De Allende — on the outside looking in
THE dearth of recognised outside centres in the Springbok squad has helped to place the spotlight on Damian de Allende, a player who knows all about being on the outside.
With Jaque Fourie injured, JP Pietersen in Japan, JJ Engelbrecht short of form and Juan de Jongh not rated highly enough by the selectors, De Allende may crack the nod against Argentina at Loftus next week.
Of course, Jean de Villiers has served in the number 13 jersey with distinction, but coach Heyneke Meyer wants his talismanic captain in the more influential inside-centre channel.
Jan Serfontein is the only other centre in the group and it appears it is down to him or De Allende for the number 13 jersey. Neither, however, has operated there enough lately to make a compelling argument for inclusion in a Rugby Championship test.
Although De Allende hasn’t played there for more than two years, Western Province backline coach Robbie Fleck has no qualms about seeing him there.
“He’s a naturally gifted player. In fact, any ball sport. He was a Western Province opening bowler at schools level,” said the former Bok centre.
“Defending there will be more difficult, but attacking-wise it makes sense to play him at 13. He’s a good ball carrier and he can hold it up. He doesn’t possess top-end speed but he’s got enough gas and strength, and I think he’s got the best pass in South Africa.
“In the wider channels he contests well in the air, and that is a big part of the Springboks’ game. I think he can be pretty destructive there,” said Fleck.
De Villiers thinks De Allende is the all-round package. “Damian ticks all the boxes. He’s big, strong, fast. I think he’s got an unbelievable pass and he’s got good feet as well.”
Alan Zondagh, who coached De Allende when he was invited to the former Western Province coach’s academy, is in agreement about the 22year-old’s ability to play outside centre, but added that Serfontein too has the skills set to be named in that position.
De Allende came to his attention in 2011. “We had teamed up with Hamiltons u-20s and it was there that someone mentioned that Hein Kriek had this really good player at Milnerton High. We agreed to bring Damian to our academy.
“For a young boy he was a helluva good size. Not that I’m one for big players, but he had speed and skill as well,” Zondagh recalled.
“He believes in his own ability. He became more dedicated to training the longer he stayed with us. We had a strict programme, but he adapted to it and he improved. That’s what impressed me about him.
“He is a normal boy from Milnerton,” said Zondagh. “Things happen too easy for some boys at elite schools. They glide into teams. If you’re not in that system it is difficult to get in.
“It is just nice to know coaches can recognise players who don’t come through the traditional routes,” said Zondagh.
De Villiers also recognises De Allende’s unconventional path. “He’s had challenges in his life, but he’s always made the right choices, and now he’s here. He is an example for so many guys who perhaps were on a similar path but who made wrong decisions. It is a great success story as well.”