Rugby: Lomu's lazy says Bok marker

By WYNNE GRAY

Just days after Jonah Lomu's late match-winning try against the Wallabies, the Springboks are queuing up to tackle him when rugby's greatest rivals square off in their Tri-Nations test in Christchurch on Saturday.

There is no bounty for his capture, unlike the outrageous radio competitions in South Africa during Lomu's devastating 1995 World Cup, nor the sledging-like taunts from the controversial James Small. But there is serious bravado among the visitors, even from test rookie opponent Thinus Delport.

They have begun to believe they have the measure of the world's most feared rugby player, with statistics to back it up. In seven tests against the Springboks starting with the 1995 World Cup final, Lomu has not scored a try, while he has plundered 29 touchdowns in 35 other internationals.

"The commitment level is such among South Africans at Super 12 and test level, having spoken to those who have played against him, that the moment he gets the ball it is like a contest to tackle him," Delport said yesterday.

"That he has not scored against South Africa is more a sign that we have respect for him than his lack of impact.

"[Christian] Cullen and [Tana] Umaga are lethal in their own right, but Lomu is something unique on a rugby field. Give him a bit of space and he will beat anyone, and he will beat any back on a one-on-one because he has strength and pace.

"But he would be even more of a phenomenon if he were not that lazy on a rugby field. He plays for 10 minutes, rests for 20, plays for 10. Sure he does the business when he plays, but if he had the workrate of an Umaga then he would be close to unplayable."

Delport is a 25-year-old regular fullback who has been swapped to the wing by coach Nick Mallett for his three test caps this season. Now he has been moved to mark Lomu, with the much lighter and left-footed Breyton Paulse going to left wing.

Delport will still be dwarfed by Lomu, however.

He weighs 98kg, compared with Lomu at 118kg, and is 1.88m tall, 10cm shorter than Lomu.

The Boks have made three changes to their side who played the Wallabies a fortnight ago. De Wet Barry comes in for the injured Japie Mulder in midfield, Braam van Straaten for Louis Koen at first five-eighths and Corne Krige onto the flank, with Andre Venter swapping to lock.

Medical officials have denied media reports that captain Andre Vos and centre Robbie Fleck are battling concussion. However, there are serious concerns about flanker Rassie Erasmus, who did not finish training yesterday because of a tender hamstring.

Round those issues swirled the topic of Lomu.

"His is a name which comes up all the time in rugby," said Delport. "Whenever South Africans play against him they want to shut him down immediately. You have two choices, shut him down or make sure he does not get the ball."

While the records show Lomu has yet to break the Boks' defence, coach Mallett suggested play had not often run his way in tests between the two countries.

"I don't think you can look at one statistical record and say the guy does not have an impact against us. He is such a lethal attacker that when he takes the ball up he creates [chances], because he takes so many defenders out of the game."

The last time the All Blacks and Springboks squared off at Christchurch, in 1996, Lomu and James Small had a verbal dust-up during the haka.

Lomu chanted that he wanted Small, while the Bok winger replied "Sweet cousin, sweet."

During the test, won 15-11 by the All Blacks, Lomu took such fearful punishment from the Bok forwards that coach John Hart issued a complaint.