Warren Whiteley will pack down at the back of the Springbok scrum against the World XV at Newlands on Saturday in the absence of Duane Vermeulen. Photo: BOXER NGWENYA Warren Whiteley will pack down at the back of the Springbok scrum against the World XV at Newlands on Saturday in the absence of Duane Vermeulen. Photo: BOXER NGWENYA
John Goliath
WHILE the Springbok management hope Duane Vermeulen’s road to recovery leads to the World Cup, his replacement Warren Whiteley just wants to add to the 33 minutes he got in the green and gold last year.
Whiteley will pack down at the back of the Bok scrum tomorrow against the World XV at Newlands in the absence of Vermeulen, who had successful surgery on his neck in Durban on Wednesday.
The inspirational Lions captain, who didn’t miss a single minute of the Johannesburg side’s Super Rugby campaign, came off the bench twice last year for the Boks, and tomorrow will be his first start in the green and gold, although this match is not an official international fixture.
“It’s a massive honour to represent my country. To just get an opportunity to start at No 8 is also fantastic. In my previous two opportunities I came on as a blindside flank,” said Whiteley.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to be part of the group again, learning every single day. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
The Bok medical team said Vermeulen’s rehab would be between eight and 10 weeks, which means he will miss all five of the Boks’ matches leading up the World Cup.
But such is the importance of the man-mountain that coach Heyneke Meyer is going to give him until the last minute to prove his fitness.
“Duane is mentally very tough and he is a warrior who has always bled for his country, and I’m expecting exactly the same attitude from him towards his rehabilitation,” said Meyer.
“He is a team player who has often played through the pain barrier, and I know nothing will hold him back. For our part we will do everything we can to get him ready in time for the World Cup.”
Whiteley knows Vermeulen is one of the great players of the modern age, but he wants to bring his own flavour to the No 8 position, especially on attack.
“I’m not going out there to try and fill Duane’s shoes, it’s almost impossible to do that. He is a unique player, and over the last two years he has been the best No 8 in the world,” Whiteley said.
“It’s difficult to compare the two of us. We are two completely different players.
“On attack I will probably try and link a lot more between backs and forwards, especially in the outside channels. I have always enjoyed working hard, so I will also bring a high work-rate.”
For Whiteley, though, a possible place in the World Cup squad gives him an opportunity to accomplish a unique feat.
After winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with the Sevens team last year, Whiteley has a chance of winning the World Cup with the Boks in September and October, and Olympic gold next year in year Rio with the Blitzboks.
Whiteley is clearly a man Meyer will be keeping his eye on tomorrow, two other two players who will be under the microscope will be the centre combination of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, who will play outside another relatively inexperienced player in flyhalf Handré Pollard.
Both De Allende and Kriel had great Super Rugby campaigns, and, personally, they would probably like to get a bit of a head start in the World Cup race while the old firm of Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie make their way back to full fitness.
The World XV will certainly test the new pairing on defence, as the invitation side will certainly play an expansive game. But Whitely said Meyer is also encouraging his side to broaden their horizons.
“Overall the World XV or a Barbarians-type side will always be an attacking team. They are going to take any opportunity that comes their way, especially on turnover ball,” Whiteley.
“We want to sum up the situation and then take the best option. It doesn't matter who we play against, if it's on, and that is the best option, then we are going to take that option. That is how we are being coached.”