When the going got tough this year, DHL Western Province’s Michael Rhodes got going.
Take a moment to reflect for a while what the DHL Stormers and Western Province’s season might have been like without Michael Rhodes.
Apart from the one Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Bulls at Loftus and his enforced rest in the final Absa Currie Cup league match against the Sharks, Rhodes has been an ever-present.
Even when coach Allister Coetzee needed a No.5 lock amid an extraordinary injury crisis that derailed the campaign, Rhodes embraced the role of calling the lineouts and distinguished himself as an imposing presence at set-pieces.
Little wonder then that he scooped the award for most promising forward at the 2014 WP annual awards evening.
“I actually moved to Cape Town from the Lions with a view to playing as a No.7 flank. It’s where I feel I play my best rugby. But at the same time I don’t mind helping out at lock when the need arises,” says Rhodes.
“Having said that, it was quite a learning curve playing as a No.5 lock! It’s totally different to the role you fulfil at No.4, but it’s something I’ve come to enjoy.”
The Faithful have certainly taken to Rhodes, whose uncompromising and relentless style of play embodies the WP spirit.
It was a matter of personal pride for him to put up his hand under difficult circumstances earlier this year.
“The winning culture here is amazing and it’s never OK to lose. It’s a big thing for me personally and the entire team wants to deliver. We ended up needing a few guys to play out of position in Super Rugby, but were able to find our feet towards the end of the tournament.”
By contrast, WP hit the ground running in the Currie Cup, where Rhodes has been able to consistently play in his preferred position on the flank. He remained there even when Jean Kleyn and Ruan Botha were struck down by injuries in the aftermath of the league game against the Pumas in Nelspruit.
With DHL WP having qualified for a home semifinal even before their last league match against the Sharks, Rhodes was afforded a deserved rest. However, he can’t wait to get going again in a Currie Cup campaign where DHL WP have reaped the rewards of an exciting brand of rugby and fewer injury disruptions.
“Everyone has been able to play in their preferred positions and we’ve also altered our style of play slightly,” he says.
“We’re playing at a higher tempo and are looking forward to getting the ball in our hands. When I arrived here, we were quite conservative.”
Rhodes believes much-maligned backline coach Robbie Fleck deserves a lot of credit.
“Fleckie has been driving our approach and is keen for us to get the ball into the hands of dangerous runners like Cheslin Kolbe, Seabelo Senatla and Kobus van Wyk,” says Rhodes. “He takes the criticism on the chin every time we don’t score four tries and I really hope he gets the credit he deserves.”
Rhodes is enjoying the freedom of getting the ball in hand, even if it’s at close quarters.
“I’ve always enjoyed carrying the ball. It was one of the aspects I prided myself on before coming to WP,” he says. “I learned a lot about defence when I came here and I’ve been looking to marry those aspects. Look, I like running with the ball as much as Cheslin, but I can’t quite get to that level!”
What about the next level then? Having delivered in both lock positions as well as on the flank, Rhodes has demonstrated his potential to wear the Green & Gold.
“Obviously, playing for the Boks is every player’s dream,” he says.
“(Springbok coach) Heyneke Meyer has been building a squad towards next year’s World Cup and it would be amazing to somehow sneak in or make it on to the end-of-season tour.”
Rhodes knows he will have to play out of his skin as there is an experienced core of Boks that understandably won’t be shifted aside for new blood. But rugby is unpredictable due to injuries.
And Rhodes has demonstrated the ability to step up under difficult circumstances. The award of most promising forward, therefore, just about sums it up. He may already be 26, but one senses there is still a huge amount to come from Michael Rhodes.
Umichael Rhodes ijoni lemfazwe yomboxo
Kukho mdlali othile ekuqinisekileyo ukuba uAllister Cetzee angaya naye emfazweni, lowo nguMichael Rhodes.
Ngumdlali ozifuna zonke kwaye ubeka izidingo zeqela ngaphambi kwezake.
Ngumdlali ofunwa ngabo bonke ?abaqeqeshi kuba kaloku udlala kuzo zonke iindawo ukusuka kwi lock ayotsho kwi loose lonto imenza alangazeleleke nyani.
Uhleli nje esonzakala, esemaplangeni kowa kusafuneka yena abonakalise elakhono wayengathi unalo ekuqaleni kwakhe ukudlala.
Uzibonakalisile ke kodwa kwi Absa Currie Cup yalonyaka kwaye xana esemandlini akanqandeiki kwaye uyalisokolisaelinye icala.
Umoya wakhe ongaphelelwayo umenza abesisidalwa esingabambekiyo noba udlala njenge lock okanye umphathi webhola pha kwiloose forwards.
Kulento yomonzakalo okanye yokubizwa zi springboks iphantse yamosha iCurrie Cup yeWestern Province kodwa uRhodes ungenelele weza namava nomzimba odingekayo kwiqela eliphumelelayo kwelikhuphiswano.
uRhodes kelo akakazinzi ncam eqeleni kuba ebeke wadlalela iiSharks, waya kwi Golden Lions kwaye lonto iyamlibazisa ngakumbi xa kuthethwa ngeqela lesizwe.
Kodwa ke yiminyaka emibini ngoku uRhodes eseKapa kwaye indlela adlala ngayo izokubasa kwimidlalo yokugqibela yeCurrie Cup. Ningothuki ke xana elelona qhawe ngomgqibelo xana bedlala neBlue Bulls. Yindoda ethanda umlo ikhokele iqela layo empumelelweni.
DHL Western Province Matchday Magazine