'Some smoke, but not a full-blown fire' - Dobson on where the Pead saga really stands
by Sergio Miller · KickOffStormers director of rugby John Dobson has broken his silence on the rumoured record-breaking transfer that could see Haashim Pead make a homecoming to the Cape.
The 21-year-old has arguably become one of the country's most electrifying young talents over the past two years, having firmly announced himself on the national stage with a string of commanding performances for the Junior Springboks during their Championship-winning campaign.
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Of late, however, the former Bishops pupil has been calling Gauteng home, pulling on the Lions jersey and continuing to turn heads in the top flight.
Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, the Stormers head coach - affectionately known as "Dobbo" - set the record straight on the swirling speculation linking the Cape outfit with a blockbuster move for the former Western Province scrumhalf. He confirmed that conversations are indeed underway, but was quick to throw cold water on the jaw-dropping transfer fees that have been doing the rounds.
"Haashim is a guy we would like at the Stormers. He would like to come to the Stormers, but he's under contract with the Lions. There are conversations happening — certainly not at the figures that have been quoted. Nothing like that.
"Sometimes I think we associate it with UK football, but in terms of paying transfer fees, it's not really a culture that exists in rugby. I think sometimes a player can look to buy out his contract, or come to an arrangement with his union.
"Haashim's employed by the Lions. We're not going to the Lions and asking for Haashim Pead. We would love to have him if he were to become available, but whether he becomes available is a decision between him and the Lions.
"I don't want to mislead you guys. There's some smoke, but I wouldn't say it's a full-blown fire - because we've told Haashim we'd love to have him, but we absolutely want to respect his contract and arrangement with the Lions."
Scrum-half depth covered
Having recently released Asad Moos to the Lions, the Stormers still possess considerable depth at scrumhalf, with the promising Imad Khan and Ezekiel Ngobeni steadily working their way through the system.
Khan, who last featured in the Stormers' Greatest Rivalry clash, is currently nursing an injury and is expected to return to action in April.