Is Warrick Gelant a Springbok centre-in-waiting?
Blue Bulls director of rugby John Mitchell raises the possibility of an interesting switch for an 'exceptionally gifted' player.
Warrick Gelant is the type of creative talent that John Mitchell would like to see in the No 13 jersey. Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images.
In the rush (at least from certain sections of the rugby public) to fit Warrick Gelant with a Springbok jersey at fullback or wing, Blue Bulls guru John Mitchell has opened up another intriguing possibility.
He believes the exciting 22-year-old could actually find his bread buttered in the midfield.
Also read: This weekend’s talking points from the Currie Cup
“I’ve been privileged to coach a lot of gifted players,” Mitchell said on Wednesday ahead of the Bulls’ trip to Bloemfontein to meet the Free State Cheetahs on Friday evening.
“It’s an amazing thought to me that there’s a lot of outside centre in Warrick. There’s not a lot of guys in world rugby that can turn a defender inside out but he can. He’s already great at losing defenders when the ball is in the air. Warrick’s running lines remind me very much of (Lions centre) Lionel Mapoe.”
It’s indeed an interesting thought and one that deserves debate, especially with Jesse Kriel and Jan Serfontein stagnating as the Springboks’ first-choice centre pairing.
Gelant has gradually soared in this Currie Cup campaign as the players around him have grown in confidence.
Yet Mitchell cautions that the Knysna native perhaps still lacks the necessary balance to be a truly successful international player.
He’ll get there though.
“Warrick is an exceptionally gifted, attacking player,” said Mitchell.
“He’s learning defence as well. It’s a responsibility that’s becoming clearer to him. He’s perhaps a bit self-conscious – for want of a better word – in that aspect still.
“He’s just got to get the balance right between attacking and serving others. Every time he gets the ball, opposition see him as a threat and that means defenders target him. Sometimes the players outside of him will be in a better position than him. But we’re working hard on that and he’s beginning to understand.”
