Wales flanker Taine Plumtree plans to adopt a “nothing to lose” approach when he returns to the Test match against the Springboks at Twickenham on Saturday.
Plumtree was selected in Warren Gatland’s starting XV to face the Springboks. His shoulder injury sidelined him for 10 months, effectively dashing his hopes of playing in last year’s World Cup and ruling him out of the entire Six Nations.
Welsh-born Plumtree, whose New Zealander father John is head coach of South African side Sharks, appeared in two Test appearances in a World Cup warm-up match against England.
And now he has the chance to impress again with Wales’ second Test tour of Australia following this weekend’s game against South Africa.
“It will obviously be difficult against the Springboks, but this is the best time to show who we are as a team and really test ourselves.” Scarlets back row Plumtree said with Wales playing on Wednesday. 6 consecutive losses.
“I’m going into this week feeling like we have nothing to lose. We have nothing to lose and hopefully we can put on a show that will help us kick off our summer tour.”
Both teams will be underpowered on Saturday as the match falls outside World Rugby’s official international window. That means players from overseas clubs, including France-based Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, do not need to be released.
But Plumtree, 24, insisted South Africa, playing his first match since becoming world champion for a record fourth time, also represented a huge challenge.
“We know that every team playing against the Springboks wants to control the game through their pack and fitness,” he said.
“Whoever they choose, it will be their mindset. Our mindset must be to confront this and give back to them.”
John Plumtree oversaw the Sharks’ recent Challenge Cup final victory over Gloucester at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, and eight of his squad were in attendance for the Springboks’ 23-match tie against Wales.
“I stayed in London with them before the Challenge Cup final,” said Taine Plumtree.
“It was great because I would go down to breakfast and the players would come up and shake my hand and give my mom a hug.
“I got to know some of the boys. Phepsi Buthelezi is a good guy and Aphelele Fassi is starting at full-back and it will be great to see him on the pitch.”
Plumtree lived in South Africa for six years but caught Gatland’s attention while playing for Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand.
“Each country I come from has a completely different style of rugby,” Plumtree said.
“The Springboks have a physical mentality, the All Blacks don’t stop running and Wales are very passionate and they never stop. If I could fit some of all three in my bag, it wouldn’t be too bad.”
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Huw Fairclough/Getty Images
