Roan back as Coventry RFC look to maintain winning sequence
By John Wilkinson, Coventry Telegraph. December 18 2014
... against Loughborough Students
Second row Roan van Heerden makes his first start of the season as Coventry bid to make it 12 National League One wins in a row at home to Loughborough Students tomorrow.
Injured in Cov’s pre-season game at Merthyr Tydfil, van Heerden underwent knee surgery and played three games for Broadstreet before making his return as a replacement for Cov in last week’s 36-12 win at Blackheath.
He takes over from the rested Tom Poole as one of three changes to Cov’s starting XV.
Dan Rundle, who had a major impact at Blackheath when he came off the bench for the final quarter after Dom Lespierre took a knock and set up a try for Rob Knox with a run from one 22 to the other before then scoring Cov’s bonus-point fourth try a few minutes later, starts on the wing while flanker Lewis Ludlam returns at the expense of George Oliver.
Cliffie Hodgson has recovered from an ankle injury to lead the side from full-back.
Cov came through a tough game at Loughborough on the second weekend of the season, holding on to secure a narrow 30-27 win as the home side finished strongly.
There has been a gulf in performances since then, however, with Cov embarking on a run which has taken them to a challenging third place in the table while the Students are sitting just outside the relegation places with five wins to their name.
I feel for the boys who have been dropped because at the moment i think everyone in the squad can fit the bill as for rvh i think its a run out he needs after injury as for rundle he gave a boost last week he can score your normal bread and butter tries but also with his pace give you the spectacular as for oliver its shame for the lad who has done nothing wrong nor have the rest of the boys who would want to select from that squad hard job but thats why we are were we are
The aim of the club is not to just fit the bill, but to put out the best team to get the best possible results over the season.
There are all sorts of issues involved. We may not know about minor injuries. We do not always know when DR/loan players are required by their own clubs, it may just be that ion a particular week a player is brought in to give them a chance to show what they can do. Add to this that not all players are equal - of two competing for a position one may be better at certain things, another at others. Neither is 'better' for all occasions, all pitch conditions, against all styles of opponents.
Put bluntly, you can't have it both ways. Complaining Sunday to Wednesday that some players aren't getting a chance, and from Thursday to Saturday that the coaches haven't been loyal to the players that did so well the previous week is neither fair to the coaches and team management or to the players themselves.
Please dont take this the wrong way nick in some players there is horses for causes i know that i would love to see them all play if your refering to me wanting rundle to start thats my prefered type of winger if you have read any of my other posts i also say dom is top try scorer and its harsh for him to be taken out the team the reason i bleet on about rundle is he has had the least game time and me personaly rate him and would not want to loose him due to lack of interest in him my opinion alone and im not questioning the managment it a tough job with such a good squad im just one of your 1700 sat managers but my selection does not count
After seeing Dom go off on sat with a knock, and knowing what dan can do, I think it's quite right he gets given a start against a team I don't think we have ever lost against.
We have had some big fixtures recently and a lot of games ahead. Keep people involved, give some a rest. I have faith in Scot Morgan making the right choices. This is about Coventry Rugby not individuals, the reason we have built this head of steam in recent games is because the players have bonded as a squad and supported each other.
I do agree with you and nick about the squad bonding realy well i know im probably wrong in wanting everyone to have equal time on the pitch because every game and weather conditions will be looked at but like i say im just a fan who wants cov to do well and try and keep all the players we have at the club
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