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21st November 2019
12:16pm GMT
Flannery was watching Ulster's game against Bath from home while Trimble was over on punditry duty for BT Sport. Both were mightily impressed by Coetzee's latest all-action performance.
"Coetzee is so important to them," says Flannery.
"Like, when Ulster move the ball to the edge and then you have that first hit-up, against the grain, it is often Coetzee and that gets them momentum. And then that opens up a whole field for them to come back and play against. "It's like when Sam Simmonds plays the No.8 role for Exeter. Same as Billy Vunipola for Saracens and England. Those sort of guys are so important. "David Wallace was like that for Munster and Ireland, years ago. Just this guy where you go, 'We'll get the ball to him and, regardless of what happens at this next phase, this ruck, we'll go forward two metres and then we can play'."Flannery notes that Coetzee often has to make many of his carries when Ulster have gone from side to side and are out wide and looking to get forward momentum against a defensive line packed with bodies. "That phase [to carry] off the touchline is a thankless task," agrees Trimble. "Because as long as you don't get smashed back, you've done a great job. There's a lot of heat on that. Nick Williams used to be great at that, for Ulster, as well." The only thing missing from the game, remarks Trimble, was that Coetzee did not get the chance to even the odds with Bath prop Ben Obano when he thumped him with a huge tackle. Obano was subbed soon after and Coetzee could 'settle the score'.
"To Marcell, because I know him, it's personal... I was thinking, from Obano's point of view, don't anger him because he's going to go after you!"On Friday, when Clermont come to Kingspan Stadium, Coetzee could go hunting for the next loosehead he sees.
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