Discarded Western Province and Boland flyhalf Isma-eel Dollie has indicated that he will be going to trials with Super 14 franchise the Brumbies for the 2009.
For those who don't know Dollie is an interesting character in SA rugby - blessed with enormous talent, he has been successful at Under 21 level and even cracked a mention by Bok coach Peter Devilliers as a potential international contender down the line.
Unfortunately size has counted against him and he couldn't get a spot in the Western Province training squad or at the weaker Boland franchise.
Without being scornful of an obviously talented rugby player - how does he expect to break into Super 14 rugby when his home provinces won't give him a crack?
Potentially competing against the likes of Matt Giteau - I'm just not sure he has the firepower to crack it at this level.
Having said that - I suppose we should remember a certain Clyde Rathbone who also shone at U21 level, couldn't crack it in SA and went on to star for the Wallabies at senior level.
Either way - best of luck to him. Having said that, I did enjoy this quote from one of the other rugby sites:
"hahaha - Rassie is worried about the Brumbies- and instead of strenghtening his own side - he thought it smart to weaken the opposition.
Rassie you tactician you…."
Showing posts with label Flyhalf. Isma-eel Dollie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flyhalf. Isma-eel Dollie. Show all posts
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Size
Size is always going to be an issue in rugby coaching and selection circles.
South Africa is currently seeing it again in one of their young flyhalves - Isma-eel Dollie - who has recently left Western Province in a state because he can't make the match squad. Rugby pundits have looked at him and all agree that he simply does not have the physical presence to be a commanding world class flyhalf irrespective of his ball skills.
The very simple reality of the flyhalf channel is that you need to dominate and control it. Who would you rather have bearing down on you - Butch James or a 80kg Dollie? Especially when you are trying to control large openside flankers and 8th men coming through the channel.
Its not a contest.
While there are exceptions to the size rule - most notably Breyton Paulse, Luke Watson and Brent Russel - the demands of modern rugby require large players. Its a tough fact but coaches who persist with under-sized players are likely to find themselves under pressure in the higher leagues.
South Africa is currently seeing it again in one of their young flyhalves - Isma-eel Dollie - who has recently left Western Province in a state because he can't make the match squad. Rugby pundits have looked at him and all agree that he simply does not have the physical presence to be a commanding world class flyhalf irrespective of his ball skills.
The very simple reality of the flyhalf channel is that you need to dominate and control it. Who would you rather have bearing down on you - Butch James or a 80kg Dollie? Especially when you are trying to control large openside flankers and 8th men coming through the channel.
Its not a contest.
While there are exceptions to the size rule - most notably Breyton Paulse, Luke Watson and Brent Russel - the demands of modern rugby require large players. Its a tough fact but coaches who persist with under-sized players are likely to find themselves under pressure in the higher leagues.
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