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Bulls captain Victor Matfield, center, celebrate with teammates after winning the Super 14 rugby match at the Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Saturday May 29, 2010. Bulls beat Stommers 25-19. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Victor Matfield is a rugby giant, his 200cm (6ft 6) 110kg frame a testament to the fact. His undisputed standing as one of the greatest locks-lineout jumpers of the professional era confirms his stature.
Throw into the mix his superb captaincy skills, and the advantage of a home ground at Loftus with its high altitude and rarified air, and the Waratahs will have their hands full tonight in a Super Rugby clash they must win to keep their play-off hopes alive.
There’s no bigger ask.
To prove Matfield’s worth, the Bulls were very ordinary until he took over the leadership.
Pre-Matfield, in 33 games at home, the Bulls won 10, lost 22, and drew one.
On the Matfield watch at home? 39 wins, nine losses, and one draw, winning the tournament in 2006, 2009, and last year. Point proved.
Charged with the responsibility of keeping Matfield quiet in the lineouts tonight, Waratah locks Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani haven’t a Wallaby cap between them, although stand-in skipper-turned-flanker Dean Mumm’s 32 caps will help on the way to off-setting Matfield’s 105.
The big Bok is equal ninth in the list of all-time internationals, behind Wallaby George Gregan (139 caps), England’s Jason Leonard (119), Frenchman Fabien Pelous (118), Irishman Brian O’Driscoll (118), Wallaby George Smith (110), Irishman Ronan O’Gara (110), Irishman John Hayes (106).
Matfield shares 105 with Welshman Stephen Jones.
This is the 34 year-old Matfield’s swansong season, with just two targets: successfully defending the Super crown and the World Cup – the ultimate retirement present.
But one of Matfield’s assets is not getting too far ahead of himself, just living in the present.
He won’t have the services tonight of injured half-back Fourie Du Preez. which is a huge blow. But the Waratahs will welcome back inside-centre Berrick Barnes after yet another bout of concussion, or the new terminology of “footballer’s migraine.”
That’s a major tick for the Waratahs, with playmaker Barnes the perfect link between half Luke Burgess, fly-half Daniel Halangahu, and outside-centre Tom Carter.
Between them, they must run the big Bulls pack all over the park from the get-go to have any chance of winning, and minimise penalties or sharp-shooter Morne Steyn will punish them severely in the rarified air, where 60 metre shots at goals are well within his range.
All of which leaves tonight as another litmus test for the Waratahs.
They have been rightfully under the pump from supporters this season for far too many lethargic displays unbecoming a side bristling with Wallabies.
Even Matfield will be watching more closely than usual as rumours grow stronger by the week he’ll be coaching the Waratahs next season.
Not that the Waratahs need any additional incentive to win. But to pinch the points tonight from literally under Victor Matfield’s nose would be a big bonus against the odds.