Lydiate ready for physical test

Editor

Wales back-row Dan Lydiate is relishing the prospect of a huge physical duel with South Africa at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday.

Wales back-row Dan Lydiate is relishing the prospect of a huge physical duel with South Africa at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday.

The Welshmen kick-off their November Tests in style, welcoming a bruising and in-form Springbok outfit to Cardiff.

And Lydiate knows he and his team-mates will need to be ready for a potentially bone-jarring encounter.

“South Africa pride themselves on being the biggest and most physical,” Lydiate told the Western Telegraph.

“It's a massive challenge for the pack and the back row but these are the games and match-ups that you want to be in.

“We are really looking forward to it but we know it will be a big challenge up front.”

The flanker is famed for his “chop tackle” technique, and it will be in high demand when facing the monstrous Springbok pack.

It was a style first coined by defence coach Shaun Edwards during the 2011 World Cup – and one that quickly gained notoriety for its effectiveness.

“Shaun brought up the idea of chop-tackling, especially with the pool that we were in (with Fiji, Samoa and Namibia their other rivals),” revealed Lydiate.

“It stemmed from the South Africa game and seemed to work so we will try the same again, though I am sure they will want to combat that and will be running as hard and as straight as they can.

“It should be a bruising encounter. They've always been good with the driving maul and they are always looking for big runners around the corner.

“It will be a tough day at the coalface but we are excited by that challenge.”