- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Rocky Elsom in action during the Tri-Nations rugby Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, July 24, 2010. The Wallabies ran the world champion Springboks into submission to win the second Tri-nations rugby Test 30-13. (AAP Image/Patrick Hamilton)
The Wallabies, soundly beaten by the All Blacks at Eden Park last week, now face a fully deployed and formidable A-team Springboks in Durban at 1am Sunday AEST. Join The Roar’s Spiro Zavos from 12:30pm today as he answers your questions ahead of the second Tri Nations clash.
The Wallabies have recalled Nathan Sharpe into the run-on side after he was left out of the squad in New Zealand, while the bustling Scott Higginbotham has earned his maiden start with strong performances off the bench.
“Higginbotham has earned this start,” Deans said.
“He’s done well with the time that he’s had and he’s got the prospect of a lot more time and we’re looking for a similar enthusiasm and industriousness in that time.
“It’s a different skill starting at the front end, so there’s some realities you’ve got to deal in with that.
“But I’ve got no doubt he’ll be up for it.”
Deans has also backed James O’Connor as first-choice goalkicker, despite missing three from three against the All Blacks.
“Obviously James wouldn’t have enjoyed his kicking performance at the weekend, but it’s unusual for him. He’s been kicking very well and he’ll kick well again,” Deans said in Durban.
“It’s generally good conditions for kicking here so, no, we don’t see it as an issue going forward from here.”
The Springboks have selected 11 members of the side that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup after an injury-depleted squad lost heavily in Australia and New Zealand.
However, the ‘Boks are well aware of the dangers posed by the Wallabies, led around the field by Quade Cooper, with flyhalf Butch James returning from suspension and hoping to pressure Cooper into mistakes.
“It’s tough to play against a player like [Cooper]. I haven’t played against him since he’s been on fire this season,” said James.
“He’s very difficult (to read). You’ve just got to pick one side and hope that’s the side he was going to go”.
With plenty on the line for both teams, player performances will be heavily scrutinised going into the World Cup with the Wallabies hoping to shake their tag as a team with soft forwards with the occasional moment of brilliance from the backline.
The Roar’s Rugby guru Spiro Zavos will be responding to your questions live from 12.30pm today.
Fire those questions in now – using the comments form below – and join us in another robust afternoon discussion.