John Dobson says the Stormers didn’t want to wait any longer to expose Haashim Pead in Saturday’s derby, while explaining Warrick Gelant’s huge role this season.
Pead is set to make his Stormers debut at Cape Town Stadium in the round-three URC clash against the Sharks. Gelant has been dropped after starting in the Connacht win and defeat in Edinburgh.
Damian Willemse comes in at fullback as one of seven returning Springboks and 11 in total set to run out this week, with Dobson’s men looking to avoid a third successive defeat to their coastal rivals in the URC.
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Gelant has his critics but on Wednesday, Dobson stressed the 11-cap Bok’s importance and unseen work for the team.
“I know I’m popular for choosing Warrick at fullback and Damian at 12,” the head coach said. “Jonny Roche did really well in these two games, so we wanted to build a bit of cohesion there.
“It was actually a quick selection. Probably the biggest debate was around how to configure the bench. But the backs were very simple.
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“I’ve got a lot of faith in Boogie,” Dobson added. “The truth is, we haven’t brought JC Mars through. Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] and Damian are both options at 15, but when they’re with the Springboks, we need somebody who can make things happen.
“Warrick has made a couple of mistakes, but this pre-season he’s dropped his skinfolds down and got himself into good condition.
“He did make some errors against Connacht, but I think what people don’t understand with Boogie is his positional play, the way he understands the game, the way he talks and the way he contests. It’s the dark stuff he’s actually done – the unseen stuff.
“I’ve got no doubt there’s going to be a better Warrick this season than last season.
“I’m aware that people think we’ve got a soft spot for him, but I’d like to know who else is there when Sacha and Damian aren’t available. His body of work with us is good. He’s a Springbok.”
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Pead signed a four-year deal last month after the Lions agreed to release him, and will deputise for two-time World Cup winner Cobus Reinach on Saturday.
“We went to a lot of trouble to get him,” Dobson said. “He’s world-class … I don’t want to use that term glibly, but he’s a high-quality player.
“With all respect to Stef [Ungerer] and André [Warner], Haashim is the future. The quicker we get him on the field and develop him, the better.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Dobbo on Gelant omission, Pead’s future appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
John Dobson says the Stormers didn’t want to wait any longer to expose Haashim Pead in Saturday’s derby, while explaining Warrick Gelant’s huge role this season.
The post Dobbo on Gelant omission, Pead’s future appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
