Redemption awaits Wallabies
Redemption awaits Wallabies
From Iain Payten in Johannesburg
September 01, 2008
THEY went to Johannesburg to break a 45-year hoodoo but instead limped away with a 45-point thrashing and a humiliating new record.
But even in the wake of Australia's worst Test loss on Saturday night, coach Robbie Deans believes redemption might be just around the corner with a victory over New Zealand in the Tri-Nations decider on Saturday week.
The topsy-turvy season of Deans' Wallabies took a violent downswing, only seven days after claiming Australia's first Test victory in South Africa since 2000 in Durban.
As seen in the Wallabies' back-to-back clashes against New Zealand earlier in the tournament, Australia clocked off after achieving a significant win and in the unfriendly surrounds of Ellis Park were embarrassed by a rampant South Africa.
The Boks' eight-try rampage was the Wallabies' worst ever losing margin in Test rugby, overtaking the record set in 1997 when the Wallabies lost 61-22 to South Africa in Pretoria.
It was a dark afternoon for the Wallabies' golden new era but a composed Deans refused to let doom and gloom set in, saying if his men could hoist the Tri-Nations trophy in Brisbane on September 13 then the season would go down as a success.
Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
Challenge ahead for one-off Test
Challenge ahead for one-off Test
1/09/2008 6:48:04 AM
Down but not out - That's the attitude Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is taking into the final Tri Nations encounter in Brisbane in 12 days time.
Stunned by the worst loss suffered by the Australian side, 8-53 at Johannesburg's Ellis Park, Deans was confident his side could pick itself up for the contest against the All Blacks.
"The Tri Nations isn't over. It's a one-off encounter. One game that can make their season good. Whether they can do it remains to be seen," Deans told The Australian. Change would not be the stimulus for the players, he said.
The distress had to be felt by the players, and he was certain after the game that the Australians were feeling it.
"It's a big like when you touch a flame and you get burned. You don't generally go back there," he said.
Deans said the South African tour had been a good one until the second Test but the side would get home, regather and recharge for the series decider with the All Blacks.
However, he will have to do without lock Daniel Vickerman whose injury will rule him out while midfield back Berrick Barnes is still in the unlikely to play category.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, there is mounting concern over the Springboks' abysmal recordd in the Tri Nations.
Supersport.co.za columnist Dan Retief said for the eighth time the Springboks had finished last in the competition and their latest demise was the third year in a row they had clasped the wooden spoon.
He made the point that South Africa's win percentage in Tri Nations rugby is only 37.5 percent.
Retief also quoted South African rugby chairman Oregan Hoskins' comments of last week that the Tri Nations statistics were shocking, and disturbing.
"It's of huge concern that our participation in such a huge and elaborate competition such as this, when the playing field is not level, when the psychology is against us, when it brings about so much negativity, might be counter-productive. You have to ask: is this good for SA Rugby?"
