Zeena Isaacs
27 October 2008
Johannesburg — AN EMOTIONAL Lions wing Earl Rose yesterday ignored criticism about his inclusion in the 28-man national squad for the year-end tour to the UK following his inconsistent form in the Currie Cup and said he would make the most of the chance.
But the player said he would work hard to master the basics of flyhalf, after being converted from a fullback to No10 this season.
Rose was the biggest surprise in Springbok coach Peter de Villiers's squad named on Saturday night, with hardworking Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow the only other uncapped player.
Rose will provide back-up for the talented Ruan Pienaar, who is being groomed to take over from regular flyhalf Butch James, and fullback Conrad Jantjes.
The 24-year-old was selected ahead of Springbok and Western Province flyhalf Peter Grant -- who is on standby for the tour -- and Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn, who has been one of the most consistent flyhalves in SA this year.
Interestingly, Rose's provincial coach, Eugene Eloff, said after his team bombed out of the Currie Cup semifinal that he thought the player was not yet ready to play flyhalf at international level.
Rose, however, was delighted about his call-up yesterday and said: "I am very emotional and excited about the opportunity.
"I also feel relieved because I put a lot of pressure on myself in the last few Currie Cup games to play well. I'm going to give it my all at the camp and on tour and hopefully I will do well."
Commenting on the criticism about his inconsistent form in the No10 jersey during the Currie Cup, Rose said: "I try to use every chance that comes my way and this is one of them. I will work harder to get the basics right in the position and do my best. But I'll have to wait and see if I get a chance at flyhalf."
Springbok selection convener Peter Jooste also paid no attention to Eloff's belief that Rose needed another year at flyhalf before representing the national team and said: "We try not to pay attention to other people's views. We try to do things our own way.
"People said (Springbok wing) Jongi Nokwe needed another year before playing international rugby and look at how well he used his opportunity. We are hoping these youngsters would do the same.
"We are working towards the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the British and Irish Lions tour next year. So we think this is the right time to start preparing a few young players."
Commenting on the decision to exclude the overseas-based players, including James and props CJ van der Linde and BJ Botha, from the squad, Jooste said: "We said at the beginning of the year that we wanted to experiment with a few players and positions on the year-end tour, for example trying out Ruan at flyhalf, so it was not tough to omit the overseas players.
"If there are any problems on tour, we can recall those guys. But we know what we have in them."
By the looks of things a few 2007 World Cup stars will also have to work their way back into the starting line-up after a few months on the sideline with injuries. Centre Jaque Fourie (stomach and groin), No8 Ryan Kankowski (shoulder), lock Bakkies Botha (knee) and Chiliboy Ralepelle (knee) all return after lengthy injuries.
However, Adrian Jacobs, Pierre Spies and Andries Bekker have played well in their absence, which could present a selection poser for De Villiers.
Ralepelle's inclusion, in particular, raised eyebrows, as he battled to make the Blue Bulls' match 22 after returning from injury and his replacement during the Test season, Adriaan Strauss, has been in good form.
The Springbok squad will gather in Cape Town tomorrow to start their preparations for the Tests against Wales, Scotland and England starting next weekend. They depart for Wales on Friday.
SPINGBOK SQUAD
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brüssow, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Brian Mujati, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Backs: Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Conrad Jantjes, Ricky Januarie, Jongi Nokwe, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Earl Rose, Frans Steyn.
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