E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us

News

Stormers set to call on Le Roux

Monday 12th May 2008

Ollie le Roux could be called on to bolster the Stormers scrum

With the Stormers needing a bonus point victory against the Lions on Saturday to secure a Super 14 semi-final berth, coach Rassie Erasmus has wasted no time in plotting his team's strategy.

That strategy could involve employing the services of former Springbok and Leinster prop Ollie le Roux. A long time friend of Erasmus, Le Roux is set to meet with the Stormers coach on Monday to discuss his possible participation in the crucial match.

According to Super Rugby, the meeting has now been confirmed by team management though it is unlikely that Le Roux will be eligible to play in the semi-finals, should the Stormers qualify, since he has not played in any of the tournament's preceding rounds.

Erasmus last week denied rumours that he was considering asking Le Roux to play for the Cape team but a shoulder injury to prop Brok Harris now means a comeback to South African rugby is on the cards for the front-rower.

The Stormers scrum was clearly under pressure against the Waratahs last Saturday and using Le Roux would allow first-choice tighthead prop Brian Mujati to play in his preferred position.

Erasmus has admitted the Stormers' set piece wasn't up to scratch at Newlands.

"There were scrum problems. [The Waratahs] scrummed well. We struggled last week and this time we didn't dominate. They put heat on us at scrum time," Erasmus told SA Rugby.

Up against an in-form Lions pack who dominated their Chiefs counterpart last Saturday, the Stormers will have to be on top of their game.

"We know the strength of the Lions is at the breakdown," said Erasmus.

"It's going to be a huge challenge for us to play at altitude, coming in from sea level. The way the Lions played against the Chiefs (on Saturday), we know its going to be tough but it is in our hands.

"We're definitely not down and out or on the ash heap. I think we're still fourth on the log. I'm not quite sure but if we win our next game, which is going to be a helluva tough one, we can still end fourth on the log. That's not too bad."

The Stormers coach said his immediate challenge would be to plot the way forward after some of his tactics against the Waratahs didn't deliver the results he had hoped for in their 13-all draw.

"There are certain tactics we tried to utilise, and perhaps they didn't work," said Erasmus.

"I take responsibility for that.

"You can't play (open) rugby in wet weather like this. [The draw] is a relief given the difficult conditions. It's a fair result.

"I know from my playing days that to try to run in the wet at Newlands, you'll lose. The plan was to kick, and it almost worked.

"The plan was not to keep ball in hand in the second-half.

"Peter Grant's substitution after 50 minutes was purely tactical. We all know how good Tony Brown is with his tactical kicking game. He can dominate with the boot. We decided the boot was the way to go.

"At the breakdowns it was a question of whether we should play or wait for the other team to make mistakes..

"It didn't quite pan out like we would have wanted but the Waratahs have played nine of their twelve games in rain.

"It seems like the rain is following them so they were pretty used to it.

"But we got a draw out of the thing and it gives us confidence if we come up against such sides in the play-offs.

"As it turned out we scored two tries to one. They scored a try that we couldn't defend."

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said his side should have capitalised more on having nearly 70 per cent of second-half possession.

"I suppose we are experienced when it comes to these conditions," said McKenzie.

"I thought we controlled possession far better in the second-half, but the problem was we created pressure and didn't get enough reward for it."

"We had our chances to win this game," Waratahs captain Phil Waugh said.

"Every point they scored came from our mistakes. That's disappointing. It's getting frustrating."