News

Deans up for the challenge

August 07 2009

Robbie Deans is adamant his Australia side will be up for the challenge when they come up against South Africa in their Tri-Nations encounter at Newlands on Saturday.

The Wallabies coach named his side to play the Springboks in Cape Town with only one slight surprise coming in the shape of axed veteran forward Phil Waugh.

The Waratahs flanker was left out of the match 22 altogether and replaced on the bench by winger Peter Hynes.

It was the only change to the line-up that suffered a 22-16 loss to New Zealand last month as the Australians returned to a more traditional split of four forwards and three backs in the reserves.

Deans, who rejoined the team on Wednesday after attending the funeral of his father earlier this week, thinks playing against the world champions is motivation enough for his troops.

"It's a fantastic task coming up against the top-ranked side in the world at Newlands," he said.

"It's one of the best venues in the game and these blokes love these occasions.

"It's an opportunity for us and the boys are in a good frame of mind. They're showing good heart.

"There's a good clarity around what we are doing and a high level of enthusiasm.

While Australia have not won in Cape Town since 1992, the squad features 13 of the players who participated in last year's 27-15 win over the Springboks in Durban.

The Australians have come close on previous visits to the ground, going down 22-19 in 2007 and 26-22 in 2003, and Deans knows the unpredictable weather patterns in the city could have an impact on the final outcome.

"The conditions can have an impact here in Cape Town. You can have a fair bit of wind or a serious downpour," he said.

"So it will be all about making decisions in real time that serve the team best."

Australia currently prop up the Tri-Nations table and Deans is expecting the high-flying opposition, who have beaten New Zealand twice, not to let up as they bid for a first title since 2004.

"They're unlikely to veer from what they used against the All Blacks but they are capable of playing in many ways," he said.

"They may pull an element of surprise out, but I doubt it very much.

"They've used a pretty straightforward approach and now they'll ask the question of us."

The tournament takes a break after this week and resumes on August 22, when Australia host New Zealand in Sydney.