Wallabies backs won't be bossed around - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Wallabies backs won't be bossed around

By Darren Walton 09/08/2011 04:19:27 PM Comments (0)

Outmuscled and upstaged by the clinical All Blacks, Australia's Gen Y backline faces another brutal test of character against South Africa in Durban on Saturday.

With a behemoth backline that boasts more than 180 Tests in experience and man for man towers - on average, six centimetres above their counterparts - the Springboks will be out to boss and bash the Wallabies off Kings Park.

But strike winger Digby Ioane and star flanker David Pocock are backing Australia's backline aces, led by Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Quade Cooper and jockey-sized halfback Will Genia, to trump South Africa's hulking contingent.

"I have full confidence in all our backs," Pocock told AAP.

"I think they hold their own.

"A lot of them have proven that in Super Rugby and at Test level and I think on the weekend the All Blacks dominated the breakdowns out wide more based on the fact that they were getting us behind the gain line.

"It's very hard to make any sort of quick ball when you're being tackled behind the advantage line."

Every South African back except winger Bryan Habana is at least six foot tall and the Wallabies can expect the Boks' near-300kg midfield of Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie and rugged five-eighth Butch James to try to run over them.

But Ioane, a defensive rock and set to be the second-shortest player on the pitch, defiantly said: "It's not how big or small you are.

"To be honest, Australia's backs especially have got mad talent coming through like James O'Connor, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale," he said.

"They can actually break the line, break tackles one-on-one and that's what Australia needs.

"I'm excited to be part of the back three with Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor because you don't get freaks like them who can beat players one-on-one come along too often.

"So I'm lucky I'm not going against them."

Ioane insists what the Wallabies backs - with an average age of just 23 and 24 Test caps - lack in experience, they more than combat with talent and class.

"I'm the second-oldest in the backline and I'm still learning myself and I'm learning off these guys because they've got some mad skills," the 26-year-old said.

"Some people can't even do what they can do. Look at Kurtley Beale, he's like a Quade Cooper - but just faster."

Coach Robbie Deans, while disappointed with Australia's decision-making in attack in last Saturday's 30-14 defeat in Auckland, also has no concerns about the Wallabies' backs lacking the physical presence to match the Springboks and All Blacks.

"It's about how and when we use them," Deans said.

"It's about putting it all together. We limited our effectiveness by allowing the All Blacks to corral us.

"We allowed them to do that through choices that we made, which was the frustrating thing.

"Some small adjustments will make a huge difference."

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news