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Evan Roos' latest off the ball skirmish as players 'try and get into his head'
By Warren Fortune
Evan Roos is one of the most exciting young players in South Africa, but his temperament has been under the spotlight.
It was there for all to see again in his side’s 34-18 win over Edinburgh at Cape Town Stadium.
The Springbok received a yellow card in the 52nd minute for an off-the-ball incident when his team was starting to get momentum in the match.
Roos was spotted using excessive force in a tussle, which resulted in him pinning down an opponent with his arm in the neck area.
Lock Marvin Orie, who was the Stormers’ captain for the match, believes Roos will get more mature in the coming seasons.
“I spoke to him about that [incident],” said Orie.
“We all know what a special player Evan is – he is unbelievably talented. In terms of what he has done last season and so far this season, he is sort of freakish.
“It is clearly a tactic from the opponents to try and get into his head.
“It’s funny because when I was younger, I tried to do the same.
“I think guys do that to try and get him off his game. He will get better with that. He is 22, so he has a bright future.
“He will learn with maturity and we are lucky to have him in our team and not against us
“I’m sure he will sort that out.”
Meanwhile, Stormers head coach John Dobson says his team’s ill-discipline in the match was a result of the pack not working hard enough around the field.
The Capetonians conceded 12 penalties in the match with Manie Libbok also receiving a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.
Towards the end of the match, replacement prop Sazi Sandi received a red card for a head-on-head tackle.
“Our discipline was similar to last week [against Connacht],” said Dobson.
“We start giving away those defensive penalties when we are not physical and when we are not fronting up. I think that was the problem.
“With regards to the foul play, it is not good.”
Dobson added: “The thing with rugby is that penalties mean territory and possession. We have been on the wrong end of those stats in two games in a row.”
The Stormers coach said it is becoming the norm to prepare for cards in a game.
“It’s so prevalent in rugby at the moment.
“Every game we are prepping for all the card scenarios.
“I don’t think it is just us by any stretch.
“I am not irritated with my team for the ill-discipline – it’s just our work rate which puts our discipline under pressure.”
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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