All eyes on Wallaby line-out
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:04
Try time: James Horwill crashes over for Australia
The Wallabies, in light of their Auckland woes, will be pre-occupied this week with polishing their line-out as they face one of the world's best on Saturday against the Springboks in Durban.
Having come through training on Tuesday with relative ease after a recent foot ligament injury, Wallaby flank Rocky Elsom admitted their line-out had been a primary focus this week, looking on to Saturday's Tri-Nations match against South Africa.
"We want to keep it [line-out] sharp," Elsom told a media gathering.
"Last year we [Australia and South Africa] probably had the top two line-outs in the world.
"We know what we're going up against, so we're doing everything we can to make sure it's sharp," Elsom added.
Another crucial line-out figure who had question marks over his fitness this week, namely firebrand James Horwill, completed a sound training session on Tuesday and also felt confident that his name might appear on the starting XV list.
Horwill has been likened to Bakkies Botha not only in terms of stature and positional capabilities, but in the aggressive edge he brings to the set phases. The Queensland Reds lock however doesn't think South Africa will be at a loss without Botha, thanks to the "impressive" services of Andries Bekker.
"He [Bakkies Botha] is certainly a very good player. His combination with Victor has always been pretty strong," said Horwill.
"But Andries [Bekker] is doing a good job so I don't think you guys are losing too much there.
"He's a big man. He's very tall so he's obviously very good in the line-out.
"He does like to carry the ball in the backline as well and can be very damaging at that, so it's something we need to be careful of."
Horwill concurred with Elsom's view about the reverence around South Africa's set phases, and knew that the Wallabies would have to contest at the highest level come Saturday at Absa Stadium.
"I think the Boks are very good at the set pieces, scrums and line-outs," said Horwill.
"That's something you pride yourselves on, so that's something we need to work very hard with this week.
"Our previous line-out performance with the All Blacks [in Auckland] wasn't the best, so we've taken some measures to try rectify that and improve our ability and our skill level."
With regards to the physical presence Botha usually brings to the paddock, Horwill felt that too shouldn't have much bearing on Saturday's clash - believing his side from Down Under are able to match the Sprinboks' physicality.
"I think every South African team you play, whether it's at provincial or international level, is very physical.
"You guys really like to get in there and get stuck into the opposition - and that's something we definitely bring to the table as well.
"So I'm sure that's something that will be exactly the same this time round, with or without Bakkies," said Horwill.
Noting Nathan Sharpe's omission from the squad, and subsequently the line-out, Horwill believed the current school of players could do an equally effective job on Saturday - as the Wallabies look to record their first Tri-Nations victory in the Republic since 2000.
"He's [Sharpe] been part of the team for a while, so we're disappointed he's not coming over.
"But the boys that are here are rearing to go, and should do a fantastic job," Horwill added.
Apart from Sam Cordingley, who is said to be suffering from a minor bout of flu, the Wallaby camp reported a full bill of health on Tuesday.
Adam Ashley-Cooper looks set to have a rest this weekend, giving Drew Mitchell a chance to claim back the No.15 jersey, which should be confirmed along with the rest of the Australian matchday 22 team announcement on Thursday afternoon.
By Nick Pawson
