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What Racing 92 boss Stuart Lancaster has asked of Siya Kolisi ahead of debut
By Josh Raisey
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi is set to make his Racing 92 debut this Sunday against reigning Investec Champions Cup winners La Rochelle in the Top 14, after his head coach Stuart Lancaster confirmed his availability.
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Despite arriving in Paris over a week ago to link up with his new team, the flanker has not seen any action yet as he acclimatises to his new surroundings and recovers from the Springboks’ victorious World Cup campaign.
After training all week with the Parisian outfit, Lancaster confirmed on Friday that Kolisi is available to take the field at La Defense Arena, suggesting he will play his first match since defeating the All Blacks at the Stade de France. The former England boss has given the Springbok some simple instructions ahead of his debut, telling him to focus on the basics as he grows accustomed to a new system in both attack and defence.
“He has trained all week and he is available for selection,” Lancaster said at Racing’s press conference.
“I am simply going to ask him to initially concentrate on the basics.
“It is a new system for him both in defence and attack which he has still to acclimatise to.
“It is a very important match for him, he was very focused this week and is eager to play.”
Kolisi was present at the Stade Jean Bouin last week as Racing beat Stade Francais in the Parisian derby, leaving them level on points with their rivals at the top of the league (in second due to points difference). Though last season’s Top 14 runners-up La Rochelle are languishing in eighth, they have now won two matches on the bounce as their internationals have returned to action to bolster their squad significantly.
Lancaster will be all too aware of the threat Ronan O’Gara’s side pose, and will want to field his best team possible to get the victory, which would surely include the South Africa skipper.
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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