'I’m not worried about him at all': Moodie v Koroibete takes centre stage
SPOTLIGHT: The battle between Canan Moodie and Marika Koroibete out wide is one of the more interesting sub-plots in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Round Four Test between the Wallabies and the Springboks in Sydney.
Koroibete is entering the match after a starring role in Australia’s 25-17 win against South Africa in Adelaide.
Having delivered a try and the hit of a lifetime to deny Springboks wing Makazole Mapimpi last week, Koroibete will now face off against a teenager whose maturity has been widely praised.
Moodie has only played one full season of franchise rugby in South Africa, but he has the X-factor which will test the Wallabies as the Springboks try to avenge their loss and keep their Rugby Championship hopes alive.
“He’s really good and I’m not even nervous for him – he’s here for a reason,” Springboks captain Siyamthanda Kolisi told reporters.
“He wants to learn, he’s very quiet and doesn’t talk a lot, but once he gets told to do something or he gets shown something he takes it in straight away and he’s always keen to do extras and help the other guys as well.
“I remember playing against him … some of the stuff he was doing, you wouldn’t think he was in school just a couple of years ago.”
The story continues below…
#PREVIEW: ‘We just hope they don’t give up on us’ – Check out our prediction for South Africa’s Round Four clash against the Wallabies in Sydney 👇👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #Australia #Wallabies #AUSvRSA https://t.co/GHnmjqlyVW
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 2, 2022
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick agreed Moodie was ready for the Test arena despite his young age.
“We’ve seen what he has done for the Bulls – a very, very tough kid as a 19-year-old to be able to put physical hits on like that,” he told reporters.
“He will face a challenge going up against Marika Koroibete, but he has a lot of experienced players around him and I know he’ll be up for the challenge. I’m not worried about him at all.
“We are very proud of what he has achieved, and I am sure his family is very happy for him as well.”
There will also be a spotlight on Damian Willemse who takes over the No.10 jersey for Saturday’s match.
“Damian Willemse is a very special player, and he brings a lot of energy,” said Stick.
“He has played flyhalf for the Stormers and he has played there for us before, and it is great to see how he is growing in our game and how his confidence is growing.
“He is a warrior and I know he’ll bring his part on Saturday. I’m also looking forward to seeing him and Jaden [Hendrikse] play together.”
Additional sources: AAP & @Springboks
#ICYMI: Jake White shared his views on the current state of Test rugby and its effect on Jacques Nienaber ad Ian Foster. 👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #Australia #Wallabies #AUSvRSA https://t.co/ddkQJkyqOM
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 2, 2022
