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Author Topic: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies  (Read 1368 times)

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WellingQuin

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7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 15:00* »
SOUTH AFRICA INTERNATIONAL LOCK JOINS FOR THE 2019/20 SEASON

Harlequins is pleased to can confirm that Stephan Lewies will join the Club for the 2019/20 season.

South African international Lewies, 27, is currently on loan with Lions but played the majority of his career in South Africa with Sharks, where he made 80 appearances having made his way up through the ranks, playing in the Currie Cup aged 21 in 2013.

His outstanding performances the following year meant that he was immediately recognised as a special talent and was called up to the Springbok squad, earning his first Test cap against Scotland at only 22 when he replaced Victor Matfield in a 55–6 win over Scotland in Port Elizabeth.

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “Stephan is an intelligent and hard-working Lock who we know will add real quality at the Club.

“He is a lineout specialist who loves this area of the game as much as Gabs loves scoring tries and Browny likes grimacing!

“He will add to our lineout callers group - led by the equally lineout obsessed Beagle [Alex Codling] and will bring real clarity and ideas to an area that is critical to league success. In speaking to him I was hugely impressed with his temperament and personality and furthermore he has been highly recommended to me by my contacts in South Africa who testify to his character and drive.

“We have seen real tenacity and determination from the boys this year and we feel Stephan has illustrated that desire to compete and find a way to win. We are confident we can provide an environment that will see him succeed. It is a very positive signing for the Club.”

Lewies said: “This is a very exciting time for me, to be joining a club with such a great history and standing in English rugby but also one that is on a new journey with a new Head of Rugby who, like me, is incredibly ambitious.

“I am coming to Harlequins to win things and I look forward to getting started next season.”

TomBuckQuin

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 15:04* »
Like his chat. Welcome Stephan! After seeing the highlights reel, I'm happy we have a decent player. Not Snyman, but can't really complain.

Quinston Churchill

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 15:23* »
I can’t say I’ve ever seen him play, it as TomBuckQuin said, he talks the talk.

Hopefully it doesn’t mean Snyman is not coming.

Lyndo76

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 16:08* »
another good day of signings, chances that we get this guy and Snyman though?

J Scott

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 17:20* »
JUudging by the highlights reel plenty of go forward and a good set of hands.  Astute signing.

deadlyfrom5yardsout

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 17:36* »
Why was he out on loan?

Matt72

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 17:53* »
Do we know who is signing these players? I'm guessing it's who Gustard wants to bring in?

I hope there's enough pre-season time for all these players to settle down and gel together before the start of the season.

Looking like at least another 4 to be announced by the end of the week!   

TomBuckQuin

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 17:58* »
Do we know who is signing these players? I'm guessing it's who Gustard wants to bring in?

I hope there's enough pre-season time for all these players to settle down and gel together before the start of the season.

Looking like at least another 4 to be announced by the end of the week!   

I think Landajo, Botta, Campagnaro will all be joining the squad after the WC - possibly Baldwin too if he's selected for Wales duty.

So the first part of the season we'll be running on a slightly more stretched squad but I'm sure a lot of clubs will...

Also, yes, I believe Gussy sets the overall task of "find me this type of player in this position" and the assistant coaches have given a lot of input into possible names by the sounds of it. I think we also have a new scout if I remember correctly? The scout comes back with a list of players, videos and stats etc, Gussy says "this one" and then Millard and his team do the negotiating so Gussy can just crack on with coaching. I think. Don't quote me but think that's the gist of it.
« Last Edit: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 18:01* by TomBuckQuin »

DOK

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 18:58* »
Yes, I was wondering coming home why our signings this season seem so much better than those we made under Conor and JK. It may well be that split of the DOR role that they made after JK left, splitting the job between two people, means the club has more time to find the right player, check him out and negotiate a place.

The Quin Meister

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 19:19* »
I think Landajo, Botta, Campagnaro will all be joining the squad after the WC - possibly Baldwin too if he's selected for Wales duty.

So the first part of the season we'll be running on a slightly more stretched squad but I'm sure a lot of clubs will...

Also, yes, I believe Gussy sets the overall task of "find me this type of player in this position" and the assistant coaches have given a lot of input into possible names by the sounds of it. I think we also have a new scout if I remember correctly? The scout comes back with a list of players, videos and stats etc, Gussy says "this one" and then Millard and his team do the negotiating so Gussy can just crack on with coaching. I think. Don't quote me but think that's the gist of it.

