Benetton’s debut in the new “world” tournament on Saturday The second line former Cheetahs: “I tackle and fix the rucks”
/ TREVISO
Carl Wegner is undoubtedly one of the most important reinforcements of this year in the Benetton pack: it is a mighty second line of 2.01 for 117 kg, which among other things has already started to show off by signing the initial try in the unfortunate friendly match. in Edinburgh. South African, he arrived from the Cheetahs last summer but has European experiences having played in France, at the Stade Français, as well as in Japan. And in Treviso he certainly does not feel disoriented, given that he has found Rhyno Smith, his companion to Franco Smith’s “Cheetahs”, as well as of course the whole large group of other compatriots players, from Duvenage to Negri, from Herbst to Steyn. And so on Saturday he will make his debut in the United Rugby Championship against a team from his country, the Stormers of Cape Town. “I’m quite excited about the idea of playing against a South African team – says Wegner – we come from those two friendly matches against Sharks and Edinburgh, they were just as many defeats, it’s true, but I must say that they proved useful because there were also positive aspects, against the English but also the first half in Scotland. And the whole team is working hard to reach the best condition for the start of the tournament ».
What should we expect from you as a player?
«I believe that I am above all a player who focuses a lot on physicality and on helping the team. But also being a ball carrier, carrying the ball forward and fixing the rucks. Besides, I also like to defend, in particular tackling the opponents ».
When he was playing in the Cheetahs he also faced the Lions. What do you remember of those matches?
«I remember that I always lost against them… In fact, facing them has never been easy, I remember a Benetton team that is very physical and athletic in every department. But now I’m here ready to lend a hand to my teammates ».
What is your idea about the Stormers?
«I would say that it is not a typically South African team, in the sense that it tends to do physical rugby, rather it prefers to play fast, with a fairly rapid maneuver. And I believe that we will have to be really prepared and ready to face it adequately ».
After two months of preparation, what do you think of coach Marco Bortolami?
«I got on well with him from day one, perhaps because he is a former scrum player. He is a coach who takes great care of the details and helps us from all points of view ».
The first of the Stormers. Meanwhile, the Stormers, who have been preparing at Ghirada for Saturday’s match since Monday, given the absence of Steven Kitshoff, who is currently in the national team with the Springboks, have appointed Moerat and van Rhyn as co-captains of the team. For the South Africans, Monigo’s will be just the beginning of a European tour that in the URC, before returning home, will see them face Benetton, Munster, Edinburgh and the Dragons within a month, in order. –