Deans prepares for biggest Test

2008-07-17 07:43

Perth - Rookie Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is under no illusion as to the enormity of the task his side faces in the Tri-Nations Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Although the Wallabies looked sharp in successive Test wins over France in recent weeks, including a 40-10 success last weekend, Deans knows the reigning World Cup champions provide the first significant challenge of his four-game coaching tenure.

The Springboks arrived in Australia buoyant after a historic 30-28 win over the All Blacks in Dunedin last weekend.

Expecting a bruising encounter with the powerful 'Boks, Deans plumped for experience when he named his team, recalling winger Lote Tuqiri, lock Nathan Sharpe and flanker Wycliff Palu.

He also recalled George Smith to the run-on side for the Wallabies first match of their Tri-Nations campaign.

The Wallabies go into the series as rank outsiders for the Tri-Nations title, but Deans said he believed wise heads would help his side prevail in what he is certain will be their most physical match of 2008.

"Experience is always valuable," the former Crusaders mentor said.

Circumstance

"This is our first Tri-Nations Test and we are conscious of the fact it is going to be a step up from what we have encountered to date.

"When you get into that sort of circumstance, to have as many blokes as possible around who have got some kilometres on the clock is valuable.

"But if they don't bring the enthusiasm for that and bring the value from their previous experience and apply it well, then it won't be much value at all."

Deans said the Springboks were still improving and were now a more formidable opponent than when they won the World Cup.

"This is a very good Springboks side, this is a mature Springboks side," he said.

"They not only have achievements behind them, they are still stacking them up as evidenced last week.

"They have a lot of experience, are still in their prime and are still hungry for it."

Deans said the two Tests against the All Blacks showed the Springboks were playing a more expansive style of rugby than in their World Cup success.

First victory

"The physicality is still there, but they were a little bit more prepared to use the width of the ground and that makes them a more challenging opponent to defend against," he said.

The Springboks made their Tri-Nations intentions clear with the win over the All Blacks last weekend, their first victory in New Zealand for a decade.

Deans dismissed suggestions the Springboks might be fatigued by successive clashes with the All Blacks, viewing them as "battle-hardened", and noted the rewards for a South African win were huge.

"They are definitely better because of the form, particularly as they are getting on a flight and heading home (after Saturday's game)," he said.

"They have got a huge opportunity, if they can get up in this encounter they have really placed themselves in a magnificent position to close the deal.

"So I don't think fatigue will be a factor."

'Quality'

Tuqiri said the Wallabies players were acutely aware of the challenge ahead, despite their emphatic wins over the French, which followed a win over Ireland last month.

"This is three or four steps up from those other Tests in quality," he said.

"The world champions ... but we know we are up to it."

The Springboks shouldn't be perturbed by playing here, with two wins against the Wallabies at Subiaco Oval from three previous visits.

They will be without captain John Smit, who will miss the rest of the Tri-Nation due to groin surgery, and hooker Bismarck du Plessis, who was suspended for three weeks for making contact with the eyes of All Black Adam Thomson last Saturday.

Schalk Brits will take the throw-in duties, the Wallabies hopeful they can capitalise on the revamped Springboks lineout.

- AFP