Div knows how to beat ABs, Wallabies

30 August 2011 - 03:00 By Craig Ray
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President Jacob Zuma with the Springboks, from the left, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Bakkies Botha and Morne Steyn Picture: DANIEL BORN
President Jacob Zuma with the Springboks, from the left, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Bakkies Botha and Morne Steyn Picture: DANIEL BORN

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has installed the All Blacks as World Cup favourites, but he still had a little dig at his arch-rivals after their Tri-Nations defeat by Australia at the weekend.

The Wallabies beat the All Blacks 25-20 in Brisbane to take the Tri-Nations title while condemning New Zealand to their second straight defeat just two weeks before the Rugby World Cup starts.

The result has seen New Zealand bloggers already using the chokers tag in reference to the All Blacks' inability to win the World Cup in their last five attempts.

"The Wallabies got it right and cut down the space for the All Blacks," De Villiers said.

"We've always maintained that the way to beat both those sides, who like to play expansive rugby, is to cut down their space.

"The Wallabies spent more time concentrating on their forwards and they were brutal in contact. They were very focused and stared the All Blacks down after the Haka.

"In our minds nothing has really changed. The All Blacks, playing in New Zealand, will still be the favourites and we treat them as such.

"But if the pressure from the people of New Zealand gets to their team, it might have an effect on them. If they stand tall and work towards the goals they've set themselves, they can overcome the pressure."

It was a backhanded compliment from the Bok coach, who said the Boks were under a different kind of pressure to perform.

"All nations want to bring back the trophy from the World Cup, but some countries need it more than others," he said.

"For the Springboks it is about more than winning a trophy because we understand our responsibility towards our country and that's why we will go all out to be successful.

"The World Cup is huge, but history doesn't mean a thing in terms of how you will perform. It depends on how you play on a given day and how you adapt to different opponents and the different challenges they present.

"It became a reality last Tuesday [when the squad was named] about what we have to do, and you can't run away from your responsibilities at this stage."

Bok team doctor Craig Roberts said the team would be focusing on cardiovascular work this week as part of their preparation for their opening game against Wales on September 11.

Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Ruan Pienaar, Jean de Villiers, Frans Steyn and Pat Lambie are nursing minor niggles and sat out training yesterday.

Roberts also said that Schalk Burger's finger injury was responding well and that he would be ready for contact by the time the team arrives in New Zealand.

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