Vickerman is vital, says Ella
Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:29
Former Wallabies legend Mark Ella is doubtful of Australia causing an upset in South Africa (SA) - though emphasised the importance of Dan Vickerman's inclusion this month if they are to stand any chance.
In light of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations drubbing at the hands of an improved All Blacks side, Ella is adamant that Dan Vickerman must be in the Wallabies' starting XV to help fix the team's line-out woes.
Vickerman has come on as a replacement for Australia during the past two weeks, with coach Robbie Deans not wanting to overload the Cape Town-born lock on his return from ankle surgery.
"I think Deans has got no choice now, he's got to throw him in there," Ella told the AAP.
"We've got one of the best line-out exponents in the world, in Dan Vickerman, he's been injured and came on as a replacement.
"But we've got to obviously shore that up, because the South Africans are fairly good in the line-out with Victor Matfield, so we've got to get our basics right," he added.
With Australia usually considered superior to the All Blacks in the set piece, the visitors lost an unfathomable eight line-out throws at Eden Park, with Vickerman ending up the side's top jumper.
The loss leaves Australia potentially needing to upset the Springboks in either Durban on August 23 or Johannesburg the following week to be in with a chance of claiming the Tri-Nations title for the first time since 2001.
The All Blacks, just one point ahead of the Wallabies and currently ruling the standings, will take on South Africa at Newlands on August 16.
Despite Australia's resurgence under Deans this season, Ella rates New Zealand the far more likely of the two Australasian teams to cause an upset in South Africa - a country in which Australia have not had a victory since 2000.
"It will be tough and I'm not saying they can do it, but they've got probably more chance of defeating the Springboks than the Wallabies," Ella said.
"It'll be a horror trip [for the Wallabies], there's no doubt about it.
"Just going on past history, as much as we're bad in New Zealand, we're probably worse in South Africa," Ella added.
The Wallabies will re-commence training next week, before departing for SA on August 15 - and will remain hopeful that injured duo Adam Ashley-Cooper (broken hand) and flanker Rocky Elsom (foot) will both be available to tour.
Elsom's absence was particularly felt on Saturday, with the Wallabies' poor line-out helping contribute to a dire 27 turnovers.
