By Jim Morton
August 28, 2009
Australia's tallest and smallest must rise highest at Subiaco Oval for the Wallabies to end their worst losing streak in four years and keep the Tri Nations alive.
The Wallabies lineout and diminutive teenage fullback James O'Connor have the biggest assignments against an unbeaten Springbok outfit on Saturday night.

Those challenges have been made even more difficult by Perth's inclement weather, which will suit the world champions' high kick-and-chase tactics.

More showers are forecast for the match, where 19-year-old O'Connor must leap high with surety to survive a bomb barrage on his Western Force home ground.

The Wallabies have never been such big underdogs at home against the Springboks and a fourth straight loss will see them surrender the Mandela Plate as well as virtually hand South Africa the Tri Nations crown.

Adam Ashley-Cooper admitted the wet will aid the visitors but confidently backed O’Connor and wingers Peter Hynes and Lachie Turner to deal with South Africa’s big men.

“Like they approach any Test, there will be a lot of kicking and I think the game will be won tomorrow night with our back three dominating that high ball and securing the pill,'' he said.

''(O'Connor) is a great little talent and he's looking forward to the challenge, he's got two great wingers alongside him that are going to help fight that battle.

“He's in front of his home crowd and he's very comfortable with it.''

South Africa are on guard for O'Connor's X-factor after he was brilliant off the bench at Newlands.

“Under the high ball he's been playing very well so we will have to be spot-on to put him under pressure otherwise he can hurt us,'' said vice-captain Victor Matfield.

Matfield will again be the man who presents the biggest danger to the Australian forward pack after dismantling the Wallabies lineout three weeks ago.

Mark Chisholm has been rushed straight into the starting side for the injured Nathan Sharpe and will also call the set piece alongside fellow tall timber James Horwill.

Chisholm has indicated Australia will be much quicker in organising and executing their throws to cut down Matfield's time to counter.

Enforcer Rocky Elsom is back at the front of the lineout in a major boost and he preached composure and confidence to ensure against another meltdown.

Matfield rated the Newlands display one of South Africa's best-ever lineout performances and is ready for different tactics in Perth, where he made his second Test start against John Eales in a 14-14 draw in 2001.

“I think we did really well against them at Newlands, probably the best we've ever done against an Australian lineout,'' he said.


AAP

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-32464,00.html