News
Deans - SA the ultimate test
August 22 2008
Both Australia and South Africa head into Saturday's Tri-Nations showdown in Durban off the back of heavy defeats to the All Blacks and Wallaby coach Robbie Deans says he does not need to remind his players of the importance the result hold for both sides.
"[The situation] doesn't need emphasising," Deans told the press in Cape Town on Thursday ahead of Wallabies' departure for Durban.
"The players respect the Springboks to the extent where they are fully aware that every time we play South Africa they're in for a genuine physical contest.
"I guess the circumstances just heighten that awareness - but that's good, anything that gets them in the right frame of mind prior to the kick-off is good."
The Aussies have spent the week in the shadow of Cape Town's famous Table Mountain which Deans and his crew walked up as part of their "annual pilgrimage."
But touring the Republic is about far more than hiking trips or sight-seeing and the Wallaby boss is under no illusions that this weekend his team will face potentially the toughest test of his era as coach so far.
"Personally, I love touring South Africa. It's the ultimate rugby experience," added the former Crusaders boss.
"It's the ultimate rugby nation. If you look at things over a long period of time, this is the place you come to test yourself.
"They're a pretty complete side - you don't get the World Cup without being that."
South Africa have their backs to the wall, but Deans is reluctant to say that their recent poor results were a sign of weakness since his own side were looking to bounce back from defeat.
"If you look within those games they could very easily have been the other way around, that's just the nature of Tri-Nations rugby," he said.
"Things haven't fallen South Africa's way in recent times. They'll be looking to address that this weekend. We had one of those experiences last time we turned out, so you've got two side that don't want a repeat."
The Springboks have already implied they will play an expansive game to make up ground on the Tri-Nations ladder. But some South African supporters believe the Springboks will instead revert to type and wage a traditional battle of attrition up front to gain the ascendancy.
The battle at the breakdown especially, will be crucial in determining a winner on Saturday.
"The set pieces are crucial," said Deans.
"We did well in our previous meeting, but the past will be meaningless on Saturday.
"We just had that learning experience from Sydney to Auckland. It will be an even contest I suspect in both areas. Both sides will be looking for a foundation and if both sides get that you will have a fast game."
With the inclusion of flank Rocky Elsom and full-back Drew Mitchell into the gold and green side, Deans has two players who are champing at the bit to have a run after the frustration of injury.
"Drew has been back from injury now for a while, he's got a good foundation of training with us, so physically he should be fine. In fact he's ready to fire," said the coach.
"Rocky's an influential character to have alongside you and you need those bloke when the going gets difficult, he's pretty reliable. From a player's perspective I think he'll add a bit. He didn't enjoy watching our last outing."
By Ross Hastie