Boks desperate for victory
2008-07-11 10:27
New Zealand - The All Blacks and Springboks camps have singled out discipline as crucial to winning Saturday's second rugby Test which threatens to be more volatile than the explosive first encounter.
The reigning world champion Springboks are desperate to regain prestige after being outplayed 8-19 in the first Test in Wellington a week ago.
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said the balancing act for his side was to front up physically without detracting from the playing skills required to win.
With the build-up to the showdown between the rugby powerhouses filled with passionate rhetoric, the International Rugby Board told the rival coaches to clear the air at a pre-match meeting with referee Matt Goddard.
The All Blacks have voiced frustration at repeated off-the-ball tactics by the Springboks who have accused the All Blacks of illegal scrummaging.
The Springboks are also angered at losing captain John Smit who was injured when picked up and dumped to the ground by All Blacks lock Brad Thorn, earning Thorn a one-week suspension.
All Blacks head coach Graham Henry said he would not be raising the issue of foul play in the meeting with Goddard but he wanted to "make sure we've got clarity" on the laws for what will inevitably be another bruising clash.
Reserve utility
"They've come over to win obviously, and I think they thought they might do that in the first Test in Wellington and they'll be absolutely desperate and I think that will come out in the way they play the game," Henry said.
South Africa have bolstered their point-scoring chances with the recall of fullback Percy Montgomery who, with reserve utility Francois Steyn, kicked them to the 15-6 victory over England in last year's World Cup final.
Henry acknowledged Montgomery's proven track record and said discipline would be all the more important.
"You lose your discipline and you won't play as well as you should and there'll be consequences if you do," he said.
"So I think teams playing with discipline is critical. It's something that we stress, and we stress during the game and stress at half-time."
Springboks coach de Villiers, who has disputed Henry's criticism of South Africa's play, said the need for discipline was common ground.
"I'd started to think we would never agree on anything, me and Graham, but this is one area I definitely have to agree with him.
Match officials
"If you don't have discipline you may as well not be there."
But Henry's main complaint of late tackles was dismissed by de Villiers as part of the game and up to the match officials to handle.
"Late tackles, they will be there more than 100 years from now and that's why the referees are there to police that."
Apart from the inclusion of Montgomery, the Springboks have also brought back wing JP Pietersen to complete with Bryan Habana the same dynamic back trio from the World Cup winning side.
Their training this week has also focussed on strengthening their scrum which took a battering from the All Blacks last week.
Without the injured Smit, Victor Matfield takes over the leadership, while Rodney So'oialo continues as All Blacks captain in place of the injured Richie McCaw.
Despite the first-up win, All Blacks backs coach Smith said it was not a complete performance with clinical finishing absent in a game where it was also necessary to front up physically.
"You can't take a backward step but you have to execute the skills at the same time," he said.
'House of Pain'
"Our challenge is to perform the two together and be smart with the way we face the challenges."
This match marks 100 years since the first Test at Dunedin's Carisbrook ground which has earned the nickname "House of Pain" because opposition teams have only won three of 34 Tests here.
The Springboks have never tasted success from seven outings on the ground and this will also be their last chance this year to snap a 10-year losing streak in New Zealand.
Asked if Springboks can turn that record around de Villiers said: "That's what we're here for."
Teams (15-1)
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Kevin O'Neill, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald
South Africa: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.
Referee: Matt Goddard (AUS)
- AFP