Stormers defence coach Norman Laker hasn't held back on the "foul play" that's left Deon Fourie heading for scans. With Roos narrowly escaping a similar fate on the Belfast turf, the Cape side are shifting focus to Cardiff for their final regular-season push. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Stormers defence coach Norman Laker revealed that No 8 Evan Roos was lucky to avoid serious injury in a dangerous cleanout similar to the one that caused significant damage to veteran forward Deon Fourie’s knee during last weekend’s dramatic draw against Ulster Rugby.
Fourie was forced off early with suspected ligament damage after a croc-roll tackle from Ulster captain Iain Henderson, who later received a 20-minute red card following a bunker review. Laker confirmed that the 39-year-old flank will return to South Africa for scans to determine the full extent of the injury.
“The doctors have not given us any feedback as of yet,” Laker said during Monday’s press conference.
The Stormers head into Friday night’s final United Rugby Championship league clash against Cardiff Rugby (kick-off 8.45pm) still frustrated by the incident, with Laker revealing Roos was involved in another dangerous clear-out later in the match.
“Yes, it was Dan du Plessis who made a tackle. I understand Dan did not roll away, so first offence, Dan was part of the tackle, he did not roll away and then it was a side clean,” Laker explained. “But it was also still foul play—cleaning from the side, cleaning away from the breakdown, not over Dan.”
Laker said Roos was fortunate to escape injury because he was the only cleaner involved in the contact.
“I do understand the rule: if Dan is lying there, then he could have gone straight, but then rather give a penalty immediately instead of a guy cleaning from sideways. Luckily, Evan was a lone cleaner.”
The coach added that artificial pitches increase the danger because players’ feet can become trapped in the surface.
“Evan could have been in a similar situation to Brannas (Fourie) because on the 4G it is different,” he said. “If your feet get stuck, then there is a possibility for a ligament to go, while on grass the foot might give way and your knees or ankles might be fine.”
Despite his frustration, Laker insisted the Stormers were not blaming the dropped points on the incident.
“I’m not complaining, we weren’t good enough,” he admitted.
“Our defence wasn’t good enough. That is something we will improve on Friday night.”