Rugby Tri-Nations Preview: South Africa vs Australia
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The final match of the 2008 Rugby Tri-Nations for the South African’s will likely determine the future of a number of leading players and their coach Peter de Villiers. A loss could well see a dramatically different side rolled out for the European tour in November and perhaps a new coach.
South Africa who have won only one of their five encounters are looking down the barrel of a third loss in a row at home. This would be unheard of in South Africa and against a side like the Wallabies who won for the first time in South Africa since 2000 last weekend. Another loss would be disastrous for the Boks.
The Wallabies are coming off a high from the win against the Springboks in Durban. This week’s challenge is to win in at the highveld in Johannesburg at the Springboks stronghold, a venue they have not won at since 1963.
The task at hand is huge for the Wallabies but this side is different to the sides we have seen in recent times. Robbie Deans side has a belief we have not seen in the Wallabies since 2003. The Wallabies have a genuine belief in their ability and are demonstrating a strong desire to win and achieve.
The success they are achieving can be mostly attributed to Deans man-management but also his key selections which had introduced a level of enthusiam and raw talent into the side.
This week’s match in Johannesburg will be played at 1700 metres above sea level at a venue that the Boks have been virtually unbeatable. The ground formerly known as Ellis Park is one of the most hostile and in your face venues in the world. The poverty of the surrounding area has often been blamed for the Wallabies losing even before they get on the field. Tomorrow the Wallabies will try and prove history wrong.
The Boks have continued to play an expansive game but with minimal success. I don’t think de Villiers will change his tactics now. The Boks need to dominate the scrum early and Matfield needs to intimidate the in-experienced Wallabies locks for the Boks to stand a chance. Their is no doubt the Boks have the firepower but their belief in themselves in low.
In total contrast the Wallabies are playing with confidence and belief. Robbie Deans has the players believing in themselves and has given the the weapons and confidence to roll with the play. This has unleashed the Wallaby side’s strength and we have seen the belief grow in the squad. Timana Tahu will be most under pressure, in his first start he will need to deliver the goods in the hot seat that Berrick Barnes has dominated this year.
Phil Waugh gets his crack to show he more than match George Smith, his effort will be key to the Wallabies dominating the breakdown. If Waugh struggles to make an impact we will see Smith on the field pretty early to add firepower. A potential weakness is Polota-Nau at hooker, Moore has been the best hooker in the competition and Polota-Nau’s last major appearance was a debacle against the All Blacks where is radar was locking into Alaska not Eden Park. His performance will be the key to the Wallaby set play.
The Ruck and Maul Verdict: Wallabies by 8.
Confidence is a big thing in Rugby and the Wallabies are playing with belief and the Springboks seem to have some internal feuding between players and coach, this will likely derail any chance the Boks have of winning in Johannesburg.
Australia
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
South Africa
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, Brian Mujati, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery.
De Villiers names his Springboks team
Peter de Villiers has stuck with the core of his squad that have been so unsuccessful in the 2008 Rugby Tri-Nations series. De Villiers opted to stick with his side who will have their final chance to make a lasting impression before the Springboks pack away the jumpers until the November European tour.
Two changes were made to the starting line-up with Odwa Ndungane replacing injured winger JP Pietersen, while Brian Mujati moves from the bench to start in place of suspended prop CJ van der Linde.
Several changes were made to the bench with Jannie du Plessis aded a a backup prop and lock Danie Rossouw returns after injury. Surprisingly the experienced Joe Van Niekerk could not even secure a spot on the bench which defies logic considering what he can and has offered the Boks over the years. In the only other change to the bench Ruan Pienaar replaces the concussed Francois Steyn.
The South African team is;
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, Brian Mujati, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery.
Campo to present Wallaby jumpers
Wallaby great David Campese will present the jerseys before the match to the Wallabies before the key RUgby Tri-Nations clash in Johannesburg. This is a major peace offering from the Austraiian establishment who have kept Campese on the outer in recent years.
Campese seems to have been welcomed back into the fold in what is a major move forward between Campese and the establishment. Campese has often been critisied for his out-spoken comments but has often been correct in his assessment of the team and this has stung some people.
The move seems to be in good timing with David Campese to play a major role in the Australian Sevens 7 in the near future.
In other news for the South African vs Australia clash, both teams are yet to finalise their teams for the match. The Springboks will unveil their team on Friday while the Wallabies will announce their team after the outcome of the Elsom appeal.
We will update you with the team’s once announced.
CJ Van der Linde suspended for 4 weeks
South African prop CJ Van Der Linde has been suspended for four weeks as a result of an illegal headbutt in the clash against the Wallabies.
In a suspension that will have only a minor impact on the Boks Van der Linde will be suspended until 22nd September which will in effect only cost him this weekend’s clash against the Wallabies.
