Richie McCaw is heralded as the world’s best openside flanker while Australia’s David Pocock and Brussow are his nearest challengers to the crown, but in Warburton, Gatland firmly believes he has a potential match winner on his hands.
Brussow stands out in the Springboks pack because of his size – or to be more precise – due to his lack of it. In a South African unit obsessed with fearsome beasts, Brussow is only 5ft 11in and is easily the smallest member of the Boks’ pack.
One look at his battle hardened face proves beyond doubt that Brussow is prepared to put his body on the line for his country and Warburton will have to match the South African at the crucial breakdown area if Wales are to have any chance of winning their opening pool game in the World Cup.
Brussow likes to keep his own game plan simple, “A fetcher’s job is to be in the opposition’s faces, slow ball down, make a lot of tackles and make sure your team gets quick and good ball and that is my main focus,” he explained.
Warburton will become the youngest World Cup captain, aged 22 years and 341 days, when he leads Wales into battle against Pool D favourites South Africa on Sunday.
So far he has taken to international rugby with aplomb and being based in a country where openside flanker is the equivalent to being a fly half in Wales, Gatland expects Warburton’s name to be on everyone’s lips by the end of the pool games.
“There are three definite what I consider world-class (openside) players at the moment in terms of (David) Pocock, (Richie) McCaw and Brussow,” said Gatland. “And I would rate Sam in that category as well.
“A lot of people haven’t seen a lot of Sam Warburton, but I think he will create an impact after a few games in this World Cup.”
“Brussow caused a few problems in 2009 against the Lions,” Gatland added. “He is a genuine openside in terms of getting on the ball and creating turnovers.”
And Warburton said: “I haven’t played against Brussow yet, but I have been watching clips of him and he is incredibly effective in that area (the breakdown). He’s one of the better players.
“They want to dominate you physically, and it wasn’t a surprise to us that they went for a 5/2 split on the bench.”
Wales: James Hook, George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton (captain), Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Paul James.
Reserves: Ryan Bevington, Lloyd Burns, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Leigh Halfpenny.
South Africa: Frans Steyn; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean De Villiers, Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie Du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit (c), Jannie Du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brüssow, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies
Replacements: Bismarck Du Plessis, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Johan Muller, Willem Alberts, Francois Hougaard, Butch James
