Romp 'trial' for real challenge
By Peter Jenkins
June 11, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S backline general Stephen Larkham said last night that the Wallabies used their Test romp against Fiji as a dress rehearsal for the Tri-Nations opener against South Africa this Saturday night.
Larkham started a mind games war when he openly admitted that Australia had already isolated Springboks weaknesses, and had used the Fijians as a trial run for their uber clash in Cape Town.
"There's been a lot of talk about the Boks and it's good they're favourites," Larkham said after an eight-try massacre in Perth.
"We always seem to play well as underdogs.
"To come up against an in-form Boks team at Newlands is going to be one of the more difficult assignments.
"But I think there are certainly weaknesses in the Springboks game. We've noticed them on video.
"There were a few things we tried against Fiji that we're going to take into the Springbok game.
"The focus for that game was really South Africa."
The Wallabies took driving maul options against the Fijians, especially off lineouts, while the backline featured Larkham and his replacement, Sam Norton-Knight, standing unusually deep at times - perhaps a ploy to negate the rush defence of the Boks.
"This match is going to be a massive challenge for us and a very important stepping stone towards the World Cup," Larkham said.
"We need to have good form going into the tournament.
"We need to get some confidence up against sides we'll potentially meet.
"So a psychological advantage out of the Tri-Nations would be a bonus for either side."
The Wallabies flew out for South Africa overnight after culling seven players from the 32-strong list they had training in Perth for the Fijian Test.
Wings Cameron Shepherd and Digby Ioane, back rowers David Lyons and Hugh McMeniman, prop Rodney Blake, second rower James Horwill and Norton-Knight will return to the Australia A side for a match against the Junior All Blacks this weekend.
The exit of Norton-Knight confirms that selectors now view Matt Giteau as their back-up to Larkham at No.10.
For the Cape Town Test, George Smith will start at No.7 ahead of Phil Waugh, while Adam Freier is pushing Stephen Moore for top status at hooker.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
