Bring on the Aussies, enthuses De Villiers

Bring on the Aussies, enthuses De Villiers

2 Oct 2011

The Springboks will play Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals – and Peter de Villiers reckons it will be easier and more familiar than playing the Samoans.

It is the clash of the last eight with the Tri Nations champions against the defending World Champions.

Ireland, in emphatically beating Italy 36-6 in Dunedin, ensured a quarter-final against Wales in Wellington next Saturday with the Boks to play the Wallabies a day later in New Zealand’s capital.

Hosts the All Blacks will play Argentina in the late Sunday kick-off at Eden Park in Auckland and England clashes with France on Saturday at Eden Park.

The winner of the Boks match will play the All Blacks with the other semi-final an all Northern Hemisphere affair.

(Bok coach) De Villiers told the South African media website SuperSport he welcomed playing the Australians, added the Boks would have the advantage at scrum time and that he felt it would be easier playing the Aussies than it was against the unfamiliar Samoans.

De Villiers said he expected the Australians to try and match Samoans for physicality and didn’t believe either Australia or New Zealand could do that to the Boks. He also backed the improved Bok defence to counter Australia’s attacking threat.

Australia has won five of the last six Tests between the two countries, with two of the wins in South Africa. The Wallabies have also scored four-tries or more in four of the six matches.

De Villiers was unconcerned by this statistic and said that while the Aussies could also believe it to be easier because of the familiarity he felt the Boks were playing outstanding rugby at the World Cup and peaking at the right time.

The New Zealand media generally have backed the Boks to beat the Wallabies, but among former Australian players and within the media the feeling is the Australians will be too smart for the Boks and that David Pocock’s return will neutralise the Boks, as he has done successfully on most occasions in the last two seasons.

Former Australian World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones, in the Herald on Sunday, wrote the Boks looked like a champion at the end of the road and that the last 30 minutes showed the vulnerability of an aged giant. He commended the Boks’ fighting qualities and scrambling defence, but said too many key players were no longer the players who stood tallest in Paris in 2007.

Former All Blacks World Cup-winning prop Richard Loe, in the same paper, disagreed, saying the Boks would have too much muscle for the Tri Nations champions.

Quarter-finals (NZ kick-off times – 11 hours ahead of SA)

QF1: Ireland v Wales at Welllington Regional Stadium on Saturday, October 8, kick-off 6pm.

QF2: England v France at Eden Park on Saturday, October 8, kick-off 8.30pm.

QF3: South Africa v Australia at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday, October 9, kick-off 6pm.

QF4: New Zealand v Argentina at Eden Park on Sunday, October 9, kick-off 8.30pm.


511 Comments

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  • 1.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:19 am

    wallabie killer dragons

  • 2.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:20 am

    Gonna be epic! Cant wait.

  • 3.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:21 am

    The winner of the Boks match will play the All Blacks????
    Hey!
    They still need to rock and actually beat the Argies you know!

  • 4.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:22 am

    The Boks have some unfinished busines to attend to.

  • 5.JL1: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:23 am

    Waltzing Mathilda get ready to rummmmmmmbbllllle!

  • 6.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:25 am

    If the Bokke depart next week does that mean they’ll be the 8th best team in the world like the Ab’s were in 07′?

  • 7.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:25 am

    JdV instead of Steyn, Roussouw, Spies and Smit may be the Boks downfall.

  • 8.JL1: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:27 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-6: dont be daft

    Then all quarter final losers still need to play each other

  • 9.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:29 am

    If Botha can’t make it then I’d definitely start Alberts at lock. He is the closest thing. Roussouw always gets the ball ripped/knocks on – especially against convicts.

    However that leaves Spies still in the starting 15 doing fokall.

  • 10.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:30 am

    @JL1(JL1)-8:

    don’t be daft? that was the consensus around here last time, like choking that also only applies to the Ab’s then, if the Bokke go out next week I’ll laugh my ti ts off

  • 11.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:33 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-10:

    Maybe you should get back to cuddling your Asian husband, okay? Let the big boys talk.

  • 12.JL1: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:33 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-10: The victim mentality does not suit you at all

    “Ag shame” is that what you want to hear

    GO BOKKE

  • 13.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:35 am

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-11:

    Shouldn’t you be at a klan meeting, it’ll be a quiet one this week though after the Polynesians slapped your boys around, Heinrich’s my choice for this years Oscar.

