Justin Marshall claims Springbok powerhouse Jasper Wiese is still a work in progress and lacks the full 80-minute presence of Wallabies No 8 Harry Wilson.
Wiese earned his 50th Test cap off the bench in a 42-38 defeat to Australia in Perth more than three weeks ago after starting all four Tests in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and featuring prominently in the Nations Championship.
Renowned for his physicality, the 2023 World Cup winner is Rassie Erasmus’ go-to man at the back of the scrum for South Africa and a key member in the back row with skipper Siya Kolisi and two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Marshall, though, believes Wilson’s work rate and contribution on both sides of the ball put him ahead of Wiese and make him the best No 8 in world rugby at present.
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The former All Blacks scrumhalf made the assessment after Wilson produced a strong individual display in Australia’s 50-19 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park last week.
The Wallabies captain scored a try and made 27 tackles, the most by any player in the match, while also winning a turnover.
“He makes it look effortless,” Marshall said on The Good, The Bad & Rugby Australia & New Zealand podcast. “The ability for him to get around the field as a ball carrier and as a defender was just incredible. Like he’s an absolute machine.”
He acknowledged Wiese’s carrying strength and defensive effort but argued that the 30-year-old does not have the same level of involvement across 80 minutes.
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“Jasper Wiese is a very good No 8, but he’s still a work in progress in my mind,” Marshall added.
“Not as good as Harry Wilson. Not at the moment. He hasn’t got the presence across 80 minutes that Harry Wilson has in both offence and defence.
“He’s a great ball carrier and he’s a strong carrier for South Africa and he works hard defensively, but he’s not having anywhere near the involvements that Harry Wilson’s having in a game.”
The ex-Crusaders halfback added that South Africa have other forwards who share the carrying workload, including Du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Eben Etzebeth.
Photo: Antony Dickson/Gallo Images
The post Marshy: Wiese not as good as Wilson appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Justin Marshall claims Springbok powerhouse Jasper Wiese is still a work in progress and lacks the full 80-minute presence of Wallabies No 8 Harry Wilson.
The post Marshy: Wiese not as good as Wilson appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
