The Sharks are excited by the attacking weapon they have in Jurenzo Julius.
The ‘Boogieman’ was impressive in a losing cause against the Lions last week from inside centre – a position usually reserved for Sharks captain and Springbok André Esterhuizen. Julius normally finds himself at 13 but his bustling runs from 12 caught the eye at Ellis Park.
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Sharks attack coach Dave Williams told News24 the move is part of a broader plan.
“The evolution of the game requires a lot more multiple positions among the players,” he explained.
“Within the backs, we’re on the lookout for multiple positions; I think players sometimes get pigeonholed as a 13 through schooling.
“But the game wants you out of an organisational moment from a lineout or scrum strike and you become [just] a player connected to the attack.”
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Williams believes the positional tweak gives Julius a greater influence on matches.
“Twelve gets you one pass closer to the ball. He’s got that explosiveness to set people up, off-balance them, explode through the game and he has the speed to get away from the line as well.”
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Julius will partner Esterhuizen in the midfield at Loftus on Saturday, and Williams says while he has shown promise at 12, the 21-year-old will still play a lot of his senior rugby in that outside channel.
“You’ve got to give credit to [head coach] JP [Pietersen] for putting him in there, but I think, with his versatility, he’ll still be in that 13 role,” Williams added.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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