Perth is virtually neutral territory

[KenyaQuin]

Perth is virtually neutral territory
Bret Harris | July 14, 2008

IT may have taken the Springboks 100 years to win their first Test at the House of Pain in Dunedin, but the Wallabies will also have a hoodoo of sorts to overcome when they host the South Africans in Perth.

Maybe it's the large number of South African expats in Perth or the connection to the Indian Ocean, but for some reason the Springboks like playing in the West Australian capital, losing only one of the four Tests they have played there.

They recorded a 14-13 win in 1998, the year they secured their first Tri-Nations trophy, and a 22-19 victory in 2005.

In their other two Tests in Perth, the Springboks drew 14-all in 2001 and lost 30-26 in 2004.

Significantly, their two Test wins in Perth were the only victories the Springboks have achieved against the Wallabies on Australian soil in the past decade.

Since the advent of the Tri-Nations in 1996, the Wallabies have remained undefeated against the Springboks in the two heartland cities of Sydney and Brisbane.

Australia's record against the Springboks in Perth, which is similar to Western Force's poor home record in the Super 14, suggests that Subiaco Oval will be a neutral ground at best.

"I don't think any home advantage is going to count for much basically in Perth," Wallabies assistant coach Jim Williams said.

On this basis, you could mount a compelling argument that the Wallabies should never play the Springboks in Perth, particularly in their opening match of the Tri-Nations.

Obviously, the South African population in Perth helps the ARU sell tickets to Springboks Tests, but that is a short-term approach.

While it is true that the Wallabies won the Tri-Nations in 2001 despite their 14-all draw with the Springboks in Perth, the record shows it is harder to beat the South Africans in the West.

The Springboks are in the box seat to win a third Tri-Nations trophy after beating the All Blacks at Carisbrook.

Another win on the road against the Wallabies in Perth will put the world champions in an extremely strong position. One of the biggest challenges for Australia on Saturday will be to turn Perth into a home-town advantage.

Additional reporting: AAP

[KenyaQuin]

Brett, for rucks sake!! Its not a compelling argument unless the ARU is happy to switch the Boks' game for an All Blacks game. If you'd bothered to come to watch a game here in Perth you would find that a good majority of the crowd are Wallaby supporters. Furthermore, a good number of saffer expatriates are now Wallaby supporters (we've got a number on this site, I even sit next to a couple at the Force games..and they've told me its Wallabies for them). Finally, you're a goat.

[BLR]

They assume over East we aren't actually Australia, if I didn't have to go with my accursed family I would use this as an invitation to be the loudest/most obnoxious/drunk Australian I could be just to shove it up the Saffas/Easterners.

[jargan83]

all see there BLT is more opportunity to get drunk due to you having designated drivers
Posted via Mobile Device

[GIGS20]

This article misses the true point of the issue. don't win at Subiaco because the ground is a shit cow field that is specifically designed for Gayfl....yet another reason why we need a DEDICATED rectangular stadium in Perth

[brokendown gunfighter]

This article misses the true point of the issue. don't win at Subiaco because the ground is a shit cow field that is specifically designed for Gayfl....yet another reason why we need a DEDICATED rectangular stadium in Perth

unfortunatley test matches will never be played on a dedicated rectangular stadium in Perth because of capacity restraints

[BLR]

unfortunatley test matches will never be played on a dedicated rectangular stadium in Perth because of capacity restraints

Hence why no.8 had a good plan months ago.

[Flamethrower]

This article misses the true point of the issue. don't win at Subiaco because the ground is a shit cow field that is specifically designed for Gayfl....yet another reason why we need a DEDICATED rectangular stadium in Perth

How come visiting teams don't seem to have a problem winning at the shit cow paddock??

[Moses]

How come visiting teams don't seem to have a problem winning at the shit cow paddock??

Fortunately the Wallabies are 50% Tahs and they've never lost at Subiaco..

[Flamethrower]

Except for when they pull on a Wallabies jersey

[Flamethrower]

You've hit a real form slump Moses. Is it the lack of people to play with on GTT that has brought this on, or something else??

[BLR]

You've hit a real form slump Moses. Is it the lack of people to play with on GTT that has brought this on, or something else??

Troubles at home? Wanna talk about it? I'm a pretty good listener.

[NTT]

the thread title reinFORCES the need for more FORCE players in the wallabies.....

[Swee_82]

Yep, there's probably more Saffas here than there woudl be in the Eastern states, but guess what- this is still Australia and I fully expect to see Subi edcked out in Wallaby Gold come Saturday night- if there's anything AFL culture has taught people in the West, it's to show up in your teams colours and scream like all get out.
Biggest problem at Subi is being miles away from the lads on the field- maybe that's why the support in Perth for the and can't be translated into a meaningful home-ground advantage.
I honestly believe that if the passionate support of WA rugby fans could be harnessed in an appropriate venue, we'd have a very intimidating venue for the visitors to contend with.

[NTT]

Yep, there's probably more Saffas here than there woudl be in the Eastern states, but guess what- this is still Australia and I fully expect to see Subi edcked out in Wallaby Gold come Saturday night- if there's anything AFL culture has taught people in the West, it's to show up in your teams colours and scream like all get out.
Biggest problem at Subi is being miles away from the lads on the field- maybe that's why the support in Perth for the and can't be translated into a meaningful home-ground advantage.
I honestly believe that if the passionate support of WA rugby fans could be harnessed in an appropriate venue, we'd have a very intimidating venue for the visitors to contend with.

damn straight !!!!!