Ospreys move for Springbok scrum-half
THE Ospreys are set to welcome Ricky Januarie to the Liberty Stadium, the ''extremely tough'' scrum-half having been identified as the ideal man to spur the region in their fight to qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
Western Province are allowing the South Africa international to travel to Wales for a short-term contract.
Rassie Erasmus, Januarie's coach at the Stormers, broke the news, revealing the 27-year-old would be flying to Swansea to ''have a full bash'' with the Ospreys.
The deal had last night still to be rubber-stamped by the Welsh Rugby Union, whose approval is needed under the new participation agreement, with the Ospreys required to explain why they are bringing in an extra overseas player.
They will say that Mike Phillips isn't due back until the end of February because of injury, while there is uncertainty about when Jamie Nutbrown will return and Rhys Webb needs more game-time after his long-term fitness problems.
Liam Davies is available, but the region want more experience for a crunch phase of the season.
And the nuggety Januarie, with 40 Test caps for South Africa, has those all-important miles on the clock.
''He is extremely tough,'' said Ospreys' elite performance director Andrew Hore, ''and we need someone tough and strong for what is a make-or-break stage of the campaign.
''Circumstances have left us stretched at scrum-half, with Mike, Jamie and Tom Isaacs ruled out by long-term injuries. Rhys is working his way back to match fitness, while we are still developing Liam.
''December and January are crucial months in the rugby calendar, when we need to be at our strongest to ensure qualification for the Heineken Cup quarter- finals and the Magners League play-offs.
''We want someone with experience and quality and Ricky Januarie fits the bill. He is a proven performer at the top level.
''And, importantly, he is really up for it. He wants to come over and play for the Ospreys.''
Januarie is behind Fourie Du Preez in South Africa's scrum-half pecking order but he showed his worth at Test level with an outstanding performance against New Zealand in Dunedin last year, crowned by a match-winning try. His efforts in that game helped bring to an end the All Blacks' world-record run of home victories, which had stretched to 30 matches.
Revitalise
The Ospreys hope the short stint will revitalise his game and boost them for their European matches with Clermont Auvergne and Leicester.
''Those two sides are the best in England and France,'' said Hore. ''We also have a number of big Magners League fixtures.
''We would be looking to give Rhys and Liam game-time in those, but it isn't a time of the year to over-rely on young players and test them out.
''We have obligations to our fans and to our stakeholders to perform as strongly as possible.''
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by Bonymaen Bob, Swansea
Friday, November 27 2009, 1:50PM
“To those that object to bringing in 'foreign' talent - how do you square the circle of playing untried and inexperienced players into key positions for the highest competition in European rugby and still hope to advance in the competition allowing the other players to gain experience at the highest level.
If the O's don't get past the knock-out stages, how will that benefit either the individuals, region or the National side?
We are a small nation, with a small player base. The so-called ideal of only welsh qualified players playing in a region is no more than a pipe dream at the moment.
How exactly would the regions operate during the 'international windows' if the majority of their players were tied up in the Welsh squad. TBH this, along with injuries has been a headache for the O's for a couple of seasons.
I agree young talent needs developing - but you don't teach somebody to swim by throwing them into the sea in a force 10 storm.”
by CARL, Baglan
Thursday, November 26 2009, 2:07PM
“I'm sick of seeing the Ospreys lose too. I'm also sick of seeing the Welsh team fail to compete on an even keel with the All Blacks and South Africa. Foreign players don't get a look in at NZ and SA Super 14 teams. They prefer to blood and develop their future internationals in this competition and they are consistently the best international teams in the world as a result. The regions were set up to pool WELSH resource into fewer teams to allow those teams to compete effectively in Europe and to support the national team. Everyone seems to forget this.
How on earth can the short term recuruitment of an overseas player be good for the long term future of the Ospreys or Wales? What will happen the next time Mike Phillips gets injured and Ricky Januarie has gone back to SA? If we draft in foreigners every time there's an injury, our regional game and the national team will suffer. If you think a quick fix with Januarie is the answer to the Ospreys' problems, you can get real.
I would argue that for every international player the Ospreys has developed, another has been lost or is stuck sitting on the bench week-in week-out because of a foreigner. I agree that balance is needed between development and results but at present the balance is wrong. The results show this with the foreigners who are already at the Ospreys. They're there for the money, not for the shirt. I hope I'm wrong but I doubt it.
Being a TRUE Ospreys fan doesn't mean you have to blindly accept every decision the management makes, no matter how stupid!”
by Simon, In a valley
Thursday, November 26 2009, 12:44PM
“To be honest Carl, as an Ospreys supporter I am sick of seeing them lose. The coaches and management have to balance developement with winning. Having watched both of the young scrumhalves they are not good enough at the moment to play in the HEC. The Ospreys have a good track record of developing talent: Hibberd, Bennett, James, Biggar, Hook Bishop etc have all come through the ranks at the O's and with the likes of Beck, Phillips, Pryie etc coming through the system is working. It would be good to have an all Welsh squad but that is a pipe dream. Aslong as we recruit quality overseas players not journeymen I have no problem.”
by alex evans, Neath
Thursday, November 26 2009, 12:31PM
“No other region has done any where near what the Ospreys have done for the national cause so lets get real here.
Well done to all concerned at the Ospreys for once again looking outside the box.
As a TRUE osprey fan I am delighted!”
by carl singleton, Baglan
Thursday, November 26 2009, 11:16AM
“This is a typical Welsh Regional response to an injury crisis - draft in a foreign player. I remind Mr. Hore that the Ospreys also have an obligation to the WRU and the Welsh public to develop Welsh talent. The injuries in the squad should be seen as the perfect opportunity to give players like Liam Davies and Rhys Webb an opportunity to shine. How else will they get that opportunity? As an Ospreys fan I am sick of seeing so many non-welsh players turn out for the region. I hope the WRU blocks this move!”