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Springboks Bryan Habana looks to get a pass away as the Wallabies Matt Giteau tackles him to the ground during the Australia v South Africa Rugby test at Telstra Stadium, Sydney, Saturday, August 5, 2006. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
Unless I’m not a betting man, it will be hard to wager against the Springboks winning this year’s Tri-Nations title. It will be hardly deserving to be denied the title after four wins from four matches.
After the match in Perth at the weekend, I was left wondering whether the Boks ARE truly a great team or a good one at that.
I was not interested initially when this debate began, but found myself mulling over this thought about GREATNESS after the weekend Test.
But the emphasis was more on whether the Boks were coming up against undercooked teams Down Under, devoid of any plan to eke out a victory against their opponents – or at least willing to take back the INITIATIVE after disappointing first round displays.
If one looks at their recent record at home, (I don’t have the stats unfortunately) the Boks have been quite invincible, with visiting teams finding it hard to win matches in South Africa.
Now as we witnessed in Perth, the Boks are able to overcome the much vaunted threat of the away crowds and other conditions which it may be held would conspire against them.
I think the Boks are once again odds on favourites to win this week’s Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane as well, given their obvious momentum and self-belief. It’s going to take something to stop them on their victory march anyway.
It was disconcerting to note that despite the Wallabies’ glut of possession in the Perth Test, they were unable to break the Bok’s line of defence – WHEN IT MATTERED.
The match is not won in the scrums where the Aussies at least bared their teeth and the loose, but you get over the line by breaching the try-line, as well as keeping tight discipline, to avoid penalties leading to your downfall.
It was interesting to note that the Boks’ forwards were not committing themselves to the breakdown, some of them instead standing idle, electing to stay back to wait for any mistakes by the Wallabies and then pounce on the loose ball.
This allowed the Aussies’ much of the possession, but then you have to also break the line to score despite having so much possession. This the Wallabies did manage no less than three times, but they needed one or more scores to win the game.
The Wallabies are playing well, and, no doubt some injuries didn’t help matters and affected their game in Perth.
Of course, new centre pairing Ryan Cross and Cooper had to get used to playing together, which didn’t help settle matters. What I think is lacking in the Aussie and All Black sides, is the inventiveness that we have become so accustomed to over the years.
These days given the intense technical analysis and ever-changing rules, one feels that players are not allowed to change their thinking on the field of play according to what the situation demands.
Playing patterns are so strictly monitored by video analysis and team management, that it’s probably difficult for players to deviate from what is drummed into their heads in team talks.
The sorts of players that we were at least privy to seeing being a bit more cerebral and play according to what the situation demanded during the game were the Zinzan Brookes, Carlos Spencers, Andrew Mehrtens, and George Gregans, among others, who could change the pace of the game on a tickey.
I cannot understand why Matt Giteau is suddenly singled out for the criticism that I have seen doing the rounds on this website.
Definitely not a Larkham nor Lynagh, but there’s enough evidence to suggest that this player has some talent to boot.
It’s such a shame when critics start pillorying everyone in sight when a team is on a losing streak. Giteau is a talent indeed, and by the way, does Australia have a better flyhalf at present?
The way he scored the first try is evidence of that – worming his way through a gap and sticking out a hand through a mass of players to dot down.
This man may not be the best tackler, but his got guts to go through the gap, and it was good to see how he was urging on his teammates throughout the match.
Now, finally, I’m going to stick my neck out and say that the Boks are not a GREAT team, but a good team.
Even though their play degenerated in the second half at the weekend, they were still good enough to win the match. A team that was a bit more polished and inventive would have punished them.
The Aussies with ball in hand one minute on the 22m line and threatening to score, would eventually be drifting back after having to negotiate tackle after tackle, thereby losing the momentum to allow the Bok defence to regroup.
The Wallabies were clearly not inventive enough on the day and again, herein lies the problem. The Wallabies are an improving side, but unfortunately it’s the points on the board that counts.
The All Blacks and the Australians need to think about their games individually and then weave it into one. Coach Deans, or for that matter, any coach, could not be faulted for some of the faux pas committed by the Aussies on Saturday – they need to take responsibility for their game.
The same can be said of New Zealand, the emphasis is on being cerebral at times on the field of play, not adopting a suicidal approach that helps the wheels come off at times, when the team doesn’t need it.
The Boks are a good team, but both their nemesis Down Under are making them look much better than what they are.
The Lions came close enough, and, despite playing brilliant rugby were unlucky I believe, not to win or at least draw their recent series in South Africa.
At least draw the series they could, if it were not for a moment of madness from Ronan O’Gara in the second Test.
In fact, looking back now (after the Lions won the last Test) it was only a matter of a winning Steyn kick following that O’Gara foul, that separated the teams at the end of the series. I believe one headline in an Aussie paper screamed: “SEND IN THE SHRINKS”.
Who knows, it may be time, because the Wallabies should start believing that they can beat the Boks or the All Blacks, for that matter.
Maybe a good start would be to drum into their heads that the Boks are NOT a great team!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.