One week in rugby is a long time for veteran James Slipper as the wounded Wallabies prepare to turn around a heavy defeat to the Springboks in the rematch in Perth on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The Wallabies endured a couple of brutal review sessions over the last two days in the wake of their 26-point loss to the Boks in the Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane.
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That was Australia’s first loss to South Africa at the Suncorp Stadium since 2013, which was also a 26-point defeat. In the following three Tests in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Wallabies claimed successive wins in Perth and Brisbane.
Facing the Springboks in Perth for the first time since 2017, Joe Schmidt’s charges are fired up to produce a response and are inspired by watching Argentina overturn the odds to stun the All Blacks in Wellington last weekend.
“It was a big game, wasn’t it? The ABs are pretty hard to beat in New Zealand, but the Argentinians managed to do that, so full credit to them,” veteran prop Slipper said.
“One thing in rugby is one week’s performance can easily be turned around. Luckily we get to play the same team twice in a row. The ability for us to turn a performance is easier in that circumstance.
“At the end of the day, you’ve just gotta perform on the day, when the pressure is on. No matter where you are playing, home or away, these teams will put you under pressure. It’s about how you deal with that.”
Australia’s most experienced player with over 100 Tests, Slipper played off the bench in Brisbane and was part of a Wallabies scrum that was sent into reverse gear by the two-time defending world champions.
One of the key facets of Argentina’s victory over New Zealand in the opening round was how they fronted up to the All Blacks pack and the Wallabies need to do the same with the Springboks if they stand any chance of bouncing back.
“It’s probably a direct parallel from that. Physicality is always going to be an important part of any Test match, no matter who you’re playing,” Slipper said.
“It’s also about being accurate around that. The way that rugby is played these days, you need all 15 men on the team if you want to be as physical as possible. With physicality, you want to be accurate. That will give you the best chance of being in the spot you want to be in.
“For us, we’ve got plenty to work on. We’re under no illusions that we’re the finished product. But one thing I’ll admit to is we want to be better than last week.”
Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
