Friday 14th September 2007
England winger Josh Lewsey has hailed the Springboks' try machine, flyer Bryan Habana, as "the headline act" of this year's World Cup.
Habana made a scintillating entry to the tournament, claiming four touchdowns as South Africa opened their Pool A campaign by crushing Samoa 59-7 at Parc des Princes last Sunday.
He has now scored 26 tries in just 29 Tests, and poses a major threat to England's hopes of beating South Africa in their crunch Pool A match on Friday.
Wasps star Lewsey, no slouch himself with 21 Test touchdowns from 50 appearances, has the daunting task of marking Habana when two of the World Cup heavyweights get to grips with each other at Stade de France.
While try-scoring opportunities could be at a premium if two juggernaut packs take centre stage, Lewsey remains acutely aware of the danger Habana poses.
"If you give Bryan [Habana] time and space he will hurt you, and the effectiveness of the back-three is dictated by the rest of the team's performance," Lewsey said.
"He is the headline act in the World Cup.
"He is phenomenally fast with great footwork - he has all the tricks. And being at the top of his game means he will be a challenge for anyone to play against.
"Playing wing is a fickle business, and when the team is playing well you get opportunities. There is no-one better than Bryan Habana at taking chances at the moment.
"He is causing excitement and he is a big draw for the crowds.
"We have watched the DVD's and seen him in action, and while you have to accept he is playing phenomenally well, you have to concentrate on your own game.
"Against Habana, you can either get shown up or everyone will be waxing lyrical about what you did.
"He is odds-on to be the tournament's top try-scorer, but he is a very self-effacing and humble person."
Habana's genial running lines caused mayhem in the Samoan defence, firing warning signals to England that if they allow him similar space tomorrow, then he will again wreak havoc.
England have changed their back-three for the Springboks test, switching Jason Robinson from wing to full-back instead of Mark Cueto, while handing Lewsey's Wasps colleague Paul Sackey the number 11 shirt.
Games between the countries though, have a reputation for being close, forward-dominated contests, with defences coming out on top.
"Habana would be a big challenge for anyone playing against him, but ultimately it is about us pulling together and working in the right direction," Lewsey added.
"The biggest challenge, personally, and as a team is our defence, and we have to play a pressure game.
"Four years ago, the World Cup game against South Africa [in Perth] turned on a charge down and kick through from Will Greenwood. It decided the match.
"You cannot afford to give a team like South Africa momentum, and regardless who I am up against during the game - Habana or one of their big forwards - I have to put the tackles in.
"If we get our basics right and execute well, then we will give ourselves a chance of winning the game."
1 comment:
Good words.
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