Nr 39 please!
Posted on Thursday, 11 August 2011 (10:08 am)
The Bokke needs Bryan Habana to score his 39th test try on Saturday
Over the last 18 months, it has been painful and embarassing to watch Bryan Habana's play. He has gone from the best in the world, to a weak spot that opponents try to exploit. Just think back to the Bulls match against the Stormers at Newlands during the Super Rugby season. Admittedly, he nearly won that match for his team with a great run after the final hooter. But then again, one has to wonder, would the 2007 Habana have scored? I reckon he would have.
We all know that the 29 year old is a quality player, and that he will return to form. But it has been worrying to see him struggle for so long. It probably doesn't help that he has been playing in a Stormers side that have been arguably the most boring side from the Cape in decades. A team that's biggest focus was on defence, and that played with two centres that do not like passing the ball much.
Habana recently started working again with triple-World Cup winning, Dr Sherylle Calder. This will benefit him a great deal, and with some (quite rare) glimpses of his old self coming through close to the end of the Super Rugby season, he might just be ready to return to his old ways.
For the sake of the Boks campaign later this year, it is vital that he scores that 39th try to finally become the solo try-scoring recordholder for the Boks. Scoring that elusive try, will get Habana's mind off of the record, and might just give him that spark to reach the heights of 2007.
Even though I rate Gio Aplon highly as a wing, and Lwazi Mvovo played some decent rugga in the first Tri Nations test against the Aussies, Habana at his best, is one of the most lethal weapons any rugby side can ask for. Saturday will be Habana's first step to getting back his typical try-scoring prowess.
Lets all hold thumbs that Habana can get number 39 on Saturday.
Go Bokke!