Wallabies look to send veterans off with a win
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on July 6th, 2007
This weekend’s Tri-Nations clash between Australia and South Africa in Syndey will be the last game on Australian soil for long time Wallabies Stephen Larkham and George Gregan, and their colleagues will be looking to send them out with a win.
After dispatching the All Blacks in a show of guts and determination last weekend, fans were looking forward to this weekend’s clash with much anticipation. Unfortunately, Springbok management have decided to rest 20 of their top players, making this match a far less appetizing prospect.
The Wallabies have made a few changes going into this match, some through injury, and one through suspension. Hooker Stephen Moore and Number 8 Wycliff Palu are both out injured, paving the way for Adam Freyer and Stephen Hoiles to start the game, while lock Hugh McMeniman returns from injury to join the reserves.
Winger Lote Tuqiri was suspended by the team for two games after missing a team recovery session and failing a breathe alcohol test following last Saturday’s game, which means he will not play another game until the Wallabies’ World Cup opener against Japan in September. His place on the wing is taken by Mark Gerrard and Drew Mitchell returns to the bench.
The Springboks have only two players in their starting fifteen who started against the Wallabies two weeks ago. With changes made in virtually every position, it is difficult to gauge how this squad will perform.
Bulls fly half Derek Hougaard replaces Butch James and will give the Boks a good tactical kicking game as well as a rock-steady goal kicker. Breyton Paulse returns to the wing, while full back Bevin Fortuin makes his international debut.
After suffering a narrow loss to the Springboks’ first choice team, it is hard to see this Wallabies team losing this game. The emotional factor of being Larkham and Gregan’s last home game, combined with playing in the Australian rugby stronghold of Sydney will see the Wallabies fired up and looking to avenge their initial loss.
Both teams had their scrums dismantled by the All Blacks so will be looking to restore some pride in that area of the game. Of the two forward packs, the Springboks were the closest match for the powerful All Blacks’ pack, but with only hooker Gary Botha and newly promoted captain Bobby Skinstad remaining from that game, it is difficult to know how the South Africans will fare.
In the back line the Wallabies have a clear advantage, with game breakers such as Matt Giteau in mid-field, alongside last week’s man of the match Stirling Mortlock. And with veteran playmakers Gregan and Larkham there to set them up, it will only be a matter of time until the Australian backs cut loose.
Australia showed they were prepared to wait for their chances against the All Blacks, recycling the ball for phase after phase while they waited for an opportunity, and took their chances when they came. The Springboks became frustrated by their inability to create chances in the face of a smothering defense and resorted to foul play, something the match officials will already be aware of.
A victory in this match would send the Wallabies to the top of the Tri-Nations table, and with the Springboks fielding a second string team, would also make the Wallabies’ clash with the All Blacks on July 14th the deciding game of the 2007 Tri-Nations.
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- All Blacks look to exploit Springbok weaknesses
- And so the Tri-Nations begins…
The Wallabies look to send veterans off with a win by Hamish McBrearty, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
