Springbok centre Damian de Allende has singled out Jordie Barrett as the standout opponent of his illustrious career ahead of Saturday’s series-deciding fourth Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore. MORNÉ ESBEN reports.
De Allende has faced a host of world-class centres throughout his 102-Test career, but none, he says, compare to the current All Blacks star.
“I’ve been lucky to play a lot of rugby and to play against many great centres,” De Allende told the media from Baltimore on Wednesday. “At the start of my career, I got to play against Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams and also South African players like Frans Steyn, André Esterhuizen and Jan Serfontein.
“But at the moment the one guy who really stands out for me is Jordie Barrett. I think his skill set is incredible and he’s got the ability to do everything on the field.
“Just to have played against him over these last few weeks has been a real pleasure. I feel like I’ve really learned a lot on the field from him and it’s incredible to play against him.”
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Barrett and Quinn Tupaea provided a stern examination of De Allende and his centre partner Jesse Kriel’s abilities in the three Tests on South African soil, but Tupaea won’t feature in the USA encounter after suffering a knee injury in the 29-24 loss at FNB Stadium.
“Every Test match where you play against world-class centres is tough, no matter what country you play against. But this has been a lekker challenge,” De Allende said.
“It’s obviously sad to hear about Quinn Tupaea and his injury, and I wish him a speedy recovery. Every Test match has been tough but it’s been a lekker experience.”
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At 34, De Allende remains one of the Boks’ most important players, and he credits an evolved work ethic for helping him and his fellow veterans stay competitive at the highest level.
“We are getting a bit older but for me it feels like we’re working a lot harder than what we did when we were a bit younger.
“I think we understand how hard we’re working, and that is why we’re still playing at such a high-class level and why we can still compete with the best in the world.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Doogz hails ‘incredible’ Jordie as toughest yet appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok centre Damian de Allende has singled out Jordie Barrett as the standout opponent of his illustrious career, ahead of Saturday’s series-deciding fourth Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore.
The post Doogz hails ‘incredible’ Jordie as toughest yet appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
