Super Rugby: Young Damian Willemse aces his audition
The Stormers' flyhalf was actually 'spared' a few responsibilities last weekend against the Cheetahs. He's shown he's ready for more.
Damian Willemse flies in for an excellent individual try. Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images.
2017 has been a year where teenagers have been give huge responsibilities by their Super Rugby franchises.
You don’t need to look further than the Sharks’ Curwin Bosch or the Kings’ Yaw Penxe.
Damian Willemse isn’t one of them though.
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In fact, the Stormers’ starting flyhalf against the Cheetahs last weekend was given an “easier” ride.
“Easier”, however, is a relative term because the only thing the 19-year-old prodigy wasn’t expected to do was take over the goal-kicking duties.
“With Damian making his first start, Vlokkie (Cilliers, the Stormers’ kicking coach) thought we shouldn’t let him kick for poles,” said Stormers assistant coach Paul Feeney.
“We didn’t want to put all the pressure on him at this age immediately.”
The funny thing about that is that Willemse’s general play and his handling of pressure was so excellent that team management might actually be convinced to give him a bigger role.
“The situation might possibly not be the same,” said Feeney.
“This weekend’s game against the Sunwolves might be a good time to groom Damian. He’s familiar with Newlands and knows the conditions. He might slot a few kicks.”
Goal-kicking shouldn’t represent the be-all and end-all of Willemse as a player, merely a cherry on top.
He is a far more rounded player than that – as his showing in Bloemfontein showed.
“It’s great he that he scored a try, it was a good little gap he spotted and he stayed in support on the inside,” said Feeney.
“I think he kicked very well for the sideline – three or four times off penalties his kicking for the sideline carved off at least 40 metres, some of them with not great angles. Our last try from the line-out when we were down 33-34, he put that ball within 10 metres of the tryline from halfway.”
But the New Zealander, who specialises in skills and defence, isn’t blind to the fact that it wasn’t a perfect showing.
“He made a few mistakes and I expected him to make a few mistakes. It is more so the learnings with Damian now.
“He has been given the opportunity and he would have been very nervous last Saturday. I am expecting him to play better again this week. Every minute he gets at this level the better he is going to get over the next while.”
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