Stormers re-energised by return of their talisman

Deon Fourie’s value to the DHL Stormers cannot be measured just by the turnovers he forces so it is understandable that his teammates have felt re-energised by his presence in the buildup to Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the Vodacom Bulls.

Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani on Tuesday confirmed that Fourie was back in full training and has played an important part in the team’s buildup, which started last Monday, for the DHL Stadium showdown with their arch-rivals. And he added that Fourie’s return from an eye-socket injury meant more than just the return of a star player.

“It is not just Deon’s playing ability and his breakdown work that we miss when he is not there, it is also his experience and leadership,” said Hlungwani of the Stormers veteran, who led Western Province to a Currie Cup final victory in Durban as long as 11 years ago.

“Deon brings so much aside from what he gets praised for on match days and his leadership and experience and the impact he has on the players around him is something we really value.”

FOURIE’S ABSENCE WAS SORELY FELT

Indeed, Fourie’s absence was sorely felt in the three games he missed since he last played, which was the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 clash with Harlequins in Cape Town almost exactly a month ago. He was ruled out of the following week’s quarterfinal against Exeter Chiefs, where his absence was probably most keenly felt as the Stormers struggled to slow down opposition ball and thus stem the tide of the attacks from their opponents.

He was the man of the match in that game against Harlequins, and it was a game that provided a microcosm of what the Stormers would miss the following week. When he left the field six minutes from the end, the Stormers were comfortably ahead and heading to a resounding victory. They still got the win, but a bizarre three try burst from Harlequins gave them a respectability on the end scoreboard that was highly flattering to them.

COETZEE COULD MAKE DIFFERENCE TO BULLS

Back in the Supersport studio, Nick Mallett pointed to the Stormers’ inability to slow the ball down and thus get their defence aligned once Fourie went off, and those words were to prove prophetic. Fourie’s return will make a big difference, but the Bulls could also have a very influential player back in their ranks in the form of Marcel Coetzee.

The transition from Japan to the bruising physicality of a South African derby in the quarterfinal stage of a major competition might be a bit of risk for Bulls coach Jake White, and Coetzee reportedly only got back from Japan on Monday night. However, the Stormers do recognise the value of Coetzee to the Bulls, and it may be similar to that Fourie has on the Cape side.

“Marcell Coetzee is a brilliant player and he brings leadership and it will make a difference to them, but we are focusing on what we can control and we are preparing regardless of whether he plays or not. But yes, he will bring value to them if he does play,” said Hlungwani.

GOOD NEWS ON STORMERS INJURY FRONT

The good news for Stormers fans is that wing Seabelo Senatla is going to be up for selection after getting through the return to play protocols following the concussion he sustained in the final URC league match against Benetton.

“Seabelo has been training with us and he is moving quite well so he should be up for selection,” said the assistant coach.

With Senatla available a possible problem on the wing has been averted, although it remains to be seen whether head coach John Dobson will throw the fit again Leolin Zas straight into action in the starting team or play him off the bench. Angelo Davids has had a poor season but he was good against the Bulls for Western Province in the Currie Cup last weekend.

LOCK SITUATION IS STILL UNCLEAR

Hlungwani played mum when it came to the situation at lock, where the Stormers had a potential problem at the end of the Benetton game following injuries to Ruben van Heerden and Ernst van Rhyn, preferring to focus on the depth that the Stormers suddenly have available in that position rather than whether those players are ready to play.

“I wouldn’t say we have a lock problem. Did you see Dylan de Leeuw play this past weekend? We have BJ (Dixon) who has played lock before, we have Adre Smith back from injury, Connor Evans, Gary Porter has done a good job for us when he has played. I think we are now in a good position when it comes to lock,” said Hlungwani.

De Leeuw was outstanding in the Currie Cup game in his first start for WP and certainly looks like one of several young players on the Stormers books who are stars for the future, but Hlungwani said himself that you don’t change up combinations unless absolutely necessary when it comes to play-off rugby. Given the way Dobson selected the WP team for last week’s game against the Bulls, the smart money should be on one of Van Heerden or Van Rhyn, more likely the latter, and possibly even both, having recovered sufficiently to be ready to face the Bulls.

On that Currie Cup game, which WP won 31-7 with a young Currie Cup strength team pitted against some of the Bulls’ URC players, Hlungwani said it bore little relevance to this coming week’s clash.

“Obviously as we are coaching both teams we were very happy with the Currie Cup win as it brought us a very important five points on the Currie Cup log, but this week is a different challenge. Quarterfinals rugby is different and the Bulls will be coming here to prove a point.”