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It’s going to be a desperate contest when the Boks take on the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.
Desperate because both teams have had their pride well and truly dented, and are busting to show that their last outing was not a true barometer of their ability. Not a correct reading of their skill level or desire to win.
You may recall that the Boks came within an ace of becoming the first team in the Rugby Championship to lose to the Pumas. And the Wallabies were thrashed and humbled by the All Blacks.
So we have two teams who are muttering to themselves about showing the rugby world that, far from being clueless and unenthusiastic, they’re actually untiring and dynamic; tough and strong in the forwards, clever and swift in the backs.
But is this so? As Mark Keohane, the South African rugby writers says, the difference between last year’s Springboks and this year’s is the make-up of the match squad.
There is no Fourie du Preez to remedy any decision-making inaccuracies. There is no Jaque Fourie at No. 13 to organise defence, and no JP Pietersen to complete the back three as a unit. There is also no Willem Alberts or Schalk Burger to play aggressor and enforcer as the ball-carrying blind side flank option. The Beast has battled all year with health concerns and injury, Jannie du Plessis looks out on his feet, and Bismarck has the strained expression of a man not enjoying his job.
When it comes to the Wallabies, the operative word seems to be “unsettled”. Wallabies fans argue endless about the best backline combo. Who should be mixed and who should be matched. And will the latest iteration finally click?
As for the forwards, some will insist that Higginbotham, Palu, Fardy, Simmons and Butler are doing a good job, while others will say the opposite is true. Unsettled indeed.
But at least there’s one thing for certain – the Boks intend to restore their reputation as bruising winners, especially as they go on from Perth to play the All Blacks in Wellington a week later. And the Wallabies want to show everybody that nobody puts 51 points on them without feeling an unforgiving backlash.
Yep. It’s going to be a desperate contest.
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.