Stormers coach reveals Leolin Zas' replacement for URC Final
SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson is confident he has the right man to fill Leolin Zas’ boots for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Final against the Bulls.
The URC’s top try-scorer limped off the field a couple of minutes before half-time in his team’s 17-15 semifinal win over Ulster last weekend.
Zas was seen walking with crutches after the game and in the post-match press conference, Dobson revealed that the 26-year-old was going to be unavailable for Saturday’s Final.
On Wednesday, ahead of the team announcement on Friday, the Stormers coach revealed the man who will replace Zas in the backline.
“I don’t want to play any games. Sergeal [Petersen] will play on the wing this weekend,” said Dobson.
“Warrick [Gelant] likes the idea of playing with Sergeal, who is a good communicator.
“What is good for me is that they are both good under the high ball.
“Warrick can pass to him and Sergeal can make a decision and he can produce some magic.
“I don’t think it’s much difference in the overall shape of the team.”
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Dobson is expecting Petersen to fit in seamlessly as he has played several URC matches for the team.
“We gave Zas a game against Zebre [in March] and he was outstanding. Sergeal was pretty much our No.1 wing until then,” Dobson added.
“My opinion is that he [Petersen] struggled a little bit at the start of the Currie Cup, but he was outstanding on Friday night in Stellenbosch [against the Sharks].”
Meanwhile, the Stormers are also set to tweak their second row after lock Adre Smith was sent off for eye-gouging in the semifinal.
“He got a red card, so he not eligible for selection until that [disciplinary] process is finished,” said the Stormers coach.
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