'Don't laugh off these Boks'
Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:13
The Australian media on Monday warned against a coming South African Tri-Nations transformation at home, as the Wallabies celebrated their win over the World Cup champions in Brisbane at the weekend.
The Wallabies continued the Springboks' agony for a third winless week with a 30-13 victory to open their Tri-Nations campaign in Brisbane.
It was the hapless South Africans' third consecutive loss in this year's Southern Hemisphere championship after their 32-12 and 31-17 defeats to the All Blacks in New Zealand.
But both the All Blacks and Wallabies have to face matches against the Springboks in South Africa at altitude and the Australian press cautioned against dismissing the world champions' chances of playing a decisive role next month.
"The Springboks have lost their way on the field and it has been difficult for them to adapt to a pretty simple opposition game plan, based around pace, power and passion," The Sydney Morning Herald said.
"For three Tests in a row, the All Blacks and Wallabies have deliberately kept the ball in hand, avoided the sidelines, restricted midfield kicking, probed the outer reaches and have exposed the Springboks.
"However, it would be dangerous to completely laugh off the Boks. There were a couple of clues on Saturday night that a big transformation is about to occur, and the All Blacks and Wallabies could soon be experiencing pain."
The Herald said the Springboks at home would be a "transformed beast", and the final rounds of the Tri-Nations were stacked entirely their way.
"Don't be surprised if they win their last three Tri-Nations matches, as all are being staged at venues, which, like Brisbane for the Wallabies, are their spiritual homes.
"All are at altitude and we at least know what that does to the Wallabies."
The Herald said that the two-match suspension for playmaker Quade Cooper would hurt the Wallabies' Tri-Nations chances.
"Cooper's departure is damaging to the Wallabies, and now the All Blacks could easily add an eighth and ninth straight win over the Wallabies to their record. And thus will end the Springboks' Tri-Nations defence."
The Wallabies take on the All Blacks in Melbourne on Saturday and back up against them in Christchurch on August 7 before travelling to South Africa.
The Australian newspaper said how well the Wallabies cope with the altitude in South Africa might depend on how they fare against the All Blacks beforehand.
"Australia has lost its past seven Tests to New Zealand and what makes it even more galling is that in five of those Tests they led at half-time before capitulating," The Australian said.
AFP
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