Canan Moodie’s defensive attributes have convinced the Springboks that he is capable of shutting down “one of the best” in All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane at Twickenham on Friday night.
Jacques Nienaber made a surprise call for the final hit-out against the All Blacks by shifting the 1,9m Moodie away from the wing and into a towering midfield with Andre Esterhuizen.
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It will be Moodie’s first top-flight start at outside centre, a position where he first garnered attention as a schoolboy star at Boland Landbou.
Moodie will be up against All Blacks star Ioane, who walked a similar road by starting out on the right wing before shifting inside. Ioane has formed an excellent partnership with Jordie Barrett that is sure to put the 21-year-old Moodie through his paces at a sold-out Twickenham.
However, the Paarl-born speedster has been backed by Mzwandile Stick to emulate his opponent and make the move a success.
“Working over the past two seasons with Canan, we’ve seen his potential and what he does on the wing,” said Stick.
“People don’t realise that playing wing in our system – in terms of how we defend – is actually one of the hardest positions to play because of how the game has to be read on the outside. Canan shows a lot of potential as someone who can make good reads and I think playing him tighter will make him play even better.
“We’ve looked at it as coaches since last year. Looking at his build and how big his heart is, I think it’s in him to develop into one of the great outside centres.
“If you look at the guy opposite him, Ioane started playing on the wing and he is currently one of the best outside centres in terms of his form. Moodie has similar qualities and the same potential.”
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Other than moving Moodie inside, the Springboks have recalled Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse to the wings, while fielding Damian Willemse at fullback as they prepare for another aerial bombardment from the All Blacks.
“We take pride in our kicking and we weren’t good at that in Auckland,” admitted Stick.
“Usually we dominate under the high ball. That’s a focal point for this game. You can’t ask for better than players like Makazole Mapimpi, who is experienced, Kurt-Lee Arendse, who plays with confidence, and Damian Willemse, who is one of the best under the high ball. We have the players to correct those mistakes.”
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Photo: SAEED KHAN / AFP