Julius Praised For Performance
The Sharks might have left Ellis Park licking their wounds, but one backline player in particular came in for special praise amidst the defeat on Saturday.
The 21-year-old Jurenzo Julius has been an ever-present in the Sharks’ midfield this season. He only managed 33 minutes across the two recent victories over the Stormers, but was deemed to have ‘put his hand up’ and was praised by newly announced permanent head coach JP Pietersen.
Nicknamed ‘The Boogie Man’, Julius certainly ghosted beyond the Lions’ defence on a fair few occasions, putting the Sharks on the front foot with his devastating line breaks.
He scored a wonderful try against the Lions, running roughly seventy metres of the pitch, initially proving the catalyst of the attack from deep inside his twenty-two, and breaking the defensive line, before a one-two exchange between himself and the supporting Aphelele Fassi resulted in a spectacular try.
That the try had to eventually be chalked off due to an obstruction by Tino Mavesere at the start of the attack robbed Julius of one of this season’s great tries. Had it been allowed, it would have almost certainly altered the shape of the game.
“Jurenzo was good, hey! He played and showed what he can do. I love the way he backs himself and has a full go. His decision-making was good. I am very pleased with the way he put his hand up today,” said Pietersen of Julius’ contribution.
Julius did eventually get a deserved try after the hooter sounded – his first in this year’s URC – to go with his try against Clermont in the Investec Champions Cup – and although it was a mere consolation, it was nothing more than the centre deserved.
Although he operates at outside centre the majority of the time, Pietersen believes that if Julius plays both centre roles well, it will only bode well for the future of his career.
“In the modern game, you must play more than one position. If he can do both and play both positions, it will be a good weapon for him.”
Julius has amassed just over 600 minutes for the Sharks this season, and besides wanting to add to his tally, in both minutes and tries, he will want to help the Sharks towards victory over the Bulls – and in doing so, securing a double over the Pretoria side, just as they achieved last season.
