Blades' Nous Versus Size
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday August 7, 1999
Size isn't everything.
Recalled Wallabies prop Andrew Blades, considered a midget compared to the South African front rowers he will face in the Tri-Nations rugby Test next week, will weigh-in 21kg lighter than Springboks rival Os du Randt but vows he'll make up for the difference with his renowned scrummaging nous.
``It's not everything. Part of it's aggression and technique as well," Blades said yesterday.
``I've got to try to negate that size advantage he's got by being more aggressive and concentrating on every scrum."
Blades said New Zealand beat Australia with aggression and ferocity in Auckland a fortnight ago and the Wallabies need to follow suit to keep their hopes of winning the Tri-Nations title alive in Cape Town.
``New Zealand were very aggressive at the breakdown and they forced us into mistakes at the tackle and with their aggression at the cleanout. And whoever was closest to the ball, whether it was 15 or number one, went in and smashed guys out of the way," Blades said.
``We know we've got to do this for 80 minutes if we're going to retain possession and put pressure on sides."
© 1999 Illawarra Mercury