Monye sounds Bok warning
19 Jun 2009
Ugo Monye says the British & Irish Lions can ‘run riot’ if they get a solid attacking platform.
Much has been made of the war in the forwards in the build-up to the first Test, and it is indisputable that the result will hinge largely on whichever set of heavies gain the ascendency.
Two talent-laden sets of backlines are relying on the fat boys to establish a solid attacking platform, and Monye believes they have the artillery in their back division to inflict serious damage if they are given the opportunity.
‘We’ve got a fantastic squad who are very adaptable – we’ve got a big power game when we need it, and some great skill and speed in the backline. If we can get the mix right then I think we’ve got a really good chance of beating them,’ the Lions’ wing told keo.co.za. ‘There’s a massive amount of potential in the backline, and if we get the right platform we should run riot.’
Monye did, however, temper his confidence with some perspective.
‘It’s going to be a massive step up from what we’ve experienced in the warm-up games,’ he said. ‘I’ve been involved in three games and been a spectator for the other three, and they’ve all been physical.
‘But there’s no comparison between provincial rugby and Test rugby against the world champions in their backyard. Everything is against us, but we do believe we can win.’
Monye confirmed that the Lions expect the Springboks to come into the first Test undercooked, but stressed that they would still pose a formidable challenge.
‘They’ve been in camp for a couple of weeks so they would have worked off some rust, but a lot of the guys are still recovering from a long season,’ he noted.
‘That said, we know it’s going to be a challenge. They’ve been waiting for this for 12 years, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some of their players.’
Monye’s strong performances in the lead-up fixtures earned him a start ahead of IRB World Player of the Year, Shane Williams. He realises the expectation is massive, but refuses to let it dictate his mental state.
‘I don’t feel any pressure to fill Shane’s shoes, to be honest. It’s been quite simple, I’m getting on with the way I’ve played all season. I have the confidence and belief that the coaches have selected me for the right reasons,’ he said.
By Ryan Vrede, in Durban
71 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
19 Jun 2009, 14:49 pm
#46 Thameside Bok fan: Agreed except based on last year, the focus should be on whether Roberts and BOD can contain the best centre combination in the world last year.
I hope Adi can prove everyone wrong again this year, it is a pity though that he will have to do it every single year he plays for the BOks.
19 Jun 2009, 14:50 pm
#48 74-97-09:
Im not assuming anything, this is a Lions tour. I am poiting out that IMO the fact that the Boks *may* be underdone has been severely overplayed by the NH pundits as a strategic advantage that the Lions will enjoy. Im just not so sure they’ll get as much from it as they’re hoping and may well be lulling themselves into a false sense of expectation.
19 Jun 2009, 14:50 pm
#49 74-97-09: Fair enough I hope for your sake the Lions are very absorbant
19 Jun 2009, 14:52 pm
#51 Corndog:
Look Adi is a class act my only concern with him is his shoulder. He’s going to have to tackle the boots off those okes and if his shoulder doesn’t hold up its not good news for anybody. I think he could be the darkhorse though nobody here has talked much about his ability on attack and I have a sneaky feeling he might have slipped in under the radar which is great news for the Boks! With JF on the bench it is truly an area of strength for us.
19 Jun 2009, 14:52 pm
#36 Johan: Yep but a 50-50 chance is a betting chance.
I think that it will also revolve around our gam eplan. If we revert to our play it as you see it tactic of yeste snorr year we wil get hammered. On the other hand if we chip away and eat the elapahnt or lion bit by bit we will run away victors. One must not forget that many of these teams used to match us for 60 minutes then had to give as they were sapped of every bit of strength.
With SH players and coaches the margins have narrowed but me thinks not completely yet. Hopefully if kicking becomes a major issue for us Piet Snorr wil see the light of day and run Morne Steyn on.
19 Jun 2009, 14:52 pm
#52 Thameside Bok fan: I am just saying that nobodey really believes thay are underdone – well I don’t – do you ?
19 Jun 2009, 14:55 pm
#56 74-97-09:
From the countless quotes, articles and interviews coming from the Lions camp/press, i honestly think they reckon the Boks are seriously underdone. Who knows they may be but harping on about it like that is setting yourself up for a big fall if they’re not.
19 Jun 2009, 14:55 pm
#53 Corndog: Me too, believe me.
19 Jun 2009, 14:56 pm
Vir die BOKKE!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3A6PmfhN88
19 Jun 2009, 14:57 pm
#54 Thameside Bok fan: There is that shoulder but he has had a lot of time. On attack he is brilliant and he seems to find a lot of space for our wings. If he can get Habana amd JP into space these guys are going to have to defend for their lives.
With JF on the bench we have 2 world class 13′s in the 22. What a luxury and neither one will let us down.
#56 74-97-09: As for Boks being underdone i don’t buy it either. It is strange that Geech hasn’t told his players to keep it shut before the test. The only guy that should be speaking to the press is the coach and captain.
19 Jun 2009, 14:59 pm
Hy monye vir ons kom staan en waarsku nie. Bryan Habana en JPP is 100 maal beter as hy.
19 Jun 2009, 15:03 pm
I have to agree – I still cringe about dawson in OZ – self serving ***.
19 Jun 2009, 15:07 pm
I don’t buy this thing that the Lions expect the Boks to be rusty (undercooked). No ways. They are preparing for a huge onslaught. The Lions are preparing for a fired up, ready to go Bok team. We are too. All this talk is just to create more interest and selling newspapers. Again, it is a 50/50 game.
19 Jun 2009, 15:12 pm
Run riot? hahahahahahahahahah who the hell does he think theyre going to play? Italy? Theyre in for a very big shock. Ugo mate – read em and weep.
19 Jun 2009, 15:19 pm
#64 Slumtown: LOL. Let him talk!
19 Jun 2009, 15:28 pm
#60 Corndog: We sure have depth in each and every department. With exception of the selection of the Tiger Woods of rugby and looking at those who did nto make the match 22 and some of the pre-match warm ups we could field another 22 that could give the BILs a good run for their money.
With rugby being so dominant as a school sport that is what happens. Unfortunately our U20s were very undercooked, but that hs more to do with teh wy rugby is coached at our schools than the way we actually play. Most of those players mature when they get to 21 and over unlik esoem fo the NZ players who mature earlier.
19 Jun 2009, 16:59 pm
Brusouw makes big hits, what is Gatland talking about??
19 Jun 2009, 22:50 pm
“run riot”………!! jeez thats a BIG comment to make before a test with the Boks. He obviously just had his testosterone injection!
20 Jun 2009, 04:31 am
WHO IS this Ugo guy ….. I mean please, who is he to be making these kind of assesments??? Seems to me the Lions are SERIOUSLY talking it up a bit …. almost TRYING to make themselves believe they are something they are not???
Like the fact that the Boks are quietly confident.
20 Jun 2009, 04:35 am
#23 SAFFA – Its always the ref when we lose!!:
At least we were in the position to choke …. Aussies, Poms, Kiwis, had heartattaksd and DIED in the T20!
20 Jun 2009, 04:37 am
#69 The Analyst:
No worries, he is going to see his presumptious, condescending pompous Pommie arse against JPP, in Durban, today….
Ugo is really nothing much, compared to other world class wingers.
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.