The Wallabies’ backs no longer have to talk themselves up – Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer has done it all for them.
While Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie admits he’s still looking for his best halves pairing – having dropped Kurtley Beale and Nic White for Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps – Meyer has labelled the new combination as “one of the best backlines we’ve ever faced”.
“Australia’s got an unbelievable, an exceptional backline,” he said.
“It’s a brilliant backline. I truly believe that. They’re big, they’re quick and they’re in form.
“Look at the pairing on the bench as well, both players (Kurtley Beale and Nic White) are world class.”
While many will interpret Meyer’s comments as pre-match mind games, his own selections for Saturday’s clash at Perth’s Patersons Stadium back up the big statements.
Meyer has bolstered the defensive structure of his backline to prepare for Israel Folau, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley-Cooper and co, with reliable veteran five-eighth Morne Steyn replacing young gun Handre Pollard, and Jan Serfontein in at outside centre for Damian de Allende.
“No.13 is probably the most difficult position to defend at and I just feel that Jan is very experienced there,” Meyer said.
“He’s a great defender. And this backline will punish you if you’re not at your best defensively.
“Obviously we are nervous, especially defensively for these guys.
“But we want to be positive as well and try to impose our way of play on them.”
superba
Guest
That is not true .The WBs won by 6 .If Larkham missed that drop Aust would have won by 3 as a penalty followed the drop .
Daz
Guest
I've got a bad feeling the Boks are buttering us up before they have us on toast.
Targa
Guest
After Joel Stransky (& Suzie admittedly) won you the WC in 95, it was poetic justice that you lost to a droppie (& after Jannie de Beer in the qfs!)
Rob G
Guest
he knows the australian psyche. Most aussies only care about the back line. Id hazard the most talked about person on the roar in the last 5 years would be QC.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
I wouldn't put too much down on those though. Both seem very unrealistic to me.
El Gamba
Guest
Yeah I think there was a bit of a conspiracy theory about those mate! The questions will be answered tomorrow, i'm nervous as an aussie but trust rugby will be the winner on the day :)
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Yes. Live by the sword, die by sword indeed. We had also lost the cricket semi to Aus in the same year (remember when those two dummies stuffed up the last ball?). The drop goal was too much for me to take in. This weekend is another tough one to call. So many questions here that no one is capable of answering.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
100% Brendan, what a great moment the SL drop goal was. Live by the sword die by the sword in the context of that tournament. HM is also correct regarding the wallaby back line. There's no mind games in that particular statement I don't think. The mind games lie in what he hasn't said, which is if the forwards don't provide a platform, you can have 7 Izzy Folau's that can't do a thing.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Would any of you agree that the Boks were heading for a loss, with or without Bissie there? We didn't seem in control at any point during that game.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Are you referring to DMac's comment or mine? I agree with you though. On paper, this must be the second best backline in the world.
Xenomorph
Guest
I think Aus will do just fine in the forwards and it will come down to who can slot their goals best. Everyone seems to be down on Aus but SA have played no better.
Xenomorph
Guest
Ha ha? Aus is 3rd in the world and beat SA last time they played in Perth. Unless Meyer is a complete m0r0n, which he isnt, he knows that playing Aus in Aus is difficult, probably the 2nd hardest place for SA to play in the entire world. He isnt a Roarer that isnt aware that Aus is one of SAs biggest threats, he knows that they are a threat and is just saying so.
Xenomorph
Guest
Yeah. Ha... Ha
Xenomorph
Guest
It is one of the best backlines theyve faced. It would go NZ as the best and probably Aus as 2nd. I dont get the joke, it is clearly one of the best backlines theyve faced. ...lol :-| ?
Xenomorph
Guest
So Ewen has found his best halves pairing. I think I will wait and see thanks.
richard
Guest
RT - agree 100%.
Rollaway7
Guest
All blacks fielding experimental backline Odds multi AB to beat arg by less then 13 SA to beat Aus by more then 13 $33 Cheeky little bet
WQ
Guest
Pity Steve Hansen is not listening!
Dsat24
Guest
The WBs wont find much advantage in the forwards except for perhaps Hoopers speed so will have to rely on the backs and I cant see many opportunities until perhaps well into the second half when there are some tiring forwards. Then we will see Folau hitting inside channels at angles. The SBs arent always great at defending angled runners so we'll see but maybe it might be abit late for the WBs anyway later in the game.
Yeah mate, I do agree with with you, one thing Meyer doesn't do is find excuses. Maybe one of the reasons why an out of form Bok team still manages to pull off the close wins.