The Wallabies have taken aim at South Africa’s living legend, Victor Matfield, as they deflected one accusation of set-piece trickery with another in Cape Town.
On their first day in the Republic, Australia woke to newspaper headlines of scrum “tricks” but took little time to respond in kind in the build-up to an intriguing battle for rugby’s world No.2 ranking.
Forwards coach Andrew Blades singled out reactivated 115-Test lock Matfield as a master manipulator of referees and his pack would be on guard for a Newlands backlash on Sunday morning (AEST).
The 37-year-old Springbok was incensed after the Wallabies’ thrilling 24-23 win in Perth three weeks ago, alleging their dangerous driving maul was often stopped by players coming in from the side.
Blades revealed they expected the Boks to maintain the rage with “loads of pressure” on Welsh referee Nigel Owens to allow their renowned lineout attacks.
“Victor is very good at manipulating that situation and trying to create something in the back of people’s heads,” he said.
“You even watch it in-game, when he plays for the Bulls, if someone stops their drive he’s straight across to the referees assistant to give him his thoughts, and often at the next lineout there’s a penalty when nothing’s happening.
“That’s just the value of experience. He is a great lineout exponent, probably one of the best ever, and that’s why he is able to control the way the game is played around the lineout.”
Blades said Australia’s success in quelling their lineout drives in Perth boiled down to effective defensive tactics not to compete in the air and nullify the threat on the ground.
“It wasn’t like we were doing anything illegal so we’re happy with that as one of the tactics we take in,” he said.
“But we also understand that the pressure we put on, there’ll probably be a penalty against us.”
A World Cup-winning prop of 32 Tests experience, Blades scoffed at suggestions the Wallabies scrum held their own against the Boks and Argentina through their own crafty tactics.
“We get that from a lot of teams, they try to look at the fact that if Australia has success in the scrum it must be because they’re doing something illegal,” he said.
“That’s just a standard thing we get most weeks, everyone just gets on with it, we’re not worried about it.”
With 50-Test rake Tatafu Polota-Nau (ankle) sidelined, Australia do face an interesting selection at hooker with James Hanson in line to start, but he was often overlooked by Queensland this season, in favour of Saia Fainga’a, when the Reds played South African sides.
rugby7
Guest
I hope Wayne Barnes benefited from his stint as TJ-Ref's Assistant to the superb peformance by Nigel Owens on Saturday. 20+phase-playing does not happen by chance; the ref was looking to let the players get the benefit of the Advantage law (and clearly signalled he was doing so frequently). I'm a died-in-the-wool Wallaby supporter, but thoroughly enjoyed the game, and commend Owens for his contribution to its style. One criticism, however: several times the Jolly Green Giants dived full length (off their feet) and covered the ruck like a table-cloth, clearly blattantly infringing to try to kill the opponents' chance of recycling their ball. As these events happened in full view, right under the ref's eyes, why was that important section of the law ignored? Was it a case, as all too often happens, that the ref took the field with a subconscious preconceived opinion that he would expect one side to be the more dominant in scrums/rucks?
Bakkies
Guest
One of the reasons why Fardy was selected he is useful at stopping the drive at source and going through the middle of the maul which is the best way to stop it legally. Another way is to actually contest the throw which disrupts clean ball I don't why teams don't do it more often.
Bakkies
Guest
Well that is mostly accurate.
Old Bugger
Guest
And who says so.....??
Jerry
Guest
The captain has no more rights than any other player to question decisions. It's entirely up to the ref whether he allows discussion from the captain or anyone else.
Steve
Guest
You seriously know nothing about South African rugby if you truly believe the Boks would see a match for a #2 ranking as bigger than a match at home v NZ.
niwdeyaj
Guest
for the Springboks, this is the big game with #2 ranking on the line. Nothing to gain for either team next week, particularly the AB's, so wouldn't be surprised if they switch off and enjoy the tour old school style...
IvanN
Guest
Boks have worked on their scrum, and gave the all blacks a few good shoves around there - scrum advantage Boks Etzebeth seems to steal more ball than matfield, and with aussies using hooker number 463 - lineout advantage Boks Flo is a great ball stealer but makes what, 2 a game? The Boks are using multiple players to steal and disrupt ball, not only Flo - and with Marcel moving to 6, i dont expect the Boks to lose anything in this task - Vermeulen will be strong as ever, and now add another strong carrier in Mohoje - clear advantage in the loose Boks. As we saw last year, with the Aussie globe trotter backline - you cant do much, when your pack is back peddling. boks by 10, only because they will take their foot off in the second half, in preparation for the big game... at Ellis Park
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Riccardo : i think this was more of a diversion tactic after the scrum reffing in the Argie match came in for criticism . while watching the match i though the OZ scrum was low ; and when there were articles on ROAR, even Scot Allen agreed that the OZ may have been lucky for 60 minutes. also Victor lost the battle of wits with the ref in the last match. early on the French ref told him off (something like I will do the reffing , u do the playing - wihc i thought was good cooment from a Frenchman :) ) IMO the rolling maul is one aspect that is better referred than others. i believe the ref gets the calls right more often than not - compared to say a scrum ruling or a ruck ruling. may be it is becoz "swimming from the side" or "pulling down" are easy to spot than say who pulled the scrum down :D
Magic Sponge
Guest
Cant wait to see victor and Etzebn destroy our second rowers and then see the return of Big Willy.
soapit
Guest
at least youre mixing some intelligent discussion with this kind of whiny rubbish a bit more these days (in other articles anyway)
markie362
Guest
Thats a bit rich when all the aussie commentators accuse richie of cheating 100%of the time.sometimes before kick off.
moaman
Guest
{"“It wasn’t like we were doing anything illegal so we’re happy with that as one of the tactics we take in,” he said. “But we also understand that the pressure we put on, there’ll probably be a penalty against us.” } That last sentence puzzles me.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Of course the Wallabies weren't doing anything wrong. Has there ever been a more saintly side than the Wallabies? And hasn't being choir boys cost them so many tests over the years. It's a shame rugby matches aren't determined by who is best and fairest otherwise the Wallabies would be number one on the paddock and not just in our hearts.
willy
Guest
Have to agree with Riccardo. Owens has been around too long to be sucked in by players, no matter how experienced they are. And also agree about Owens's ranking.
Mielie
Guest
Yes, the Wobblies wish with all their heart that the Bokke played croquet instead of Rugby. They are the only Rugby team in the world that took full advantage of the apartheid years which allowed them an excuse not to play the Springboks.
Old Bugger
Guest
Too true Ric. If he's captain on the day, then he has every right to ask "Err, excuse me Sir..." If he is not captain, then Nigel (we're on first name basis him and I - I call him Nigel and he calls me Old) has every right to say "Err, you're excused..."
Sorted
Guest
Agree with Jake, I think the Wallabies will just be a bit of a speed bump on the way to the big game.
Zero Gain
Guest
Silly post...
Sorted
Guest
One thing I've noticed that the Wallabies have been getting away with regularly this year is the position of the the props head and shoulders copmpared to their hips. The rules say that the head and shoulders can be no lower than the hips, however referees this year seem to be letting the Wallaby front row of the hook with this. As stated by Cyclops, you've got to play to the ref, so if he says it's legal, then it's legal.