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'I'm not sure what the reason is': Cheslin Kolbe's staggering comparison about World Cup and European final nerves

(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

World Cup-winning Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe has revealed he is feeling more nervous ahead of this Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final against Toulouse than he felt in the build-up to the November 2019 decider when the eyes of the world were watching South Africa versus England clash in Yokohama.

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That showpiece 18 months ago ended with Rassie Erasmus’ team defeating Eddie Jones’ English outfit following a build-up in which the Springboks were erroneously viewed as the underdogs because England had dethroned the 2015 cup-winning All Blacks in the semi-finals. 

The little South African winger went on to score a try in that final, sealing a third-ever World Cup title for the Springboks. However, while that should have been the highest pressured occasion of his career, Kolbe has let slip that he is finding the build-up to this weekend’s all-French clash for Toulouse versus La Rochelle in London a more nervous affair for a reason he can’t quite explain.  

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The 27-year-old, who has been capped 14 times for his country, said: “I was fortunate enough to play in a few finals and funnily enough I just spoke to my wife last night [Tuesday] and said for some reason the final coming up this weekend just feels much more nerve-wracking than the final I have played in the World Cup. 

“I’m not too sure what the reason is for that. I know it is two great teams in France coming up against each other and the nerves, the butterflies are really starting to show, but that is a good sign as well. I just need to make sure that I prepare well throughout the week before we leave for England and I hopefully can calm down the nerves by the preparation that we have put in.”

Asked to elaborate further on what might be going on, Kolbe admitted the weight of history might be playing its part as Toulouse are seeking to become the first club to ever win five European Cups, a trophy they haven’t lifted since their fourth title success in 2010. “It’s probably a bit of the long wait for Toulouse not getting the fifth star. There is a bit of not pressure but a lot of expectations from the public, from the club and a bit of pressure on us as players to hopefully try and create history by putting that fifth star onto the jersey.

“I definitely won’t say that is going to be the main focus. We just need to focus on the processes in the game but I definitely do think the eleven years waiting for the fifth star and then the bit of pressure we have as players to try and make history as well does play a bit – but it’s a good thing for us. We have an opportunity to make history with this phenomenal group, so I’m looking forward to that.

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“Coming into the final it is not going to be the team that pulls out the best trick on the day, it is going to be the team that is going to be detailed throughout the week and focus on the plan the coaches want us to implement – it is going to be the team that implements that the best on the day.

“It is going to be a game where discipline in defence is going to be one of the key factors. We need to just focus on our detail, just focus on our plan and just implement it to the best of our abilities and whenever there are opportunities within the structure to capitalise we need to also bring out our own natural ability towards the game to hopefully crack it open.”

Expected to be selected in the Springboks squad to face the Lions in July, Kolbe added: “It’s definitely massive. The group that Warren Gatland has got together is an all-round fantastic team upfront, the backline players have got big boys with an ability to carry and guys on the wing who are willing to run all over the field.

“It is definitely going to be a great opportunity, a lot of excitement for me. It will definitely be a highlight in my career and something I will definitely love to be a part of. But first things first, we have got a final this week and that is where all my focus and energy will be invested.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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