Louw’s biggest test yet

Bok boss Meyer puts faith in specialist fetcher to neutralise Mccaw threat

PRINGBOK flank Francois Louw says it “doesn’t help to complain to the ref ” ahead of his showdown with the master of the breakdown, All Black captain Richie McCaw, in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test in Dunedin.

The inclusion of Louw at openside flank is a selection that many have wanted to help sort out the Boks’ breakdown blues, and coach Heyneke Meyer finally decided to make the big call yesterday and move the energetic Marcell Coetzee to the bench.

Meyer revealed yesterday that Coetzee’s presence among the reserves was only “partly” due to the fact that he has played a lot of rugby this year. Louw is most certainly the better option on the ground, and he knows that he has a massive task of trying to beat McCaw to the loose ball.

“We are both at openside flank, so it is going to be a big battle at the breakdowns, and the whole game actually. You have to watch him, and put in a big work-rate to stay with him. He is a magic player,” Louw said at a media briefing in Auckland yesterday.

“It’s always going to be tough playing against him. He is going to give it his all as he has done throughout his career, so it will definitely be a big match-up playing against him.”

The All Black skipper has a reputation for being able to escape censure for indiscretions where other players are blown up, such as falling on to the wrong side of the ruck. Irish referee George Clancy will be in charge at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, and Louw said that he won’t be seeking assistance from the match officials at the breakdowns on Saturday.

When asked if it was infuriating to be penalised by a referee and then see McCaw get away with doing the same thing, Louw responded: “That’s not really in my hands – it’s always up to the ref on the day. Such a

Sthing might cause you to have a weaker game, so you need to focus on the task at hand. If that’s not going the way it should, you focus on the next thing. I have learned the hard way it doesn’t help to complain to the ref. You have to make a difference and help yourself.”

The 27-year-old Louw, who has 11 Test caps, thinks that northern hemisphere referees allow more of a contest at the breakdowns – Duane Vermeulen called it a “free-for-all” in the Wallaby Test in Perth, which was handled by Nigel Owens of Wales. So, the breakdown battle could become interesting with Clancy blowing the whistle in Dunedin.

“I definitely believe that the breakdowns are blown a bit differently in the northern hemisphere. They sort of allow the breakdowns to develop – to have a chance to go for the ball. But also for the cleaners to get that guy out of the way ... a little more of a contest. It’s enjoyable rugby, and I think the breakdown is a big part of rugby,” he said.

“In the past, they almost tried to do away with it, but then you are almost moving towards Rugby League. I think there will be opportunity for both teams to have a go there, just to have that opportunity to slow the opposition’s ball down. I think contestable rucks are good – it makes it exciting.”

But it won’t be all about the breakdowns for Louw and the other members of the Bok loose trio, Willem Alberts and Vermeulen. Not only do they have to deal with McCaw, but the All Blacks have two other devastating ball-carriers among the loose forwards in Liam Messam and arguably the best No 8 in world rugby, Kieran Read.

Crusaders star Read especially is a key man in the All Black set-up as he is able to find the smallest of gaps around the fringes. “Read and Messam are underrated players at times. They are good in the loose, especially when carrying ball. They have a hell of a work-rate and both get around the park,” said Louw.

YouTube.