Aussies worry, warn about wounded Springboks

BY RUPERT GUINNESS
Last updated 07:38 12/08/2010
Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.
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WARNING: Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones believes the Springboks will bounce back quickly from their recent poor form.

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Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has warned against writing off the world champion Springboks despite their Tri Nations form slump.

And Reds coach and former World Cup-winning Wallabies prop Ewen McKenzie says the extent of the Springboks' ills won't be known until after they face New Zealand in Johannesburg next Saturday.

The Springboks lost their first three away Tri Nations tests - 32-12 and 31-17 to the All Blacks in New Zealand and 30-13 to Australia in Brisbane on July 24.

Jones believes their decline is temporary and that they are more focused on the World Cup next year.

Jones also says they are trying to use the playing style that's been so successful for the Super 14 champion Bulls.

''They kicked more than any other team, offloaded less than any other team, but scored more tries,'' he said of the Bulls.

''Their lineout and kick-off was excellent. They kicked a lot and well. When they got ball in the opposition half they were able to keep the ball. That is how the Springboks want to play.''

The crux of the Springboks' woes, Jones says, is the absence of Bulls halfback Fourie du Preez for the rest of the season due to a shoulder operation. He is expected back next year.

''They are missing the one bloke who is the best player in the world - Fourie du Preez,'' he said.

''They have not only lost the bloke who kicks the ball best and who, with the ball, attacks the best, but that has put enormous pressure on their No.10 [Morne Steyn] who looked like he was going to be a player of 60 tests but now looks like a player who will struggle to get to 40 because Fourie is not there. Once they get Fourie back they'll be a much better team.''

The Springboks have recalled fullback Francois Steyn from France, winger JP Pietersen and breakaway Juan Smith for their 29-man squad.

McKenzie said: ''They were dominating. Now they've fallen behind. It will be interesting to see what they do tactically. The next weeks will be pretty important. There's some desperate stuff happening over there. The All Blacks are in the box seat. If they get their bonus point to win the Tri Nations, they can relax and play without much care. That might be a daunting prospect.''

However, McKenzie believes the Springboks must change their game - and by Saturday week's test.

''They are playing a probably slightly outdated game plan,'' McKenzie said. ''It will be interesting to see if they play the same way … interesting to see who they pick at 10. Will they play Butch James and use the ball more or stick with [Morne] Steyn and play a fairly orthodox game?''

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That test should reveal how great the challenge will be for the Wallabies to win either - or both - tests at Pretoria and Bloemfontein on the Highveld where they have not won since 1963. Not that McKenzie has ever shied away from taking on history.

''I don't think it's too big an ask,'' he said of the Wallabies' chances of winning there.

''I am sure they are going over there to win two games to solidify that second position - in the world rankings or [Tri Nations].

- © Fairfax NZ News

45 comments
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Swindle   #45   04:50 pm Aug 17 2010

Everyone wants to be an All Black! All your petty attempts at having a dig at them are futile. They are the best in the world, always have been and always will be, without doubt, so get realistic, and get over it!

Chap   #44   11:59 am Aug 13 2010

Eddie Jones is a sorry man who never won many against the all blacks as a coach. His comments mean ABSOLUTELY nothing from a man who doesn`t desreve the respect. He took aussie thru one of the worst periods in there Rugby history, and then has the cheek to try and critique other international teams. Get a life Eddie. Try soccer. You have to be a fairly good actor there.

scorpion   #43   02:08 am Aug 13 2010

all blacks will choke again next year.

Paul   #42   11:03 pm Aug 12 2010

Missing from 2009 Bok team - No.2 Bismarck No.6 Brussouw No.7 Smith No.9 Fourie Du Prezz(best play maker in the World) No.15 Frans Steyn ....Bakkies for 2nd game and only having played 1 game all year for the Bulls(rusty), add in off from players Morne' and Spies ... I think if you took out these NO's from the All Blacks even the Lions would kick some AB butt,that's the Lions as in S14 Lions ...lol..not the B&I Lions .... so Kiwi's beware I think you guys are being a bit premature in calling a AB WC2011 win ... but then this won't be the first time you guys thought all you need to do is pitch up to take the WC ...LOL...GO BOKKE GO !!!

lk   #41   10:20 pm Aug 12 2010

Truth be told All Black supporters are incredibly one-eyed and arrogant, see comments below for elaboration

Blake   #40   09:54 pm Aug 12 2010

Eddie jones, your alright, a bit bias but not bad for aussie. I think we are getting a little ahead of ourselves, but only just. End of the day if you drop one game in the world cup it's all over, - just like 20/20 - u have to front up on the day but the bounce of the ball can change it all.

