14 Responses to Super Rugby: Frans Viljoen gets another shot

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  1

  Loosehead on 9 January 2013 at 9:01 am

  He is a very good player.
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  2

  Cheetah4eva on 9 January 2013 at 9:16 am

  1 @ Loosehead,
  Aye lots of if’s and buts at the moment, but one thing is for sure, if Juan, Brüssow and Viljoen make the squad, the Cheetahs will have a very powerfull contingent of looseforwards to pick from.

  Brüssow and Schoeman arguably the most skilled fetchers in SA.

  A fit Juan is quality player with oodles of experience, and Frans is a real hard man.

  vd Walt is a useful 8 that links well, and Lappies is growing in stature.

  Then if injuries do strike, there is still Boom Prinsloo, Raubenheimer (not a fan), and Daniller to fill the gaps.
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  3

  Puma on 9 January 2013 at 10:24 am

  2 @ Cheetah4eva:
  Have to agree, if he does make the Cheetahs squad Cheetahs will have terrific loosies, that is if Juan does play as well. I am envious of Cheetahs having probably the best two 6 flanks in our conference.

  We in SA have unbelievable talent with the Loose Forwards. Just look at the Sharks we have all Boks playing for us and we could have quite easily have two sets of equally good Loosies in each game, much like we done a few times last year, when we had two sets of Bok Loosies, starting and another full set sitting on the bench. Stormers have top class loosies as well. Bulls not bad either.
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  4

  Cheetah4eva on 9 January 2013 at 10:35 am

  3@ Puma,
  Agreed, Cheetahs loosies didn’t come into their own last year, but when fit Brüssow and Smith were the pick in their positions. Cheetahs loosies aren’t always regarded as the best, but they sure cmbine well, and fit in well with the Cheetahs game plan.

  Last year was a case in point. Coetzee widely regarded as a better flank option, but as a fetcher, Brüssow has few peers. Ditto Juan Smith. Many would rate Alberts higher, but as a 7 flanker, prior to his injury, Juan had few peers. It was highlighted when he played for the Boks after an injury absence, the difference he made was clear to see.
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  5

  Loosehead on 9 January 2013 at 10:52 am

  While most punters adore the flashy kind of loosies [Spoes, KanHOFski, Puke etc] I prefer loosies to be workhorses.
  The VRYSTAAT have to star loosies [ Smith and Brussouw] but they are hardly the metro sexual Hollywood kind of players that the Bulls and Sharks enjoy.

  Who would you rather go into battle with? Juan Smith or Spoes or Hof?
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  6

  Gena_ZA on 9 January 2013 at 10:55 am

  My magtig, not like the Cheethas have zillions of potential people to fall back on…
  Frans is a very underrated player and I dig his attitude, good luck young man!
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  7

  Cheetah4eva on 9 January 2013 at 12:10 pm

  6@ Gena,
  Now you have gone and ruined the friendship!

  Hypothetically speaking, Brüssow, Smith and vd Walt to start. Viljoen comes on for Smith after 60 min’s.

  Should injury strike. Marnus Schoeman was the star fetcher in the CC, so he is more than capable cover for Brüssow. Lappies Labuschagne, Boom Prinsloo, and Raubenheimer have all played Super Rugby, and play well within the Cheetahs style.

  If things really go rough, Downey can be recalled, as well as Karemaker.
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  8

  Gena_ZA on 9 January 2013 at 12:38 pm

  hehe,

  Okay here my line of thinking and bare with me, it has been a long year…

  Everyone is speaking of the return of Juan Smith, have anyone seen anything of him, he himself will only decide end of Jan and another fact that all has forgotten if that he had an official medical warning that another head injury/concussion would end his career, even though this was 2 years ago – so we have a great player that has not played for 2 years, with a dodgy knee and a history of head injuries – time will tell, he is nor even in my thoughts until proven to be good and fit to play again

  Brussauw is also a very injury prone player but they have a decent backup at six in Schoeman
  Frans is more geared as a 7 or 8 and very on par with v/d Waldt, so he could be used as cover and should have been included in the squad on that basis

  Did Boom Prinsloo not a while ago decide to focus on 7’s. Any case he brings a lot of pace and flair to the loose forwards
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  9

  Cheetah4eva on 9 January 2013 at 1:20 pm

  @Gena,
  Juan is training with the squad, and I reckon the coaches are feeling quite optimistic about his chances. Brussow no more injury prone than any other loosie, think Burger, Vermeulen, Spies, Stegmann, Kolisi, Carr! It’s a high contact zone.

  You have it the wrong way round, Boom has decided to focus exclusively on the 15 man code. Either way, as you say, I’d Juan doesn’t make it, there is enough quality there! That said you don’t ignore players of the calibre of Juan, of fit and willing. Ditto Frana Viljoen, he is a warrior, and he will add grunt to the mobile loosies.
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  10

  Cheetah4eva on 9 January 2013 at 1:22 pm

  @Gena, which loosies haven’t done knee ligaments? Besides it was his Achilles that has kept him off the pitch.
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  11

  grootblousmile on 9 January 2013 at 1:32 pm

  8 @ Gena_ZA:
  Check your G-Mail again
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  12

  Gena_ZA on 9 January 2013 at 2:01 pm

  guys, I am arguing why Frans should have been in the squad, not the other way rouns and all your points are 100% valid
  Regarding Boom and I quote him – “I think I have another season or so of sevens. But I have a lot to think about,” 21/06/2011 – so I was wondering and glad to hear he made the switch
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  13

  Cheetah4eva on 9 January 2013 at 3:29 pm

  12@ Gena,
  Cool Beans, I would have Frans anyday, even if it is as a super sub. He might not be top flight international quality, but he is as hard as nails
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  14

  Cheetah4eva on 10 January 2013 at 9:43 am

  8 @ Gena,
  Ran a quick check, Brüssow played the entire Super 15 last year, and only got injured in the Currie Cup. I don’t agree with the assertion that it makes him injury prone.

  Few players go uninjured an entire season, and some unfortunately suffer ligament damage. That is not soft tissue, so little you can do about it!