'We don't respect Fiji' - Springbok centre
RUGBY WORLD CUP
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - RugbyHeaven | Thursday, 4 October 2007
South African centre Jaque Fourie says Fiji don't deserve the Springboks' respect, and they're not about to receive it in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
"For me personally, I don't think we should show them any respect," Fourie said at the Boks' training ground in Marseille today.
"We've never lost against them and I don't think it's going to happen.
"We just have to force our game plan down on them and be ruthless.
"We've got to show no respect for them. They're going to have no respect for us, like all the island teams."
These are stunning, if refreshingly honest, words from the 24-year-old midfielder, breaking the cardinal rule of international rugby that you always talk up the opposition before a test match. They also demonstrate in glaring fashion the confidence that's circulating in the Boks camp right now.
These Springboks clearly mean business at this World Cup. They're buoyant, they're playing some excellent rugby, and they're over the moon with the draw they've landed which sees them handed the softest quarterfinal and a likely semi against a Pumas side they've never lost to.
It all adds up to a dangerous combination for a South African side that feeds off the passion and confidence of a few big wins like no other.
They disposed of England with contemptuous ease in pool play to make arguably the tournament's most emphatic statement early on, and clearly they are not about to let the Cinderella story that is the Fijians get in their way now it's knockout time.
Fiji's 38-34 upset of Wales last weekend earned them a surprise quarter-final berth and immediately installed them as the fairytale team of the tournament. They're certain to have the vast majority of the 60,000-plus crowd at Stade Velodrome on Sunday roaring them on in search of an even bigger upset.
Fourie, who forms a dangerous midfield partnership with young star Frans Steyn, said the fact that South Africa had already played Samoa and Tonga at the tournament made them well equipped to handle anything the Fijians were going to throw at them.
He also gave a strong indication the Springboks wouldn't make the same mistakes Wales did and get into a "sevens style" contest against the Pacific Islanders.
"We've played the island teams, and we know what to expect," said Fourie.
"I just think we should keep our structure, not open it wide because that's what they want. They want expansive rugby and to make it like sevens.
"Wales fell into that trap, made it little bit loose and threw the ball around. That's what they want. [We need to] just make it as boring as possible."
Not even a minor injury crisis at prop, with first-choice tighthead BJ Botha already lost for the tournament and backup CJ van der Linde suffering a knee knock at training this week, seems able to curtail these buoyant Boks.
"It's been excellent, the guys are feeling fresh, mentally they're all strong, and it's been a good World Cup for us so far," added Fourie.
Right down to the draw? "That's true, we're enjoying it," he said. "We're just focusing on our stuff that we have to do this week and next week and hopefully we'll play the final."
The mood even seemed to have filtered down to coach Jake White who was talking up the Boks' pathway to the final that many say makes them a certainty to face off against Graham Henry's All Blacks in the showpiece game.
"If you had told me a couple of years ago that our last three games could be Fiji, Argentina and the World Cup final, I think anyone in South African rugby would take it," he said.
"We've never lost to Argentina or Fiji, so we'll stick to what we've done in the past."
And the old enemy? "If New Zealand have to play France then Australia, of course it's going to take its toll more than having an easier run into the final." With an intriguing mix of ruthlessness and recklessness the Boks clearly have their sights on a second global crown. You have to respect that.