Best half back in the world? Andy Ellis (sorry I've got my eye patch on)

T.   #39   05:33 pm Aug 12 2010

Man o man, I hope the ABs and the Wallybys pound those arrogant yappies into there home altitude turf, I dont even know why the want to play at altitude, they are slow, old and unfit, Eddie Jones doing more AB bashing, good one Eddie you are the reason why the Wallabys have no back bone. As for that idiot clown coach for SA getting off the misconduct charge, what a jib, when are the clowns of SA rugby going to stop playing the race card, apartied ended along time ago, get rid of that policy and SA rugby would be so strong, they are there own worst enemy. Finally come on SBW, would love to see him smash the stuffing out of Morne Steyn and Fourie du whatever his name is, Im on the SBW train would be MASSIVE.

Rugga Fan   #38   05:22 pm Aug 12 2010

I'd stop short of naming Fourie Du Preez the world's best player. He's more the world's best half back. Perhaps missing a player of his abilities has exposed the Boks a bit. They're also missing the influence of Heinrich Brussow and Juan Smith. Just look at what happened to the All Blacks in 2009 when Dan Carter and Richie McCaw were missing, we were rubbish. I'm comfortable that we've got enough talent in NZ to compensate if the unfathomable happens and we have to play test matches with one or both Dan & Richie injured.

I really don't agree with the amount of talk about next year's World Cup. I'd rather stay in the present and focus on that. The All Blacks are currently the world's best and are playing great rugby, pushing the laws to the limit in some instances and causing one coach (PDV) to moan and complain about a conspiracy theory favouring the All Blacks. Funny how last year when the Boks were getting favourable treatment that neither the ABs or Wallabies moaned and complained like South Africa have. The Wallabies are playing within themselves and seemingly have a mental block against the All Blacks (and they also managed to lose to England in their own backyard where England kicked the winning penalty in the 53rd minute of 80). The Springboks, well they are still a very good side but seem to have not adapted to the new rules and would rather drag teams into a kickfest and score in multiples of three (like England have done in the past). The strange thing is, they've got a few decent backs, including one of the world's best wingers, if not the best, Bryan Habana.

The Bledisloe's safely in the cabinet for another year and the Tri Nations is basically in the bag (barring some miracle that Australia wins their remaining three games with bonus points and the All Blacks fail to score even a bonus point in their last two), but that doesn't mean any of the remaining games will become dead rubbers. There are four games remaining and I think every one of them will be fascinating viewing. The World Cup is still over a year away and quite frankly it's far too early to be concerning ourselves with it now. There are still seven test matches remaining this year and that's what I'm focusing on.

Trav of Perth of Auckland   #37   04:39 pm Aug 12 2010

Sonny #26 hit the nail on the head with that one! Boks are going to be lucky to find the form that won them the last World cup. They have old players which are losing their touch and nothing they can do will get these guys in shape to be anything better than average with the new rule interpretations, and their new players are way overrated IMO. If Boks lose to AB's @ soccer city then we will know they are in more trouble than first thought! Also why do people print rubbish that Eddie jones talks??? they guy is a blatant moron/idiot and every other word you can think of yet people keep printing him!!Isn't he just a cash cow assistant for any nation dumb enough to think they need his expertise or major lack of should i say!!! Go away Eddie you joke.... please!!! South Africans must have been desperate to have him!! Eddie and De Villiers what a pair of clown muppets !!!

phig   #36   03:59 pm Aug 12 2010

First of all Will Genia is the best half back in the world at the moment.FDP can't be compared (like most of you have done) to Dan carter as he isn't a #10 nor does he kick goals. If we went back to the old rules today then SA would be winning its that simple we have adapted better and the new rules fit the way we play. Like ritchie said the 3 teams are very close its all who puts it together on the day. RWC is more of a spectacal rather than the best team winning. Not unlike golf tiger doesn't win all the time but still is world #1. Allblacks have the best team and best coaches 1 player in FDP will not make that big a difference.


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