Bryan Habana has rediscovered his smile and is promising a big season after the disappointments of last year.
“Yes, 2008 was not the best the rugby world saw of me,” admitted Habana. “There were a lot of expectations, there were injuries and frustrations off the field. Ultimately I was in a difficult position and I did not enjoy my rugby as much as I should have.”
JJ Harmse writes for Rapport that apart from his injuries he was constantly linked with French clubs and consequently his loyalty was questioned. However, his try against England at Twickenham was all he needed to regain his focus.
“I wanted to use that tour to justify the faith people placed in me. Peter de Villiers, Dick Muir and Frans Ludeke kept encouraging me and I wanted to make it special for them. Things went well and not so well against Wales, and worse than ever against Scotland …”
Habana felt he was not doing his bit. “To score only one try throughout the year for the Springboks was simply not acceptable, but the coaches kept supporting me. That try against England swept away all the frustrations and pressure of the year, even though JP Pietersen could probably have scored it himself,” said Habana.
The enjoyment of that try made Habana realised what was lacking. Habana played with a big smile for the Barbarians a week later and when he pitched for the Bulls’ training camp in George it was the start of the “new” Bryan.
“I have never worked as hard as I did there. It has never been as much fun because guys like Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha worked as hard. Pierre Spies came back from his honeymoon and gave his all,” said Habana.
Habana rediscovered his focus and his engagement also brought a calmness. “I set myself certain goals four years ago. Success in the World Cup and against the British and Irish Lions were at the top of the list. I also wanted to win the Super 14 and Currie Cup. The Lions is the remaining goal,” said Habana.
Habana has trained harder than ever, aware that he has to set an example. “I increasingly started enjoying it. Suddenly all the frustrations were gone. After training I could spend time away from the game with Janine (his fiancée),” he said.
Habana is back on Sherylle Calder’s Eyethink Programme and Bulls conditioning chief Basil Carzis said he is faster and stronger than ever.
That is the Bryan Habana that will run onto the field for the Bulls this coming week. Not only will he take his primary task of scoring tries very seriously, but he’ll also attempt to lift his teammates with his general and support play.
“Statistics tell you what players do on the field, but I also want to do that little extra to ensure we are all the best we can be,” said Habana.
There is a celebrity aspect to his career, but Habana does not want it. “I don’t see myself as one. I have a talent and must use it. I’m living my dream and have a passion for life. If I can make a difference through that in a unique country, it’s a responsibility I will embrace,” he said.
Tweet
He needs a big season, he needs to pay for this.
Habana buys in Dubai
Dubbed the fastest man in the world of rugby, Bryan Gary Habana’s legendary speed has earned him some of the sport’s highest praise. The South African first donned the rugby kit for the Blue Bulls, before his explosive pace was spotted by the Springboks, where his eight tries during the 2007 Rugby World Cup not only earned the team the trophy, but also saw him take home the IRB Player of the Year.
Habana is one of the hottest young players on the world rugby circuit and now he can also place is name as an ambassador on The First Team as a property owner with The First Group.
On a recent visit to Dubai, the legendary rugby star set his sights on Metro Central – a stunning collection of fully serviced hotel apartments in the heart of ‘New Dubai.’ Thanks to Metro Central’s full rental management programme, owners like Habana can sit back, relax, and enjoy the lucrative returns of Dubai’s buzzing hotel industry.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
Didn’t he make the Bok squad while he was at the Lions??? 😐
@wpw (Comment 2) :
It certainly looks like it.
Squads in which Habana has played.
2009
Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14)
2008
South Africa (Vodacom Outgoing Tour)
South Africa (Vodacom Tri-Nations)
Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div)
South Africa (Vodacom Incoming Tours)
Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14)
2007
South Africa (IRB Rugby World Cup)
South Africa (Vodacom Outgoing Tour)
Springboks XV (Vodacom Outgoing Tour)
South Africa (Vodacom Tri-Nations)
South Africa (Vodacom Incoming Tours)
Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14)
South Africa (World Cup warm-up matches)
2006
South Africa (Vodacom Incoming Tours)
Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14)
South Africa (Vodacom Tri-Nations)
South Africa (Vodacom Outgoing Tours)
2005
Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
South Africa (Nelson Mandela Challenge)
South Africa (Vodacom Tri-Nations)
Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round)
South Africa (Vodacom Incoming Tours)
Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 12)
South Africa (Vodacom Outgoing Tours)
2004
South Africa (Vodacom Outgoing Tours)
South Africa (Vodacom Tri-Nations)
South Africa (IRB U21 World Championships)
Lions (Vodacom Cup)
Lions (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
2003
Lions (ABSA U20 A Section)
Lions (Vodacom Cup)
2002
Golden Lions U/19 (U19 Competition)
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :
Well what can I say???
If you good, you’re good!!!
Oh boy, is this Habanas 6th season in the limelight- man is time flying or what?
@Salmonoid (Comment 5) :
Are you saying the downturn in pace and ability are to be expected after 6 years at the top?
If Not, can I please say it then?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) :
You may say it – quiete correctly too, no my above post has more to do with MY downturn in pace in what feels like a very short period that in fact spans 6 seasons.
@Salmonoid (Comment 7) :
🙂
Habana turns 26 this year. He has at least two seasons ahead of him as a top speedster. It is after that, that it will be determined if he get’s real legend status in my book. I am dead keen to see how he shapes when he has lost most of his pace. Percy, Joubert and Terblanche are good examples of player who could still cut it when their pace left them.
He IS due for a good season this year, having had 6 seasons at the top you cannot expect every one to be an historic season. He had an off season last year and I expect this year to be the opposite.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) :
I really want both JP and Habana to do well this season….for the sake of the Boks.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) :
Too true, I suppose he can be forgiven his dip last year if he comes back with a bang this year – just as long as he doesnt decide to announce that comeback against the Sharks.
@Salmonoid (Comment 10) :
Deep in injury time, from a refs mistake…..
@Salmonoid (Comment 10) :
The only worrying factor is that JP started to show a return of form in the final stages of the CC…the EOYT and he did well in the warm-up (vs Bulls). The opposite can be said about Mr. Habana – who was left by Oom Stef in the CC with a mouthful of dust – and had a below average tour (the gifted try doesn’t count). Haven’t heard much about him based on the warm-up games match reports …so it’s really a case of blind hope…for now at least…
@blackshark (Comment 12) :
I’d say that some law of averages somehwere would predict that he will have a good season.
I’m cool with that provided he doesn’t have that form in the last game of the season. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) :
That last game will be a formality for us… 🙂