In-form All Blacks winger Josh Moorby is excited for an all-round challenge from the Springboks in the opening battle of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on the Highveld.
Quizzed by reporters in the build-up to the Ellis Park Test between South Africa and New Zealand, Moorby warned the world champions will test the Kiwis’ defence and attack.
“They’re going to bring line speed and challenge us with ball in hand and test our skills,” the 28-year-old said on Monday. “We know the threat that’s going to pose to our attack.
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“It’s about being patient and calm, trusting our game and our system, and just letting our skill set and the way we want to play do the work.”
Moorby bagged a brace of tries in last week’s win over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus, after crossing the whitewash against the Stormers in the series opener.
Under Kiwi attack guru Tony Brown, the Boks have balanced their contestable kicking game with a more expansive style, and Moorby is confident of handling either approach.
“They’re good at retaining possession through the high ball and contestable game, but they’ve also got the athletes to throw the ball around and challenge us out wide,” he added. “So, yeah, we can expect a variety of rugby from them.”
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Moorby, who can also play fullback, returned to the Hurricanes on a two-year deal from Montpellier ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific-winning campaign, in which he scored 17 tries to match the competition’s joint-best tally.
On potentially facing off against Bok speedsters Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, he noted: “We know how fast they are and how explosive they are with their feet.
“They’re some of the world’s greatest wingers, so we know how hard it’s going to be and how prepared we need to be to come up against some high-quality wingers.”
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Moorby reckons the All Blacks’ wins against the Stormers, Sharks and Vodacom Bulls have prepared Dave Rennie’s troops for the Bok showdown.
“It’s been awesome, as a back, watching the forwards go to work and putting in some massive shifts. [The South Africans] trust their set-piece and it’s going to be a big challenge come the first Test.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to getting stuck in.”
Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
The post Kiwi finisher keen to Tonyball with Kolbe appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
In-form All Blacks winger Josh Moorby is excited for an all-round challenge from the Springboks in the opening battle of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on the Highveld.
The post Kiwi finisher keen to Tonyball with Kolbe appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
