VIDEO: Jake White explains Moodie’s selection at wing

SPOTLIGHT: Having started four of his five United Rugby Championship matches this season in the No.13 jersey, Bulls fans may have been surprised to see that Canan Moodie had been selected to start at wing in this weekend’s URC clash against Connacht in Galway.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White says that the selection was a case of keeping continuity in his side after the Springbok players rejoined the squad.

“The last time [Moodie and Willie le Roux] played a Test together [against Scotland], one played wing and one played fullback. 

“So my thinking was to keep those two together.”

Moodie, who has also started three of his last five Test matches at outside centre, has been hailed as a future centre option for the Springboks, given the age of the current crop of centres in the squad. 

But adapting to the demands of the position, especially after an extended period of playing on the wing, takes time, White says.

“It’s not just as easy as coming in and going straight to centre.” 

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White has never shied away from the fact that he will use Moodie’s versatility – the Boland Landbou product can also play fullback – but reaffirmed his desire to give the 22-year-old time in the No.13 jersey. 

“That’s where he wants to play, not that he doesn’t want to play anywhere else, but he would like to get some game time at centre.”

The continuity White hopes to keep also has to do with the rest of his squad, who trained in set positions during the Springboks’ end-of-year-tour.

“We’ve trained with Devon [Williams] at fullback and Henry Immelman on the wing.

“So the reality was all the other players have stayed in their positions and the two guys that have arrived from the Boks setup have gone straight to the positions that they were playing last anyway.”

White says another factor in his decision was the current unavailability of wings in his squad.

“I’ve got guys like Sergeal Petersen that are coming back soon. I’ve got Stravino Jacobs who’s now come back from an injury, and Devin Williams can play wing as well.

“So it gives me an opportunity when I do that rejigging and reshuffling to move Canan to centre.”

@rugby365com