De Allende vs Tuilagi: England star’s weight advantage over giant Springbok centre for heavyweight battle
ENGLAND face South Africa in a Rugby World Cup final which could hinge on how both sides' giant centres perform.
Although Manu Tuilagi will be playing 13 and Damian De Allende 12, the two men are likely to be given the ball at every opportunity as they aim to break the opposition line for their teams.
And the two sides' heavyweights are almost inseparable in their ball carrying success so far this tournament.
South Africa's De Allende has made just one metre more than Tuilagi at this tournament, with 179m compared to the Leicester Tiger's 178m.
However, that record does come with De Allende having played in all six of South Africa's World Cup matches, compared to Tuilagi featuring in four of England's five.
The Springbok centre's advantage is more pronounced when it comes to defenders beaten, having run past 16 so far this tournament compared to the England star's ten.
And you only need to ask Wales about the ability of De Allende, who has 50 successful carries to Tuilagi's 34, to muscle his way past a defence.
The centre's powerful individual try ultimately proved decisive in a 19-16 semi-final win.
Yet it is Tuilagi who is more potent when near the opposition line, having scored three tries to De Allende's two at this tournament and 17 in his international career compared to the South African's six.
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But down the other end, the South African is far more successful in defence.
He has an 86 per cent tackle success rate whereas Tuilagi, with Eddie Jones always demanding England play on the front foot, having just 73 per cent.
And despite both men standing out among the most physically imposing on the pitch, and De Allende being two inches taller, it is Tuilagi who has the weight advantage.
The Samoa-born centre weighs in at a full 11 kilos heavier than South Africa's 12.
