PIRATE IRWIN, Paris | Friday 12.00am.
WORLD champions South Africa have pinpointed the English player they need to stop if they are to prevail in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final – former captain Lawrence Dallaglio.
Both Springbok number eight Bobby Skinstad and coach Nick Mallett sang his praises during the week admiring his capacity to appear in the backline and also his close work in the scrum.
“I wouldn’t say that we come across each other a lot during the game like people in other positions do but Lawrence is absolutely outstanding and has been England’s player of the tournament,” fawned Skinstad.
“His handling skills are awesome and his ability to inspire the team is huge.
“His capacity to appear in the backline is fantastic and gives them an added dimension because while they have a good backline they don’t have anyone who can cut through a defence like he can,” the 23-year-old added.
Mallett, who has guided the South Africans to 22 wins in 27 tests since taking over two years ago, said it was clear that Dallaglio was England’s talisman both in attack and defence.
“In attack they maximise Dallaglio to the full extent. Sometimes he is involved four times in a move which is extraordinary for a backrow forward,” the 42-year-old said.
“The great thing about him is that he can adapt his game according to the weather. If it’s dry he will be out wide while if it’s raining he is as good at keeping it tight within the scrum.
“In defence too he is an enormous presence,” he added.
Skinstad had nothing but praise for the way that the 27-year-old had returned after he lost the captaincy when it was revealed by undercover reporters that he used to take cocaine as a schoolboy at top Catholic private school Ampleforth and sold drugs after he left school.
“There is a place for rugby in the media and its vital that the sport gets as much as it can but interfering in someone’s private life is too much,” he said.
“I have a lot of sympathy for Lawrence because I know what it’s like to have the press poking their noses around.
“Of course thats something that I will only say to him after the game on Sunday while we’re on the pitch its me against him!” he added. — AFP