Stormers coach John Dobson says Damian Willemse will have a crucial role to play against Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
Dobson acknowledged that moving Willemse from fullback to the right wing was likely to attract criticism from some quarters, but made it clear the decision was collaborative – and heavily influenced by the Springbok himself – with the Stormers clearly expecting an aerial bombardment.
“It was a collaboration with Damian,” said Dobson. “He looked at how Edinburgh play and what they bring, and he actually came to us and said, ‘What are we going to do about it?’
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“We’re expecting a very big contestable kicking game. Edinburgh [13th on the log] are in last-chance saloon and I think if you come to play the Stormers at seven o’clock at night in autumn, it’s going in the air. And that’s what we have to be ready for.
“The high ball was a big factor and there is nobody better than Damian in that role.”
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Captain Ruhan Nel echoed that sentiment.
“He’s probably one of the best in the world under the high ball,” Nel said. “From a wing perspective, that’s massive for us.
“He was really keen to play there this week. And when you’ve got a player of that quality, it benefits everyone around him.”
Dobson added that recent tactical tweaks to the Stormers’ kicking structure have made back-three roles more interchangeable.
“It’s not the traditional picture anymore,” he said. “There’s more responsibility on the wings in those aerial contests.”
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Dobson also pointed to the changing game as contestable kicks become an evermore important part of rugby.
“We saw the stats from the World Rugby conference which showed a 14% increase in contested kicks over the last year,” he said. “And we’ve seen from the Six Nations, the transitions over scraps and with balls bouncing around there.”
Dobson added that how the ball falls, how teams control the ball around the fall and how they play out from there are crucial in the modern game.
Beyond his aerial ability, Willemse’s physicality and versatility also influenced the selection.
“He’s strong enough to hold the ball up, to act as a second receiver,” said Dobson. “In these conditions, it’s not always about going wide, it becomes more direct.”
Ultimately, Dobson believes Willemse’s attitude embodies the Stormers’ ethos.
“He’s one of those players who will play wherever the team needs him,” he said. “He’s completely bought into the plan.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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Stormers coach John Dobson says Damian Willemse will have a crucial role to play against Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday.
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