Mortlock: 'Boks came out guns blazing'
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:40
Ironic smiles: Stirling Mortlock's men were put to shame in Johannesburg
A bewildered Stirling Mortlock reflected on his side's record 8-53 Tri-Nations slump to a rampant Springbok outfit in Johannesburg on Saturday, but admitted all is not lost.
South Africa dominated almost every aspect of their Tri-Nations' swansong against Australia, restoring faith to the Springbok public and putting them on the front foot for their November tour up North.
With nothing to lose and only pride to play for, the Springboks did everything right in Johannesburg in light of recent failings - they kicked clinically, had numbers at the breakdown and runners in the right places to feed off the set pieces.
With South Africa's previous points record over Australia coming out of their 1997 Tri-Nations encounter at Loftus Versfeld (which the Boks won 61-22), on Saturday the Boks made history with a 45-point haul over their adversaries from Down Under.
"Yeah it's very disappointing to us," said Wallaby captain Stirling Mortlock, reflecting on his side's record defeat just minutes after full-time.
"We prepared well leading into this game, but hats off to the Boks' victory, they've had a tough few weeks.
"They came out absolutely all guns blazing and played some great rugby today, so well done to them."
The Boks' emphatic victory will unfortunately have no bearing on the final outcome of the tournament, as Mortlock knew his side would have to take stock before their Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks on September 13.
"We get a few days off, to go home, re-group and then build up to what is a massive match for us against the All Blacks in Brisbane," said Morlock.
"We're really looking forward to that one, that will decide everything," he added.
The Wallabies didn't leave Coca-Cola Park empty-handed however, with Mortlock retaining the Nelson Mandela Challenge plate (for a third year in a row) thanks to his team's two previous Springbok endeavors in Perth and more recently, Durban.
The Mandela plate has been in Wallaby hands since 2006, having won their Springbok Tests 2-1 that year, and then retaining it in 2007 after a 1-1 outcome after just two Tri-Nations' clashes were scheduled last year due to the Rugby World Cup.
