Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee was taking Ulster and Ireland midfielder Stuart McCloskey for coffee on Thursday afternoon.
On Saturday he’ll be lining his old friend up as the Bulls take on the visitors in a URC showdown at Loftus.
It’s been five years since Coetzee earned hero status playing for Ulster, but the Bulls captain is still friends with many Ulstermen and has fond memories of his time there.
Coetzee has since built up a firm following in Bulls country, where locals have come to enjoy his head-down, no-nonsense style of play.
He’s back to captain the team after a brief absence and is looking forward to getting stuck in.
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“It’s been a while since I’ve been there [Belfast] and a lot has changed, but the style they bring, how they play, and how they approach the game are quite similar,” Coetzee told the media at Loftus.
“The chirping has already started from some of my friends in the camp, but it’s all good sport off the field.
“Like the coach [Johan Ackermann] said, we have good momentum on our side, and we want to make Loftus very special for the people coming. We’ll give them respect by giving our best this weekend.”
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Coetzee has no qualms with the Bulls’ rotation system, noting that the long season made it necessary.
“If you can have fresh bodies towards the end, that goes a long way. In terms of communication with the coaches, we know where we stand and when we’ll get our opportunity.
“It’s about sharing the load together, but at the same time the opportunity you’re given, you have to make the most of, because of the exceptional talent we have in the squad at the moment. It forces you to be at your best.
“Combinations will come into play later, but it’s all about building continuity so there’s no disruption.”
Acknowledging his veteran status – he recently marked his 18th year of first-class pre-season training – Coetzee insisted he still harboured ambitions. He noted that the Bulls had come close to winning the URC title and he’d like to be part of the team taking the critical final step.
Third on the URC standings, the Bulls are well placed, but old hand Coetzee knows there’s a long, hard road still to come.
Photo: Vodacom Bulls
The post Coffee first, collisions later for Coetzee appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee was taking Ulster and Ireland midfielder Stuart McCloskey for coffee on Thursday afternoon.
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