Millwall Football Club is famous for its terrace chant “nobody likes us, we don’t care”.
The Boks have taken that motto to a whole new level the last few months. At least to them, winning really is everything.
Despite the polite utterances of respect from Faf de Klerk and others at press conference this week, I am sure the Springboks enter this Test against the Wallabies supremely confident.
South Africa has beaten the Lions without much preparation in a series played during political and social turmoil. Their spiritual leader has been hauled before World Rugby. Their style of play has been widely condemned. How could preparations be any more disrupted?
And then Dave Rennie picked Quade Cooper.
Certainly, this is a massive roll of the dice by Rennie. But with James O’Connor not quite ready, Noah Lolesio struggling and Reece Hodge the only other option, this is a risk that needed to be taken.
More than that, the selection of Cooper has occurred at the right time, in the right place and against the right team. Yes, you read that right.
(Photo by Getty images).
All rugby people will recall that dazzling night at Suncorp Stadium in 2011 when Cooper and the Reds played rugby the way it is played in heaven, the right way, and beat the Crusaders fair and square to win the Super Rugby title.
Not as many will remember 16 April 2011 when the Reds beat the Bulls 39-30. That was a game in which Cooper scored a try, set up two others and kicked a drop goal. That Bulls side included Morne Steyn at ten as well as a starting pack featuring Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield and Pierre Spies.
The Reds beat the Bulls that night running them ragged. Quick throw-ins were taken at line outs, the ball wasn’t kicked out and the Reds led by Quade Cooper attacked from broken play time and again.
That is the way you beat the Springboks, especially a Springboks team now conditioned to kick the ball away and wait for mistakes or fumbles.
We saw the difference Finn Russell’s arrival on the field for the Lions in the third Test made. Instantly, he attacked the line and moved the big South African pack around the field.
Of course, he entered the series too late but has since said: “I thought that in all three Tests we should have played more rugby and gone at them a bit more. We kept the attack narrow.”
There is no doubt at all that Rennie agrees with Finn Russell and has picked Cooper for that reason. If the Wallabies play a narrow game dominated by set pieces, they will get beaten.
Cooper will also attack the line in ways that Lolesio has not had the confidence or experience to do. Flat passes, lateral movement and use of space in behind will create doubt in the minds of South African defenders who have faced a decent flyhalf for all of 60 minutes since way back in 2019.
It is also notable that numerous Springboks are returning from leg injuries, including the talismanic Faf de Klerk and Duane Vermeulen. What run will they have in their legs having not played high-tempo Test rugby since the World Cup?
(Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
The big question is whether the Wallabies have the cattle to pull off the game plan Rennie will want Cooper to implement.
In place of Digby Ioane, there is now Koroibete. In place of Will Genia, there’s Tate McDermott. In placed of Scott Higginbotham, there is Rob Valetini. On the face of it at least, those aren’t bad substitutions.
The bench also looks designed to have a go. Feleti Kaitu’u, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou and Rob Leota are not going to slow the game down when they come on.
However, how close will the Wallabies be at that time? Will they be able to get close to matching the Springboks’ physicality at the breakdown for 80 minutes?
Not only have the Wallabies failed to put together an 80-minute performance this year, they have melted in the heat of battle all too often. The jokes about their chocolate sponsor and playing style have proliferated.
Maybe they just needed a light to be drawn to, a general to lead them around the field. A little magic.
That’s a lot to put on Quade Cooper after four years out of the Test arena. But what does he have to lose? A lot less than the Springboks is the answer. I mean, he’s already been denied an Aussie passport!
While not many people outside Queensland have liked Quade Cooper over the years, I don’t think he cares much either. In front of a parochial crowd on the Gold Coast, that makes him dangerous.
wre01
Roar Guru
Did it crush perceptions? I think not.
ChickenGeorge
Guest
Lolesio is a joke who doesn’t hold to a candle to any of the players mentioned. If he was such a good player, why has been like a noose around the team’s neck? Time to stop overhyping these Wannabies and have an honest discussion about just how poor the new generation of Australian rugby players really are. Come on RA, make the tough decisions and ditch the poor expansion franchises so we can save the heartland. Don’t give into Piru, EFF & co or they’ll be the last two fans left
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Is it a huge issue with a 6-2 bench, two tired Boks at most?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Did you not see the 2011 SR season when he was without peer? The question to be answered is if, ten years later, he has retained the speed of thought and execution, while building the strength of mind to handle the pressure.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
"More than that, the selection of Cooper has occurred at the right time, in the right place and against the right team. Yes, you read that right." I don't think anyone would disagree with this, the form of both sides makes the Boks overwhelming favourites. The only question was whether they might struggle against a more unpredictable style of rugby, such as the All Blacks or, a bit more hit and miss, the Wallabies. It is a roll of the dice whether Cooper is really able to play at test level intensity. Roll again to find out if has eliminated dreadful mistakes under pressure. Roll again to find out if he has improved his defensive positioning to at least obstruct runners. Don't know if I would bother rolling to find out if he might have become a dynamic defender. With Cooper, DR has weighted the dice significantly. A victory of the ages might be possible, as is an embarrassing defeat. Genia was also reported as saying he sees no reason why Quade cannot play through until the RWC. If he succeeds this evening then I think that he will do that. He has had a lot of rest breaks over time and may have avoided the wear and tear, and physical toll of his peers. I will be staggered if there is not a huge TV audience for this one.
Armtwister
Roar Rookie
All will be found out in the next 4-5 weeks. Interesting times.
Android-angler Cartman-brah
Roar Rookie
He's using outdated stereotypes against the boks. I'll keep my mouth shut for now and wait for the result rather. Sure Aus in the past has been a banana skin. Lets see if they immobile, turnstile, boring,one dimensional etc versus touch basketball rugby
Armtwister
Roar Rookie
Reality is though, most players need a game or two to get back into the groove. Also the players around said player. So I personally wouldn‘t think it wise to expect too much.
biltong
Guest
Well, you made the statement, so you make the call
wre01
Roar Guru
Man for man, 1-8, which Springbok is more mobile than his opposite Australian or Kiwi opposite number?
Brett Susan
Roar Rookie
Why not? Which of that pack lacks mobility. There’s absolutely no cart horses in that pack whatsoever.
biltong
Guest
looking forward to tomorrow's test, should crush a view perceptions of the Springboks.
wre01
Roar Guru
I don’t agree that the Boks have the mobility in the pack that the Wallabies and New Zealand (or even Argentina) have. The Boks are very obvious about their desire to slow the game, especially at set pieces. They pick packs to strangle their opposition in tight and packs that do that are necessarily less mobile.
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, the “huge” Boks are the same size as all the top teams. The Bok pack is very mobile, with the exception of Malherbe, but he eats you.
biltong
Guest
Whilst I understand where you are coming from as a Wallaby supporters, I think there is much more to the Bok game than you wish to recognise. They do the basics extremely well. Their set piece can be rated top class. Their defnece probably the best in the world, considering the few tries they concede. As for their breakdown, haven't been overpowered by anyone. So looking at the basics, and considering the NH is very much focused on those areas, the Boks haven't been outclasses in any of the basics. Then the Bok attack. Their maul attack is very good. Their counter off loose ball, errors and turnover ball is potent. They have a kick pass that is accurate and effective, the grubber is part of their arsenal. Their kicking game is therefor not as one dimensional as many want to believe. Concerning the box kick and territory kicks, adequate and well contested. As for phase play, yes that is the one predictable area of Bok attack. Quade Cooper may well be a positive for the Aussies, but one man doesn't make a team. The Boks will be aware of any type of play potentially coming from the Wallabies. Then of course, there is also a case to be made, how will the Wallabies handle the Bok game?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Let’s see how it plays out. No doubt the Bokke stretched things during the Lions series but they’re match fit now. We may hope for a breather
Armtwister
Roar Rookie
What’s with Reece Hodge? The one start he had in recent memory he did really well imo. Not spectacular, but solid, made good choices, kicked well etc, and they won.
Armtwister
Roar Rookie
The Boks will avoid running where possible, and try to slow down the game at every opportunity. It was obvious during the Lions series. That’s why I believe all those calling for „time off“ during scrums etc is a mistake. That would be perfect for teams that traditionally love to play from set piece only, and would kill the possibility of using any advantage that could rightfully be earned through higher fitness levels. That was/is the point of difference that teams such as the ABs, Wallabies have endeavoured to employ versus the traditionally „bigger/ponderous“ teams like Eng/SA. Time off would imo lead to more of an American Football type of spectacle, chess in slow motion over 3 Hrs. Thats why I‘m really looking forward to seeing the Wallabies attempt to play „smash and grab DR style“ on Sunday, as a sort of blue print for the ABs in the following showdowns. Mouth watering prospect.
Brett Susan
Roar Rookie
The idea that you run the big forward around to tire them out is a fallacy. Firstly, the Boks are no bigger than their opponents. Secondly, their forwards are far better conditioned than in years gone by. That thinking is exactly what the Boks will want and one can see how teams using this approach came completely unstuck in the World Cup in particular.
WEST
Roar Guru
Bit of a cliché. But very true, the Wallabies Game Plan they used against the All Blacks didn’t work. DR looked like he tried a fight fire with fire approach. I sometimes think the Wallabies actually have an identity that’s better suited against teams like SA. Hence their win ratio is far better. The structure and predictable style of the Springboks is easier for Australia to manoeuvre around.. At least has been in the past. We’ll see if this new breed of Wallabies can work it out? Wallabies, need Tongan Thor, I believe the biggest man on field to go to work. Keep it simple, do the basics well. Keep their eyes open to anything that looks like an option. Don’t get flustered, they looked to rushed in their attack against the ABs. Keep it cool, make SA do all the work.