Former Springbok captain Corne Krige was publicly rebuked by current skipper John Smit on Thursday for questioning the credentials of stand-in All Blacks skipper Rodney So’oialo.
Smit labelled Krige a ”rent-a-quote” for voicing surprise that So’oialo, the All Blacks regular backrower, should be captain and openside flanker in place of the injured Richie McCaw for Saturday’s opening Tri-Nations Test.
”As far as McCaw goes, he’s a massive loss from both a playing and leadership perspective. I’m not sure So’oialo commands the same respect,” Krige told South African rugby website keo.co.za.
”I thought it was just nothing talk when they were touting So’oialo as a possible openside. His best position is clearly number eight and I don’t think his strength is playing towards the ball.”
But So’oialo, the All Blacks regular backrower in recent seasons, found a ready ally in Smit, who was quick to rubbish Krige, a loose forward and his predecessor as the Springbok captain until retiring in 2004.
”I can’t see how much Corne has had to do with Rodney or the experience he’s had of playing against him,” Smit said.
”We seem to have a company in South Africa called rent-a-quote and Corne’s at the top of the list at the moment.
”I wouldn’t say there’s any validity in that. I know Rodney personally and I’ve been playing against him for many years. He might not be as intuitive [as McCaw] but he’s as active on the field and I think that’s what counts most as captain.”
So’oialo, meanwhile, said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing at openside and leading the All Blacks.
”Having Richie missing, that’s a big challenge because he’s not only got the leadership quality but he’s a great player,” he said.
”That’s going to be the biggest challenge for us, not having him around. I’m willing to take up that challenge.”
The 28-year-old So’oialo, a 44-Test veteran, is the central figure in the All Blacks loose forward mix with backrower Jerome Kaino and flanker Adam Thomson having just six Tests between them, none against the Springboks. — AFP
