Pienaar back at Montpellier following compassionate leave, but his future looks uncertain
Ruan Pienaar is back in training at Montpellier following a six-week absence following the tragic death of his sister in South Africa.
The scrum-half, who hasn’t played for the Top 14 club since a Champions Cup defeat at Edinburgh in January, rushed home on February 15 following a car accident the day before Montpellier were due to face Perpignan.
He stayed on in South Africa with his family following the funeral and only returned to training at Montpellier last Thursday ahead of their six-game, end-of-season run in which begins with Saturday’s home fixture against Agen.
Beaten finalists in last year’s league decider, Montpellier have under-performed during Vern Cotter’s second season in charge.
They are currently in ninth place, but still have a healthy shot at creeping into the play-offs as they are just six points off sixth place Bordeaux after winning their last three matches.
Top 14 – Montpellier : retour de Ruan Pienaar, Fulgence Ouedraogo blessé – https://t.co/ZXy7F9ZQHu https://t.co/3mKPsppyc7
— Montpellier Info (@MTP_Infos) April 2, 2019
There was speculation that the 35-year-old former Springbok No9 might not see out the end of this season, never mind the last year of his contract which is supposed to keep him at Montpellier until June 2020.
Pienaar allegedly was part of the mid-season split that occurred in the dressing room following some depressing defeats that placed a question over the future of Cotter as boss. He has since been linked with a possible switch to Cheetahs, the Bloemfontein-based PRO14 outfit.
An immediate return to the Montpellier team isn’t expected for Pienaar. His arrival back in France last week following his six-week absence was followed by the club stating that the veteran must physically get back up to speed before being considered for selection.
“Because he hasn’t done anything physical, his first aim will be to get back on form in the space of three weeks. Then if the team needs him he’ll bring all his experience with him,” explained Cotter.
The thoughts of @UlsterRugby fans everywhere will no doubt be with Ruan Pienaar and his family #OnceAnUlsterman
— Neil Best (@Best6Analysis) February 17, 2019
Pienaar arrived in France in 2017 following a lengthy spell at Ulster that ended controversially. The Irish province wanted to keep him but the IRFU insisted the South African had to leave in order to free up a place in the team for an indigenous Irish player.
John Cooney was signed from Connacht as his replacement as he has since gone on to be capped at Test level under Joe Schmidt, appearing four times in the 2019 Six Nations off the bench as a sub for Conor Murray.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments