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FORUM / RUGBY /  Rugby: Mouth-watering match-up from duo at the Cake Tin showdown; NZ Herald

Rugby: Mouth-watering match-up from duo at the Cake Tin showdown; NZ Herald

Started by Just_win8 REPLIES173 VIEWS· 08 Sept 2014, 21:42
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JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
08 Sept 2014, 21:42
#1
08 Sept 2014, 21:42#1

We all know of Brodie Retallick's huge work-rate, borne out by the statistics, but he has a challenge ahead of him for this weekend's Rugby Championship showdown against the South Africans in Wellington.

For starters, he does not have Sam Whitelock alongside him to wreak damage at the rucks and take the burden off him at the lineouts. At 23, Retallick assumes the senior locking role, probably alongside older but fringe second-rower Jeremy Thrush.

Their opponents will likely be the world's most vaunted lineout duo of Victor Matfield and Eben Etzebeth.

Matfield is not long back from injury, and needs little introduction, while the parallels between Retallick and Etzebeth are remarkable.

The latter is just a few months younger than the 23-year-old All Black, and is more of a go-to man at lineout time, and capable of stealing opposition ball.  

Neither has missed a tackle in the opening three tests and, despite heavy work in the engine room and the dark places that are rucks, neither has been penalised heavily. Richie McCaw leads the way for All Blacks being pinged the most in the Rugby Championship.

Retallick has carried more often and more effectively than Etzebeth thus far in this competition.

All the numbers and the history point to a mouth-watering match-up between not just two of the best young locks in world rugby, but two of the best second-rowers, period.

JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
08 Sept 2014, 21:45
#2
08 Sept 2014, 21:45#2
Maybe this article will get us back to talking rugby
Retallick will miss his locking partner Whitelock as they work well together. We will never agree on who the best lock is but it will be good to see Retallick and Etzebeth playing in the same game.
HA
hakwaPro4,146 posts
09 Sept 2014, 07:08
#3
09 Sept 2014, 07:08#3
 I am keen to see how Jeremy goes against Matfield and Eben.
WA
WardadPro6,663 posts
09 Sept 2014, 07:55
#5
09 Sept 2014, 07:55#5
 Cool BB ,looks like it will be fine for a change .
DB
DbDraadCaptain26,388 posts
09 Sept 2014, 11:31
#6
09 Sept 2014, 11:31#6
 Imagine them both playing in the same team? North-South Match would be quite something.
NT
ntangaClub Pro336 posts
09 Sept 2014, 11:47
#7
09 Sept 2014, 11:47#7
 It'll be a very interesting contest I must say, especial Eben and Brodie.  As much as I don't like seeing Matfield in the Bok mix, he probably will teach Jeremy a thing or 2 in the Line-Outs, and that's about it; Jeremy will win any other contest against Matfield hands down.  The frustration continues.
BL
bluebokPro3,977 posts
09 Sept 2014, 11:48
#8
09 Sept 2014, 11:48#8
 ntanga, my thoughts exactly! 
BO
bobbok...Captain10,129 posts
09 Sept 2014, 11:58
#9
09 Sept 2014, 11:58#9
ccl
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