The Rayno Gerber Interview

Rayno - no. 18!
By apb
October 26 2004

Just before the semi-final of the Currie Cup, Fred de Villiers, a good friend of TykesRugby, caught up with our sponsored player for this year, Rayno Gerber. Fred had a chat with the big fella, and got a bit of an insight into our newest signing.

 

 

Fred: What made you want to leave SA and come to the ZP?

 

Rayno: I decided to leave South Africa for the ZP mainly to gain some valuable experience. The ZP is known for it’s high standards and I personally think that the forward play is the toughest in the world. So that’s why I’m looking forward to my time at the Tykes and to learn from the coaches and players to enhance my abilities.

Fred: What do you know about the city of Leeds and the county of Yorkshire?

 

Rayno: To be honest not that much, except for what I heard from a friend, Ryno van der Merwe, who played for Rotherham last season. He highly recommends the city. I’ve heard it gets really cold in Northern England and that the countryside is very beautiful.

Fred: The Tykes have had several successful SA players: Andre Snyman, BVS, Japie Mulder etc. Have you had contact with any of these to find out what you're letting yourself in for?

 

Rayno: I have not had contact with any of the above, but Naka Drotske ( my teammate at the Cheetahs and former London Irish player) rates the Tykes very highly and only had good things to say about the club and the team. He also told me that they train really hard and that they are a well disciplined side

Fred: When do you think you'll be ready for your first game in a Tykes shirt?

 

Rayno: I will be arriving in Leeds as soon as our Currie Cup season is over. So that should either be just after the semi’s or hopefully the final. I’m really looking forward to start training as soon as possible.

Fred: The ZP has a number of star names that have joined English clubs at the
twilight of their international careers. You've made the jump at the other
end of yours. What do you think this does for any ambitions you have for playing Test rugby in the future?

 

Rayno: Most of the players who have gone and played in the ZP have returned better and more experienced players. I really look forward to learning a lot at the Tykes to advance my knowledge of the game and help me become a better player. And I think playing in the ZP can only improve my chances of one day playing test rugby.

Fred: What do you think the main differences will be playing ZP rugby as opposed to Currie Cup?

 

Rayno: I think the only difference will be that play is more forward orientated, because of the inclement weather. Other than that I think it will be just as tough, if not tougher than Currie Cup rugby.

Fred: You seem to be a very effective player both in set pieces and in the
loose. Where do you get the most joy from your game?

 

Rayno: I really enjoy both aspects of the game. There is no greater feeling than when the pack is doing the set phases well and supplying the backs with good ball to run with. Then again all props love to run with the ball, don’t they?!

Fred: Despite our best efforts, you're likely to be playing to lower crowds at
Headingley than you're used to at Bloemfontein. How do you think that will
affect things?

 

Rayno: I don’t think it will affect my play at all. English fans are such good supporters. A smaller crowd at Headingly might sound like a packed Vodacom Park at Bloemfontein.

Fred: Do you think the way the Tykes play is similar to your own style? How do you think the cooler weather will affect your game?

 

Rayno: I haven’t seen that much of the Tykes playing style, but I do hope that our playing styles will complement each other. The cooler weather will probably make things difficult at first, but once you get into the game, things like that doesn’t matter to me.

Fred: What qualities do you think Phil Davies saw in you that he can bring to
the team?

 

Rayno: I am not sure, but I will definitely do my best on and off the field to justify his faith in my abilities and to thank the Tykes for the opportunity they have given me.

Fred: Leeds have been playing together as a pack for a few weeks now, how do you think you'll fit in?

 

Rayno: It is always difficult when you arrive at a settled team when their season has already started. Luckily I normally adapt well and quickly to new situations.

Fred: What qualities do you feel you bring to the pack?

 

Rayno: This is not an easy question. As a tighthead your most important role is to do your part in providing the backs with good ball from set pieces, especially scrums. So I’ll do my best to live up to the high standards set by the Tykes pack.

Fred: Is there an opponent or team you are looking forward to coming up
against in the Zurich Premiership?

 

Rayno: There are so many great props in the ZP that any opportunity you get should be a real challenge. It would be great to play against players like Trevor Woodman, Robbie Kempson etc. who are already well established players.

Fred: What is your best rugby moment in your career thus far?

 

Rayno: This is an easy question although there have already been many highlights so far. It was being part of the 2002 SA u/21 team that won the World Cup in our home country. I also envisage my time at the Tykes as being one of those great defining periods of my career.

 

And with that, the big man was off. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to hold the Currie Cup aloft, since the Free State Cheetahs went down to the Bulls who lifted their third successive Currie Cup. Now however, we’ll get to see Rayno Gerber, in the flesh, sporting a Tykes top, hopefully barreling through the opposition. I can’t wait!

 

Welcome to Leeds, big fella!