All Blacks lock Luke Romano is relishing an all-out physical battle in Saturday's Rugby Championship hit-out with South Africa.
Romano was a strong presence in last weekend's tough forward-orientated Test against the Pumas, won 21-5 by New Zealand, and excelled in the line-outs in the Wellington wind.
And now the 26 year old was looking forward to the aerial battle against the Springboks Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
"All their Super (Rugby) teams have got very good line-out forwards. They're big men. Victor (Matfield) and company left them in pretty good shape," he said.
"It's something we're really excited about. We'll try to get on top of them in the line-outs so it should be a good battle.
"It probably does help that you play the Africans and Aussies in Super Rugby and you've got a general idea of their forward methods.
"But the physical side of it doesn't get any easier. They're a big team and their players love confrontation."
The All Blacks rookie has come a long way in a short time. This time last year, he had just completed his first season for the Crusaders, during which he graduated from fourth-ranked lock to one of the regular starters.
His meteoric rise has been the same with the All Blacks and Romano admitted will fulfill a boyhood dream if he plays against South Africa.
"It's right up there in terms of career highlights," he said in reference to his first Test against the Springboks.
"The Aussies are obviously our enemies but the Boks are our traditional opponents and are tough in terms of their attitude and physicality. It's an exciting challenge."
The All Blacks, with 12 points to South Africa's seven, can clinch the inaugural championship if they win in Dunedin.
Comments
Ferdie says...
as abs need to name four locks for the northern tour, according to nz media a fit Ali W will get that spot (with romano, retallick, whitelock) if unavailable they're picking craig clarke and then jarrod hoeta as being next in line. they are both 29, so as for long-term neither offer that option.
Good as his career has been, hope they don't end up taking an injury-prone AW along as some kind of golden handshake final tour.
Posted 12:49 12th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
I'm not sure any of those mentioned outside of Retallick, Whitelock, Romano and Borich are up to the job. Craig Clarke would be my next choice, bar a couple good games Hoeata has never really stood out, I suspect Eaton and Donnelly's days are over, as should Ali Williams be based on form alone. If the top 3 weren't so inexperienced I'd go for a bolter but I suspect Hansen will have to go for Williams/Boric but if they still injured then Craig Clarke would be the obvious choice given his leadership and ability to do the graft and basics very well.
Posted 20:59 11th September 2012
Ferdie says...
cuw3100 - you could add james broadhurst - 2.01m 122kg ex NZ U-19 and U-21 teams, now with Hurricanes, ex ab jason eaton in fine form as is jarrad hoeta who played three tests last year, callum retallick (cousin of current ab brodie retallick) maybe like craig clarke, not up to test match level
Posted 11:09 11th September 2012
cuw3100 says...
It will be interesting to see if BB starts for SA. .
Big Brad Thorn always saved his best for the Springboks; now Romano the student has a chance to show what he learn from the master.
Despite comments to the contrary NZ has a stable of 2nd rows; Williams, Clarke, Eaton, Donnelly, Borich, have all been in the AB mix sometime or the other. Its just that most are injured which is a cause for concern.
Posted 09:25 11th September 2012