Reinach ‘deserves’ Bok inclusion

SHARKS assistant coach Hugh Reece-Edwards believes Cobus Reinach’s first call-up to the Springbok training squad, in his first full season of Super Rugby, is just reward for the scrum half’s hard work.

Reinach, who blossomed during last year’s Currie Cup, has pushed experienced and dependable Springbok Charl McLeod onto the bench, hogging the number nine jersey for six out of seven matches the Sharks have played this year.

He was a late inclusion to Heyneke Meyer’s camp in Cape Town, which ended yesterday, after Jano Vermaak pulled out through a hamstring injury.

“It is hard work that has paid off for him. He was the third-choice player when he came here and got into the number one position and has taken his opportunities. Much like Charl McLeod did a couple of years back,” said Reece-Edwards.

“He’s got a huge amount of natural talent on him, he has got a tremendous kicking game, lots of speed and he’s a tough little bugger as well — he’s quite happy to defend. He has really worked hard to get where he is.

“The call-up was probably quite a surprise to him but it was certainly well- deserved for the way he has been performing out on the park. We just feel Cobus is doing his job a little bit better than Charl but we are certainly lucky and blessed to have a person of Charl’s capabilities to help or backup at the Sharks. Charl brings a huge dynamic to the whole team in terms of his experience … the great thing is that the two are good mates.”

Although Ruan Pienaar and Francois Hougaard have been locked in a duel to be first- choice Springbok scrum half under Meyer’s regime, there has always been debate whether the third option, Vermaak, has enough ammo to challenge to two front-runners.

Reinach’s impressive weekly performances will give Meyer a lot to think about ahead of the home Tests against Italy and Scot land in June.

Reinach’s acceleration and attacking instincts drew comparisons with talismanic Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia out of Reece- Edwards. The coach, how ever, anticipates that the Springbok call-up leads to more attention being paid to put onto the 23-year-old when they face the Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

“When you’ve got that sort of speed, you are quite happy to look for space and to look for a chance to have a go at the opposition,” said Reece-Edwards.

“Because he’s that quick, he knows he’ll get through a hole if the hole is presented. It keeps the opposition wary and also our side an extra attacking area.

“We use him where we can but a lot of what he does –— when he’s going to break or not –— is totally unpredictable. That’s a good thing and a sign of a good scrum half. ) Will Genia is very much the same, he will spot a hole and go for it.

“It also means there will be more attention on him this weekend against the Cheetahs but that’s fine be cause when there is focus on a player in one area it opens up a hole somewhere else.”