South African forward Victor Matfield has warned the world champion Wallabies to expect a brutal contest in the forwards of the Tri-Nations rugby test here on Saturday.
Matfield said the Springbok pack planned to take on the Wallaby forwards, who combined well in their 12-6 opening loss to New Zealand in Christchurch on July 13.
”We’ll go out and try to dominate them up front, be aggressive and see if our backs can score some tries,” said the Bulls lock here on Tuesday.
”(Being physical) has always been part of South African rugby.”
Matfield said Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli’s forceful playing style was being embraced by the team.
”I think he (Straeuli) has brought a new aggression to the team,” Matfield said.
”He wants us to play it the way he played it, hard and aggressive, which is what we’ll try and do on Saturday.
”I think aggression is very needed in international rugby.”
Matfield said the Wallabies were more creative than the All Blacks who played with more structure.
”They are more creative. You have to be physical with them and we showed we could do that on Saturday (against the All Blacks).
”We just have to step it (aggression) up a few more notches.”
New Zealand grabbed a bonus point in their commanding 41-20 victory over South Africa in Wellington last Saturday.
Matfield’s teammate, flyhalf Werner Greeff declared the tourists’ performance against the All Blacks showed they could become a strong and devastating unit if they eliminate mistakes.
When Greeff was asked at a press conference on Tuesday to pinpoint the Wallaby danger players he said ”(Chris) Latham, (Stephen) Larkham, the usual.
”But we focus on the team, we don’t focus on players.” – Sapa-AFP