Sport

Aussies expect backlash

RUGBY/Australia v South Africa: Australia go into today's Test against South Africa as strong favourites after beating the Springboks…

Sat Aug 05 2006 - 01:00

RUGBY/Australia v South Africa: Australia go into today's Test against South Africa as strong favourites after beating the Springboks 49-0 on July 15th, andSouth Africa coach Jake White says his players must get their mental approach right to avoid a second drubbing.

Both teams make two changes from their last outings, against New Zealand. Wycliff Palu and Tai McIsaac come into the Australian pack while South Africa call up winger Akona Ndungane and secondrow Johann Muller.

Australia, who lost 13-9 to New Zealand last Saturday, are not expecting the Springboks to be as bad as last time.

"I definitely don't expect what we walked into in Brisbane," said coach John Connolly. "They will be a lot more confrontational, a lot more physical. We know what to expect. The game definitely got away from the Springboks last start."

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The Springboks' recent history against the Wallabies suggests the 49-0 thrashing was a one-off, the Boks having won six of their past 10 meetings. But only one of those wins - the 22-19 victory in Perth last year - came in Australia.

South Africa were also well beaten by New Zealand in their second Tri-Nations outing, but White believes there is still hope.

"We haven't done well in the first two Tests. That was a poor display we gave in the first one (against Australia) and we just want to rectify that," said White.

Connolly is hoping for a victory to keep the pressure on leaders New Zealand, who have won their opening three games.

"If we get away with maximum points here, there's a belief here that we can run New Zealand very close," he said. "New Zealand have got to play South Africa twice at altitude. History shows they've found that difficult over the years, so it's all to play for."

AUSTRALIA: Latham; Gerrard, Mortlock, Giteau, Tuqiri; Larkham, Gregan (capt); Holmes, McIsaac, Blake; Sharpe, Vickerman; Elsom, Smith, Palu. Replacements: Paul, Shepherdson, Chisholm, Waugh, Cordingley, Rogers, Rathbone.

SOUTH AFRICA: Montgomery; Ndungane, Fourie, Olivier, Habana; James, Du Preez; Du Randt, Smit (capt), Van der Linde; Muller, Matfield; Tyibilika, Smith, Cronje. Replacements: Ralepele, Andrews, Van der Berg, Van Niekerk, Januarie, Bosman, Van der Westhuyzen.