It’s a hard knock life
PHYSICAL: FRENCH FORWARD ONSLAUGHT EXCITES BOKS STAR MOSTERT
Lock delighted with how his partnership with Etzebeth went.
It’s going to be crucial to build on last weekend’s Loftus Versfeld performance if they want to prevail in today’s second French Test in Durban, according to Springbok lock Franco Mostert.
Mostert, known to everyone as “Sous”, impressed with a high workrate in his first Test start after playing his previous seven from the bench.
“They have a big pack and they like the physical stuff, so hopefully we can arrive up front and play a good game,” said Mostert.
“We’ve heard they have made eight changes to their team, but we have worked on one or two things specifically and we just need to stick to our guns and hopefully it will go well.”
Mostert believed his new partnership with Eben Etzebeth went well the first time out.
“We partnered well and our roles are different. He does the hard work so I can play my own game and take the shine,” he chuckled.
“But I learn every day from Pieter-Steph (du Toit), Lood (de Jager) and Eben and we are really blessed in this country with the quality of locks, they are great guys who play awesome rugby.”
Mostert said he was glad he never ended up going to France otherwise he never would have been given this opportunity.
“So I’m just glad coach Allister (Coetzee) backed me so I can play with the boys.
“It was awesome to start my first Test, I’m very grateful about that. It was a good run for us and hopefully we can just build on that.
“Before my first start I wasn’t stressed. Maybe a bit of nerves but those were good nerves.”
Mostert believes the French are good at “man-watching” and contesting the lineouts, so they’ll have to come with their own plans and try to outwork them.
“I’ve known (hooker) Malcolm (Marx) for close to four years. It helps, I know what type of throws he does and the good ones, and what kind of jump he likes.
“But in general we have put last year behind us and turned a new page and everyone has bought in all the way, from the new coaches to coach Allister.”
CHeinz Schenk
ynics of the modern world will tell you the world is becoming more stupid. It’s hard to argue against that. Unfortunately sport isn’t immune to this phenomenon.
The modern fan’s consumption habits have become so instant that 20 million less people in the UK are watching the popular English Premier League on television.
They don’t want to watch golf and they can’t stand Test cricket’s attrition.
But what they clearly do like is idiotic gimmicks like the socalled super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor happening in August.
The bluster surrounding this week’s announcement was predictable and mind-numbingly frustrating.
Let’s not talk about money in this instance. It’s useless to do so because it’s the only reason why this whole circus is happening.
The true tragedy is how this is tarnishing Mayweather’s legacy.
Yes, Mayweather’s nickname is “Money” and attests to his love of the stuff.
But even if the man is known as a legend of materialism, he’s also a legend of his craft. Mayweather is unbeaten in 49 fights. He’s unbeaten in 26 championship fights. And he’s won titles across five weight classes.
Heck, with that record, Mayweather can use five-dollar bills as toilet paper for all I care.
Yet this McGregor stunt is just all so unnecessary. In fact, I can’t emphasise enough how utterly stupid this whole affair is.
McGregor has no experience as an elite boxer. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Given that the fight takes place under all the standard rules, it’s probable that McGregor won’t even last the full 12 rounds.
Mayweather is one of the greatest ever to step into the ring.
How on earth can McGregor remotely hope to make a – pardon the pun – fist of this?
And if the UFC star actually is competitive, there’ll always be questions over the legitimacy of the fight.
Mayweather needs to pulverise him because of the rules. If they are slackened, you might as well have dumped them in an alley and asked them to brawl.
And the worst is, millions are falling for this.
Respected pundits are actually hyping up the fight by saying McGregor stands a chance.
There are YouTube videos “illustrating” why McGregor will “destroy” Floyd.
When it’s all over, we’ll all be wondering why we were so stupid in falling for this.