De Allende fits Meyer's mould
New Springbok centre Damian de Allende is the perfect fit for the type of outside centre that South African coach Heyneke Meyer wants.
De Allende, who will make his Bok debut if the opening round of the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday, is a big and bruising back – who also has some neat touches with the ball in hand.
However, it is his hulking frame – 189cm and 101 Kg – is in line with the type of player the Bok mentor prefers in the outside channels.
Just glance back at those who played in the No.13 jersey in the Meyer era – the likes of JJ Engelbrecht, Jaque Fourie, JP Pietersen, Jaco Taute and even captain Jean de Villiers.
Speaking to the media, after being named in the starting XV, De Allende said he had been comforted by Meyer's expectations and was confident he would be up for the challenge.
"Heyneke wants a physical presence from me, but I guess on the day it is going to be quite exciting," the Stormers and Western Province utility back said.
He added that while the Boks will still work hard on being defensively sound, they will look to play a more expansive game if the occasion calls for it.
"Loftus has quite a fast pitch," he told the media scrum.
"Anything can happen and playing the situation at that time is probably the right thing to do.
"There is obviously a lot of pressure for a player on their debut.
"Heyneke [Meyer] said I should just go out there and enjoy myself and try and play the way I played in Super Rugby."
De Allende first started out as a wing for Western Province, but it was soon realised that his talents were better exploited at centre.
Moving from inside centre to the outside, De Allende said, was a challenge he relished while his midfield partner, Jean de Villiers, would also help to calm the nerves.
"With Jean de Villiers on the inside me helps quite a bit, it is exciting times and I am looking forward to it," he said.
"I wouldn't say it has anything to do with skill-set [playing at No.13], it is just about making the right decision at the right time and identifying the space outside and the space behind the defenders."
Speaking of De Allende's selection, Meyer said he was still undecided on the best midfield combination ahead of the World Cup in England next year.
The 22-year-old Capetonian will complete a meteoric rise a mere seven years after he started playing rugby.
An initial disappointment, when a knee injury forced him to withdraw for the June internationals, but he will finally be rewarded for a stellar Super Rugby season.
De Allende said he was overwhelmed when Meyer broke the news on Wednesday that he would make his debut.
"It [the injury withdrawal] put a bit of a doubt in my head, but hard work pays off and I am fortunate enough to get a call up," De Allende said.
"It is my first international, so it is going to be a great challenge I know we've had success against them in the past."
In his breakthrough year in 2012, De Allende first made his name for Western Province in the Final, before making his Super Rugby debut the following year.
Although De Allende is more adept at playing at inside centre, Meyer expressed his confidence in the strong and physical player.
While he makes his presence felt with his big and tall frame, it is his wide ranging skill-set that makes him such a commodity combined with explosive pace.
De Allende also spoke about the shift from No.12 to No.13 – where he last played as a schoolboy.
De Allende said, was a challenge he relished while his midfield partner, Jean de Villiers, would also help to calm the nerves.
"With Jean de Villiers on the inside me helps quite a bit, it is exciting times and I am looking forward to it," he said.
"I wouldn't say it has anything to do with skill-set (playing at 13), it is just about making the right decision at the right time and identifying the space outside and the space behind the defenders."
Source: SAPA
