Damian de Allende’s 100th Test cap is recognition of a player who has become the world’s premier inside centre.
The looming milestone is celebrated in the new issue of SA Rugby magazine, with Mark Keohane examining why De Allende has been the gold standard at 12 during the most successful period in Springbok history.
His CV speaks for itself: two World Cups, three Rugby Championships, a British & Irish Lions series victory and a World Cup bronze medal.
Yet the 34-year-old has often been reduced to a powerful ball-carrier, an assessment at odds with those who have played alongside him, coached him and faced him.
“Damian is just such a physical guy in the contact,” says Springbok attack coach Tony Brown. “One thing you don’t know about Damian de Allende is that he is the best passer in the Springbok team.”
Former Bok utility back Frans Steyn believes Brown’s attacking system has simply allowed more people to see what was always there.
“With Damian and what we’ve seen under Tony, they’ve used the quality of his passing a little bit more,” Steyn says. “He’s not just trucking it up every game.
“For the Springboks he is a rock in the midfield. The All Blacks had Ma’a Nonu at 12 and Conrad Smith at 13 … Damian is South Africa’s Nonu at the moment.”
Photo: Craig Butland/MB Media/Getty Images
The post De Allende’s understated greatness appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Damian de Allende’s 100th Test cap is recognition of a player who has become the world’s premier inside centre.
The post De Allende’s understated greatness appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
