Wallaby centre Daniel Herbert is more concerned with attitude than altitude before the Tri-Nations rugby decider against South Africa in Johannesburg on August 17.
Herbert believes there are more important issues than the Wallabies’ poor record at altitude, such as trying to stop the Springboks on their home ground.
The Wallabies have managed it just once since 1993, when winger Stirling Mortlock stole the Tri-Nations trophy in Durban two years ago with a penalty goal.
That was at sea level so the question remains whether the Wallabies can win on the highveld, where they are winless in the modern era.
”Playing at altitude is another issue the players have to deal with but the importance of that can be exaggerated,” Herbert said here on Monday.
”It’s not as big a factor as people have made out and I would be surprised if it became a major issue (within the team).
”We play at altitude almost every time we go over there and it’s just part of the game.
”I just think South Africa are a better home side and they always seem to be able to lift themselves.
”They are a very passionate team who will put a lot of pressure on us at the breakdown and they play a very good spoiling game.”
While the Australians talk down the issue, Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli will crank up the altitude talk after raising it twice before the match against the Wallabies here on July 27.
Before Australia beat the Springboks 38-27 Straeuli said the Tri-Nations wouldn’t be over until the Wallabies played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
They lost 29-15 in their last visit four years ago with a squad containing 10 of the 22 players who squeaked past the All Blacks 16-14 in Sydney on Saturday night to gain a share of the competition lead.
”Personally I feel (the altitude) right at the start of the game — the first 20 minutes, particularly if it’s a quick start, it can be quite a shock to the system,” Herbert said.
”But it depends on what you’re doing — if you’ve got the ball it’s a lot easier than defending because that seems to take more out of you physically.”
The Wallabies will head to South Africa on Sunday, hours after New Zealand and the Springboks play the penultimate match in the Tri-Nations series in Durban.
New Zealand and Australia share the lead with 10 points, while the Springboks have one point but with the knowledge the home team has won the opening four Tri-Nations matches.
Australian selectors on Monday added Wendell Sailor, David Croft, Rod Moore and Daniel Vickerman to the 22-man squad which won in Sydney.
Australia squad – Chris Latham, Ben Tune, Wendell Sailor, Matthew Burke, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock, Mat Rogers, Elton Flatley, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain), Chris Whitaker, Toutai Kefu, David Lyons, George Smith, David Croft, Owen Finegan, Justin Harrison, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Vickerman, Matt Cockbain, Patricio Noriega, Ben Darwin, Bill Young, Rod Moore, Jeremy Paul, Brendan Cannon. – Sapa-AFP