This is the second article in the series of Stormers Squad Contenders for Super Rugby 2014. We do 2 articles per week per South African Super Rugby participating franchise.
We discuss the players IN the Super Rugby Group, and not all the options beyond that.
In this Article we look at the contenders for HOOKERS in the DHL Stormers 2014 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention.
The Contenders:
Name: Christiaan Rudolph “Tiaan” Liebenberg:
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Tiaan Liebenberg brings a lot of value to the Stormers side. He likes the physical confrontations and also likes to get his team fired up on top of that.
He has proven that he has the skills when it comes to scrum time and lineout time.
He will most likely be the preferred starting hooker but has a lot of talent breathing down his neck.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2002 – Griquas U/21, Natal SA “A” – SA Cup, Natal U/21
- 2003 – Griquas Vodacom Shield, Griquas Absa Currie Cup Qualifying Rounds, Griquas ABSA Currie Cup – Premier Division, Griquas, ABSA Reserve Division A
- 2004 – Griquas ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Griquas Vodacom Shield
- 2005 – Wildeklawer Griquas Vodacom Cup, Wildeklawer Griquas ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, Wildeklawer Griquas ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2006 – Cheetahs Vodacom Super 14, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Stormers Vodacom Super 14, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa XV Vodacom Outgoing Tour
- 2008 – Stormers Vodacom Super 14
- 2009 – WP MTN test, Stormers Vodacom Super 14, WP British & Irish Lions Tour, Emerging Boks British & Irish Lions Tour, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Stormers Vodacom Super 14, WP Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – DHL WP Vodacom Cup, DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa The Castle Rugby Championship
- 2013 – Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP Absa Currie Cup Premier Division
Name: Siyabonga “Scarra” Ntubeni:
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Scarra Ntubeni has had a rapid rise in 2013 and has become quite a crowd favourite at the Stormers. For his size he delivers quite a big punch and is not afraid to punch way above his weight.
He already has 11 Super Rugby caps and is no stranger to the big stage. It will be good to see him get some starting game time to prove himself.
Most people would say that he will be the preferred choice as replacement hooker on the bench ahead of Deon Fourie, who has been playing a lot of rugby on the side of the scrum at number 6 (openside flank).
His playing career is as follows:
- 2007 – Border U16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week
- 2008 – Lions U18 Academy Week
- 2009 – Lions U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, SA Schools U18
- 2010 – Western Province ABSA Under 19 Competition
- 2011 – DHL WP Vodacom Cup, UCT Varsity Cup, DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP Absa Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies, DHL WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, WP ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2012 – DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP Vodacom Cup, DHL WP ABSA Under 21 Competition, DHL WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – DHL WP Vodacom Cup, Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP Absa Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa Castle Lager Outgoing Tour
Name: Deon Andre Fourie:
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Deon Fourie has become the recognized fetcher at the Stormers. This is why his inclusion as a hooker has come as quite a surprise. Most would feel that Fourie should rather be kept at number 6 (openside flank) where he has proven himself throughout this season.
Fourie brings a lot of value into the starting side. The question we ask in his case is whether he would bring more value as a hooker or as an openside flanker? Is he going to be the best choice at number 2 (hooker) or should he rather be played at openside flank where he has made a mark in the Stormers team.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Blue Bulls Limpopo U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2005 – South Africa IRB U19 World Championships, WP ABSA Under 21 Competition, WP Under 19
- 2006 – WP ABSA Under 21 Competition, WP Vodacom Cup, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – WP Vodacom Cup, South Africa IRB Sevens Series London & Scotland, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, WP Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, WP ABSA Under 21 Competition
- 2008 – Stormers Vodacom Super 14, WP Vodacom Cup, WP Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – WP MTN test, Stormers Vodacom Super 14, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Stormers Vodacom Super 14, WP Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2013 – DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby, DHL WP Absa Currie Cup Premier Division
Starters:
The likely scenario will be to see Tiaan Libenberg start, with Scarra Ntubeni as his replacement on the bench and with Deon Fourie on as openside flank. The return of Schalk Burger after injury and the quality play of Siya Kolisi leaves a big question mark on whether the Stormers will even contemplate using Deon Fourie as openside flank.
Due to the history we have witnessed the last couple of season at the Stormers, it will most likely pan out that Scarra Ntubeni will not see much game time ahead of Liebenberg and Fourie.
Only time will tell what the Stormers have planned. In the big picture however it would seem that somewhere a talented player or two will not going to see much game time.
The next Article in the range will deal with the Stormers locks.
I agree, somewhere, somehow the Stormers will miss the plot by not playing all three of these players.
The many looseforwards at the Stormers complicate matters.
Tiaan Fourie, Scarra Ntubeni but specifically Deon Fourie all have liitations in throwing very well into the lineout, that is the department they all need to sharpen up.
Agreed GBS the problem will start when they need to throw in.
Tiaan is a walking sick note and can’t be counted as an active member of any squad.
Deon Fourie should stay away from any jersey that has a number 2 on it’s back. Nothing wrong with his play, but should be allowed anywhere near throwing into a line out. Perhaps the Stormers must go back to the days where the wing threw the ball in?
That leaves us with only Scarra as a genuine contender for the hooking berth.
The Stormers should have made Andrew Hore an offer he couldn’t refuse, he would have been perfect for this coming season as back up until we could have at least looked for a decent second choice back up to Scarra
Scarra is shithouse as a hooker, not a bad rugby player though.
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