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Lions v Waratahs - Round 16, 30 May 2015

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PaarlBok

PaarlBok

Rod McCall (65)
waiopehu oldboy said:
Lions will be without Coetzee, suspended for 3 weeks for a lifting tackle v Cheetahs:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ension-puts-lions-robbie-coetzee-on-sidelines
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Myself try the whole season to figure out how he play in front of Akker. Watch him breaking the Tahs on the weekend.

re_380968737.jpg


http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/lionsnews.aspx?item=4128&multiid=1226&archive=0
Q & A with Xerox Golden Lions hooker Armand “Akker” van der Merwe


1. Where does your nickname "Akker" come from?

My grandfather was called Akker, as well as my father. And as the first born son in our family, the tradition was carried on with me.

2. Tell me about your earliest rugby memory?

I remember playing with my sister Simone and brother Duhan in our backyard in George where I grew up. Simone an Duhan are twins. I was born in Van der Bijl Park in Johannesburg, but spent my whole life growing up in George. They are 19 years old and I am 23 years old now.

3. So how did you end up playing for the Xerox Golden Lions?

I was in grade one and nine years old when I played my first rugby game at George South Primary School. I was a very scared youngster, but went on to play Grant Khomo and Craven Week rugby for South Western District Eagles while attending Outeniqua High School in George. After school I went to Potchefstroom University where I completed my Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance. Xerox Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann spotted me while representing Potchefstroom University in the Varsity Cup. Everything happened so fast and before I knew it, I was on tour with the Lions to Australia and New Zealand in the Super Rugby competition last year. I went on to play seven Super Rugby games.

4. Where did you make your debut for the Lions and how did you feel at the time?

It was against the Chiefs in Hamilton, New Zealand. Of course, It was very big moment for me because I always dreamt of playing first class rugby. I replaced Robbie Coetzee for the final 22 minutes of that game. I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to top flight rugby against one of the best teams in Super Rugby on their home ground.

5. Who is your room-mate when the Xerox Golden Lions play away from home?

I always share a room with Robbie Coetzee. There is healthy competition between us for the hooking berth in the starting line-up. However, we have different styles of play and complement each other well. We get along fine and always try to help each other to improve each other’s play.

6. Have you always played hooker?

No, because I was always very small, I started out playing scrumhalf. I also played number eight. But because my dad Alan was a hooker, I always knew that I would eventually move to the middle of the scrum when I got a bit heavier.

7. Is that where you get your speed and mobility from?

Probably yes! I love carrying the ball and I think my explosiveness, handling and ability to pass and step a bit comes from my background as a scrumhalf.

8. What aspects of you play do think you still need to improve on?

I have worked a lot with former Springbok prop Balie Swart to improve my scrumming technique and always work very hard on my accuracy when throwing in at the lineouts.

9. What position does your brother Duhan van der Merwe play?

He plays wing for the Blue Bulls under 19 team.

10. What are your immediate and long term goals?

It has always been my dream to play in an Absa Currie Cup semi and final and to go on to win it. We have been in good form lately, but regard ourselves as the underdogs because the Cell C Sharks are the defending champs. They are a well balanced team who can play with their forwards and backs. We know we will have to be on top of our game, if we want to go all the way to the final.

And like every other rugby player, I would like to be make the end of the year Springbok touring squad. I know there are lots of quality hookers in this country, but I believe the play-offs of the Absa Currie Cup is the ideal opportunity to stake your claim and show that you have what it takes to perform at a higher level.

11. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time when you are not playing rugby?

I enjoy playing golf, but I have a small elbow injury that is hindering me from playing more golf at the moment. I love playing games on my X Box and I’m also crazy about the sea. It’s always great to go home for the holidays to be close to the sea.

12. What is your favourite food and drink?

Roast chicken with potatoes and lasagne are my favourite dishes. I enjoy an ice cold Carling Black Label or Peach flavoured Ice tea to wash it down.
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Hawko

Hawko

Tony Shaw (54)
Braveheart81 said:
It started at 5pm AEST apparently so presumably in the next couple of hours.
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Went out tonight and got back at 1030 AEST expecting to see some result. Apart from Mudskipper's helpful contribution I can't find any news anywhere on-site or off-site. Anyone heard anything?
 
Lindommer

Lindommer

Steve Williams (59)
Staff member
Midnight here in the beautiful (and bloody cold) Blue Mountains. Nothing on the ARU's website, or SANZAR's or news.com.au Just checked the Tahs' website, nothing there either.
 
Froggy

Froggy

John Solomon (38)
Appeals denied!
It's going to be tough, Roach is a jack-rabbit around the paddock, but he's really going to have to step up in the scrum against one of the best packs in the business.
Still, this is the sort of adversity that sorts the wheat from the chaff. The proper champion teams lift when they run into this sort of thing. It's over to you Tahs!
 
Braveheart81

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
Froggy said:
Appeals denied!
It's going to be tough, Roach is a jack-rabbit around the paddock, but he's really going to have to step up in the scrum against one of the best packs in the business.
Still, this is the sort of adversity that sorts the wheat from the chaff. The proper champion teams lift when they run into this sort of thing. It's over to you Tahs!
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His opposite number is a halfback turned hooker so it's probably a pretty good matchup in terms of both players excelling with their mobility.

van der Merwe certainly has a much more nuggety build than Roach though.
 
Braveheart81

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
RugbyHQ reported last night that TPN was in Melbourne seeing another specialist and having a fresh bunch of tests.

Hopefully he gets some positive news. It would be awful if he was told to retire immediately because it would probably indicate the damage done is already significant.
 
mudskipper

mudskipper

Colin Windon (37)
Lindommer said:
Midnight here in the beautiful (and bloody cold) Blue Mountains. Nothing on the ARU's website, or SANZAR's or news.com.au Just checked the Tahs' website, nothing there either.
Click to expand...


Typical tahs media try their other internal media department The SMH...
 
Braveheart81

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
11062353_410632695807242_6960652262687846757_n.jpg




The names that got cut off the image are:

19. Potgieter
20. Dempsey
21. McCutcheon
22. McKibbin
23. Carraro
 
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