Australia looking forward to Springbok challenge
Australia looking forward to Springbok challenge
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Thursday, 13, Jul 2006 10:03
Having lost their opening Tri-Nations game to the All-Blacks last week, Australia coach John Connolly has warned his squad that they will need to be on the top of their game if they are to bounce back against South Africa.
"We know what the strengths of the Springboks are and that's their eight guys up front. They have a front row that's played 90-odd Tests, and a backline that can definitely sting you," he said.
The Wallabies will be missing key men up front as they attempt to cope with the physical challenge that the Springboks will pose.
Queensland Reds prop Rodney Blake and Tai McIsaac of Western Force are both ruled out. Veteran Jeremy Paul is to take over hooking responsibilities.
There is good news for the Aussies in the backline however as centre Matt Giteau returns after missing the New Zealand clash with a dislocated thumb.
Just as that game was given extra edge by an Australian advertising campaign that showed the All Blacks clutching handbags as they performed the traditional haka, the build-up to Saturday's match has been tinged with controversy.
Joe van Niekirk, the Springbok back-row, claimed in a South African newspaper that some of his teammates had been offering financial rewards to the rest of the team if they could leave the pitch with one of George Smith's trademark dreadlocks.