Robbie Deans keeps faith with the Brisbane winners

By Spiro Zavos / Expert

The Wallaby coach, Robbie Deans, has kept faith with the team that defeated the Springboks at Brisbane. Most notably, he has kept the pack that did well in that game, including the young hooker Saia Faignaa.

A number of experts thought Deans would go Stephen Moore, for his bulk and power around the field. But as John Smit showed against the All Blacks last week, the modern game encourages more mobility in the tight forwards and Faignaa, who plays as another loose forward, supplies that for the Wallabies.

Deans has bowed to pressure from most rugby commentators and has brought Scott Higginbotham into the 22. This would have seemed an obvious move following his sensational form against South African sides for the Reds. He got injured. When he came back, so some sources have told me, he found it hard to get up to the fitness required for Test rugby.

He is in the squad now and is likely to get some good time on the field as Deans brings on reserves to counter the effects of altitude.

There was talk before the Test that Deans would go for a five forwards – two backs split. He has resisted this.

The interesting inclusion in the reserves is Anthony Faignaa, as cover for the outside backs, I would guess. Faignaa is direct in his running and general play and if one of the backs is having difficulty with tackling or catching the high balls then Faignaa comes on and there is a shift among the backs to accommodate the change.

On paper, the backline appears to be full of running. But it has to do the job on the field, and this has only happened a couple of times this season.

The weakness of the side is in the front five, in my opinion.

The scrum is still a bit dodgy, although it should be able to cope with an equally dodgy Springboks scrum. I’d like the forwards to be a bit more confrontational against a Springboks pack that is tired and feeling its age. Some rolling mauls and vigorous counter-rucking are in order.

When the side was named, the ARU provided some interesting statistics on the history of Australia-South Africa Tests. These statistics indicate just how hard the task is in front of the Wallabies to win at altitude against the Springboks for the first time in 43 years.

A win on Saturday would reclaim for the Wallabies the Mandela Trophy after Australia won the opening Tri Nations international between the two teams.

The Wallabies team to play South Africa in the Tri Nations Series and Mandela Trophy Test at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria on Saturday 28 August at 5pm (1am, Sun 29 August, AEST) is:

15. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
14. James O’Connor (Western Force)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
12. Matt Giteau (Brumbies)
11. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
8. Richard Brown (Western Force)
7. David Pocock (Western Force)
6. Rocky Elsom (Brumbies, captain)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
3. Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies)
2. Saia Faingaa (Queensland Reds)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)

Run on reserves:
16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Ben McCalman (Western Force)
19. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
20. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
21. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
22. Anthony Faingaa (Queensland Reds)

Australia v South Africa in South Africa – Historical Notes

This will be the 73rd meeting between Australia and South Africa at all venues. Australia has won 28, including the two most recent meetings, and South Africa 43, while one match has been drawn.

Just eight of Australia’s previous wins have been attained on South African soil, with the Springboks taking the other 29 matches that have been played.

Australia has won just twice previously at high veldt venues – in 1933 at Bloemfontein and 1963 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The Wallabies have been beaten on all four previous visits to Loftus Versfeld in 1963, 1997, 2001 and 2005.

Australia’s most recent win on South African soil was a 27-15 win at Durban in 2008 which secured the Mandela Trophy. That success was the first achieved by the Wallabies in the Republic for eight years.

Prior to South Africa’s readmission to international sport in 1992, Australia had won just seven of the 31 matches played.
The scoreboard stands at 21 wins to Australia and 19 to South Africa, with one drawn, for the period since then.

The 1997 Tri Nations Test at the ground saw Australia concede its highest ever score against South Africa.

South Africa has lost just two of its last 10 Tests at the ground since 2000, with both of those being won by the All Blacks, in 2003 and 2006. Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans was coaching co-ordinator for the 2003 All Blacks who, in beating South Africa 52-16 at Loftus, inflicted the heaviest ever home defeat on the Springboks.

The Crowd Says:

2010-08-28T19:34:43+00:00

Jerry

Guest


Won 19, lost 16, drawn 1. 52.8% winning percentage.

2010-08-28T17:56:49+00:00

MOTHER TERESA

Guest


JASON,WHATS HIS EXACT PERCENTAGE WINS, perhaps he can go and help mooney in dunedin(nil from 5)they say similarity attracts..

