'He was the one guy who truly kept Semi Radradra under wraps'
Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam has hailed South African centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg as a “coach’s dream” who has become a key weapon in the West Country club’s bid for a Gallagher Premiership play-off place.
Van Rensburg was at the heart of Bristol’s record 85-14 win over Newcastle Falcons and will have been closely watched when Leicester Tigers, who host Lam’s team at Mattioli Welford Road and Saturday, went through their analysis of the opposition this week.
The centre made a significant impact at former club London Irish and despite now being a known quantity, has continued to make a big impact in Bristol colours, winning the player of the match accolade against Newcastle.
Lam knows that with his team holding the fourth and final play-off place, they cannot afford to return from Leicester empty-handed against a Tigers side who need to win to keep their top four hopes alive after defeat at Northampton Saints.
Lam, whose team has won five league games in a row, said: “I expected him (Benhard) to have this kind of impact this season because I was impressed with him at London Irish. He was the one guy who truly kept Semi (Radradra) under wraps.
“When I watched him closely it was his work rate and when I spoke to him I asked what he wanted and he said, “just tell me what you want and I will do it”. He is class and a real coach’s dream.
“Benhard does it the Bears way by showing your work ethic and people start talking about you. He is in the right place at the right time and even when we are in the barn training he will go down every time and present the ball exactly as I want it even in a walk-through. He is pretty special.
“We were 60 points up and Newcastle intercepted and he ran all the way back chasing.”
Lam knows the Leicester challenge will be formidable on their own pitch and added: “When you create 20 opportunities and take over half of them then that’s a good outcome.
“But this is all about Leicester now and it doesn’t come any tougher than that and I loved going there in my playing days because they are such a big club. It is a massive challenge and if we manage to get the victory then it will be big. I told the boys to embrace this because it is special and they have a lot of internationals throughout their squad.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Crusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to comments