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Kobus van Wyk has exited Leicester with immediate effect
By Liam Heagney
Leicester Tigers will see out their double-chasing 2021/22 campaign minus South African Kobus van Wyk who has been granted an early release from the English club for an unspecified reason. The 30-year-old back made just a single Gallagher Premiership appearance this season – versus Saracens in October – but played three times in the Premiership Cup, most recently against Newcastle on March 18.
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Terms, though, have now been struck between the club and the winger for a parting of the ways with Leicester heading into the business end of the season out in front in the Premiership and preparing for a round of 16 Heineken Champions Cup tie versus Clermont.
A Tigers statement on Thursday read: “Leicester have agreed to terms with Kobus van Wyk, allowing the outside-back an early release from his contract with the club. The 30-year-old has made 18 appearances for the club since his debut in October 2020.
“Prior to joining Tigers, van Wyk played for New Zealand’s Hurricanes and had spells with the Stormers and Sharks in South Africa, as well as a short stint with French club Bordeaux-Begles. Kobus van Wyk’s release is effective immediately.”
Leicester boss Steve Borthwick added: “I want to thank Kobus for his contribution to our club during his time in Leicester. He joined us at the start of this journey we are on and has played a part in building the foundations for what is to come at Tigers. I wish him and his family all the best for the next chapter.”
'I have worked in so many organisations where you are resigned to the fact that you are never really going to see the fruits of your labour, it will always be someone else'
Ex-Tigers recruitment tzar @JanMcGinity talks to @heagneyl ??? #leicestertigers https://t.co/x0IZyGCLQ6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 16, 2022
Competition for places at Leicester ratcheted up in recent weeks with their recruitment of the 35-year-old Chris Ashton, the former England winger who was released by Worcester in December. He showed last Sunday at Exeter that he has lost none of his prowess for scoring as his two tries at Sandy Park drew him level with Tom Varndell as the all-time record Premiership try scorer.
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“I’m glad to get a couple of tries. This is a good team so there are always going to be opportunities if I’m doing what I normally do,” said Ashton. “I’m honestly at the stage of my career where I’m desperate to be involved.”
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I think this is backwards thinking. I personally back more than 23 players to put in a worthy shift in an AB jersey. Expecting the same team to play every game is unnecessary. It obviously takes a toll. Other option is to take a risk and promote talent, give them a shot, coach them. Name a position where NZ rugby doesn't have a single player to step in against say Wales?, No disrespect intended.
Go to commentsIn relay races the Anchor Leg is the last leg, usually assigned to the fastest runner on the team. If only a rugby team with that philosophy had tried it in a World Cup and demonstrated its effectiveness by winning the competition. That would settle this discussion once and for all. You could call it something like The Bomb Squad.
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