Nonu lauds Olivier’s midfield mastery
8 Jul 2010
Ma’a Nonu is acutely aware of the magnitude of the task he faces in trying to dominate the midfield clash against Wyand Olivier.
Nonu has just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off, but New Zealand coach Graham Henry, a strong supporter of the Hurricanes man, felt he was ready to front the Springboks in Auckland on Saturday.
Olivier and Nonu pair had an almighty tussle at Loftus in the Super 14, with neither able to get the upper hand in the Bulls’ 19-18 victory.
Olivier’s form improved as the tournament progressed, while Nonu’s waned. The former has earned a starting berth ahead of Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh on the back of the quality of those performances, and Nonu admitted to being wary of the challenge.
‘Wynand Olivier was the player of the Super 14 really. He’s a strong ball-runner and good defensively,’ Nonu said. ‘It’s always hard against the Springbok midfield, they’re big fellows and you can’t really run through them.
‘It doesn’t make a lot of difference playing against Olivier rather than De Villiers, they’re both top-class midfielders. All their centres are capable of a great game.’
Nonu will be determined to impress given the faith placed in him. His form was ordinary in the 2009 Tri-Nations, and with the emergence of Benson Stanley as a solid option, Nonu will have to ensure he hits the ground running.
‘My form in Africa wasn’t that flash and there is a bit of extra nerves because I’ve only played club rugby since then. It’s the first time I’ll be going straight from club rugby to play for the All Blacks, but it’s all about preparation at the end of the day,’ Nonu said.
113 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
8 Jul 2010, 13:55 pm
@scorpion(capestormer)-80: Typical ga y capital of SA that would bring sexuality into a discussion. Wearing your heart on your sleeve there mate?
8 Jul 2010, 14:02 pm
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-98: Where can I find that article? I would LOVE to print it and put it up in my bar…. Must have been hillarious!
8 Jul 2010, 14:05 pm
@flanka(flanka)-99:
The boy is a joker of note, Allucard that is.
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-100:
2015 will be interesting with three Bok centres at Stormers. JdV will have to prove himself all over again to be the best 12 in the squad.For now however, he’s experience give him the advantage. I really would have preferred him over WO on Saturday.
But hey, that’s water under the bridge now. The coach has selected his team and we must get behind WO just like we would like others to get behind Ricky when he is selected. So let us start to talk positively about the team (all the players) for Saturday.
We can analyse their performances after the match and criticise them afterwards if they do not perform well.
So here it goes, GO WYNAND, GO RICKY, GO ZANE, GO BOKKE!!!
8 Jul 2010, 14:13 pm
@nama1(nama1)-103: Amen Brutha.
8 Jul 2010, 14:26 pm
2015 must be 2011.
Where did that come from???
8 Jul 2010, 14:33 pm
@nama1(nama1)-89:
HEY!!
I will have you know Olivier happened to score his only test try against Italy. He DID perform, capish??
8 Jul 2010, 14:58 pm
@nama1(nama1)-105: I also found it odd…They would be over the hill by 2011…. Jacques and JdV that is….
8 Jul 2010, 15:38 pm
Nonu is such a liar, he is thrilled to be facing Wynand
who is the weak link in the Bok backline.
Nonu would have shat himself if James was playing
8 Jul 2010, 15:54 pm
@wpw(wpw)-106:
That’s awesome. Less tries than the prop Guthro Steenkamp. Just awesome!
@UnbeataBULL(UnbeataBULL)-107:
What can I say. We all make mistakes.
PS, I think Jaques and JdV will still be quite good in 2011.
8 Jul 2010, 15:55 pm
They should have selected De Jongh. Olivier is a disappointing call.
8 Jul 2010, 15:58 pm
also shocking that January is picked ahead of Pienaar …
8 Jul 2010, 16:13 pm
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-111:
Kry ander aas. Die aas is al vrot, moegoe.
8 Jul 2010, 16:16 pm
bly jy stem saam … january = k@kste Bok Nr9 ooit
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.