Would-be Bok 'Andre the Giant' has magic man Radradra in his sights
Harlequins Andre Esterhuizen faces the toughest midfield test in world rugby as he attempts to nullify Bristol’s Semi Radradra tomorrow and catch the eye of the Springbok selectors preparing for the summer series with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.
Radradra is returning from injury and rejoins a potent Bristol match squad that has taken the club to the top of the Gallagher Premiership. However, Harlequins have been making strides of their own and are up to third in the table despite lapses in concentration that have seen them concede an average of 20 points in each of their last five Premiership games.
Esterhuizen admits similar inconsistency against Bristol at Ashton Gate would be fatal and that means attempting to shut down Radradra who has confirmed his status as the most dynamic centre in world rugby since moving to the West Country from France. Esterhuizen, who is 6ft 4ins and 17st 7lbs, is a significant threat in his own right, with his physique earning him the nickname “ Andre the giant”, but there is more to his game than defence busting runs and big hits.
Esterhuizen told RugbyPass: “I haven’t played against Radradra before and he is a phenomenal player and you want test yourself against the best. Any player would relish the chance to play against someone that good. I am on for any challenge.”
He is being watched by Dublin based Felix Jones, one of the Springbok assistant coaches, who is sending the European players videos of their performances and the burly centre has his sights on making the three-test series. Esterhuizen, who must oust World Cup winner Damian de Allende, of Munster, to grab the Springbok No12 jersey, added: “Playing for the Springboks against the Lions is a massive driver for me and it would be a dream come true.
“It only happens once every 12 years and it is a massive opportunity and you want to put yourself forward. That is my main personal goal apart from helping Harlequins and I would love to make the Springbok squad. It is a great thing to have Felix (Jones) looking at all of the matches and I have been getting work ons from him and the communication has been really good.
“The first few games with Quins I just tried to keep it simple but as you play more then the confidence builds and you try to add the rest of your skills set. Confidence goes hand in hand with that and I started out in my career as a ball carrier and then went to Japan and that helped my rugby by bringing in other facets of the game – my playmaking and distribution
“The No12’s job is to get the attack going, getting over the advantage line or pulling in defenders to create space on the outside. Since being at Quins I have learnt a few things that have been added to my game.”
Esterhuizen has forged a flourishing relationship with outside half Marcus Smith and hopes the pair can help deliver the consistency for Quins that has been missing at times this season. He added: “In the last eight weeks our consistency has been a lot better and we are in the top four. It is a happy camp but there are lapses in games when we go quiet for 10- 20 minutes and the opposition gets a few tries and it is something we have to work on. If we go quiet for 20mins against Bristol you are not going to get back into the game.
“I had played with different styles of outside halves in South Africa and you learn to adjust and having played a few games with Marcus we are starting to find each other. He is learning to run lines off me and the combination is getting better. I knew about Marcus before I joined the club and what he could offer and his style. I have been really impressed by him.”
'It was a different situation but I left London Irish & retired in good faith before coming back to play for Newcastle towards the end of that same season. I gave Irish first refusal when I came back, though & they said no'
The @AndyGoode10 Column ??? https://t.co/tLG5wCZx8w
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 26, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments