Australian coach Eddie Jones has warned his team not to get sucked into South Africa’s high-tempo game in Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash, saying patience holds the key to victory.
The under-fire coach said the Australians, facing a fourth straight Test defeat for the first time in almost 20 years, will be determined to play at their own pace against the high-flying Springboks.
When asked what his team learned from their 22-16 defeat by South Africa in Pretoria last month, Jones replied simply: ”Patience.”
”If you watch South Africa, most of their tries have been scored off the opposition’s mistakes,” he said. ”Sides try to play at their frenetic pace … you get sucked into the frenetic pace of South Africa.
”What we need to be is patient because if you play rush-up defence and you miss, it creates opportunities.
”It’s high risk, high return, but if you can negate that rush-up defence early in the phase, then you’re in a good position to make them pay.”
The Australian camp has long been critical of the Springboks rush-up defence, which they claim is frequently offside.
Jones reinforced that view when he called on Irish referee Alain Rolland, who will control Saturday’s match at Perth’s Subiaco Oval, to ensure a good distance is kept between the teams.
”Were really hoping on Saturday that we get space between the two teams so that each team is able to attack with some sort of certainty,” he said. ”I don’t think that’s been the case previously, and we’ll be looking for that on Saturday night.”
Jones said he will not be deceived by the settled Springbok line-up, which remains unchanged since their 22-16 win over New Zealand in Cape Town a fortnight ago that put them top of the Tri-Nations standings.
”They’ll change something. Jake [White] is a very good coach and I wouldn’t expect they’d go in with exactly the same game plan as they have in the previous couple of games,” he said.
Jones said the Australians struggled during their last Test, a 30-13 loss to New Zealand in Sydney, because their scrum did not perform and the backs were starved of good quality ball.
He said it is vital Australia perform at the line-out and in the scrum.
”It will come down to the line-outs. Against South Africa, they’re a different kettle of fish with [flanker Victor] Matfield there,” he said.
”And the scrum is going to be an enormous factor. If we can get good quality ball from the scrum and get into their backline … that will cause them some problems.”
Key Australian backs Stirling Mortlock, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham and Wendell Sailor have all been ruled out with injury.
Jones said replacement flyhalf Elton Flatley and winger Lote Tuqiri have both passed fitness tests, while inside centre Matt Giteau is also expected to start.
Winger Matt Gerrard was a late withdrawal after suffering a hamstring strain at training on Wednesday and Jones said a replacement would be named later on Thursday.
Either Clyde Rathbone or Mat Rogers will also come into the side, although both have had little match time since suffering injuries. — Sapa-AFP
Teams
Australia (15-1): Drew Mitchell, Mat Rogers or Clyde Rathbone, Morgan Turinui, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Elton Flatley, George Gregan (captain), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Vickerman, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, George Smith, Chris Whitaker, Rathbone or Rogers.
South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Andre Pretorius, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.
Reserves: Hanyani Shimange, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert van den Berg, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Wayne Julies, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.