Tri-Nations - Smit backs rival skipper So'olialo

Eurosport - Thu, 03 Jul 10:25:00 2008

Former South Africa captain Corne Krige has come under fire from current Springboks skipper John Smit for questioning the ability of New Zealand's Rodney So'oialo.

John Smit - South Africa - 0

So'oialo has been named All Blacks captain in the absence of the injured Richie McCaw and has also been selected to cover for his team-mate on the openside flank in the opening Tri-Nations Test in Wellington on Saturday, despite being a specialist number eight.

Krige questioned the wisdom of both decisions, but Smit believes Krige's comments that So'oialo would not command as much respect as McCaw had no "validity".

"I can't see how much Corne has had to do with Rodney," Smit (pictured) 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 played against him for many years. He might not be as talkative but he's certainly as active on the field, and that's what counts the most as captain."

Krige, who captained South Africa in 18 of his 39 Tests, also felt New Zealand were playing into South Africa's hands by playing So'oialo in a left and right combination with Adam Thomson and having Jerome Kaino at number eight.

But the Springboks' loose forward Schalk Burger believes So'oialo is more than capable of making the switch to the flank.

"I think he'll go all right on the weekend. He is an eighth-man who plays towards the ball," said Burger.

"He's always been good on the ground and this weekend will be no exception. He's a good player and he's been in good form this season."

Burger has overcome a knee injury to make his first Test start of the year and felt New Zealand would miss McCaw.

"Besides being a fantastic player he's got quite a lot of leadership there," Burger said. "Unfortunately he's injured now. I can't say I'll be missing him on Saturday but it's still a good loose forward trio."

The Springboks have not won in New Zealand in a decade, although they came close in Christchurch in 2004 (23-21) and again in Dunedin in 2005 (31-27).

This time, though, they arrive as world champions and chasing a 14th consecutive victory since August 2007.

SportingLife / Eurosport

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  1. Yeah right! I agreed with Smit concerning the issue raised by former Boxs skipper Krige. I don't understand why other players underestimated the efforts of other players who performed well on the field instead of their words.We can easily make a judment based on what we have seen before. So'oialo is not the kind of person talking that much, but what matters to him, is his proven actions on the field.He is the right person and the right replacement for 7.

    From Kuaolo L, on Fri 4 Jul 1:19AM
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