Le Roux and Kolbe to supply the buzz
by Craig Ray,
2016-03-10 05:00:00.0
THIS weekend’s Super Rugby collision between South African conference heavyweights the Stormers and the Sharks features the interesting subplot of the clash between two riveting fullbacks.
The Stormers’ Cheslin Kolbe and the Sharks’ and Springbok superstar Willie le Roux will spend most of the match 50m apart. But whenever either of them has possession, the crowd will buzz in anticipation of magic happening.
Kolbe has great feet and possesses the ability to change direction faster than a politician in a corner, while Le Roux tends to glide into space as if he were wearing ice skates. But Kolbe, who has been less spectacular and more blue collar-like this season, does not see Le Roux’s presence as a personal battle at all.
"Willie is a very good player, but my focus is not on him," Kolbe said. "It’s on the collective threat of the Sharks.
"If you start trying to compete with one player, such as Willie le Roux, then you are likely to have a poor game. You have to treat every game the same and take it as it comes.
"Importantly, you have to enjoy it and not try to get motivated by one person I’m playing against."
Although Kolbe has yet to cross the chalk this year, he is a wonderful playmaker, as two try assists already this season, show.
During the 2015 campaign, he had only one try assist. It shows that the attacking intent coach Robbie Fleck has spoken about is already delivering positive outcomes.
Le Roux does bring a shrewd tactical kicking game to the mix — something that Kolbe and his back-three partners are wary of, and which they aim to nullify. If greenhorn wing Leolin Zas starts again, it will be up to Kolbe to help the youngster when he comes under aerial assault.
"We have to communicate well as a back three, because they do have a good tactical kicking game," Kolbe said. "Besides Joe Pietersen and Willie le Roux, they also have centre Andre Esterhuizen, who kicks, so we have to play with our heads up, make quicker decisions, and back ourselves.
"Leolin is a good guy on and off the field. He’s young, but he seems like he has been here for years. His job is getting easier because the players around him are communicating with him ."
With the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games on the horizon, Kolbe, who has been a stalwart for the South African Sevens team, is trying to put it out of his mind.
"I have been fortunate to play both sevens and fifteens this year, but my focus is totally on the Stormers," Kolbe said.
"I won’t become distracted by other things (such as the Olympics)."
Meanwhile, Fleck hinted that there could be some tactical changes to the team for the meeting.
"Both front rows have done incredibly well and, should there be rotation this week, we can expect Frans (Malherbe) and JC (Janse van Rensburg) to set the platform for Ollie (Oliver Kebble) and Vincent Koch like they have done for the replacements," the coach said.
"We are in a fortunate position where we can afford to do it; it’s just a matter of timing and when to do it, depending on
the opposition.
"It’s a long season and we are in a situation with the props, loose trio, and wings where there will be chances to rotate the players. As long as the players understand that and are comfortable with it, then we are happy."
THIS weekend’s Super Rugby collision between South African conference heavyweights the Stormers and the Sharks features the interesting subplot of the clash between two riveting fullbacks.
The Stormers’ Cheslin Kolbe and the Sharks’ and Springbok superstar Willie le Roux will spend most of the match 50m apart. But whenever either of them has possession, the crowd will buzz in anticipation of magic happening.
Kolbe has great feet and possesses the ability to change direction faster than a politician in a corner, while Le Roux tends to glide into space as if he were wearing ice skates. But Kolbe, who has been less spectacular and more blue collar-like this season, does not see Le Roux’s presence as a personal battle at all.
"Willie is a very good player, but my focus is not on him," Kolbe said. "It’s on the collective threat of the Sharks.
"If you start trying to compete with one player, such as Willie le Roux, then you are likely to have a poor game. You have to treat every game the same and take it as it comes.
"Importantly, you have to enjoy it and not try to get motivated by one person I’m playing against."
Although Kolbe has yet to cross the chalk this year, he is a wonderful playmaker, as two try assists already this season, show.
During the 2015 campaign, he had only one try assist. It shows that the attacking intent coach Robbie Fleck has spoken about is already delivering positive outcomes.
Le Roux does bring a shrewd tactical kicking game to the mix — something that Kolbe and his back-three partners are wary of, and which they aim to nullify. If greenhorn wing Leolin Zas starts again, it will be up to Kolbe to help the youngster when he comes under aerial assault.
"We have to communicate well as a back three, because they do have a good tactical kicking game," Kolbe said. "Besides Joe Pietersen and Willie le Roux, they also have centre Andre Esterhuizen, who kicks, so we have to play with our heads up, make quicker decisions, and back ourselves.
"Leolin is a good guy on and off the field. He’s young, but he seems like he has been here for years. His job is getting easier because the players around him are communicating with him ."
With the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games on the horizon, Kolbe, who has been a stalwart for the South African Sevens team, is trying to put it out of his mind.
"I have been fortunate to play both sevens and fifteens this year, but my focus is totally on the Stormers," Kolbe said.
"I won’t become distracted by other things (such as the Olympics)."
Meanwhile, Fleck hinted that there could be some tactical changes to the team for the meeting.
"Both front rows have done incredibly well and, should there be rotation this week, we can expect Frans (Malherbe) and JC (Janse van Rensburg) to set the platform for Ollie (Oliver Kebble) and Vincent Koch like they have done for the replacements," the coach said.
"We are in a fortunate position where we can afford to do it; it’s just a matter of timing and when to do it, depending on
the opposition.
"It’s a long season and we are in a situation with the props, loose trio, and wings where there will be chances to rotate the players. As long as the players understand that and are comfortable with it, then we are happy."
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