WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans last night warned his forwards they would not have as comfortable a time at the breakdown during tonight's Bledisloe Cup Test as they did last week against the big-hitting Springboks.
Although South African coach Peter de Villiers complained after the loss that the Springboks received no favours at the breakdown from New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence, the Springbok inadequacies had more to do with limiting the numbers of forwards to that area, instead stacking their attack with big men.
Several Springbok forwards seemed more eager to belt their opponents with aggressive hits, rather than committing themselves to scavenging for the ball at the tackle area.
This lack of balance in numbers helped the Wallabies dominate that area, and enable all three back-rowers — George Smith, Rocky Elsom and Wycliff Palu — play big roles in the Subiaco Oval triumph.
But Deans is predicting contrasts in the shape and intensity of that area when the Bledisloe Cup is contested at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
"We believe it will be very different at the breakdown," Deans said after training yesterday.
"Possibly some of the work of the South African side reflected the way they entered that game in terms of their psyche. They looked to do it with big hits, and put a lot into their first-phase play. There will be more numbers in that area this week. It is going to be interesting, and a big part of the game, for sure."
As it is going to be such a big part, the Wallabies are certainly relieved that All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who is the standout openside flanker in world rugby, will be on the other side of the fence. But McCaw's replacement, Daniel Braid, knows how to scavenge, which will ensure that Smith, back-up Phil Waugh and fellow back-rowers will have to be assertive.
Deans is certain he has the right combinations to upset the All Blacks in the breakdown, and also believes that despite the physical intensity of the Springboks victory, which resulted in sore Wallaby bodies after the game, their conditioning will be peaking at kick-off.
The Wallabies had a disjointed training week, especially as three forwards, Elsom, Palu and James Horwill, missed the main team session on Tuesday. To ensure that his players were not jaded, Deans cut down the training time.
"The way we prepared this week was different for that reason," Deans said. "You manage the contact volumes to ensure that the players enter this game in the right state mentally and physically. And if you get a high volume on the weekend, then you need to manage it through the week.
"That's why we didn't have any high intensity contact (at training) until Thursday. We had a brief burst where we would normally do that on Tuesday."
He also made a committed attempt during the week to ensure the Wallabies wouldn't relax after beating the World Cup champions. The Wallabies have a terrible habit of slackening off, especially after big wins.
"Things are never perfect. While we got what might be deemed a perfect result last weekend, it wasn't a perfect performance," Deans said.
"The All Blacks would have seen a lot of scope in it, and a lot of opportunities, and they'll be looking to profit from that. And if they do that, we'll be deemed as being right back behind peg one."
That's why he admitted that, like all his players, he would be "burning" for a Bledisloe Cup triumph tonight.
"Absolutely. You thrive or survive week to week, and hopefully you are excited about the next game, and the next challenge, because if you're not, you're in the wrong industry. You're doing the wrong thing.
"You do need something to get excited about."
