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Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, the driving force behind the South African World Cup-winning pack, have brushed off suggestions they will be dominated by British and Irish Lions captain Paul O’Connell in the upcoming Test series.
At a news conference ahead of the first Springboks training session, they were asked to react to comments by 1974 Lions captain Willie John McBride that second row O’Connell would “boss” Matfield around in the scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls.
While not exactly laughing off the reported comments of the hugely respected McBride, the two South African locks said that the proof of who would dominate whom would be found on the field in the three-test series starting here in Durban June 20.
“He’s a great player, Paul,” said Matfield, a veteran of 80 Springboks appearances.
“He’s their captain and I see in the papers this week he had a lot to say to the South African locks when Bakkies and myself didn’t play.
“We will have to see if he has a lot to say to us as well. It’s going to be a good battle but we will only know after the three tests who’s bossing who around.”
Botha said that McBride’s pre-Test bravado would only motivate him even more.
“Boss around, when you said those words, that’s my game,” he said.
“Definitely it’s going to be a big challenge who’s going to be the (Lions lock forward) combination with O’Connell. He’s a good leader and a good player as well so to measure ourselves against two of the best locks in the world it’s just a new challenge for me and Victor.
“We’re not finished yet. We are preparing ourselves to go higher and higher. It’s a brand new challenge for us and it’s a big one and we are going to grab it with both hands.”
As Lions captain, O’Connell seems certain to play in the Test series and the question is who plays alongside him in the second row. Alun-Wyn Jones of Wales, Ireland’s Donncha O’Callaghan, Nathan Hines of Scotland and England’s Simon Shaw are the alternatives.
“It’s a very good Lions pack and back line so we will watch tonight at the game and see what comes out,” Botha said in reference to the Lions’ fourth tour game against the Sharks here in Durban.
He said he was age 17 when the Lions last toured here in 1997 and upset the world champion Springboks 2-1.
“The results from ’97 are a big motivation for us,” he said.
“We know that to be running out against the British Lions is a big contest for us.”
Botha said that beating the Lions was not far behind winning the World Cup and many of the Springboks stars who won that tournament two years ago had been driven on by the thought of the side coming to South Africa.
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Greg Smith said | June 11th 2009 @ 7:00am | Report comment
My question – Do the British & Irish Lions represent the worst type of old school fighting and brawling game ?
Paul O’Connell will steal the show – Bakkies Botha or Victor Matfield to get a red card before the second test (probably for running into the retaliation)… so it’ll be Paul O’Connell in the spotlight mainly
Just watched ALL the 1974 – 1997 Lions vs Springboks games (again) … some seriously dodgy stuff …
Expect heavy casualties in the Bok camp re yellow cards, red cards and post match citings
IMO stirring up a brawl is old school & a blight on modern rugby union & typically British & Irish Lions rugby.
If the British & Irish Lions wish to indulge in this type of gutter brawling talk I’d encourage the Boks to escalate it and force the British & Irish Lions into more, not less, of this style of play that the world is trying to rid itself of.
That way, we can show the world that the British & Irish Lions are prone to brawling. Show them up as a negative example. That’s a legitimate test ? A test of dignity and character even. Put a stamp on them. Permanently branded.
Mike Phillips is my triggerman. To set off another Call 99-like brawl I’d press his button about 20 times in the first 5 minutes and then sit back and watch the exhibition of old school gutter rugby union.
Win or lose on the scoreboard, if this turns out to be another throw-back to hostile on-field brawling… then the Lions have disgraced themselves and failed again in my book … (between the Battle of Boet Erasmus (1974 ‘s dirtiest game in history) and 1997 you see game after game marred by gutter brawls)
I’ll put $1 Million on this series being another collection of on-field filth … the type players from under 9′s to seniors, around the world are trying to end in our sport.
Willie John McBride is a knacker … no, that’s too good. He’s an Irish gentleman !
(B&I Lions tours are always in stark contrast to incident free games in the Currie Cup, S14, Tri Nations etc)
pothale said | June 11th 2009 @ 8:27am | Report comment
in short – media hype and bullshit. McBride is draggging out his turn at the helm. Stupid thing to say if he said it. Not one actual quote from O’Connell except reported speech by two Bok blokes looking to stir it up. No surprises there. Standard stuff for a test match.
The Boks should walk the series, and if they don’t beat them, I’ll be very surprised.
van der Merwe said | June 11th 2009 @ 8:40am | Report comment
So, I notice that the Lions have counterfeited their opponent’s old defensive pattern, it was bad enough when O’Connell had to “borrow” Matfield’s quick jump method… In either case, I’m sure Botha will show the world how he deals with thieves.
pothale said | June 11th 2009 @ 8:47am | Report comment
No doubt he will, VdM. It’s a pity he couldn’t turn up for the other matches.
Knives Out said | June 11th 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment
‘I’m sure Botha will show the world how he deals with thieves.’
By collecting a hefty ban?
CronullaKiwi said | June 11th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
The Boks will smash these guys the only thing the Lions will boss around will be their own medical staff…
Ben J said | June 11th 2009 @ 4:42pm | Report comment
Some of the Lions seem to get a bit of a attitude, seem they are getting used to “bossing around” 19 year olds and 2/3 string teams. Can’t wait for the real deal to arrive, the Test series will be a war, no doubt about it. I’m with Greg, Mike Philips have a fuse shorter than O’Connels hair and their scrum last night was penalised a fair old bit. Let’s get the warmups out of the way and roll on the 20th when the real games can begin.
Ben C said | June 11th 2009 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
I’m sure Botha will show the world how he deals with thieves.
He will lodge a complaint with police and be told in four to six weeks no further action is being taken due to lack of evidence?
pothale said | June 11th 2009 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
Ben J: – “The Lions are getting a bit of an attitude”, bossing around 2nd string teams.
Well whose fault would that be? If PdV hadn’t decided to wrap up his preceious Boks in cotton wool, some of the matches might have been interesting. To the players and to the fans.
And then people will praise him for being soooo clever for surprising the Lions in the Test series. Yeah right. Who’s zooming who?
It speaks volumes about the attitude of the Boks.
Ben J said | June 11th 2009 @ 7:29pm | Report comment
Pothale, don’t be so sensitive, I definitely do not agree with the decisions that have resulted in the Zero Lions and Toothless Sharks performances but this is unfortunately pro rugby where tours like these come around every 12 years and you want your very best available for the first test. Just remember, this is the Lions touring, not the Springboks. And again, this is an amazing oppurtunity to give to youngsters, they may get defeated but they will never forget the fact they got the oppurtunity to play against the Lions, a privilege many world stars of yesteryear never had.