Stormers ‘extremely disappointed’ in Vermeulen

The Stormers have expressed their anger and disappointment with captain Duane Vermeulen after he flew to France last week and was unveiled to local media as Toulon’s latest signing.

While the Stormers were preparing to face the Brumbies at Newlands Vermeulen flew to France for a medical and photoshoot without the Stormers knowledge.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee ruled Vermeulen out of their Super Rugby knock out match on Monday and on Thursday Vermeulen was in France being presented to the media.

On Monday Vermeulen was called into the Western Province Director of Rugby Gert Smal’s office and given a “telling off” for letting his team down during such an important week.

“I was extremely disappointed in Duane’s actions. He is a senior and respected player in our squad and, most importantly, he is our captain,” said Smal.

“Not only did he let his teammates down in a very important game week, but he let down his coaches, the union, our stakeholders and, crucially, our supporters too.

“I had a sit down with Duane this morning and he knows in no uncertain terms that his actions were not acceptable – it is not something we will ever condone at Western Province Rugby.

“But I have accepted Duane’s side of the story and his apology too. He will be addressing his teammates and management tomorrow, to apologise to the entire Stormers squad, and he will also be disciplined internally by us.”

Vermeulen said,”I was initially meant to undergo a medical at Toulon and return to Cape Town by Saturday morning to undergo a final medical check in the case of the Stormers progressing to the Super Rugby semifinals.

“When I arrived in France, however, I found myself in the middle of an unexpected press conference, which, it turns out, was to be my unveiling to the local media – despite there being a confidentially clause surrounding my move. This is certainly something that I will be taking up with my agent.

“However, all that said and done it still does not excuse my actions. I did not go through the necessary channels to clear this trip with the powers that be at Western Province and for that I would like to apologise profusely.

“Not only did I let my teammates down in what was a huge week for them, but I let down the management and coaches, the union and our proud supporters,” added Vermeulen.

“It certainly wasn’t my intention to cause a furore of any sort, when all the focus should have been on our match against the Brumbies, and for that I would like to apologise to everyone who might have felt let down by my actions.”