Deans plotting Boks downfall
2008-07-17 10:50
Johannesburg - Wallaby coach Robbie Deans says his side will stand in the way of the Boks achieving the dream start of two wins in three away matches in the Tri-Nations series when the two sides clash at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday.
Dean's hand is already visible in the three Wallaby victories over Ireland and France (twice) - and although he says it will take years to get the Wallaby team to where he really wants them, the Boks will do well to tread very warily on Saturday.
After all, over the years in the Super 14, Deans as Crusaders coach, has been on the winning side against all the Boks individually more than probably any other coach. And he has been plotting the visitors' downfall in what will be his first Test of note since becoming an international coach.
The Wallabies believe they can take the Boks on up front, despite the impressive performance against the All Blacks.
Perhaps they're right. With experienced Nathan Sharpe at lock, the Boks can expect appreciably more opposition at lineout time. The visitors also have a new hooker in Schalk Brits who has to find his locks from the outset - and the lineout remains the Boks' biggest single strength.
Brits, not the strongest of scrummagers, also packs down between Gurthro Steenkamp and CJ van Jaarsveld, making it yet another front row combination - the fifth in six Tests - to start. This could make a difference and will be exploited by wily Deans.
Dynamics
The fetching of the Wallabies is one of their strengths and the basis for their backline attacks. George Smith to start with Phil Waugh running on later, is not for a side that can't forage - and Schalk Burger will be alone in this department without Joe van Niekerk.
The inclusion of Pierre Spies, however, brings more dynamics to the running game that De Villiers advocates and tries to instil. But it remains a question why Van Niekerk and also Percy Montgomery were demoted from the starting XV to mere supporters who won't even be on the bench.
The Wallabies will be at a disadvantage through not having played the revised ELVs. It is the new ELV lineout law that caught the All Blacks unawares last weekend.
But Deans is the shrewdest of all coaches, and this should not really bother them once they've studied the Springboks' play from their short lineouts.
Defence won it for the Boks last week, and this will be needed against a flyhalf who is different but as genial as Dan Carter.
Matt Giteau, the experienced Stirling Mortlock, a fine scrumhalf in Luke Burgess and lots of skill in the backs will keep the Boks more than occupied.
The Springboks defied most predictions in South Africa last weekend that they had no chance. This week there has been an almost blanket acceptance that these Boks are invincible and that opponents Australia have no chance!
But Springbok captain Victor Matfield will not allow that to enter his Boks' heads He realises that their focus on the goal, single-mindedness in approach and the same resolute defence as last weekend are needed to make this two from three - and make the run-in to the Tri-Nations crown appreciably easier.
- SAPA