Sharks need Deysel to step up

Aaron Smith of the Highlanders tackles Jean Deysel of the Sharks during the 2014 Super Rugby Sharks match between The Sharks and Highlanders at the Kings Parks Stadium in Durban , Kwa-Zulu Natal on the 19th July 2014 ©Sabelo Mngoma/BackpagePix

Aaron Smith of the Highlanders tackles Jean Deysel of the Sharks during the 2014 Super Rugby Sharks match between The Sharks and Highlanders at the Kings Parks Stadium in Durban , Kwa-Zulu Natal on the 19th July 2014 ©Sabelo Mngoma/BackpagePix

Published May 4, 2016

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Durban - While there is no doubting that Jean Deysel is a special player, a battering ball carrier and dogged defender, the amount of respect he garners from the Kiwis is a little surprising. Deysel is seen as an enigma down under, and anyone listening to the likes of Tony Johnson and Scotty Stevenson commentating on the recent games that Deysel has cropped up in would be remiss in not noticing their praise for him.

Both for the Sharks and the Boks, Deysel has left his mark on the Kiwi imagination. They sling superlatives at him like: ‘the human battering-ram’ and ‘a mountain of a man’. He is the man they love to hate but are the Sharks sitting on a fierce mental one-up over the Hurricanes in this Saturday’ s match?

Deysel is still slowly making his way back from an injury that has kept him out for some time, this after he was banned for seven weeks last season, and has only played a bit part thus far. Injuries to Philip van der Walt and Marcell Coetzee have allowed the bruising flank a chance to get some time off the bench, but it is clear that the reigned-in beast is champing at the bit.

“ I was so eager to get onto the pitch,” Deysel said after his cameos in New Zealand. “I hadn’t had an opportunity in quite a while so I was happy to get out there and express myself.”

Express himself he did, in the only way he knew how, by putting people on their backsides. Deysel definitely looks back to his best, which is good news for the Sharks who know they have to bring the high-flying Hurricanes back to earth with some physical domination and breakdown superiority.

“The Hurricanes are a brilliant side and they are hitting form at the right stage of the competition, so we are looking forward to a physical battle on the weekend. It is never going to be easy, not one game in this competition will be easy, and you cannot go on previous results. We are looking forward to this weekend and we are preparing well, but just trying to get over the jet-lag!” the upbeat Deysel exclaimed.

The Hurricanes have made an emphatic statement on their arrival in South Africa as they managed to put 50-points past the free-running Lions last week. It is something the Sharks have taken note of, but they are not simply planning to counter what happened in Johannesburg, rather they are focused on their own game.

“The biggest thing for me is that if you are out by an inch you will get 50 points,” Deysel said emphatically. “We will take that from the Lions match and just try and come out firing as best we can.

“We have a plan for the Hurricanes and we are preparing for them in a way at the breakdown, but we will just try and play a bit with the ball, and get the territory game right to do our best. Every weekend is a new test and you can’t go so much on the previous clash because they can bring something new.”

It should be expected that the loose trio for the Sharks will look the same as it did for the Chiefs, but the unsung secret weapon should make a rather large impact later in the game. The name Deysel is one that strikes some fear into the hearts of New Zealanders, and provide that extra inch. - The Star

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