Wary of the Wallabies’ counter-attacking dangers, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has identified the David Pocock-Heinrich Brussow breakdown stoush as the key battle in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
De Villiers didn’t waste any time on Monday highlighting the influence of the two open-side flankers, who rival Richie McCaw and European player of 2011, Ireland’s Sean O’Brien, as the best fetchers in the game.
The often-maligned and controversial coach admitted South Africa stood little chance of retaining the Webb Ellis Cup if Pocock continued his recent superiority over South Africa.
Australia have won five of the last six Tests between the Tri Nations rivals but Brussow missed four of them through injury.
The only time he lined up against the Wallabies in the past two years, it was among a rusty Springbok outfit which let a 6-0 halftime lead slip to go down 14-9 in a tense affair in Durban earlier this year.
Further illustrating the influence of the rival ball scavengers, Pocock was man of the match in his run-on Tri Nations debut against South Africa in September 2009 after Brussow dominated the two earlier meetings that year.
The Western Force star was also sorely missed when the Wallabies were upset by Ireland a fortnight ago.
De Villiers openly admitted the Boks would continue with their well-grooved field position game which suits knockout tournament rugby, cashing in on penalties through radar-boot Morne Steyn.
But he realises it doesn’t matter where Australia get the ball from breakdown turnovers as Will Genia and Quade Cooper have traditionally revelled in counter-attacking against South African teams.
“We have two of the best players who play at the ball in world rugby out on the field with David and Heinrich so it’s going to be a great contest,” he said.
“They are very good at breakdown time, and that’s where (Australia) get all their play from turnovers but we have to look after our ball carefully and put good phases together.
“Their decision making is really spot on and then when they get turnovers they’re really better than most teams in that they come from depth, they make yardage immediately and then they force you to scramble on defence.
“If they get it right, you’re in for a long, long day. If you can shut it down, for them it’s going to be a nice and equal contest.
“We will get it wrong if we make easy decisions for (Cooper).”
In a start to the mind games, Springboks skipper John Smit claimed the Wallabies held a mental edge through their recent record but the Australians have dismissed it as irrelevent.
One help to Australia’s cause is South Africa’s injury loss of Frans Steyn as the strapping inside centre can kick booming 60m penalty goals.
But Pocock and Wallabies skipper James Horwill denied they could push the boundaries around half-way and be any less disciplined with Morne Steyn in great form.
“(Discipline) is huge for us, you know any penalty in your own half that’s three points for them, so it will be in our mind,” Pocock said.
flying hori
Guest
there will be some very sore bodies after this game thats for sure, both have to play out of their skins, neither team has stood out so far in this tournament, it will be won in the set peices
mattamkII
Guest
jesus what a strange statement. He must be the millionth player to come off in the lead only to lose....really not sure how it proves anything.
mattamkII
Guest
well said. 100% agree.
mattamkII
Guest
Haha... I love that the myth of the Saffer scrum even fools saffers themselves. I could take that dig from an Englishman but the saffer scrum has barely ever troubled the wallabies let alone anyone else.
Vastevyff
Guest
What games have you been watching mate! The Wobblies cant scrum! Even the Russians gave them a go. This is not the rusty side which lost in Durban mate! Go BOKKE!!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I cant wait for this match up and this game. All three Southern hemi 7's are absolute stars. When Brussow and Pocock dont play, there side's are weakend massively. If one of these two go down then it's World cup over for that side. Being an All Black supporter im praying McCaw is fit, without him we will get owned at the breakdown by either of these guys. For me Brussow and Pocock are currently better fetchers then McCaw. But McCaw's all round game is still better then both of these guys. For me this game will be a battle of the 9's and 7's whoever dominates these two positions will win this game. It's going to come down to goal kicking. And Morne is the better kicker. I think South Africa may just win this by less then 3 points.
Photon
Guest
I wonder how many Wallaby fans remember that when Brussouw was taken off in Durban the Boks were winning
Sam Taulelei
Guest
I actually think the battle between Brussow and Pocock won't be as influential as to how the Springboks contain Wil Genia. Genia is the key to unlocking this Wallaby side, Pocock can only operate as well as the platform from his tight five and as we've seen during this tournament, the effectiveness of counter rucking means that it's more important in how quickly the second wave of supporting players arrive at the breakdown, than the first man there who can't contest for the ball once the ruck is formed any way. Cooper attracts all the headlines with his flashy skills, but Genia is the brains of that backline and if Barnes isn't selected to run on, then there's nobody else to relieve Cooper of pressure if Genia is hassled and manhandled.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Yeah - it's an absolute nightmare appointment for the Wallabies. I honestly would have prefered Craig Joubert, even though he's South African. At least he referees what's in front of him and not what's in his imagination.
mattamkII
Guest
Jack - was even worse at one stage against the Russians. The Russians pull and crazy illegal wheel with the flanker moving up and onto the prop etc. yet he calls it their way. Two minutes later the Aussie pull off a perfect drive through the loosehead and he calls us for an illegal wheel. The guy is a joke.
Jack
Guest
Bryce Lawrence is the key. He prejudges the scrums and find fault with the Wallabies whenever he can. Watch the Ireland game again. He penalises from the other side and then the replay shows the Irish prop on his hads and knees. The Irish were going straight to ground. The Boks will do everything they can to pull down the scrum and Lawrence will penalise Australia. Against Russia the Wallabies were going for a push over try and the Russian’s all stood up and Lawrence says “use it”. If that was the Wallabies he would have penalised for sure. Lawrence is red hot on the scrums and allows defenders to stand offside while he waives them back. Why? Offside is offside. Penalise them the same as the props. No second and third warnings and then the Wallaby backline can have a go.
Robert Wojcik
Guest
This game will boil down to the ref. From the games agst Samoa...the ref was on their side....so they got away with alot of things.
mattamkII
Guest
lost a massive amount of respect for Brussow during the game against Samoa. Carried on like a little girl, got dirty and then took a dive.
thurl
Guest
Theres two matches of the round. I looking forward to Wales Ireland. it should be a cracker as well
Rugby Reg
Guest
The welsh can stay i have aways been a fan of their style! Wales v ab' or wbs in final would be awesome. lets hope the frogs have their 'one' good game this weekend against those horrible poms. match of the round will be Boks v Wallabies! GO WALLABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bokka
Guest
Beating Australia? .. yeah I see the resemblance.
ny ben
Roar Rookie
Not ireland.....is it just me or do they play like England 2003
Robert Wojcik
Guest
AMEN TO THAT.
GPC
Guest
yep, on the topic of boring rugby im hoping argentina, england, ireland and south africa go home after this weekend so running rugby can be the winner of this world cup.
Robert Wojcik
Guest
GO WALLABIES GO....WACK THEM NICELY...!!!! :D