Burgess’s plan to stop halfback role model

Luke Burgess plans to work like a cattle dog to ensure his Wallabies forwards pressure Springboks halfback Fourie du Preez in Saturday’s Tri Nations clash in Cape Town.

Burgess rates du Preez as “absolutely” the premier scrum-half in world rugby and says he simply must be stopped if Australia are to notch their first victory over the world champions at Newlands since 1992.

That’s why Burgess has promised to spend the full 80 minutes barking orders to his forwards to get the opposition No.9.

“We’ve just got to be aware (of him) and be communicating. It’s going to be a really big effort from our forwards to put pressure on him,” Burgess said.

“I will communicate to the forwards and talk about getting that pressure on him.”

While flanker George Smith wasn’t surprised to hear Burgess would be busily rounding up the Australian forwards, the veteran flanker said the Wallabies pack needed no reminding how dangerous du Preez could be if allowed to run free.

“He is always in our ears, Burgo. But I think everyone knows what the job at hand is,” Smith said.

Burgess described du Preez as the complete halfback and nominated his pinpoint tactical kicking as a major threat to the Wallabies.

“He has both elements that are really good – his passing is fantastic, as good as his kicking, so he’s got the all-round game,” Burgess said.

“Everyone’s got those skill elements, but his accuracy is what sets him apart, I think, and the consistency.

“Like every box kick he does, it’s always a 50-50 contest and that’s what you want. His kicking for the line, he always puts it right out and he gets good metres.

“His passing, he’s always giving his forwards plenty of time. And his backs, we’ve seen Morne Steyn this year with so much time and he could really develop his kicking game on the back of Fourie’s passing.

“That’s what you need from a halfback, that time and space for the runners, and also those attacking kicks.

“But in terms of the volume of work and the consistency and the style of game that Fourie du Preez lends himself to and has really developed, he just gives his team so much attacking scope.

“So I’d say all-round he is probably the best, absolutely. He’s been probably the best for a while now and just seems to be getting even more consistent.”

Not surprisingly, given the admiration he has for du Preez, that Burgess admitted to having modelled his own game on the key strengths of the Boks’ brilliant No.9.

“I remember really having a close look at his game against England at the (2007) World Cup in the round match,” Burgess said.

“There was a lot of commentary saying it was the best game ever played by a halfback and it’s really helpful to watch games like that and study it.

“It’s fair to say he’s certainly one player I study a lot and try to incorporate elements of his game into my game.”