Coetzee wants to build continuity

The Stormers kick off their season with a match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. Coetzee will be naming his team at a media conference on Wednesday and he made it clear this week that he wants to select his strongest possible combination for every single game.

“I want to select the best possible team every week and the best combinations and get the guys to settle in. I’ve never seen a tired rugby player when the team is winning.

“You see a tired player when the team is not doing well and losing. I’m a big believer in continuity, and I think that’s how we want to build an innings, and we’re starting Saturday to make sure we get off to a good start.”

The Lions at Ellis Park will be a tough challenge and under new coach Dick Muir they would want to erase the unpleasant recent memories. Coetzee will be looking to his senior players to show the way.

“I’m looking at all my senior players to show composure out there. There’s no Super 14 game where everything comes on a platter and you don’t have to work for it.

“I know the Lions come out and play at tempo and they get in your face and that’s where we need the senior players to stand up and show composure. It’s not going to be easy but we’ve just got to make sure that we give those okes nothing.”

When asked about his scrumhalves, Coetzee said both Dewaldt Duvenhage and Ricky Januarie are good players. “They are two great players. Last year when we started out Ricky started the Super 14 and went off the boil a bit, and then Dewies started to up his game and he got the position. “Whatever the situation is, whoever is starting, the other guy must fight to get the position back. He said it in last week’s press conference, he’s a new Ricky. And that’s a great attitude.

“Ricky is a fighter. He’s had a great stint at Ospreys and hopefully he brings that form to the Stormers side. We all know Dewaldt has been playing consistently well and they’re really vying for the spot. Both of them will be involved, definitely.”