Vermeulen: Toulon need more time to gel

 

Springbok No.8 Duane Vermeulen has predicted that mega-rich Toulon will hit form in the business end of the season after a spluttering start in France and Europe.

The 108kg, 1.95m back-row forward is just one international star amongst a host of galacticos at the three-time European champions and believes that kind of diversity needs time to flourish.

The former Springbok will have a key role to play Saturday when Toulon go to Bath hoping to secure a place in the European Cup quarter-finals.

Once that mission is settled, they will then turn their attentions to improving on their fourth place in the cut-throat Top 14 domestic competition.

“There are a lot of internationals at the club and it takes time to get used to each other. It’s not easy to throw a big bunch of guys together and expect everything to be perfect,” said the 29-year-old.

“Every guy has his own style of rugby and way of playing. When we get that running and the more we play together, we will be a good force.”

Vermeulen has not been afraid to put his body where his mouth is since joining Toulon following the World Cup last year.

He was knocked out when trying to perform a try-saving tackle in the 31-8 loss to Toulouse on December 28 and was out of action at the start of the year.

“This is a more forward-orientated game and I love the challenge up front,” he said.