1
Manu vs The Giant: 'It's two massive lads just going at it...'
Friday night in Manchester is poised to be a rugby heavyweight collision to rival the boxing equivalent of Fury and Wilder slugging it out last weekend in Las Vegas. It’s England’s Manu Tuilagi directly going up against South’s Africa’s Andre ‘The Giant’ Esterhuizen in the midfield at the AJ Bell as Sale host Harlequins – and Luke Northmore will probably have the best vantage point in the house.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 24-year-old Harlequins player has been pencilled in to make his 13th Premiership career start and his positioning in the outside centre channel will assure him a close-up view when Esterhuizen, his 113kg colleague, starts duelling with 110kg Sale rival Tuilagi, whose reputation has similarly been built on bruising physicality in the contact area.
“I’ll stand back as much as possible and let that unfold,” quipped Northmore to RugbyPass when asked at the pre-game Harlequins media briefing about the salivating prospect of Esterhuizen and Tuilagi locking horns in an eagerly awaited contest at Sale. “Two massive lads just going at it – they will both be really excited. It’s a great challenge for both of them and hopefully it goes our way and I can capitalise with Andre being on top.”
That was precisely what Northmore managed to do last week when introduced as a second-half replacement for the on-fire Louis Lynagh, the promising 99kg midfielder adding to the startling momentum shift versus Bristol with his own try-scoring contribution in a fixture ignited by the earlier arrival of Marcus Smith from the Harlequins bench.
“Right place right time,” said Northmore when asked if his score was in effect the try that Lynagh would have grabbed for his hat-trick if he had stayed on the pitch. “Louis would undoubtedly have scored his third try if he had stayed on but that is the coach’s decision.
"It’s like playing Manu this weekend…"
– Andre Esterhuizen, the powerhouse Harlequins midfielder, has been talking to @heagneyl ??? about his robust style of play, his recent contract extension and that miserable six-game ban#Quins #SALvHAR #Springboks https://t.co/a4qNeU5i6n
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2021
“In the first half, it was quite difficult to get your head around how you were going to make an impact because things weren’t really going our way. I suppose it was just about doing your job when you are required to do it. With the momentum shift that came at the start of the second half, coming onto the field with the boys with quick ball and momentum and the game going in our favour, it made things easier for me.
“Marcus is an incredible player, one of the best in the world right now in my opinion. He is doing some really good stuff. He had an amazing summer and everyone was chuffed for him that he managed to go and do that.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’re really pleased to have him back and the crowd made it more apparent how crucial he is to our team. When he came on the pitch the crowd erupted and he knew exactly what he needed to do. He does everything well and he creates magic when he needs to.
“Even when we are on the back foot there is always the sense of belief. We showed it in the semi-final and final and certainly in the games leading up. I remember in the London Irish game we just never counted ourselves out and that is a credit to the senior boys and the relationships we have created amongst the squad. We know that we will always be in the fight and we will never give up and then the tries are just a product of our enjoyment.”
Now in his third Premiership season and set for his first start of 2021/22 under Tabai Matson, the new head of rugby, what has been said to Northmore by Harlequins about what they are expecting from him in this campaign?
“The chat was more trying to continue on, to continue improving. Being able to work alongside people like Joe and Andre and now we have brought Huw (Jones) in, just having that class of international centres I can really learn from and excel in, just being able to get the game time, take my opportunity when it comes. We have a lot of good centres and games are hard to come, they are few and far between so it is just ready and take my opportunity when it comes.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Friday night lights is set to deliver in Manchester as Sale change 7?? and Harlequins make 3?? alterations #Sharks #Quins #SALvHAR #GallagherPrem https://t.co/318NCQ5DfS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 14, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Not good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to comments