2010-08-28T17:52:54+00:00

MOTHER TERESA

Guest


deans ,should be on the first available flight back to australia to pick up his belongings before taking a ship back to NZ

2010-08-28T17:48:56+00:00

cookee

Guest


OJ, LUCID AS ALWAYS.SHOUT YOURSELF A DRINK

2010-08-28T17:46:23+00:00

Jason

Guest


There's a real risk the Wallabies will go five wins from 18 tests in the Tri Nations under Deans. Add to that a record loss against the Springbok and a record run of losses against the All Blacks during his tenure.

2010-08-28T17:45:55+00:00

cookee

Guest


RR,deans should go and the reds mckenzie et al should takeover with their innovation and entertaining style coupled with an understanding of basics/strategy otherwise god help aust rugby future. to be outplayed by bok coach really says it all dont it

2010-08-28T17:36:16+00:00

cookee

Guest


OJ,cos of situational factors at crusaders which most cant get their heads arounnd(esp deans himself) deans believes his resolute (read stubborness)approach will work with wallabies.it is naiive and transparent.most of all it is DUMB. this game was handed to the wallabies.and the coach lost it for them. look at the assistants what a forlorn disparate bunch. barnes,burgess surely could have injected some energy in last 15.but cant sub leaguie cooper i guess. has oneill got the necessary steel to admit his mistake or will we continue with tomorrow,tomorrow

2010-08-28T17:32:24+00:00

Hayden

Guest


Surely Robbie 'Ice in his Veins' Deans can't be feeling the pressure. He has that possum in the headlights look at the moment, and these Wallabies are starting to develop a losing culture.

2010-08-28T17:17:52+00:00

ohtani's jacket

Guest


Deans is so bad he makes P Divvy look good.

2010-08-28T17:12:52+00:00

ohtani's jacket

Guest


What was the point of having Barnes and Fainga'a on the bench and using neither of them? Why did Saia Fainga'a come back onto the field? Why bother having Burgess in the squad? Why haven't I gone to bed yet??

2010-08-28T17:02:01+00:00

Hayden

Guest


I've gotta agree with you OJ. Deans use of the bench has been abysmal during the course of his tenure, and again so tonight. Fresh guys riding the pine while the guys on the field are out on their feet. Tired players making poor decisions. Great game to be a neutral observer though. Hats off to both teams.

2010-08-28T16:58:07+00:00

ohtani's jacket

Guest


I'm sure Australia's lack of domestic rugby will again cop the blame for Robbie's poor coaching.

2010-08-28T16:54:33+00:00

Jason

Guest


That was a choke of epic proportions.

2010-08-28T16:51:38+00:00

Cliff (Bishkek)

Guest


At least I got a connection - IRAQGOALS.COM The Wallabies did us proud They played like the WOLLOBIES of old ---- LOST A GAME THAT THEY HAD THE CHANCE TO WIN. Gave it away by going to one man hit outs - and not using the backs effectively in the last 15 Sorry - BUT DO WE HAVE A CAPTAIN WHO DIRECTS - No!

2010-08-28T16:47:42+00:00

Red Rooster

Guest


OJ - Haven't you worked out that the ARU philosophy is all about "more of the same", its only the RWC that counts. Winning at altitude was just a topic that was spun to keep the media interested other wise they would have managed it better. I thought the Springboks weren't going to be able to reproduce the effort from the week before - sounds like everyone got it wrong

2010-08-28T16:38:12+00:00

Photon

Guest


Look, we were bad, but the Wallabies were abysmal. 14 nil 21-7. How do you blow a game like that. Saying the Boks were terrible is a understatement, I don't know how we won!!

2010-08-28T16:31:05+00:00

ohtani's jacket

Guest


Amateur hour coaching by Deans again. They're crazy if they keep him on for the next game.

2010-08-28T15:37:57+00:00

ohtani's jacket

Guest


Crazy first half.

2010-08-28T12:02:27+00:00

Bokkie

Roar Rookie


Perhaps Deans went with BB and AF because he is unsure of what game the boks are going to bring? With Francois Steyn back in the side (thank god) Deans might be thinking that they dont want to get stuck in their own half with no real recognised kicker other than MG... If the boks play a running game then AF would be the best option for his straight running and defence.... BB does like to kick.

2010-08-28T01:27:22+00:00

ohtani's jacket

Guest


Didn't hurt the Boks hanging out on the Gold Coast instead of Hamilton.

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