Fourie's real value to Stormers: Knowing how to handle the refs
When Deon André Fourie was recalled to the Stormers’ set-up, it raised some eyebrows outside Cape Town.
However, 11 matches into the season and sitting pretty in the top eight, the Stormers already have a good return on their investment on the utility forward.
Fourie, who captained Western Province to Currie Cup title in 2012, lead the Stormers to a 55-7 demolition job of Italian outfit Zebre in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round Six match in Stellenbosch this past Sunday.
He took over the captaincy armband with regular skippers Steven Kitshoff rested and Salmaan Moerat injured.
Not only has his general play been of the highest standard throughout the season, but his experience has shone through.
The 35-year-old admitted that learning to “handle the referees” is one of the biggest lessons he brought home with him from his seven years in France – where he played 90-odd games for Lyon and more than 40 for Grenoble.
“The European refs – especially in France – are a bit more difficult, strict on the tackle area,” the utility forward said.
“It is always 50-50 there [in France].
“In the seven years I was there, I learned to read the game well and you have to read the referee as well.
“If you make a decision, you have to ensure it is the right decision, otherwise you will put your team and yourself on the backfoot.”
He said he is looking forward to playing at the Cape Town Stadium, when the Stormers host Cardiff in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round Seven match this coming Sunday.
However, having played at the Danie Craven Stadium, where his career started as a junior almost two decades ago, was a very special occasion for him.
“We want to fill out the Cape Town Stadium,” he said, adding: “We want to fill that stadium up with the faithful.
“Our plan is to play a brand of rugby that excites the people of Cape Town, so that they support and come and watch us again.
“We are on the right track.”
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* Meanwhile coach John Dobson admitted that young hooker Andre-Hugo Venter is in facing a possible long injury lay-off.
After coming on at half-time in Stellenbosch, Venter was assisted from the field in the 65th minute with an ankle injury.
The coach said it “looks pretty serious”.
“We wanted to give him a reasonable amount of game time,” Dobson said, adding: “He will have to undergo a scan, but it looks consequential.
“It is a pity,” he said of the talented 19-year-old.
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* Photo credit: Anton Geyser, @THESTORMERS
