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Grant has confidence in Stormers pack

Article Published: Thursday 27 May 2010

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Stormers pivot Peter Grant is backing his forward pack to get the better of the Bulls forwards but appears to be less confident about his future in South African rugby.

Grant is reported to have told associates that if he is not be selected for the Springboks squad this season he will look at moving to Australia next season for the Super 15 .

The Stormers star kicker was almost recruited by the Western Force last season as a replacement for Matt Giteau who left to rejoin the Brumbies.

Grant was not named in the latest Springbok squad but that could be because he is being rested as he is playing in the Super 14 final.

Even though he has enjoyed some of his career best form this season insiders have said that Grant, who has five Test caps, is no certainty for the Springboks.

Grant will get a chance to lay down a marker for Springbok selection on Saturday when he goes up against his biggest rivals for Springbok selection - Bulls No.10 Morne Steyn.

Grant is admired for his defence, delivery and ability to run with the ball in hand but Steyn offers a brilliant kicking game and is the incumbent Bok number 10.

What will be one of the most intriguing elements to the Super 14 final is what impact both men will have.

However, Grant is playing down the contest between the 10's and points to the forwards.

"A lot's been said about the kicking game, and I agree that Morne Steyn and (halfback) Fourie du Preez are brilliant kickers, but (in the final), a lot will depend on the performance of the forwards," Grant told SA Blog site Keo.

"Every flyhalf wants to play behind a winning pack, and I've been getting some nice ball to work with from my forwards."

"Whoever gets that momentum will come out on top." he said of the contest between the Bulls and Stormers forwards.

"I certainly don't think it's going to be a case of me versus Morne. It's not a man-on-man thing."

The Force have reassured Grant that their door is still open for him even though he turned them down last year which led to the Force signing Andre Pretorius.

Force general manager, Mitch Hardy, said: "We got pretty close to him when we were looking for a marquee 10 last time.

"So if he was keen to come and have a look at Australian again - pending what happens with his Springbok aspirations - we would be keen on having a chat to his management. Absolutely.

"We still have a No.10 spot available, so if he is still keen in a chat we would be interested. We had some really good talks with him last time. He has had a fantastic season.

"But I would be very surprised if he doesn't get in the Springboks squad, to be perfectly honest.

"We had sort of written off that he would be a Springbok now and that his time would be taken up this year and the next with the World Cup.

"But you never know. South African rugby is a strange animal at the best of times." he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"So, if he gets cast aside, we will be ready to jump. I think he would go down well in Australian rugby."

 
 
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