Saturday, September 7, 2002

ANGER is not an emotion you readily associate with the man nicknamed Smiley but the rest of National One should watch out -- Werner Swanepoel has a point to prove.

Worcester's new skipper -- dumped by the Springboks after some bewildering selection policies over the past two years -- has started the season in sublime fashion and was too much for Orrell as he led his side to a 35-10 victory.

The scrum half, who won 20 Test caps for South Africa, admits to still feeling in the dark over his international exile. However, it was the 29-year-old who lit up Sixways with a cultured display on Saturday as Worcester simply overwhelmed their ambitious opposition.

Tipped as a top four outfit this season, Orrell were blown away by an exhilarating opening 30 minutes featuring some of the best rugby played by Worcester at this level. They were simply irresistible and at the forefront was Swanepoel, a man beginning to see the light at the end of a nightmare two-year tunnel. His management of the game was a joy to watch, fuelled you sense by his burning desire to prove people wrong in his first season outside of Springbok selection.

"I'm really enjoying myself," he said afterwards. "I don't think I've enjoyed my rugby this much for the past two years or so because all the pressure is off me. There is no Springbok team to be concerned with so it's just nice and fun. We've got a great bunch of guys and a lot of people helping me out. We played as a team today."

A team which, on Saturday's evidence, will push champions Rotherham much closer than last season. The sheer work-rate, not just on the ball but in defence, was outstanding and, although they will be slightly unhappy with their second half display, nothing should be taken away from the players after a superb half hour.

Craig Chalmers got the show on the road with an eighth minute penalty before Duncan Roke spared Craig Hudson's blushes somewhat. The giant winger came inside on a move, begun by a Swanepoel thrust, rather than taking the easier option outside and was glad to see the full back burst through for the opening try which Chalmers duly converted.

Another penalty from the former British Lion extended the lead before debutant Mark Gabey crashed over following a move involving Swanepoel, Adrian Olver and the impressive David Officer. Orrell huffed and puffed but time after time came up against a tireless defence which continued to turnover ball at vital moments. And when they switched defence into attack, they were blisteringly quick.

Super sub James Brown -- on for the hamstrung Chalmers -- fired a brilliant ball out to Officer who ran rings around Orrell before Roke followed up to score Worcester's third and best try of the afternoon. Brown converted and the Warriors left the field 25-0 up at half time to a standing ovation.

The second period never lived up to the first for Worcester but, despite conceding a Phil Jones penalty, try and conversion, they still had one more trick up their sleeve once Swanepoel had returned from a spell in the sin bin.

After a powerful drive, Swanepoel and then Brown set up Chris Garrard who dived in to touch down and bag the all-important bonus point.

It was a performance to savour for supporters who had come to Sixways wary of Orrell's artillery following their 70-point mauling of Rugby Lions last weekend.

But with the smiling assassin on board, it was Worcester who looked the real sharpshooters in this showdown. On this form, Rotherham had better watch out -- Swanepoel has you in his sights.

Worcester: Roke 8; Hudson 5, Officer 7, Hinshelwood 6, Garrard 7; Chalmers 6, LSWANEPOEL 9; Windo 7, Pearson 6, Olver 7, Gabey 8, Morgan 7, Evans 7, Pfister 6, Jenner 7.

Replacements: O'Reilly (Officer 74), Brown 7 (Chalmers 26), Trueman 6 (Roke 41), Hall 6 (Pearson 70), Nias 6 (Pfister 61), G Mason 6 (Windo 47), Gillies 6 (Gabey 57).

Man of the match: Werner Swanepoel - sheer class.