Eddie Jones for Springboks Coach
South Africa are likely to make a number of changes for the clash against the Wallabies on Saturday. The Boks will name their team on Tuesday for the clash at Ellis Park and could be without Bismarck du Plessis (knee), captain Victor Matfield (groin) and Bryan Habana (hamstring).
JP Pietersen has already been ruled out with a hamstring strain, Odwa Ndungane has been called up as his replacement.
In other Springbok news, rumours are circulating that Eddie Jones could be the new Boks coach should Peter de Villiers be sacked or fall on his sword. Jones has publicly stated that de Villiers approach to change the Springboks style of play is ludicrous. This would only help garner support for him considering he was also an integral part of the coaching formula that delivered the World Cup to South Africa.
Eddie Jones is one of the most astute coaches in the game and this has been acknowledged even by his detractor’s. Jones is currently the coaching director at Saracens.
More may be revealed in the coming weeks depending upon the result at Johannesburg.
Pressure closes in on De Villiers
Peter de Villiers is coming under increasing pressure to find a solution for the Springboks heading into the clash against Australia on Saturday at Johannesburg.
South Africa have not been beaten by the Wallabies since 1963 in Johannesburg yet the South African’s seem anything but confidant heading into their final Rugby Tri-Nations encounter.
Peter de Villiers is looking to stick with the formula that he believes will take South Africa forward under the new ELV’s despite the previous success the team has had playing a totally different style. The formula de Villiers is working on is much more akin to the Wallabies and All Blacks playing style but it clearly will take the Boks time to adjust.
Time seems to be the question for de Villiers but how long will the South African Rugby board accept failure? While they have been accomodative to date, the time must be running out and the long break between the northern hemisphere tour in November for the Boks could prove the end of de Villiers brief coaching reign.
Rugby Tri-Nations: South Africa vs Australia Video Highlights
The Wallabies were too good for the Springboks in Durban as they won 27-15 in a three try to two effort. South Africa are licking their wounds after a dismal performance which saw them booed off the field by their home fans.
Check out the match highlights below.
Are South Africa about to sack Peter de Villiers?
This is the question South Afrian’s would like answered after the terrible performance by the Springboks for the second week running. Once a bastion for the home the Boks, South African soil no longer seems to hold any fear for the opposition. It was not long ago that touring sides hated the thought of playing in front of the parochial home fans, this fear seems all but gone.
The Springboks were terrible turning over the ball repeatedly, often in a good attacking position but also deep in their own defence. This was a Boks side in crisis, the side lacked the determination, drive and enthusiam on display less than 2 months ago.
It seems in South African rugby 2 months is a long time. Peter de VBilliers is bearing the brunt of that pressure. The South African’s were booed off ABSA Stadium and this must have been particularly hard to take for stand-in skipper Victor Matfield. Matfield as usual has given it his all but it is obvious their are deeper issues in South African rugby at the moment.
Peter de Villiers has repeatedly attacked his players in the press, only a few days ago Jean de Villiers one of the most consistent players turned on his coach after the repeated jibes directed towards the players. This kind of reaction is unheard of in South African rugby and the coach is clearing on the wrong side of the players. Their could be no other reason for the performances of the Boks at home.
It is clear that Peter de Villiers must be sacked after losing the support of his senior players. This is the side who was lauded for winning in New Zealand at the house of pain in Dunedin. The bastien of All Black supremacy and now virtually the same side can’t even muster a spitired effort.
Perhaps the players are hoping to get Peter de Villiers sacked through lacklustre performances? It is hard to say that but it seems the Boks are lacking the raw passion that so often inspired this team and made them the Rugby World Cup winners.
Do you think they shouls sack Peter de Villiers? Share your thought’s in our comments section.
Rugby Tri-Nations: Australia 27 South Africa 15
South Africa were booed off the field at ABSA Stadium as the 48,000 plus, mostly South African fans were left stunned by an inept performance which has cost them any chance of winning the Tri-Nations. In a match that never reached any great heights the Wallabies triumphed 27-15 to claim their first win in eight years.
The victory was sealed by a Stirling Mortlock try who has become the first Wallaby to win twice in South Africa after being the last member of the successful 2000 Wallaby touring party.
The Springboks had plenty of chances in the first half but failed to capitalise, George Smith was exceptional as always easily outplaying Schalk Burger. Smith pulled off several tremendous tackles and steals when the Wallabies were looking down the barrel, it was his determination that kept them in the game at times.
Thw Wallabies struck first through a Giteau penalty after 9 minutes, THe first try came to Benn Robinson who barged over for a try in the 28th minute after the Wallabies were able to sustain some pressure through continual phase play.
