Stormers 'secret weapon' off-limits
Mon, 12 May 2008 15:35
Jolly surprise: Ollie le Roux could yet turn out for the Stormers
The 'will he, won't he' saga involving Ollie le Roux's involvement with the Stormers seems set to drag on, after Stormers management declared players and coaches off-limits to the media on Monday.
Even Le Roux himself is unavailable for comment, as the Stormers go into lock-down mode ahead of their crucial clash against the rejuvenated Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, a match that the Stormers will in all probability have to win to have a realistic chance of progressing to the semifinals of the Super 14.
Stormers Commercial Manager Frikkie Erasmus said that coach Rassie Erasmus has requested no media contact with his players, as well as Springbok prop Le Roux, due to the sensitivity of the situation ahead of the play-offs.
Le Roux was present at the Stormers training session on Monday, and has been widely tipped to make a grand comeback to Super Rugby in a Stormers team desperately seeking an answer to their scrumming woes.
The injury to JD Moller has disrupted the Stormers scrum, and it has created a problem that Erasmus has not been able to solve thus far.
The Waratahs highlighted the issue once again last Saturday in the 13-all draw at Newlands, as their pack put the Cape side's front row under severe pressure in the scrums.
Le Roux's participation would be a welcome emergency measure for the Stormers. The former Cheetahs and Leinster prop is not only a renowned scrummager, but will also allow Erasmus to restore the promising Brian Mujati to his favourite position of tighthead prop, where he will be much more effective.
Erasmus is free to use Le Roux against the Lions this weekend, but if the Stormers do progress to the play-offs, Erasmus will have to convince SANZAR to allow Le Roux special dispensation to play in the semifinal and Final.
This is of course due to the competition rule that states that a player must have taken the field in at least four round-robin games during the season, before he will be allowed to play in the play-offs for that franchise.
Le Roux clearly would not qualify for the play-offs under this rule, but a loophole exists in which teams could be granted special dispensation on valid grounds for players in certain specialist positions.
The official Stormers sources also revealed on Monday that both Wylie Human and Brok Harris have been cleared of their injury concerns, and will be fit to face the Lions on Saturday.
By Phil Coetzer
