Sept 3 (Reuters) – Minor modifications will see the winless
Wallabies back on track when they host South Africa in their
Rugby Championship clash in Perth on Saturday, lock Nathan
Sharpe said on Monday.
The experienced second row has featured in Australia’s two
disappointing defeats to trans-Tasman rivals and World Cup
winners New Zealand in the opening fortnight of the expanded
tournament, which also features Argentina.
The Wallabies were criticised for their error-strewn display
in Sydney where they lost 27-19 on Aug. 18, while calls for the
sacking of coach Robbie Deans grew in local media after their
22-0 loss in Auckland the following week.
Sharpe, however, believes the Wallabies can improve quicker
by avoiding sweeping changes.
“The guys are all proud Australians and we want to make sure
that the next time we take to the track we get a victory,”
Sharpe told reporters in Perth.
“There’s plenty for us to do in terms of getting things
right on the field, but minor adjustments will see a big
difference.”
The Wallabies have been hit hard in their forward pack with
captain and lock James Horwill ruled out of the tournament with
injury, then his understudy, flanker David Pocock, sidelined
after the Sydney test following knee surgery.
Another second row, Dan Vickerman, was forced to retire last
week after failing to overcome a stress fracture in his leg.
Sharpe, who has played more than 100 tests for the
Wallabies, postponed retirement plans to fill the void and also
skippered the side in Auckland when the latest captain,
scrumhalf Will Genia, was sin binned.
Continued…
