Eben does far more than donkey work
EBEN ETZEBETH insists that he is still the enforcer of the Stormers pack and not “the lineout tactician” everybody is going on about.
|||John Goliath
EBEN ETZEBETH insists that he is still the enforcer of the Stormers pack and not “the lineout tactician” everybody is going on about.
When Etzebeth speaks you normally listen, because the man is huge. In other words, if this guy smacks you, your grandchildren will be born with a bloody nose.
But the stats don’t back up the Springbok lock’s claims that he is just on the field to do the donkey work. At the moment, Etzebeth is the best lineout forward in Super Rugby.
He stole a couple of balls against the Bulls two weeks ago, and burgled three against the Cheetahs on Saturday. He also took more than his fair share of balls when the Stormers’ hookers fed the lineout.
Etzebeth and second-row partner Pieter-Steph du Toit are becoming quite the combination, as Du Toit also stole three of the Cheetahs’ balls at lineout time.
“We work a lot on the contesting with coach Russell Winter. It’s team effort from all the forwards, Nizaam (Carr) and Schalk (Burger) also play a big role. Pieter-Steph and I are just happy to go up for the ball,” Etzebeth said yesterday.
“We have our ball where we want to contest a little bit more than others. We decide in the week before the game where and when we want to target them.
“I personally think I play the same role. Pieter-Steph takes charge of the lineouts. I think with him here, and the new system working well, that’s why I look like a new tactician!”
His work-rate has also been phenomenal, as he has tackled, carried and even offloaded in the tackle. For a guy who hasn’t had a proper off-season after the World Cup – following his stint in Japan – that is something out of this world.
We are also seeing a more mature Etzebeth, who is biting his lip a lot more these days rather than getting into scuffles. He had to restrain himself on the weekend when the Cheetahs tried to ruck his hands off the ball. It looked like the big guy was steaming on the inside, but he managed to keep it together on the field.
“I’m just trying to give my best,” Etzebeth said. “But it’s always great to play on Saturday at Newlands or anywhere else. I’ve been playing rugby since I was six years old and I enjoy every moment.”
Meanwhile, Stormers flyhalf Robert du Preez has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks after suffering a knee injury against the Cheetahs.
Kurt Coleman will start at No 10 against the Sharks on Saturday after a lively cameo against in Bloemfontein, which also included a three-out-of-three attempts at goal.
Former Baby Bok flyhalf Brandon Thomson or Jean-Luc du Plessis, son of Western Province legend Carel, will be on the bench for the Stormers.
“I’m very happy with Kurt. He literally just got on and he had a really tough penalty that he had to slot over. Credit to him, he showed a lot of guts,” Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said.
“Last year was a big scar for him emotionally and he overcame that. He hasn’t played a lot of rugger this season, but he had some neat touches. It’s all about getting back on the horse. For him it’s important that he gets his rhythm back and his confidence back.”
While Fleck may rotate his front row this weekend, he will be thinking heavily about the left wing position.
Leolin Zas took his chance against the Cheetahs after Kobus van Wyk injured his ankle against the Bulls. Van Wyk, though, is fit again.
“If the team is performing on a consistent basis then selections are quite easy,” Fleck said.