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Four-word answer highlights how Eben Etzebeth doesn't miss a beat
Eben Ezebeth was already breaking out into a wry grin before the journalist on the video call had finished his question to the Springboks lock on Tuesday.
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With one eyebrow cocked he waited like a man who knew what was coming and exactly how he would respond. Either he had thought of this before and had quickly shelved the idea, or the notion hadn’t once crossed his mind.
“Eben, this is a warm-up game just before the Rugby World Cup,” the journo began. “Although you guys fight out some of the fiercest rugby in the world, you don’t want to break yourselves before the World Cup. So, is that a bit tough in trying to get the best out of the warm-up without destroying yourself?”
Etzebeth didn’t miss a beat. “I’m going to have to disagree with you there a little bit,” he said before pointing out that he would be playing for his country against the All Blacks on Friday at Twickenham, HQ of English Rugby.
The Springboks giant argued that he would be “giving everything” in this largely meaningless encounter that might answer some questions before the showpiece event in France but is largely fuelled by commercial interests.
The question that should have been asked, if more follow-ups were permitted by the Springboks’ media team, is why?
What purpose is this game against New Zealand serving other than the chance of 80 minutes of pulse-stopping action, the chance for escapism, the chance for 46 men to win another Test cap and perhaps two coaching groups to answer one or two questions they didn’t already know?
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“It’s a Test match,” Etzebeth continued as if those four words could shut down any argument against the staging of what could potentially be someone’s last game of rugby for the year. It was a simple enough retort – and the threat of injury will always haunt the sport, whether that is on the training pitch or in front of 80,000 passionate fans.
The conservatives among us, especially those with green and black imprinted on our hearts, will hope that no player joins France’s Romain Ntmack among the late, late casualties before the big show.
Such negative thoughts were swiftly ushered along as Etzebeth spoke of the importance of this more than 100-year relationship between the two most successful teams in the game.
The South African second row also touched on his team’s need to improve on their last performance against the old enemy that saw them succumb to a 35-20 defeat in Auckland on July 15 after getting blitzed in the opening 20 minutes.
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“We need to switch on from the start,” Etzebeth said. “They came with a massive start out of the blocks. In those 20 minutes, they were definitely a better team than us.
“We are preparing better this week to also make that quicker and better start. We need to improve all aspects. We pride ourselves on our set-piece and our defence, and we want to have a good kicking game and attacking play.
Etzebeth added that the focus will switch to the Rugby World Cup after Friday’s game but he did touch on the competitive nature of this year’s tournament.
“This is going to be one of the most competitive World Cups ever because there are so many teams putting up their hands to go on and win,” he reckoned.
“Some might say there is added pressure on us (as defending champions) and that teams will come for us, but I don’t know if that is the case, I think each team just wants it really badly.
“They don’t care about us; they just want to win the trophy. If anything, we put pressure on ourselves to go out there and win again.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Karl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
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