Heyneke Meyer: Wary of Wallabies
Related links
Teams
Also see
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is wary of a Wallabies resurgence in their Rugby Championship clash on Saturday, saying his team are underdogs.
Australia host South Africa in Perth and Meyer knows the home side will be desperate to bounce back after being humbled by the all-conquering All Blacks both at home and away last month.
The Wallabies conceded the Bledisloe Cup for the 10th successive year when they were beaten 27-19 in Sydney on August 18 before suffering an embarrassing 22-0 defeat at Auckland's Eden Park a week later.
The losses have placed an enormous amount of pressure on coach Robbie Deans, but Meyer expects the Wallabies to come out firing.
"I have a lot of respect for Robbie Deans. He's very astute and a very knowledgeable guy so he'll know how to handle the pressure and I think the quality of a great coach is to take the pressure off the players," said Meyer.
"I know the psyche of the Australian rugby players. They will definitely come out with all guns blazing. They are a proud team and they have been together for quite some time.
"There is obviously a lot of pressure on them and we are probably the underdogs."
Recent form in Tests between the two countries supports Meyer's stance.
The Springboks, for only the second time in their history, have lost their past four Tests against Australia, with their last win in August 2010 in Pretoria.
In their most recent meeting, the Wallabies won 11-9 in the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup.
"We don't have a good record against them," Meyer conceded.
"We have lost four out of four against them, and won one out of seven, which shows how tough it is to play against Australia.
"Even though New Zealand beat them quite convincingly they are still a quality side."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Meyer didn't impress me during his short period at Leicester. This match is a bit of a no-win senario for the Boks because the aussies are expected to lose, but a marked improvement from SA is imperitive. the NZ gauntlet is lying at their feet but SA have yet to pick it up.
Posted 16:09 07th September 2012
jonesrp says...
If the Bokkies can`t win this they may as well give it away for ever...What did Meyer say during the week...`The wallabies have a great forward pack`..? The mind boggles....
Posted 08:14 07th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
I would expect the Boks to smash them.
Posted 01:44 07th September 2012
LeftRightOut says...
We hear this too often. Coaches should be fined for using the word "underdog". Double if they go on to win the game
Posted 23:58 06th September 2012
ManWarrior says...
I long for the days when the word underdogs and Springboks are not mentioned in the same sentence...oh well, I still have about 50 years to live. @scot_rsa, spot on!
Posted 20:08 06th September 2012
scot_rsa says...
Aus have won far too often against the Boks, given their respective resources. Point is the Aussies have always been tactically astute and sidestepped the Bok strengths. They're a canny opponent, I actually agree with Meyer about Bok underdog status. However, if the Boks had a world class fetcher, fly half and fullback they would smoke Aus. Oh hang on, they do have those guys but where are they?
Posted 15:13 06th September 2012
atg77 says...
Interesting to note that Australia have never won more than four in a row against the boks... so omens pointing to a bok victory... if they can refraid from those ridiculous up and unders; and string some meaningful phases of play together.
Posted 14:46 06th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Without Pocock... Wales would have won 3-0. If Saf can make two passes in a row they have a chance... Na.
Posted 14:18 06th September 2012
melkdave says...
A totaly inane comment from HM really,we all know that recent bokke results against Australia have been very poor, if your a bokke.Lets also remember those results where against,a confidant inform,wallaby team with all its star players uninjured,and they where against an aging dads army bokke team,where selection on experiance counted more than form.Personnally i think the bokke have a real chance of ending the wallaby hoodoo in Perth,as the wallabies arnt confident,or inform,and star players are injured.One good omen for us neutral fans is at least those games where action packed ,close tussels.Heres hoping its a good game Saturday.with lots of action
Posted 13:30 06th September 2012
bloemboy says...
@georgesmith, If clever coaching can win it for the Boks, then we are doomed!
Posted 12:57 06th September 2012
SACanuck says...
When you have lost 4 in a row t is not difficult to figure out that you are the underdog. Especially when you have a game plan that even tennis players can figure out.
Posted 11:28 06th September 2012
Ramage says...
Meyer is as clumsy with spin as Warren Gatland. Why do coaches give us this kind of drivel before every game they play. Seems they are falling over themselves for the prize of who can make the most inane comment.
Posted 09:56 06th September 2012
Sharkyzulu says...
Boks are underdogs because their coach has started following in his predecessor's footsteps when it comes to (brainless) selections. And he cannot move away from a 1980s game-plan.
Posted 09:38 06th September 2012
jonesy2 says...
state the obvious why dont you. the boks would be underdogs in perth, sydney, capetown, jo burg, egypt, abu dabi and mars
Posted 09:37 06th September 2012
Herbman says...
@georgesmith yes we've heard you say exactly the same things about Sharpe etc. this whole week, relax man!
Posted 09:35 06th September 2012
meneer says...
Of course we are under dogs, Australia have lost two games to the best team in the world & seen off a very good Welsh side - even though they are not at their best. We looked very average if not poor against England and have not impressed against Argentina at all. Our inability to score tries and moments of defensive lapse will see Australia take their points when offered. That my friends is why we have such a poor record against Australia. I hope the boys prove me wrong, good luck Bokke.
Posted 08:54 06th September 2012
georgesmith says...
H.Meyer is trying to fly under the radar just like my buddy D. Hassler. I think Springboks are a better outfit. It may come down to the changes being made H. Meyer because Wallabies don't have a back-up lock on the bench. It means N..Sharpe is expected to play full minutes when everyone knows he will become invisible in the second half. Plus Wallabies have a number 6 in D. Dennis, who never wins a single turnover and like N.Sharpe easily fallls off tackles. Clever coaching can win it for the Boks.
Posted 08:20 06th September 2012