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Coetzee targets 2021 Lions tour after frustration of RWC standby
Marcell Coetzee aims to put his double World Cup disappointment behind him by starring for the Springboks in their series against the British and Irish Lions in 2021. In the meantime, though, his full focus is on helping Ulster to Guinness PRO14 and European success.
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Coetzee started the season late because of the ankle injury that put him out of consideration for the Boks squad that won the World Cup in such convincing style in Yokohama two weeks ago.
He wasn’t part of his Ulster team’s convincing opening PRO14 win over the Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium and also had to watch his team-mates get outplayed 63-26 by the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in their second match.
However, the former Sharks loose forward made his return when the Irish side bounced back to win their second tour match against Southern Kings and has been in the thick of it ever since in, helping Ulster to second position in Conference A in the PRO14.
“We were not proud of that performance against the Cheetahs but it helped in that we were quickly able to decide what our weak points were and what we needed to improve on,” said Coetzee. “We went into training on the Monday in Cape Town knowing what we needed to do to break back, and we did that.”
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Coetzee continued the momentum last weekend by playing a starring role in his team’s nail-biting one-point win over Bath at the start of their Champions Cup campaign. The defence laid the platform for the winners but in addition to 17 tackles, Coetzee, who was playing at No8, also made 19 carries.
This series of performances for the Irish province has helped Coetzee to bring some cheer back into his life after he was left pretty inconsolable when, for the second time in the space of four years, he emerged from a meeting with a Springbok coach with the realisation that his World Cup dream was over.
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Coetzee was given a chance to force his way into the 2019 World Cup squad by being selected to face Argentina in the final warm-up game to be played on South African soil. Early in the game, he was forced off through concussion and then it was confirmed he had an ankle injury which ruled out his availability for the tournament.
‘We have had big names, big personalities leave us over the last number of seasons’
– Iain Henderson talks to @heagneyl about the Dan McFarland evolution at @UlsterRugby following a @rugbyworldcup that ended badly for @IrishRugbyhttps://t.co/B0ENIZnsTX— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 12, 2019
In 2015 Coetzee had to hear in a meeting with Heyneke Meyer that he was left out of the squad that played that World Cup in England, so it was a case of lightning striking twice.
“It was very disappointing and it wasn’t the first time. Being selected to play that game against the Pumas was a chance to show what I can do but it didn’t go my way. To have the HIA test go against me and then the ankle injury on top of that was very hard to swallow.
“But in the end ,you have to decide – are you going to just lie down and take it, or are you going to fight back? While it was a tough one for me to swallow, time does heal all wounds. I resolved that I just had to get back on the horse again and start riding again.”
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‘We’d have people from other schools coming to watch our games instead of their own teams just because of Siya. He was incredible’
– @MikeyWillemse_2 tells @JLyall93 exactly how good Siya Kolisi was long before he starred for the @Springboks https://t.co/KhaU26UoIL— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2019
Coetzee has spent quite a bit of time on the sidelines because of injury in the past few years and it has taught him to just appreciate every minute he does spend on the field. “The biggest thing you learn when you go through serious injuries and then come out of it is that you are blessed to be able to play rugby again,” he said.
“It was disappointing to miss out on another World Cup. I can confirm that I was on standby in case there was an injury to a loose forward. But injuries just make you hungry to play again. Whether it is at the highest level, whether it is for Ulster or for the Boks, it is great to just be able to play and focus on that.”
While Coetzee’s short-term focus is on helping Ulster be successful in both their competitions, he does now have his eye on the iconic tour series that will be played on South African soil in 2021. “Playing against the Lions is definitely my long term goal.
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“I don’t think he even said ‘Hi’, he just put it there.” Tom Curry ??? #RugbyWorldCup #Springboks #England #SaleSharks
“It would be great if I can do that. But my focus and energy must be on Ulster. If I do that and perform consistently, and the team performs consistently, then ultimately a door may open and we can see where it goes from there.”
Coetzee added he was probably the most passionate and perhaps loudest Boks supporter in Ireland during the World Cup. “We were fans before being rugby players so that never dies in us. I shout a lot at the TV and I shout at the referees. It’s a good thing they can’t hear me. I have great mates in the Boks team, particularly someone like Pieter-Steph (du Toit), and I shared their joy.”
WATCH: RugbyPass Rugby Explorer takes a trek through South African rugby, visiting Cape Town and Port Elizabeth
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Hey. Stay home and play for Mooloo.
1 Go to commentsTighthead was always going to be our weakness this year with Ryan going home to Ireland and the Cashed Up Blues taking a third All Black prop from us - nobody else in SR does that. Numia is the exciting one. He used to be a lightweight but he's really improved. Do you have stats on the All Black hookers’ lineouts for the game? I seem to remember a few misses.
2 Go to commentsFergus Burke isn't tier 1 player quality…but guess what, he'll be playing amongst them for Saracens…. all going well and Steve Borthwick is still the head coach, England...Scott Robertson’s hint of amending NZRU’s offshore AB eligibility clause, would mean that players like Josh Moorby who show potential might get a call…
4 Go to commentsThe movement of quality players back to SA is remarkable.
2 Go to commentsInteresting article, Nic. Am enjoying seeing the Rebels doing well, partly just to spite those who are working to wipe them off the face of the Australian rugby planet. But it is also good to see a team with somany good players beginning fire. LSL has benefitted so much from his move up to Northampton for the one year. I wonder why he did not stay on for another year. Does he now looks north and see his teammates of last year now doing so well, and have some regrets.
44 Go to comments“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
2 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
2 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
44 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
44 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
4 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
8 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
44 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
8 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to comments