The Allende hype conjours up images of a dynamic centre, finding space and running freely through open space. There was a vague promise of that in the S15. Now, however, the image is an opponent draped around Allende making haste slowly...tractoring on. Yesterday was not unique:
Jean de VilliersC048471110Damian de AllendeC0311110300
Against the Bargies he made 11 metres in 11 runs at Durban...Jean made 47 in 8 but he is old so that doesn't count. Allende did beat 3 defenders in his 11 metres...mostly because his tractoring allowed waves of new tacklers to have a shot.
Think I'm being unfair? Well the highest metres per carry was against Oz...just over 5... And he managed just over 4 against NZ, for the rest he was much lower.
This is not spectacular attacking....irresistible running. It's below average in metres gained per run. Certainly because he can struggle on he shakes some tackles, but so slowly, that the defence is not threatened.
But if you are looking for a silver lining, all this tractoring results in many defenders beaten per metre gained, for what that's worth.
Based on his early S15 form he has more to offer, but if anything he is becoming less productive.
Captain49,914 posts
05 Oct 2015, 02:16
#1
05 Oct 2015, 02:16#1


