Tri-Nations
Fourie denies Messiah status
2011-08-11 16:26
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Durban - He is being heralded as the returning Messiah for Springbok rugby, but Fourie du Preez believes that the level of expectation on him and Heinrich Brüssow ahead of Saturday’s return Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Durban is unfair.
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Both scrumhalf Du Preez and flanker Brüssow played no part in the disastrous 2010 campaign due to serious injuries that required operations. For both of them Saturday will be their first appearance in a green and gold jersey since the 2009 end of year tour.
While Brüssow will be welcomed back for his ability to turn over opposition ball at the breakdown, something his coach Peter de Villiers earlier this week described as unique in world rugby, it is Du Preez who most is being expected of.
But while the winner of three Super 14 medals, two Tri-Nations, one World Cup and countless Currie Cup titles is used to handling pressure, and has even appeared to relish it in the past, this time he appears to want to deflect that pressure.
“I think it is a bit hard on both of us to say that (we are like a returning Messiah),” said Du Preez after his return to the Bok starting team for the first time in 21 months was confirmed on Thursday.
“Heinrich is in the same position as me. I think I can talk for him also in saying that we are just there to do the best for the team. To heap the sort of expectation that is being heaped on us is unfair. We just want to concentrate on our form and getting back into international rugby. Rugby is a team game and to place so much pressure on one or two guys is unfair.”
Du Preez was described by his direct opponent Will Genia earlier in the week as the best scrumhalf on the planet, but the Springbok responded by just heaping equal praise on Genia.
“Will is a great player who has had an excellent season and who has made a huge difference to the Reds and played an important role in them winning the Super Rugby title,” said Du Preez.
If Du Preez was trying to avoid extra pressure though he should not have been too amused at the praise heaped on him by his coach, Peter de Villiers, who was sitting beside him at the team announcement press conference in Umhlanga Rocks.
“Heinrich and particularly Fourie bring a kind of comfort to the other players around them and they bring an element that was missing last year,” said De Villiers.
“With so much expectation they are sure to feel a lot of pressure on them on Saturday, but they have both shown in the past that pressure is something that they can handle.”
If Du Preez is reluctant to be cast as the potential Bok trump-card it is understandable. After not playing for 21 months at this level being reintroduced to international rugby through a Tri-Nations Test against Australia is going to be a challenge for the world class No 9. It would be surprising though were he not to take it in his stride when the big day arrives.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Beast Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthro Steenkamp, 18 Gerhard Mostert, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Morne Steyn, 22 Gio Aplon
Australia:
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 James Horwill, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Substitutes: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Salesi Maafu, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Radike Samo, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Anthony Faingaa