Sat, Sep 10, 2011 page19

• RUGBY WORLD CUP: Jenny Foreigner's World Cup Prattle: Floodgates of beer, rugby flung open

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  Here we go! The time has come, at last, after four long years of waiting.

  No more touching and pausing, it’s full-throttle engaging for the next six weeks in rugby heaven!

  With the preliminary fanfare over, the huffing and puffing and I’ll-blow-your-scrum-down-in-such-and-such-a-manner from each and every team (no matter where they may lurk in the rankings), the first thud of boot on leathery oval resounded from the middle of Eden Park in Auckland yesterday to herald the start of the fight for the William Webb Ellis Trophy, affectionately known as “The Bill.”

  Enough has been said about the teams, the groups, the permutations and the playoffs. Here’s Jenny Foreigner’s players to watch, all six of them burgeoning or already established Masters of Rugby.

  FOURIE DU PREEZ,

  SPRINGBOK SCRUMHALF

  The Springboks are a genuine team unit, but the player who brings it together for them is Fourie du Preez. No wonder All Blacks coach Graham Henry rated him the best player his team has come across in the last eight years.

  It’s no coincidence that when he was out for the last couple of seasons the ’Boks struggled. Now he is back and there’s a spring in their step again just when it matters most.

  He is the best kicking scrumhalf in the game while being strong on defense. His partnership with Morne Steyn means the ’Boks can operate from the right areas of the field most of the time.

  Basically, du Preez suits the ’Boks’ style perfectly — they don’t need a halfback doing backflips, they need someone to pair their forward power with their flyhalf while keeping opponents on their toes with a sniping, running game.

  WILL GENIA,

  WALLABY SCRUMHALF

  Will Genia can best be described as the barometer of Australian rugby. If he plays well, there’s a good chance the Wallabies will win.

  He clears the ball well and his running game is the best of an impressive group of halfbacks.

  At the highest level of Super Rugby he made the difference between the Reds and the Crusaders. In the Tri-Nations decider — perhaps the biggest game outside of the World Cup — he broke the 20-all deadlock with a stunning break for the decisive try.

  He is physically tough and he sets the standards for his team, while being the catalyst to spark their impressively dangerous backline into life.

  ANDREW SHERIDAN,

  ENGLAND LOOSEHEAD PROP

  There’s a lot of talk about how bustling center Manu Tuilagi might be the player to break the England mould, but he will only be effective if the forwards can provide the right platform, and that’s where loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan will be a key to their chances.

  When England have been at their best this man-mountain has destroyed opposition scrums. He’s also an impressive mauler and likes to run with the ball.

  England aren’t going to be dazzling, so they have to play to their strengths, which means dominance up front.

  KIERAN READ, ALL BLACK NO. 8

  If ever a player was vital to the All Blacks cause, it’s Kieran Read.

  The names “Richie McCaw,” “Sonny Boy Williams” and “Dan Carter” are on everybody’s lips, but people underestimate Read’s importance. He has answered a long-term problem for the All Blacks at No. 8.

  Read has brought a world-class element to the position — he’s the best in the business right now.

  He’s very tough — physically and mentally — and that’s what’s required to win a World Cup.

  THIERRY DUSAUTOIR,

  FRANCE FLANKER

  If the French wish to hold their unpredictable game together, then the captain has to be the one to maintain the focus. They have some rugged forwards and some classy backs and as a flanker and a leader, Thierry Dusautor can bring them together.

  He’s big, hugely physical and a tackling machine. The All Blacks hold no fear for him — he led the French to victory in Cardiff four years ago and repeated that at Carisbrook in 2009.

  He’s a consistent figure in an inconsistent outfit. He’s also an inspiring figure and the French only need a touch of inspiration to spark something magical.

  KAHN FOTUALI’I,

  SAMOA SCRUMHALF / FLYHALF

  It wouldn’t be a World Cup without a surprise or two, and the Samoans certainly have an air of confidence about them, especially on the back of their recent win over the Wallabies.

  Fotuali’i could have been in the All Blacks mix. He’s a big gain for Samoa.

  He has an ability to lift himself — we’ve seen that with the Crusaders. He loves the physical element that comes with mixing close to the forwards; he’s a dangerous blindside player and he’s a steadying influence in an unpredictable team.

  Now all that remains is for the floodgates of rugby and beer to be opened and to remain open for the next seven weeks.
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