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Steyn's canvassing counts for nought as Montpellier keep du Plessis

By Online Editors
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

World Cup winner Bismarck du Plessis has opted to stay with Montpellier rather than head home to South Africa and join the Cheetahs as was hoped by his former club and country colleague, Frans Steyn. Midfielder Steyn had told RugbyPass that the Bloemfontein-based Guinness PRO14 outfit had ambitions that the 2007 final-winning Springboks hooker could be tempted back south of the equator following five seasons in the French Top 14. 

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However, despite making his name during his eleven seasons at the Durban-based Sharks,  du Plessis has decided that his future is best served by remaining in France under new club boss Philippe Saint-Andre rather than plump for a late-career swansong at the Cheetahs.

In a statement released by the French club ahead of the hooker’s 36th birthday on May 22, Montpellier said: ‘We announce the extension of Bismarck du Plessis’ contract for two more seasons. Having arrived in 2015, the world champion hooker has played 90 times in the Montpellier colours, establishing himself as one of the spearheads of the pack. He is now linked with Montpellier until 2022. 

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Steyn had been lobbying du Plessis in the belief that more old titans with experience of playing in Europe can make the crucial difference in making the Cheetahs more competitive in the PRO14.

“We need to win something,” said Steyn to RugbyPass. “I’m not going there just to roll over and die. We need to build something special, something that can last a long time. I played there when I was younger and it’s very close to my heart.

“I’m trying to get players to go back there, some of the older players. The money is the issue, but it will be good if we can get a Bismarck to come and help. The Cheetahs are playing against Leinster and Munster, a lot of international players, and you need quality and experience to win competitions.”

 

 

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Bull Shark 1 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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