It's right that as DOR Gussy is "fronting" all these quality signings, but I have been thinking this week that Billy Millard must have been earning his crust over the last few months. Also, I suspect, Millard's role is not just a "go, negotiate, get" type of work - the bloke has been a top level coach and in particular knows who's who in Welsh rugby - so I am sure he throws his views into the mix.

TomBuckQuin

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday 20-Mar-2019, 22:50* »
It's right that as DOR Gussy is "fronting" all these quality signings, but I have been thinking this week that Billy Millard must have been earning his crust over the last few months. Also, I suspect, Millard's role is not just a "go, negotiate, get" type of work - the bloke has been a top level coach and in particular knows who's who in Welsh rugby - so I am sure he throws his views into the mix.

Sorry, yeah, my wording makes Millard sound like an afterthought and the administrator. Should have been clearer that the scout as I understand it would be reporting into him and I believe that scouting and shortlisting is all Millard's responsibility (with input from the coaching staff obviously). Final sign-off on players I presume would be Gussy and Billy sitting down together and playing fantasy rugby with the options available.

The breakdown of the DOR role into these two roles seems like the only right way of doing it now that it's there in front of me. Makes me wonder why more sides didn't think of this before.

poorfour

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #11 on: Thursday 21-Mar-2019, 06:26* »
Sorry, yeah, my wording makes Millard sound like an afterthought and the administrator. Should have been clearer that the scout as I understand it would be reporting into him and I believe that scouting and shortlisting is all Millard's responsibility (with input from the coaching staff obviously). Final sign-off on players I presume would be Gussy and Billy sitting down together and playing fantasy rugby with the options available.

The breakdown of the DOR role into these two roles seems like the only right way of doing it now that it's there in front of me. Makes me wonder why more sides didn't think of this before.

Based on what David Morgan has said, we have JK to thank for first proposing the split.

Bucksquin

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #12 on: Thursday 21-Mar-2019, 06:59* »
SOUTH AFRICA INTERNATIONAL LOCK JOINS FOR THE 2019/20 SEASON

Harlequins is pleased to can confirm that Stephan Lewies will join the Club for the 2019/20 season.

South African international Lewies, 27, is currently on loan with Lions but played the majority of his career in South Africa with Sharks, where he made 80 appearances having made his way up through the ranks, playing in the Currie Cup aged 21 in 2013.

His outstanding performances the following year meant that he was immediately recognised as a special talent and was called up to the Springbok squad, earning his first Test cap against Scotland at only 22 when he replaced Victor Matfield in a 55–6 win over Scotland in Port Elizabeth.

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “Stephan is an intelligent and hard-working Lock who we know will add real quality at the Club.

“He is a lineout specialist who loves this area of the game as much as Gabs loves scoring tries and Browny likes grimacing!

“He will add to our lineout callers group - led by the equally lineout obsessed Beagle [Alex Codling] and will bring real clarity and ideas to an area that is critical to league success. In speaking to him I was hugely impressed with his temperament and personality and furthermore he has been highly recommended to me by my contacts in South Africa who testify to his character and drive.

“We have seen real tenacity and determination from the boys this year and we feel Stephan has illustrated that desire to compete and find a way to win. We are confident we can provide an environment that will see him succeed. It is a very positive signing for the Club.”

Lewies said: “This is a very exciting time for me, to be joining a club with such a great history and standing in English rugby but also one that is on a new journey with a new Head of Rugby who, like me, is incredibly ambitious.

“I am coming to Harlequins to win things and I look forward to getting started next season.”

Not intending to be 'picky' (especially if this player is pencilled in as replacing Merrick or Glynn, say) but to describe him in the press release headline as 'South African International ...' and speak of 'his first cap ...' is (while technically correct) surely a conscious overstatement, since the reality is he has played for the senior side only once, some years ago ... Plus, as someone else noted, he is currently 'on loan' ...
 

deadlyfrom5yardsout

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #13 on: Friday 22-Mar-2019, 10:57* »
Underwhelmed.

TomBuckQuin

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Re: 7th Signing - Stephan Lewies
« Reply #14 on: Friday 22-Mar-2019, 10:59* »
I'm calling it: this guy is going to be a revelation for us.
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