International game needs Kolbe
There has plenty of chatter around Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe switching to scrumhalf in order to have a better chance of becoming a Springbok but Stormers backline coach, Robbie Fleck believes he is playing in his best position.
Fleck alluded to the fact that current Springbok fullback Willie Le Roux, and some All Blacks players, are fairly small players who have managed to set the world alight with their skills and not their size.
"I think he [Kolbe] is in the perfect position and is playing incredibly well. I guess the chatter about him switching to scrumhalf is because he made two line breaks from the fringes [against the Sharks] but he can do the same thing at fullback, which he has already done.
"Willie le Roux is quite a small guy and is a few kilos heavier and a few inches taller than Cheslin, but his skill, ability and vision makes him a quality international fullback. There is no doubt that the international stage has a place for small guys like Cheslin, Willie has proven that and Cheslin will prove that as well, if he gets given an opportunity.
"Look at a guy like Ben Smith, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett and even Christian Cullen, these guys are quality attacking players and have reaped the rewards on the international stage. So without a doubt there is a role for the likes of a Cheslin Kolbe, who in my mind, if he is ever chosen at a higher level, he will dominate.
"I think the All Blacks have got it right to mix big players with smaller guys with the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu and Julian Savea. so if you get your selection and combinations right, surely there is a place for a quality x-factor player like Cheslin," he said.
Kolbe echoed the sentiments of Fleck and feels that his focus is fully on fulfilling the responsibility of playing at fullback.
"I just want to focus on what I am doing right now and where I am playing, so I do not want to get ahead of myself with any extra things but rather focus on my responsibility at fullback at the moment.
"As always, there is still room for improvement, so I need to put in the extra effort, continue to work hard and take it day by day. Every game and practice is a learning curve," he said.
There has been much speculation that he is being targeted after being on the wrong end of a few late tackles from Frans Steyn but he refuses to believe there has been a "bounty" placed on his head.
"I am still alive after the game and just focus on what I have to do. I do not think I was targeted or that there has been a target placed on my back, big hits and tackles are part and parcel of the game. All I can do is get up and carry on with the game," he added.
The upcoming match against the Chiefs serves up an interesting match-up between two of the in-form centres which Fleck is really excited about.
"This is a classic match-up between two in-form players, who are pretty similar in the way they play and I am really excited to see how it pans out. Damian [de Allende] is playing really well at the moment but we think he can still bring a bit more variation to his game which he is working incredibly hard on.
"He is executing his strengths really well and likewise with Sonny Bill, who is probably varying his game a bit more which makes him quite dangerous. We must not shy away from these kind of match-ups because it will be a big talking point for the week and it is something that the fans want to see," Fleck added.
By Tauriq Ebrahim
@Tagels03