All Blacks star Jordie Barrett is relishing the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with Springboks midfielder Damian de Allende.
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett is relishing the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with Springboks midfielder Damian de Allende.
The pair are set to be named as the starting number 12s for New Zealand and South Africa, respectively, when the two sides collide at Eden Park in round three of the Rugby Championship.
Damian is unbelievable”
Barett and De Allende’s paths have crossed several times throughout their careers, with both players starting in the two matches last year.
In an interview with the Aetearoa Rugby Podcast, the All blacks centre hailed his counterpart and believes that the showdown with the veteran springboks will bring the best out of him.
“Damian is unbelievable,” he began.
“When I think of him, I use the word balance. He’s just such a well-balanced individual, ball carrier, tough, strong defender, just does everything right.
“He has a big engine. He doesn’t miss any games, he’s always fit and healthy, durable, and an unbelievable player.
“I feel like he will get the best out of me, too.”
De Allende is set to earn his 91st Test cap for his country when the two sides face off in Auckland and Barrett believes that the Springbok has set the standard for what is required of an international level number 12.
“He has set the marker as a midfielder, a 12, for a number of years,” he added.
“So it’ll be an intriguing challenge if I’m given the opportunity to go up against Damian, whom I respect.”
If De Allende is to be named in the starting lineup is likely to link up with Jesse Kriel, with the pair extending their record as the most capped Springbok centre partnership of all-time. The duo have linked up 37 times in the green and gold jersey previously, which eclipsed Jean de Villiers and Jacque Fourie’s record of 29.
De Allende also features in the third most capped partnership with Lukhanyo Am, who missed out on the Rugby Championship squad through injury, with the pair linking up in 28 Test matches.
Meanwhile, Barrett is expected to continue his new Test partnership with Billy Proctor unless All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson opts to revert back to the tried and tested combination with Rieko Ioane. All of Ioane’s appearances for the men in black have come on the wing this season.
Barrett is also set to go up against his now former Leinster teammate, RG Snyman, who spoke highly of the All Blacks back ahead of the encounter.
“We’ve had a nice season at Leinster, and it was good to get to know him a little better,” Snyman told reporters on Monday
“He’s a great rugby player and meant a lot to us at Leinster, just as he does for the All Blacks. I’m looking forward to seeing him from the other side of the field again.”
Commenting on the significance of the Eden Park showdown, the giant Springboks lock said that for a Springboks player it’s the “pinnacle”.
You want to play New Zealand. If you get the opportunity to play New Zealand in New Zealand, it’s even more special,” he said.
It doesn’t matter where in New Zealand it is. It’s certainly a special occasion.”
