Scotland v South Africa
Habana accused of "resting on his laurels"
PA Sport
November 13, 2008
Springboks winger Bryan Habana passes the ball during South Africa Rugby Union training at the University of Glamorgan in Cardiff, Wales on November 3, 2008.
Bryan Habana has come under fire from David Campese and Chester Williams © Getty Images
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Former Australia winger David Campese has accused South Africa flyer Bryan Habana of "resting on his laurels".

Habana, the 2007 IRB Player of the Year, has not been at his best over the past 12 months and has just one try to his name in eight Tests, that coming in South Africa's 19-8 defeat to New Zealand in Wellington.

Habana will be part of the Springboks side that will take on Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend, but Campese doesn't see Habana as the consistent threat he was a season ago.

Campese told South African newspaper Die Burger, "Neither the Bulls nor the Springboks have been playing consistently well this season.

"But Habana likes to talk himself up before games and then nothing happens. When you play as world champions, other teams will automatically lift their game. They are also aware of Habana. It's as if he is resting on his laurels.

"You have to keep the opposition guessing. Habana has good skills, but pace alone won't get you everywhere. There aren't so many opportunities for him anymore to score intercept tries."

Chester Williams, who won the 1995 World Cup with South Africa, also suggested Habana was not playing to his strengths.

"My advice to him would be get involved in the way he did earlier in his career," said Williams. "He is trying hard in other areas. Bryan should drop back to support the full-back and field high balls. He is very good under the high ball.

"But Bryan has also had a few injuries to contend with this year. He will perhaps have to reinvent himself. It's one thing getting to the top, but quite another staying there."

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