Dobson reveals 'flash points' for Stormers
PRE-SEASON BUILD-UP: The departure of World Cup-winning Springbok Damian de Allende and Dan Kriel has left the Stormers in a pickle.
Stormers coach John Dobson admitted midfield is one of two ‘flash points’ for his team, as they step up their pre-season preparations.
“We are little bit thin at centre,” was the candid statement by Dobson, when addressing a media briefing at the team’s training base in Bellville.
“We have two really good youngsters in Matt Moore and Rikus Pretorius. Also, there is Daniël du Plessis and Ruhan Nel.
“[However,] Ruhan might be going [with the national Sevens team] to Tokyo for the Olympics,”the Stormers coach added.
De Allende has moved to the Wild Knights in Japan and Kriel joined the Ellis Park-based Lions.
Moore was recruited to the Munster academy straight out of school two years ago, but has returned to South Africa and joined the Cape Town outfit.
Pretorius is a product of Grey College. He has been part of the broader Stormers training squad since 2018 and played for the SA Under-20 squad in 2018 and 2019 – as vice-captain this year. He made his Western Province debut in the Currie Cup against the Cheetahs in August.
*Article continues below…
The other ‘flash point’ is scrumhalf.
“We also don’t have a proven Super Rugby back-up No.9,” the coach said.
“Herschel [Jantjies] has become one.
“We might look at keeping Jano [Vermaak] on in some capacity.”
“The pack is really well resourced,” Dobson said, adding: “The back three [is also] really well resourced.
“At flyhalf we have Damian [Willemse], JL [Jean-Luc du Plessis] and Leggit [Dillyn Leyds] can cover there.
“There is a youngster called David Kriel, who reminds me of a young Pieter Rossouw,” he said of the Grey College-schooled back who played fullback for WP in the Under-19 Final against the Blue Bulls earlier this year.
“He is a really good player.
“Super Rugby may not be ideal for him just yet next year.
“[However,] he is going to be special, properly special.
“We always have the option of David going to No.15 and Leggit moving up [to No.10].
“It is not the best kicking game in the world, but I don’t think we have the best kicking game in the world anyway.”
(Watch from six minutes 10 seconds on video)
@king365ed
@rugby365com
Related articles
VIDEO: Stormers star’s career in the balance
VIDEO: Dobson discusses his Siya conundrum
Stormers star joins European exodus
Bok prop in talks with Lions
How Super Rugby’s value continues to plummet
Five Super questions for Kiwis
