Match Preview - Qantas Wallabies vs Springboks in Johannesburg
Match Preview - Qantas Wallabies vs Springboks in Johannesburg
August 28, 2008 - 6:04pm
Story by: ARU
http://www.rugby.com.au/verve/_resou...e_image_20.jpg Can the Wallabies make it two in a row this weekend in Johannesburg ?
It was hard for the Qantas Wallabies, and the Wallabies supporters, to restrain their joy after the Men of Gold’s historic 27-15 victory in Durban last weekend over the World Champion Springboks.
It was so long since the Wallabies had won in South Africa, many were starting to wonder whether they ever would again, and after their pounding in Auckland by the All Blacks at the last start the Wallabies could have been expected to go in to the game low on confidence.
But as is so often the case with Robbie Deans’ coached teams, they seem able to bounce back very quickly from losses, playing with confidence, style and – an at times uncommon word in professional sport – joy.
The Wallabies won, won well and seemed to enjoy themselves while doing it.
The best example of the spirit and belief flowing through the Wallabies camp was the performance of flanker/lock Dean Mumm.
Mumm wasn’t even on the bench when the team was originally named and was only called up to the reserve list after Hugh McMeniman was ruled out on the morning of the match with a virus. Mumm was then called into action, far earlier than planned, when Dan Vickerman went off with a shoulder injury before half time.
Stage fright ? Retreat into his shell ? Be intimidated by the combative Springboks ? No way. The versatile Waratahs and Sydney University loose forward was in the middle of the action constantly, and was one of the Wallabies best in the second half as they recorded a famous victory. He even organised the defensive line outs for good measure.
It’s clear confidence, team spirit and good old-fashion mateship are high in the Wallabies camp.
As for the Springboks they have gone from feast to famine. They returned from their away-leg of the tournament a month ago after overcoming the All Blacks in Dunedin in a thrilling come from behind victory and in so doing breaking a 30 Test undefeated streak at home by the Kiwis stretching back to 2003.
They were then narrowly beaten by the Wallabies in Perth and with three home matches remaining were in the box seat to win their first Tri-Nations title since 2004.
But then the All Blacks took sweet revenge with a 19-0 hammering in Cape Town, the first time a Springbok team had ever been “nilled” at home by New Zealand. And then things got worse with their 12 point lost last week to the Wallabies.
From setting records at the right end of the history books at the start of the tournament, they are now setting records at the wrong end and such is the local fans frustration that new coach Peter de Villiers and captain Victor Matfield, a Rugby World Cup hero nine months ago, were booed off the field at Durban.
To illustrate how desperate the Boks position is the last time they lost three Test matches in a row at home was in 1996 when they played a Test series against the All Blacks. There are many now calling for an end to De Villiers’ short reign.
De Villiers has talked about the Boks playing expansive, open Rugby, an approach that former Wallabies coach, and Springbok Technical Advisor at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Eddie Jones claimed this week was “nonsense”.
He has had success with junior representative teams in South Africa but so far consistent success at Test level has eluded De Villiers. Will that change this week ?
The unpredictable Springboks destroyed Rugby World Cup semi-finalists Argentina 63 – 9 (7 tries to nil) in the Nelson Mandela birthday match then the following weekend were nilled by the All Blacks.
Many pundits, such as former Wallaby hooker and respected Foxsports commentator Phil Kearns, thought with their season on the line South Africa would bounce back against the Wallabies and defend their proud home record but as good as the Men of Gold were last week they were aided by what De Viliers himself described after the game as “poor execution and decision making."
South Africaare also missing the presence of injured World Cup skipper John Smit.
But what could tilt the balance the Springboks way this weekend is a host of injuries to the Wallabies, with Vickerman and inside centre Berrick Barnes already out, and if flanker Rocky Elsom’s suspension for a lineout indiscretion is upheld, he too will be missing come Saturday.
Players such as flanker Phil Waugh, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and centre Timana Tahu, may also get a chance in the starting line-up, as regardless what the result this weekend the Wallabies will play the All Blacks for the Tri-Nations title in the “Grand Final” in Brisbane on September 13th.
But if the Boks are thinking the Wallabies will be taking it easy they should think again as straight after the fulltime siren last weekend Deans, flyhalf Matt Giteau and winger Lote Tuqiri all clearly stated that the job was only “half done” and firmly asserted their desire to make it two in a row in Johannesburg against what De Villiers described a “flat” Springboks.
And look at the way Mumm fitted in last Saturday. The way the Wallabies train under Deans incorporates the entire squad and with fresh players coming in the changes may even boost the Men of Gold.
The Springboks also have injury and suspension problems with prop C J van der Linde gone for four weeks for his reckless “cleaning out” of Sam Cordingley in Durban and winger J P Pietersen already ruled out with a hamstring strain and Matfield (groin) and hooker Bismarck du Plessis (knee) both doubtful.
Indeed both teams were yet to finalise their line-ups by Thursday afternoon (AEST).
It all points to a fascinating Tri-Nations Test in Johannesburg this Saturday. On the hoodoo front the Wallabies have not won at Coca-Cola Park (formerly Ellis Park) since 1963 !
What odds on them breaking a second long-running losing streak this Saturday ? A lot of Men of Gold supporters would say “Pretty good !”
Qantas Wallabies : TBA
The Wallabies team will be announced at Midnight on Thursday evening AEST time.
South Africa: TBA
Date: Saturday 30 August, 2008
Kick-off: 15:05 (23:05 AEST)
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johnannesburg
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand), Rob Debney (England)
TMO: Romain Poite (France)
The match will be broadcast live on Foxsports 1 from 10.30pm on Saturday night.
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabi.../section/21893
