Sunday’s epic quarter final between the Springboks and the Wallabies won’t be forgotten in a hurry, as there was plenty to talk about. The performances of Bryce Lawrence and David Pocock are two such things. There was also the Boks’ inability to take their opportunities, and then of course the massive defence from the Australians.
One of the biggest hits of the game, and the weekend, came from veteran Radike Samo. As the tournament said farewell to legendary 38 year olds Simon Shaw and Mario Ledesma, Samo has continued to keep the old boys club going, and now finds himself in a Rugby World Cup semi final.
Now 35, Samo has played all over the place, both position-wise, and globally. His career has been fascinating to follow and he’s now reaching the cult hero status he first enjoyed at the Brumbies about seven years back. Against Russia he played on the wing, and last month against the All Blacks he scored a fantastic try from about sixty meters out.
This past weekend he played a fairly significant role too, as it was he who was taken down in the lineout, leading to the penalty against the Springboks that James O’Connor coolly slotted for the 11-9 lead.
His tackle on Bryan Habana earlier in the match also typified the defensive effort of the Wallabies, so many of you mentioned that you’d like to see it again. It was deemed legal, but another day he may have been in a bit of trouble for it, as Habana basically tasted shoulder-pie.
The impact was massive whichever way you see it. This coming weekend against the All Blacks he’ll be a key man for the Wallabies, off the back of the scrum, in the loose, and of course, on defence.
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