Former New Zealand wing Jeff Wilson has identified a key man for each of the All Blacks and Springboks going into the first Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.
For New Zealand, Wilson singled out scrumhalf Cam Roigard, who has yet to feature on the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Roigard was a late withdrawal before the All Blacks’ big win against the Sharks in Durban due to a calf strain, but coach Dave Rennie expects him to be available for the series opener in Joburg.
“He’s one heck of a player,” Wilson told SARugbymag.co.za at All Blacks training on Tuesday. “Dynamic, well-conditioned, his skill set’s fantastic and he has good game understanding.
“For me, he clearly changes the way the All Blacks are capable of playing.”
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When assessing the Springboks, Wilson is particularly intrigued by who Rassie Erasmus entrusts with the No 10 jersey.
Manie Libbok, who started at flyhalf in the Boks’ opening Nations Championship match against England, is expected to wear the No 10 jersey at Ellis Park ahead of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu made his return from injury in the Boks’ narrow win against Argentina in Buenos Aires, but Wilson believes the 24-year-old could become increasingly influential as the four-Test series progresses.
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“Clearly Sacha’s a wonderful footballer,” said Wilson. “He hasn’t played a lot of rugby. He may be better later on in the series.”
However, when identifying another Bok who particularly concerns him, Wilson pointed to the versatile Damian Willemse.
“He’s a wonderful footballer. Whatever jersey he puts on, whether it’s in the midfield, covering the midfield, at fullback, whether it’s off the bench, whatever it might be, I love watching him play.
“So clearly there are a few I’m wary of in the Springboks.”
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Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
The post Wilson backs ‘wonderful footballer’ to shine appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former New Zealand wing Jeff Wilson has identified a key man for each of the All Blacks and Springboks going into the first Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The post Wilson backs ‘wonderful footballer’ to shine appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
