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Greg Growden - RugbyHeaven
Cape Town - Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has warned his players of the dangers of confronting the wounded South African beast after the Springboks lost in the final minutes to the All Blacks in Soweto on Saturday.
GALLERY: Boks v All Blacks
While the All Blacks were revelling in their Tri-Nations triumph, the Springboks, on the occasion of skipper John Smit's 100th Test, were in despair after the All Blacks scored twice in the final minutes, one try involving a forward pass.
The Wallabies watched the Springboks suffer their fourth straight Tri-Nations loss at their Cape Town hotel, and shortly after full-time, Deans told the Herald: ''That certainly won't make it any easier for us.''
The Wallabies will spend most of the week in Cape Town before travelling to Pretoria on Thursday for Saturday's Test against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld, after which they will head to Durban at sea level in preparation for the following weekend's Test in Bloemfontein.
Deans said that while the win made the All Blacks deserved Tri-Nations victors, it did not mean the Springboks, yet to win in the tournament, were down and out. Despite the Test loss, the Springboks showed they were a far more passionate animal on home turf, with their defence, in particular, lifting a level. While they often persisted with a bash-and-barge format, the Springboks were at times more eager to be expansive.
''The Test did give us an insight into the current South African combinations, who played pretty well and were involved in some good rugby,'' Deans said. ''They approached their game in a constructive way, by using the ball a lot more. Their new selections helped them there, and they were probably good enough to win the game.''
When asked if the All Blacks had showed the best way to attack the Springboks was out wide, Deans emphasised the importance of the Wallabies first getting their own game right and limiting mistakes.
''You've got to earn that right, and that was evident tonight. South Africa really defended with a lot more conviction, and both sides had opportunities. For us, it is more of the same at that end, and there will be no short-cuts. One of South Africa's traits is that any opportunity they got, they were able to up the tempo of the game, and make the most of it.''
After the Test, the Wallabies players remarked on the physicality of the Springboks, and the importance of their ''matching up''. They also expect the Springboks will quickly overcome their despair at losing in Soweto, as they will have the spur of their key second-rower Victor Matfield playing his 100th Test on home territory next weekend.
The Wallabies will not name their Test line-up until late in the week, with Queensland second-rower Rob Simmons and back-rower Scott Higginbotham threatening for positions in the starting XV. Quade Cooper is expected to regain his Test No.10 jersey, forcing Matt Giteau to move to inside centre, where he is likely to accompany Adam Ashley-Cooper in the midfield.
Lachie Turner is an outside chance for a wing spot, as the Wallabies selectors are expected to retain the back three of Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Drew Mitchell.
Cape Town - Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has warned his players of the dangers of confronting the wounded South African beast after the Springboks lost in the final minutes to the All Blacks in Soweto on Saturday.
GALLERY: Boks v All Blacks
While the All Blacks were revelling in their Tri-Nations triumph, the Springboks, on the occasion of skipper John Smit's 100th Test, were in despair after the All Blacks scored twice in the final minutes, one try involving a forward pass.
The Wallabies watched the Springboks suffer their fourth straight Tri-Nations loss at their Cape Town hotel, and shortly after full-time, Deans told the Herald: ''That certainly won't make it any easier for us.''
The Wallabies will spend most of the week in Cape Town before travelling to Pretoria on Thursday for Saturday's Test against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld, after which they will head to Durban at sea level in preparation for the following weekend's Test in Bloemfontein.
Deans said that while the win made the All Blacks deserved Tri-Nations victors, it did not mean the Springboks, yet to win in the tournament, were down and out. Despite the Test loss, the Springboks showed they were a far more passionate animal on home turf, with their defence, in particular, lifting a level. While they often persisted with a bash-and-barge format, the Springboks were at times more eager to be expansive.
''The Test did give us an insight into the current South African combinations, who played pretty well and were involved in some good rugby,'' Deans said. ''They approached their game in a constructive way, by using the ball a lot more. Their new selections helped them there, and they were probably good enough to win the game.''
When asked if the All Blacks had showed the best way to attack the Springboks was out wide, Deans emphasised the importance of the Wallabies first getting their own game right and limiting mistakes.
''You've got to earn that right, and that was evident tonight. South Africa really defended with a lot more conviction, and both sides had opportunities. For us, it is more of the same at that end, and there will be no short-cuts. One of South Africa's traits is that any opportunity they got, they were able to up the tempo of the game, and make the most of it.''
After the Test, the Wallabies players remarked on the physicality of the Springboks, and the importance of their ''matching up''. They also expect the Springboks will quickly overcome their despair at losing in Soweto, as they will have the spur of their key second-rower Victor Matfield playing his 100th Test on home territory next weekend.
The Wallabies will not name their Test line-up until late in the week, with Queensland second-rower Rob Simmons and back-rower Scott Higginbotham threatening for positions in the starting XV. Quade Cooper is expected to regain his Test No.10 jersey, forcing Matt Giteau to move to inside centre, where he is likely to accompany Adam Ashley-Cooper in the midfield.
Lachie Turner is an outside chance for a wing spot, as the Wallabies selectors are expected to retain the back three of Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Drew Mitchell.
