'Hitmen'

Flankers go head to head in battle

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Posted: Thursday October 21, 1999 06:21 PM

Welsh flanker Colin Charvis will return to action Saturday after serving a 14-day suspension. Gary M. Prior/Allsport

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) -- One earned the nickname "hitman" for his punishing defense, while the other is trying to shake off a similar tag he picked up for the wrong reasons.

Wallaby blindside flanker Matt Cockbain and his Welsh counterpart Colin Charvis go head-to-head in Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal and they've both got points to prove in the knock-out encounter.

Cockbain has recovered from the leg injury he sustained while warming up for Australia's campaign opener against Romania in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and which has sidelined him for the bulk of the tournament.

Charvis is returning to the Welsh lineup after missing the 64-15 win over Japan and the 38-31 loss to Samoa through suspension -- he was banned for 14 days for punching Argentine prop Roberto Grau in Wales' 23-18 opening win on Oct. 1.

But while Cockbain said he was aiming to "put a big hit on early," he played down any head-on confrontations with Charvis.

"I know there's a lot made of one-on-one clashes, but in rugby that doesn't happen too much, especially in the forwards," he said. "But he'll be out for a big game and so will I."

"I haven't contributed too much at this stage and I'm looking to make sure I can provide the goods."

Cockbain says he prefers not to be referred to as an enforcer because his no-nonsense defense is just part of his job.

"I take pride in my defense and I don't like to miss tackles," he said. "Any tackle I make, I like to make it strong and make sure they don't get past me."

After playing in every test for Australia in the two years leading up to the World Cup, the 27-year-old loose forward didn't enjoy his stint on the sideline.

"It's terrible," he said. "It's the worst spot."

Cockbain said he'll "give it everything I've got after having to do the rehab and then getting a couple of minutes against the U.S. and getting a taste for it there."

"Obviously this is a big game and I'm looking to do my best and hopefully provide a good service to the team."

With first-choice No. 8 Toutai Kefu suspended and openside flanker David Wilson an injury doubt, Cockbain could become the senior backrower in the lineup with 26 Australian caps. But that's a position he revels in.

"I like to talk up a lot and get the guys going defensively -- that's an area I've been assigned," he said. "If I can talk the guys up and get a big hit on we'll be looking to nail them. If we can put an end to them going forward, we'll go a long way towards winning."

Charvis quickly turned from hero to villain in the opening round. After crossing for the tournament's first try he was banned by a World Cup disciplinary panel which found him guilty of retaliating in a punchup with Grau.

Wales coach Graham Henry emphasized the expectations he has of the 26-year-old flanker.

"Charvis owes us one and he's aware of that after missing those two games in the round robin," he said.

Charvis said he "feels bitter about what's happened" after losing his appeal against the suspension but knows the only way to make amends is on the field.

"It's a big game, and I owe my teammates a big game having let them down so far," he said. "When's better to pay them back than the position I find myself in this weekend?"

 

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