Stormers boss compares rising star to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and makes blunt admission on his progress
Stormers fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed (inset) and director of rugby John Dobson.
Stormers boss John Dobson has admitted that the progress of young playmaker Yaqeen Ahmed has been surprising and highlighted the importance of their match against the All Blacks on Friday.
There is plenty of excitement in the build-up to this encounter at the DHL Stadium which is the opening fixture of the All Blacks’ eagerly anticipated Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa.
New Zealand will take on all four of South Africa’s URC sides ahead of three clashes with the Springboks in Johannesburg (twice) and Cape Town, before Baltimore hosts the fourth and final Test on September 12.
Surprise selection
Exciting fly-half Ahmed has been one of the surprise selections in the Stormers‘ starting line-up for the clash with the All Blacks.
Ahmed was one of South Africa’s stars during a triumphant campaign at World Rugby’s U20 Championship in Georgia last month and Dobson revealed that the youngster’s progress has been surprising.
“He’s come through much faster than we thought,” he told reporters in Cape Town. “I thought he did so well for the U20s.
“We’re loath to make comparisons, but we had a reminder there of a few years ago when Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] was coming through – that same commitment, composure, excitement.”
Dobson is excited by the prospect of unleashing Ahmed against the All Blacks and is confident he will give a good account of himself.
“He’s going to put in a big shift. I mean, hopefully 80 minutes. That’s just because of the faith we’ve got in him. He’s special,” he revealed.
Friday’s encounter will be a momentous occasion as it will be the first-ever match between these sides.
Over the years, the All Blacks had previously faced Western Province on four occasions at the old Newlands rugby stadium in Cape Town with both sides winning two matches apiece.
Wary of the All Blacks challenge
Dobson believes the All Blacks’ tour opener presents a unique challenge to the Stormers.
“What’s clear to me is that the difference is getting bigger in style,” he said. “If you watch how much the All Blacks are passing and moving the ball, it’s just going through the roof.
“We haven’t faced that. We don’t play them every week.”
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Under the guidance of new head coach Dave Rennie, the All Blacks have placed an emphasis on an expansive game-plan where they give the ball plenty of air and Dobson feels it’s important for the Stormers to stick to what’s been successful for them in recent seasons and not to try and match the All Blacks’ strengths.
“We’ve got to engage them like that. We’ve got to look at those things that we’re doing every week – the physicality, that’s what we’re good at. That’s in our DNA,” he said.
“We can’t suddenly go out there and try and join what Stephen Jones calls Super Rugby, the basketball.
“That’s not going to be our plan at all.”