The Wallabies set piece was solid and out-pointed the Boks scrum at times and more than held their own in the line-out. It is hard to say this was through brilliant Wallaby play, it was more the inept Boks. It was hard to imagine that the majority of this Boks team were pivotal in gaining the Boks the 2007 Rugby World Cup such was their performance lacking in the Boks passion and determination so evident earlier in the Tri-Nations.
The Wallabies went to the break leading 10-0 but were lucky to have been able to keep the Boks out with several strong chances ruined by terrible ball control.
Both sides traded penalties early in the second half until the game suddenly sprung to live in the 50th minute when Drew Mitchell kicked ahead well in his own half to unleash Tuqiri who was indecisive in diving on the ball of kicking ahead just metres from the Boks line. The Springboks covered sensationally to spoil what could have been the match winning try.
This seemed to stir the Boks into action, down 13-3 they attacked and showed some venom that was missing. The crowd also came to live but the Wallabies soon silenced the crowd with a sensational looping pass by Giteau to Tuqiri on the Boks quarter who sprinted into a gaping whole to score out wide. The try was converted and the Wallabies led 20-3 with less than 20 minutes remaining.
The Boks struck back onlky minutes later after Mortlock kicked out on the full after the restart. The blunder allowed Adrian Jacobs in only his third test to score and give the Boks some hope. Ironically a mistake from Matfield on the restart enabled the match winning try to Mortlock who incisively cut through the Boks on an inside ball to score the winning try. The Wallabies had sealed the victory and the Boks were shattered.
A late try to Jacobs once again returned some respectability to the score but it was all too late. The Springboks were turned over 18 possessions were terrible, they lacked passion and drive and deserved to be booed off. One wonders how they can lift for next weeks game in Johannesburg at Coca-Cola Park, the old Ellis Park.
The win was not without incident for the Wallabies as Berrick Barnes (shoulder), Dan Vickerman (pectorial muscle/shoulder) and James Horwill (KO) were all taken from the field. The Wallabies will need to assess their health as it is likely one or two may be missing for next week.
The Wallabies will be happy with the win but were far from impressive. They will need to improve for next week and hope they can win with a bonus point to put the pressure on the All Blacks before their clash on 13 September.
Did you watch the game, what did you think?
Rugby Tri-Nations: South Africa vs Australia Preview
South Africa and Australia will face off on Saturday in what will be a key clash for each respective nations season. A loss for the Springboks and Peter de Villiers may be looking for a new job less than a year after taking over and a win for Australia would give the Wallabies the upper hand to win the Tri-Nations.
South Africa have been through the wars this week, heavily critised after their loss to New Zealand 19-0 they will be keen to bounce back. Although they lost convincingly on the scoreboard if they were able to capitalise on a few of their opportunities they could have won. But this is the story of the Tri-Nations. A moment of madness or missed chance can cost you victory.
Australia come to South Africa on the back of a terrible away record. The Wallabies have not won in 8 years in South Africa and 8 of the 22 man squad have never played in South Africa, this could surprisingly be an advantage as they don’t possess the baggage of the past.
Australia have plenty of firepower and will be keen to play an open and expansive game in front of what will be a hostile crowd. South Africa is always a daunting place for foreign teams to travel to and plauying South Africa after they lose the week before is even tougher.
The South African public have high expectations of the Springboks, rightly so after winning the 2007 World Cup. The loss of John Smit has hit them harder than they will admit, his composure and the respect he demands from the team drive them to achieve. Matfield who has taken his place has done well and is the finest lock in the game but has not been able to lift the team quite like Smit.
So where will the game be won and lost? South Africa will naturally play to their strength’s with a strong emphasis on their forward pack that shaded New Zealand last week. The lineout in another area of strength but will the Boks will be up against Vickerman and Horwill to strong lineout exponent’s and aggressive players. The Wallabies will try and get under the skin of the Boks all night.
The Wallabies forward pack will need to hold their own against the Boks, the set play looks solid and they will need to dominate the breakdown. George Smith’s form has been near the best of his career and he has been a standout for the Wallabies.
The return of Vickerman in place of Nathan Sharpe and Rocky Elsom will add the agro that was missing last time against the All Blacks. The Wallabies will be a totally different team from the side that lost to the All Blacks.
The match should be a cracker and I am most looking forward to the battle at the breakdown where the backrows will rip into each other. The other big contest will be Matfield and Bekker against Vickerman and Horwill. The team that wins both contests will likely win the match as both sides have speed to burn at the back.
The Ruck and Maul Verdict: Australia by 8.
South Africa
Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Brian Mujati, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson, Enrico Januarie, Francois Steyn, Percy Montgomery.
Australia
Drew Mitchell, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Daniel Vickerman, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Al Baxter, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh, Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross