By Ken Borland
JOHANNESBURG, Sept 1 (Reuters) – South Africa coach Heyneke
Meyer said the Springboks will have to put up an impenetrable
defensive wall against Australia when they meet in their Rugby
Championship match in Perth next week.
“Australia are a dangerous side when they get quick ball,
especially their backs, who are unbelievable. If our defence is
not 100 percent, they will punish us,” Meyer told reporters in
Johannesburg on Saturday.
While the Australian public are tearing into their team
after two straight losses to New Zealand, including a 22-0
defeat in Auckland last weekend – the first time in 50 years
that the Wallabies have not scored a point against the All
Blacks – Meyer said Robbie Dean’s charges still had the ability
to hurt the Springboks.
“Australia are a very good team and we don’t have a good
record against them. New Zealand are just a way ahead of
everyone at the moment and nobody’s giving us a chance in Perth
next weekend.
“Australia have a very good pack which you cannot
underestimate and it should be a very good contest at the
breakdowns. We need to be very direct and if we kick aimlessly,
they are very good at counter-attacking.
“They will definitely test us on defence because they run
different lines and they have a more backline-orientated team.
I’m very realistic and I know how tough it’s going to be against
the Wallabies,” Meyer said.
South Africa’s new coach is not expected to make radical
changes to either the Springbok game plan or personnel despite
the disappointing 16-16 draw against Argentina in Mendoza last
weekend.
Continued…
