Combrinck ‘To Stop Tamanivalu’
The Springboks, somewhere amidst their pretty wet-behind-the-ears back three, may well need to make fresh room shortly for Ruan Combrinck.
A vibrant all-round performance from the right wing should not be allowed to go under-appreciated, amidst the broader team qualities that sparked their fabulous comeback to grill the Hurricanes 44-29 in a Super Rugby semi-final at Emirates Airline Park last Saturday.
After the early, team-wide defensive alignment difficulties which went some way to explaining why the ‘Canes opened up a 22-3 lead at one point in the first period – it turned out that the visitors more or less ran themselves off their feet in the thin air during that time– Combrinck was as convincing as any colleague in gradually discovering his A-game during the stirring Lions retort.
He looks suitably primed now to go into battle in the enticing showpiece at the same venue against the Crusaders’ own dangerous, similarly in-form wide man on their left, Seta Tamanivalu. The Fijian-born customer, 25, who has earned three All Black caps thus far as a substitute, confirmed his strength (he tips the scales at 105kg) and nose for the try-line as he dotted two of the four ‘Saders tries in their 27-13 semis triumph over compatriots the Chiefs. Tamanivalu will require some policing but plucky Combrinck is well capable of performing that task, and quite possibly getting behind his direct opponent to create comparable angst for the visitors on defence as well.
His confidence should be high, as he demonstrated against the Hurricanes that he has regained – since various injury-linked setbacks over the past year or so – much of the appetite and sharpness that saw him earn his own maiden appearances for the Springboks in the troubled 2016 season.
The 27-year-old quickly showed his mettle in the desperately tense home series against Ireland, won 2-1, but then lost some form, parallel to the fortunes of many teammates, as the Boks progressively wilted – he was part of the side on each occasion as the Boks crashed to England, Italy and Wales on the dispiriting end-of-year tour.
His broad range of footballing attributes seem tailor-made for the premier-league demands of the looming Rugby Championship. Renewed perusal of what he offers will become even more of a necessity if Combrinck, who is developing a nice little habit of excelling against New Zealand opposition, shines once more in Saturday’s final.