Countdown Day 2 – Boks vs Australia

We start the second day of the countdown to Saturday’s big match in Sydney with Jake again justifying the Springbok selections. Bevin Fortuin looks set to be drafted into the side. Liefling Hougaard then talks about the belief in the B squad, while Georgie Gregan is cleared to play and Bernie Larkham contemplates his 100th test for the Wallabies.

Jake White talked about the current Tri Nations table.

“Five points each after two matches each is as close as you can get. We are at the bottom because our points difference is minus two. The All Blacks have a difference of zero and the Wallabies are on plus two. It’s very even.

He was not surprised by the Wallaby victory against the All Blacks last Saturday.

“The only people who wrote them off were the Australian media. Even in New Zealand they say Australia’s rugby is strong. They have won two World Cup tournaments. Sometimes they do not realise how well they play the game. I believe the Wallabies will be a threat in this year’s World Cup,” said Jake.

The Bok coach highlighted the effect that fatigue was having on all three Tri Nations teams.

“Graham Henry has also mentioned that all these matches were decided in the last ten minutes.

“The results went against the teams that had played in tough matches the previous week. I hope we can be competitive on Saturday and that, with ten minutes left, we’ll still have a chance of winning.

“We know how hard it is to play during those last ten minutes when you have been in a tough Test the previous week.”

White and B team captain Bobby Skinstad continued to talk back to the Australian media.

“I’m quite amazed by the reaction because, I mean, all of a sudden the Australian media have become selectors for South Africa. I can’t over emphasise, I mean, I’m really thankful to you guys that you’ve motivated our team by saying we’re a B-side,” said White.

“We’ve been consistent in selecting players the last four years (and) we’ve left them (home) now because some of them are carrying niggling injuries. The same injuries (Wallaby Dan) Vickerman had, the same injuries (Chris) Latham’s got, the same injuries (Lote) Tuqiri had; (but we) are now labelled as B-Team players.”

Skinstad talked about being insulted and about the stars…

“I’ll be honest, a B-side for me I think is an insult but, you know, insult me all you want because we’re here and we’ve got rugby to play and that’s our job. My obligation to South Africa and to the people of South Africa is to play the best rugby I can and it’s exactly the same for every other guy who gets picked to play in this team.

“I genuinely believe that the stars are aligned for South African rugby (and) this is an overseas tour where we can see if that’s the case or not.”

And on the selection speculation front, Cheetahs fullback Bevin Fortuin looks likely to be in Jake’s plans for Saturday’s test.

“Quite obviously, we need to improve our stability at the back. I think Bevin will be the right choice for this match,” said White.

“Bevin is the best kicker of the fullbacks we have here on tour. But we don’t just need him for his safety under the high ball and his ability to return kicks with interest.

“He is strong at the breakdown and we need that out wide where the Wallabies do a lot of their attacking. They are very strong in that No 13 channel through both Stirling Mortlock and Lote Tuqiri.

“We need somebody who is physical at the breakdown there because they like to recycle quickly, change direction and catch you out on the other side of the field because you have not had time to reorganise your defence.”

Derick Hougaard spoke about the quiet confidence that exists in the Bok camp, and about the ongoing attacks from sections of the Australian media and rugby authorities.

“Yes, we spoke about it this week. However, there’s only two players who have not played Test rugby, so any guy can slot in and play a great game.

“The guys know they are good enough. It is not a group of unknowns and new players who have not been involved in the system … we have been there.

“It is really great to be here in Australia and the guys are having a great time. They know it is a big privilege to play for their country and we must just go out and enjoy every moment. It is really exciting. We had our first practice in Australia last Thursday and it is surprising how quickly the guys clicked.

“If you think about it logically, we should be at a disadvantage when compared to the Bok team that have been building together for four years and now we have to get it together in just two weeks. They expect the world from us, but the guys are looking forward to the challenge and the guys are living for the challenge. They will be up for it on Saturday.

“I have seen that you can’t take anything for granted in life and to play for South Africa is just a bonus … it is not anybody’s right. Obviously you think about it and would like to know that your are in the running for the World Cup, but there is a much bigger picture. We have two very important Saturdays ahead of us and what happens after that will be a bonus. I don’t want to think too far ahead.

“Obviously you want to play great rugby and if you produce two good performances in the next fortnight your certainly won’t be harming your chances, but it is also very important that we perform well as a team and the individuals who get their call-ups will get called up. Anything after that it is all a bonus.

“I’d like to play well but not necessarily to take someone else’s place. The whole squad will have to play together for us to win the World Cup. No one plays rugby in South Africa to be second best in his position,” concluded Liefling
 
George Gregan, the old man of Australian and world rugby seems to have made a remarkable recovery from his knee injury against the All Blacks. The 132-Test veteran and his partner Bernie Larkham will play their final Test in Australia on Saturday.

Larkham spoke about the historic occasion.

“I am very happy he is going to be fit for the Test and I think he will look forward to it as much as I will. I certainly have had my fair share of injuries and have had a fair few operations. What has been a bonus for me is that I have generally lasted through the season and then had the operations at the end of the season.

“So I have still been able to play a lot of Test matches, obviously not as many as George. He just appears to be Mr Perpetual Motion and I think the rate of his recovery is far greater than any other player.

“I think definitely after the match is where the emotion comes in and I will start (to think) about it — but beforehand it is going to be business as usual.”

Wallaby coach Knuckles Connolly also talked about the Gregan-Larkham milestone.

“It’s a great occasion, you don’t often get a guy whose [played] 130 plus [Test matches] and another guy playing his hundredth Test.

“The contribution they’ve made to Australian rugby is phenomenal and they’re virtually icons of Australian sport. Obviously we’ll congratulate them before they go out and the crowd, and you guys will make a lot to do with it this week and we’ll probably leave it at that.”