'I don't see that happening' - Jean de Villiers picks his Springboks midfield to face the Lions
South African great Jean de Villiers has picked Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am as his starting Springboks centres to take on the British and Irish Lions later this year, saying the combination “has really worked for the Boks”. The former inside centre, who started in the No12 shirt against the Lions in the victorious first and second Tests in 2009, joined Christina Mahon, Jamie Roberts and Ryan Wilson on the latest RugbyPass Offload to discuss the upcoming series.
He singled out de Allende as a Springboks player who will play an important role at inside centre having spent the last year playing for Munster. De Villiers also made the same move to the Irish province during his career, albeit after the 2009 Lions tour, so he will know the advantages that come with playing alongside and against future Test level opponents on a regular basis.
“I don’t see a lot of change in terms of the starting line-up that played in the World Cup final, to be honest,” said the 109-cap former Springboks midfielder.
“Being a midfielder myself, Damian de Allende, the way he played recently against Leinster and the performance that he put in, (with) his experience now of playing against a lot of the guys that will be in the Lions squad he has got a massive role to play. Handre Pollard probably will be playing next to him at No10, but he will need to take on a much more senior role so that will be key for us.”
Roberts quizzed the South African on the chances of the recently suspended Harlequins midfielder Andre Esterhuizen starting alongside de Allende after a season in the Gallagher Premiership where he has been used to devastating effect. “I don’t see that happening,” de Villiers replied.
"They are rightfully World Cup holders, but this era of Springboks rugby hasn’t proven to the world they are anything but a good side who won the World Cup with a helpful schedule."@bensmithrugby ??? asks where is the sudden Bok confidence coming from? https://t.co/FvxrGt9Oma
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 10, 2021
“Jamie, if you take the success of yourself and Brian O’Driscoll in ’09, having the bigger player that can get massive momentum like yourself and then a bit more, well actually a lot more, speed and flair in the No13 channel really worked.
“The combination of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am has really worked for the Boks, so I can’t see them playing (de Allende and Esterhuizen) together, it will be a like-for-like swap. So if de Allende cannot make it then Esterhuizen definitely comes in because he has been very impressive at Quins.”
RugbyPass Offload EP 28 with Jean de Villiers ?
We are joined by the #SpiritofRugby legend Jean de Villiers as he gives us all the low down of Springbok preparations for the Lions Series ?
He talks his Lions team, the Springboks and much more!
?? – https://t.co/NBRIihC2ct pic.twitter.com/riw4VKrVcP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 5, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
24 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
3 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
3 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
24 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
24 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
24 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
24 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to comments