Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes his team’s line-out can hold up against all-conquering South Africa, despite a mounting injury crisis ahead of the crucial Tri Nations clash here on Saturday.
The Wallabies, without a win in their first three Tri-Nations matches this year, need a win against the unbeaten Springboks to stay in the hunt for the southern hemisphere title.
However, they have been hit hard by injuries in the wake of last Saturday’s demoralising last-gasp 19-18 loss to New Zealand in Sydney.
The Wallabies were forced to delay naming their side for this Saturday’s game by two days, until Thursday, to give young fullback James O’Connor and flanker Rocky Elsom extra time to prove their fitness.
However, experienced lock Nathan Sharpe and centre Berrick Barnes were both ruled out by Wallabies medical staff on Tuesday.
Sharpe hurt his shoulder against the All Blacks on Saturday, while Barnes is still feeling the effects of a heavy knock in the same game.
The loss of Sharpe appears a boost for the Springboks, who will look to outstanding lock Victor Matfield to dominate proceedings at the line-outs, with Dean Mumm tipped to return to the run-on side.
However, Deans said on Tuesday Mark Chisholm, returning from a wrist injury after some solid form in club rugby, could replace Sharpe.
”Sharpey has been a big part of the Wallaby line-out for a long period of time now,” he said.
”We are fortunate to have a player like Mark Chisholm become available to us again.
”He’s had a couple of club games and comes back into consideration, and that timing is quite fortunate for us really.”
Deans dismissed suggestions the revamped line-out structure would be a real problem for the Wallabies.
”It’s not that hard,” he said. ”We’ll get it done.
”They [Mumm and Chisholm] bring different skill sets and a capability that we’ll look to use and we’ve had some success there previously.”
He said the fact the Wallabies would have a new-look line-out could actually work in their favour, making the team harder to read.
The Springboks’ Matfield ”is very experienced, understands the trade and does his homework,” he said.
”He analyses his opponents and one advantage we’ll have this week is that he will have no background, potentially.”
Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale will be in contention to replace Barnes, but Deans said he was confident Elsom and O’Connor would be fit for Saturday’s game.
Deans declared nullifying the Springboks’ kicking game the key to the match.
Although playing his cards close to his chest on selection, he hinted at continuing with an expansive game plan and said that would be the decisive factor in finalising the team.
Despite the uncertainty and the Wallabies’ inability to crack a win thus far, Deans said he was confident they could cause an upset and keep the Tri-Nations alive.
”In terms of our personnel, we are confident we can get the job done,” he said. — AFP
