been exacerbated by the injury to stalwart lock JD Schickerling, who has been ruled out for up to six months.
He suffered a knee injury in last week’s heartbreaking 24-33 loss to Irish province Connacht in Cape Town.
Schickerling, 30, has been a mainstay for the second-placed Stormers during a period when they were struggling with second row resources.
Injuries to first-choice locks Ruben van Heerden and captain Salmaan Moerat left Schickerling and Adré Smith as their frontline selections.
Montpellier-bound Van Heerden only recently returned from injury, while Moerat, who has signed with French powerhouse La Rochelle, will hopefully be back in time for the URC play-offs.
Connor Evans, Gary Porter and Springbok utility Ben-Jason Dixon are alternative options in the second row.
“It really worked well for us at the start of the season, when we had the four, or five locks, including Connor [Evans],” he said of their eight-match winning streak at the start of the URC season, which included keeping Leinster and Scarlets scoreless, while also winning away against Munster.
“I thought we had a template,” Dobson said, adding: “It was not original. The Springboks had been doing it for a while.
“When you go six-two [bench split], and you have two loose forwards among the replacements, the traditional model, then you must have high-engine players like Evan Roos, Paul de Villiers and Ben-Jason Dixon.
“One of those loose forwards will just be sitting there.
“With the locks, and locks do get tired.
“[The matches against] Munster and Bayonne are good examples, when we brought JD Schickerling and Adré Smith on.
“Not many teams can bring an Adré Smith or JD Schickerling off the bench to make a difference.
“I also don’t think it is coincidental that our slump against the Sharks was when Moon [Moerat] and Ruben [van Heerden] were gone.
“Connor [Evans] is a guy who is going to come [through], and we really need to develop Connor quickly now.
“Those injuries [to Moerat and Van Heerden] were a big blow to us.”
(WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson discusses his declining second row stocks…..)
The Stormers boss expressed his relief that Van Heerden returned this week, and Moerat is expected back before the play-offs as well.
Turning to the need for a replacement lock, Dobson said it will have to be a ‘high-quality’ recruit.
“I didn’t expect Salmaan [Moerat] to go so early,” he said of the captain’s departure to France.
“I didn’t want him to go, but the opportunity – when you take out a calculator and realise what that can do – can’t be ignored.
“He is still under contract, and we were within our rights to keep him.
“However, that is not who we are.”
While the Stormers’ front row roster is “fantastic” at present, the second row injuries are having the team “on paraffin fumes”.
“Connor [Evans] and Gary [Porter] have to step up.
“We are looking [to recruit], but we don’t want to bring in a journeyman.
“What do you say to Connor and Gary if you bring in an average lock.
“The guy who comes in has to be Salmaan’s or Ruben’s level.
“That is not easy to find, especially not this late [in the season].
“There is one guy I am chatting to, but I can’t reveal his name now.
“I have to be cautious around the guys in the system.
“There is also [Baby Bok captain] Riley Norton, who is good. He will come through.
“We can also move BJ [Ben-Jason Dixon] into the second row.
“Keke Morabe and Ruan Ackermann will be back next season.
“We can also say to BJ next year he is going to play lock.
“We are having a look at another lock, but it has to be a difference maker.”
@JanDKrugby
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