Kolbe just one man Welsh coach fears
FAST: WELL-TRAINED WITH BLOW-TORCH SPEED ON THE EDGES
Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe has the lightning pace and physical build reminiscent of England’s World Cup winner Jason Robinson, the Welsh team’s defence coach Shaun Edwards said ahead of his side’s semifinal clash with South Africa on Sunday.
Kolbe has underlined his credentials as one of the hottest properties in rugby union with a series of blistering performances that have lit up the competition in Japan, wowing fans to become one of the most recognisable faces of the World Cup.
His lightning footwork and an ability to use his power-packed, if diminutive, stature to ricochet his way out of contact situations are reminiscent of a Robinson, who shone in the 13-man code before switching to become a star for England and the British and Irish Lions in union.
The 2003 World Cup winner, Robinson, stood 1.72m tall and weighed in at a relatively paltry 80kg, had pace to burn and a devastating step that saw many a defender beaten – just like Kolbe.
“I was lucky enough to play with Jason Robinson, I was his captain at Wigan when he first came into the Wigan team,” said Edwards.
“Kolbe’s a similar player to Jason: incredibly explosive, short,” he said, adding he was proof that you don’t have to be big to play rugby.
“You look at the England backline, they’re not huge, they’re not massive but they’re incredibly skilful,” he said. “Same with New Zealand, they’ve got some smaller players now. It’s a game for all shapes and sizes and let’s hope that continues.”
Edwards added: “If you want to go and watch a game of rugby, you want to go and watch Cheslin Kolbe. We have to keep our eye on him, he’s one of the most dynamic players I’ve ever seen.”
Kolbe is not the only South African player who worries Edwards, with Makazole Mapimpi showing equal ability on the left wing, while free-running Willie le Roux is always a danger at fullback.
“They’ve got blow-torch speed on the edges,” he said. “If there were a 4x100m relay race of all the teams involved in the World Cup they’d be fastest. They’ve got some incredible pace out wide.”
Edwards warned, however, that attack was only one weapon in the Springboks’ armoury.
“They are very well coached – any team Rassie Erasmus coaches is fantastic defensively, probably the best defensive team in the world at the moment.
“They’re going to be well-organised and they’re going to have a strong defence and strong kicking game.”
The Welsh have racked up five wins from the last six against the South Africans, but Edwards said that counted for nothing.
“Personally don’t think it has a bearing on the game. Each game is a different entity,” he said, adding: “It’s seize-the-moment time.
“These opportunities don’t come around very often. The last time was in 2011 [when the Welsh lost to France in the semifinal] and we just missed out then.
“You want to be in the big games and there’s none bigger than the World Cup final.” –