On the eve of the Springboks’ departure to Australia for the away leg of their Tri-Nations campaign, coach Jake White rejected allegations made by former Sharks coach Kevin Putt that lock Victor Matfield wears a metal plate under the bandage on his arm.
White said he believes these rumours are a malicious act against the team because the Boks are doing well.
Putt reportedly said on a New Zealand radio station earlier this week that All Blacks scrumhalf Byron Kelleher’s injury was serious because he had been struck by the metal plate on Matfield’s arm — something Springbok skipper John Smit had reportedly told him about.
Smit dismissed these suggestions and said he has not spoken to Putt since he was sacked as Sharks coach during last year’s Super 12 competition. He denied ever speaking to Putt about a metal plate worn by Matfield.
White said the rumour is ridiculous, especially since Matfield’s shoulder made contact with Kelleher’s jaw, not his arm.
”That is laughable,” said White. ”It is amazing that when a team does well, something like this always happens. It was the same when I was a school teacher: when the team won, there were always rumours that we were using club tactics. People always try to put the heat on you when you are doing well.”
White was wary of expressing confidence that his team could end their losing streak away from home and brushed off suggestions that it is easier to play against the Wallabies in Perth than in Sydney.
However, he said the fact the Springboks have won their last three Test matches against two of the best teams in the world will definitely boost their confidence.
”Playing in Perth is not like playing a home game,” said White. ”It is an away game. We have done better against Australia in Perth than in Sydney because we won one game and drew the other. But it is not a major success story.”
Australia and New Zealand battle it out in Sydney this weekend, while the Springboks take on the Wallabies in Perth next Saturday. — Sapa