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Coetzee's terrible luck lamented by Springboks and Ulster fans

By Josh Raisey
Marcell Coetzee and Kwagga Smith at Springboks training on July 23 in Wellington (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

South Africa and Ulster fans have shown their sympathy for loose forward Marcell Coetzee who was ruled out of next month’s World Cup with an ankle injury after a number of injury-plagued years. 

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Ulster fans had campaigned all last season for the 28-year-old to make Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks squad and their wishes were answered when he was selected for the Rugby Championship. 

It looked likely he would make it to the World Cup, but he sustained an ankle injury last weekend against Argentina that will require surgery and put him out for 12 weeks. 

Fans at Ravenhill have experienced highs and lows since Coetzee arrived in 2016. He only managed five starts in his first two seasons due to persistent knee injuries, but he remained injury-free last season and was rightfully handed a recall to the Springboks. 

But injury has now struck again, leaving fans of his club and country to highlight his terrible luck on Twitter. 

After being overlooked by Heyneke Meyer for the 2015 World Cup, some fans fear that this was his last chance to compete in the global showcase as he will be 32 by the time of the 2023 tournament in France. Also, given what his body has already been through, he may no longer be on the Test radar. 

Ulster fans will be hoping this latest injury will not keep him out too long and they will hope he will make the same impression next season as he did last. This is what has been said: 

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The injury to Coetzee has also raised some questions among Springboks fans regarding the balance of their back row, as he could cover both flanker and No8. 

With Warren Whiteley also looking like he will miss the World Cup, there are few options in the No8 behind Duane Vermeulen. However, fans also feel this injury all but confirms Kwagga Smith’s place on the plane to Japan. 

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It is never nice to see anyone miss a World Cup through injury, but it is made worse knowing what Coetzee has been through over the past four years. 

WATCH: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Schalk Brits talk to the media after last weekend’s win over Argentina in Pretoria

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Trevor 31 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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