RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
De Allende: it is always special to face the haka
Bok centre Damian de Allende is not fazed by the prospect of facing a New Zealand side boosted by the availability of several big guns, writes Mahlatse Mphahlele
Springboks centre Damian de Allende is not fazed by the prospect of facing a near full-strength New Zealand side that has been hugely boosted by the availability of several big guns ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship showdown at the Westpac Stadium, writes Mahlatse Mphahlele. Sam Cane, Ryan Cotty, Sonny Bill Williams and Rieko Ioane will be available after missing last weekend’s 46-24 victory over Argentina in Nelson, and coach Steve Hansen is expected to include them in the starting line-up against the Boks. But a resolute De Allende was not too bothered by the return of these New Zealand stars and even said he was looking forward to facing the haka. "You always want to measure yourself against big players and this is an opportunity for us as a team to see what we can do," he said. "It’s always special and a motivation to face the haka. Every rugby player who wants to play for SA wants to face the haka," De Allende said. ‘‘When the haka is done, we will have to play a game of r...
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