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Despite four straight losses, the Wallabies reckon there is nothing wrong with their game plan. But they may still be tempted to re-write it after the Springboks issued a chilling warning ahead of their Tri-Nations rugby clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
While the Wallabies are confident of closing the gap on the world champions following their tight 32-25 loss last weekend in Perth, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers claimed it was “frightening” how good his side could become.
“You never know when you are at the top (of your game),” de Villiers said.
“I know this team can go much, much higher. And I know there is also much more talent in the (South African) rugby cattle.
“Now we’re at the point where we can trust each other, we can work on the little things that can make them so much better.
“It’s frightening to know, (considering) the amount of mistakes (made) on a weekend when you have played so well, the amount of mistakes they made and how good they can be (if) clinical in their execution.
“So yes, we trust each other, we know where we can be and we know where we want to be but we’re not taking anything for granted.”
After surprisingly surviving the axe wielded by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans for this weekend’s game, winger Lachlan Turner did not have to be told that Australia needed to produce against the Boks.
However, Turner said history showed just how quickly a team could turn things around.
Indeed Australia are a prime example of how a team can morph into world beaters.
The Wallabies suffered a record 61-22 loss to the Springboks in Pretoria in 1997, but just two years later they were holding aloft the World Cup trophy.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with our game plan,” Turner said in Brisbane on Wednesday.
“The fact that we have been close the entire series (shows that).
“We’ve got the game plan to really wrestle games away from the opposition (but) as a unit we’ve got to concentrate for the whole 80 minutes – once we do that we will be hard to stop.
“One game can really change the momentum of a side.
“We are very aware of that. Once we develop that winning momentum we will be pretty hard to beat.”
Turner added: “This is our last Test match in Australia (in the Tri-Nations series) – we really want to finish off on a winning note.”
The wobbly Wallabies received surprise support from Springboks skipper John Smit.
“The Wallabies are copping a rough time in the media – unfairly so I’d say,” he said.
“We’ve all been there.
“I’ve been in a (2006) side that lost five Tests in a row, let alone four (by the Wallabies).
“You guys (in the media) treated us as a laughing stock. A year later we won the World Cup.
“Things can change in a very short period.”
WALLABIES Age
Fullback James O’Connor 19
Winger Lachie Turner 22
Outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper 25
Inside centre Berrick Barnes 23
Winger Drew Mitchell 25
Five-eighth Matt Giteau 26
Halfback Will Genia 21
No.8 George Smith (captain) 29
Openside flanker David Pocock 21
Blindside flanker Rocky Elsom 26
Lock Mark Chisholm 27
Lock James Horwill 24
Tighthead prop Ben Alexander 24
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau 24
Loosehead prop Benn Robinson 25Average age of starting side: 24
Reserves:
Stephen Moore 26
Pek Cowan 23
Dean Mumm 25
Wycliff Palu 27
Luke Burgess 26
Quade Cooper 21
Peter Hynes 27SPRINGBOKS
Fullback Ruan Pienaar 25
Winger Odwa Ndungane 28
Outside centre Jaque Fourie 26
Inside centre Jean de Villiers 28
Winger Bryan Habana 26
Five-eighth Morne Steyn 25
Halfback Fourie du Preez 27
No.8 Pierre Spies 24
Openside flanker Juan Smith 28
Blindside flanker Heinrich Brussow 23
Lock Victor Matfield 32
Lock Bakkies Botha 29
Tighthead prop John Smit (captain) 31
Hooker Bismarck du Plessis 25
Loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira 24Average age of starting side: 27
Reserves:
Chiliboy Ralepelle 22
Jannie du Plessis 26
Danie Rossouw 31
Schalk Burger 26
Ricky Januarie 27
Adi Jacobs 29
Frans Steyn 22
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.