Jacobs: 'We're not playing as a team'
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:23
Springbok centre Adrian Jacobs felt that South Africa's inability to play together as a unit was the main problem after a dismal display that saw the Boks lose 15-27 to Australia in Durban on Saturday.
Jacobs had a good match under the circumstances, scoring both South Africa's tries in the match, but he was the first to admit that it was not nearly good enough from the Boks on the day.
"We didn't pitch up today," said Jacobs after the match, hinting that some of his team-mates did not play to their full ability on the day.
"We showed that if you don't win your breakdown ball, it's gonna cost you dearly. I think our guys didn't all pitch up.
"We said we're going to look after the breakdown, but today the guys weren't up to it, but hopefully we can regroup and next week take the Test," said Jacobs.
The player remained modest about his own performance, but preferred to focus on the team's showing on the day, urging that the Boks will have to improve massively if they are to turn the tables on Australia next week in Johannesburg.
"I think it's always nice to score against a big nation, and it was really surprising for me to get two [tries] tonight, but really it wasn't a team effort.
"I think we need to work harder as a team. I think two tries is not enough for us as a team.
"We'll have to go back and see what we can do better for next Saturday's Test. With the high altitude we might get it right for next Saturday," Jacobs said.
Former Aussie wing and television pundit David Campese praised Jacobs' performance, and said that he was the silver lining to South Africa's game.
"Adi Jacobs is a star player, he played great rugby today," said the outspoken Wallaby great.
"He's one of those players that will have a go. He always shows the ball, and causes the opposition to hesitate. He's a great attacking player."
