Jano's half-ton will 'add value' to Lions
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:53
Added value: The Lions' Emerging Bok scrumhalf Jano Vermaak
The return of Emerging Springbok scrumhalf Jano Vermaak could add the extra value that changes Dick Muir's Lions from a competitive and exciting unit into a winning combination.
The 25-year-old Vermaak, who tore ankle ligaments in a Currie Cup match against Griquas in September last year, will make his comeback to Super Rugby off the Lions' bench when they play the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.
He had game time for the Golden Lions in the domestic Vodacom Cup competition last week, but it is his arrival in Sydney that excites the Lions mentor, Muir, the most.
Muir explained that they had planned Vermaak's return - for what will be his 50th Super Rugby match for the Johannesburg-based franchise – to happen midway through the five-match Australasian tour.
However, an injury to midfielder Deon van Rensburg opened up an additional spot in the touring roster and all that was required was to see how Vermaak came through last week's domestic game - where he saw 40 minutes against the Falcons.
"He is looking pretty good, I must say," Muir told rugby365.com from the team's training base in Sydney, when asked about Vermaak's arrival.
Vermaak's qualities - a fiery presence at the base of the scrum, with all the classic attributes of a scrumhalf and a competitive streak a mile wide - played a key role in the Emerging Boks' 13-all draw with the British and Irish Lions last year.
Now Muir hopes he can have the same influence on a Lions team seeking their first Super Rugby win of the year.
"He will [play a key role] … It is just great to have somebody with his experience," Muir said.
"Congratulations to him for playing his 50th game on Saturday and I hope it all goes well for him.
"It is always good to get that quality of player back into the squad and I'm sure he will add a lot of value and I am looking forward to see what he can offer."
Muir, who has been “rotating" his team in every game this season and made half-a-dozen changes again this week, is not willing to talk of a "best XV" yet.
"It is the XV that we believe is the best team for Saturday," Muir said, adding that the "Waratahs are a formidable outfit and we are relishing the challenge".
The other aspect of his team's performances this season - which saw them lose to the Stormers (13-26), Chiefs (65-72), Hurricanes (18-33) and Brumbies (13-24) - has been their defence, conceding 18 tries.
However, Muir is happy that they have made good progress, conceding just two tries against the Brumbies last week - following 16 touchdown scored against them in the first three weeks.
"It [defence] is going to be a great challenge for us this weekend," he said. "When you look at the Waratahs, they are a formidable outfit and have game-breakers all over the show.
"We'll have to be ahead of the game in that regard," he said of his team's defence.
But it is the arrival of Vermaak that has caused the biggest buzz - in the Lions camp - with most pundits eager to see how he will combine with legendary All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer as a halfback combination.
For the under-achieving Lions, Vermaak has long been a vital presence in making them more than just an exciting team with potential.
The former South Africa Under-21 international, who also has Springbok Sevens colours, has yet to be awarded full Bok honours.
Following a brilliant season in 2009 he represented the Emerging Springboks against the British and Irish Lions at Newlands in Cape Town, helping to secure a dramatic 13-13 draw.
A decent bet for Bok honours on their 2009 year-end tour to the Northern Hemisphere, Vermaak was ruled out of contention with a season-ending injury in September.
By Jan de Koning