The Stormers are down and out Down Under.
It’s been an absolute nightmare for the Newlanders who will be thinking that the tour to Australasia was not worth their while.
All it’s brought them is misery.
Firstly, they have lost every single game on tour.
Secondly, they have a trokvol injuries.
Thirdly, this has probably cost the bankrupt union some money they didn’t even have.
And finally, they have discovered that they just can’t play rugby.
Robbie Fleck and his manne really have the look of a team that don’t have their hearts or heads in it.
Fleck himself is not going to be around next season and seems to be going through the motions.
FULLBACK OPTION: Dillyn Leyds is versatile. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
While his team has been struggling to get going, he has stuck with Jean-Luc du Plessis at flyhalf even though the team has struggled to get on the front foot.
Obviously, he can point to his injury list and throw his hands up in the air.
But why hasn’t he tried to shuffle his players around?
The backline selection has been pretty consistent this term, with Du Plessis backed to find his form as Damian Willemse gets as much game at fullback as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus desires.
But would it hurt the Stormers or the Boks if Willemse got the No.10 jersey for a game?
Josh Stander has been the back-up pivot on tour and hasn’t sparked the backline either.
Why can’t Willemse get a look-in? It’s not like Fleck is short on options at the back of the line
SP Marais was fit until last week, while Dillyn Leyds can play at 15 too.
While Sergeal Petersen and Seabelo Senatla were out, Ruhan Nel could have covered on the wing for one of the above while Du Plessis could have shifted into midfield.
Maybe it would be asking too much of Du Plessis in defence at 12 or 13, but he hasn’t been great in his regular job either.
FLAT: Jean-Luc du Plessis the mainstay flyhalf. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
With the final game on tour kicking off this morning against the Rebels in Melbourne with Dup at 10, don’t expect much from the Stormers.
I don’t want to be too hard on the talented playmaker, who is being backed after coming back from most of the last two years on the sidelines, but he is hapless.
In fact, maybe we shouldn’t have expected too much from him since he is trying to find his way back.
I can tell you who else needs to find their way back the rest of his teammates.
Looking at another year without a win Down Under has got to hurt.