Former All Blacks flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has sent a stern warning to the Springboks that incumbent No 10 Ruben Love could play a decisive role in their four-Test showdown.
Sopoaga believes Love has all the qualities to cement himself as New Zealand’s long-term pivot, saying the young playmaker is thriving under Dave Rennie.
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Love has made an impressive start to life as the All Blacks’ first-choice flyhalf, steering New Zealand to victories over France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship.
“Obviously, playing 10 is, I would say, the hardest position on the field to play, because outside the captain, when you’re out on the field the team’s looking at you,” Sopoaga told the DSPN podcast.
“You’re the quarterback. You’re the director. You are the conductor of the team. So, when push comes to shove and the rubber hits the road, when it comes time to make big decisions it’s on the 10 to make them.”
The 25-year-old now faces his biggest challenge yet, with four Tests against the world champion Springboks looming.
Sopoaga says Love has benefited from playing alongside experienced decision-makers such as Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea.
“You’ve obviously got support from the outside. He’s got great support in guys like Jordie and Quinn,” he said.
“So they’re constantly feeding those comms in, so when you’re seeing Ruben get it out the back, he’s actually heard it from two players outside saying, ‘Bro, we want it now’.
“And so it’s up to him to listen to that call then execute the skill under pressure.”
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But it is Love’s temperament that has impressed Sopoaga the most.
The former Hurricanes and Highlanders playmaker believes the young pivot has grown with every Test since making his first start against France.
“What I’ve loved from Ruben is 10 is such a hard position to be in, especially as someone who hadn’t started there before,” he said.
“His first game was against France, second game Italy and third game against Ireland, so the longer he gets in the saddle the better he’s going to get. He is thriving under the regime because he is a confidence player, but he does everything really well.
“He’s meticulous in his preparation. He knows who he wants to be, he understands who he is and when it comes to Saturday, I think what we’re seeing is his expression of love for the game.”
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Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
The post Sopoaga: Ruben Love will only get better appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former All Blacks flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has sent a stern warning to the Springboks that incumbent No 10 Ruben Love could play a decisive role in their four-Test showdown.
The post Sopoaga: Ruben Love will only get better appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