  • 14.Gunther: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:37 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-10:

    How is it a choke to lose to a team that has beaten you in 5 out of 6 outings?

    We are all laughing our tits off at you.

    Again.

  • 15.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:37 am

    @JL1(JL1)-12:

    double standards mate on the back of the Somoan performance your boys are heading for an early exit unless you find a backline somewhere in the next 7 days

  • 16.malcolm: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:38 am

    It is a good thing we are playing the Aussies and not Ireland. I think Ireland far and away has the best forward pack in the competition as well as a competant backline and a pretty reliable goal kicker.

  • 17.cane: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:40 am

    “The winner of the Boks match will play the All Blacks”
    Keo.

    It is not yet written Keo.
    Are you trying to curse my Team?

  • 18.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:42 am

    Argentina have never beaten NZ as far as I know… easy NZ win coming up.

  • 19.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:42 am

    @Gunther(gunther)-14</a

    i'm just going by what all the punters here are saying " we'll take care of Australia no problem" get Tranny to archive I'll think you'll find thats the case, good luck for next week though plenty of wind down there so Steyn will look good for at least 40 minutes with his up and unders

  • 20.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:43 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-15:

    I’d spend more time worrying about the All Blacks defense if I were you.

    Conceded 2 tries and plenty of go-forward against Canada.

    We conceded 2 tries in all 4 pool games.

    @cane(cane)-17:

    Let’s be honest. Argentina aren’t France. This one really is impossible. The All Blacks have got the easy pool game. See you in the semi’s.

  • 21.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:43 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-15:

    Why are you even commenting on this article? Shouldn’t you be moisturizing Dan Carter’s groin with your mouth to try and fix him? Haaaaaa… owned.

  • 22.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:43 am

    @hendrikp(hendrikp)-20:

    easy quarter-final game I mean.

  • 23.Kiefpant: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:43 am

    South Africa may have struggled past Samoa, but Australia never got past Ireland. At least we won all our games, even if the two big ones were uninspiring. A lot of people writing South Africa off will have little to say if the Boks manage to “upset” Australia and NZ though.

    Please keep shouting your mouths off Australian and Kiwi visitors! If we win it will make the victory so much sweeter.

  • 24.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:44 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-19: don’t be daft no-one is saying that. We are all kakking ourselves that we have the hardest quarter.

    Australia have the recent wins against us and really, they should be favourites.

    Now stop being so sensitive, it’s not always all about you kiwi chaps.

  • 25.Getafix: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:44 am

    Our campaign relies heavily on Morne Steyn, This is going to become a kicking contest…

  • 26.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:44 am

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-18:

    It won’t be easy but we will win.

    @cane(cane)-17:

    We can’t complain we’ve got the French bogey off our backs and we’ll make the semi’s alot better than last time around!

  • 27.David: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:45 am

    @malcolm(malcolm)-16:
    That “competent backline” makes ours look decidely pedestrian.

  • 28.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:46 am

    @hendrikp(hendrikp)-20:

    Great analogy you could have lost against the Welsh and the Samoans.

  • 29.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:46 am

    All that needs to be done is complete domination of the convict forward pack. Morne’s goal kicking will do the rest.

  • 30.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:46 am

    Wales v Ireland – 50%
    England v France – 60% England
    Australia v SA – 50%
    NZ v Argentina – 99.9% NZ

  • 31.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:46 am

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-21:

    You’re no better. Time to start supporting the Boks, show some faith. Instead you moan about individuals on a week-by-week basis.

    JdV can do a job there. Don’t be surprised if he shuts you up next weekend. I’m also a bit fed up with Danie, but he’s a capable player and rugby is an 80 minute game. Your criticism of John Smit is also totally unwarranted.

    Pierre Spies though… he’s a worry.

  • 32.Getafix: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:47 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-26:

    Our biggest obstacle will be Australia. NZ without Carter, far easier proposition….

  • 33.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:47 am

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-24:

    See post 20 ” see you in the semis”

  • 34.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:48 am

    Btw, NZ have not had a decent match against competitive opposition in over a month. Tsk tsk, still haven’t learned from 07, lol.

    Unless some drastic cheating happens, you won’t be winning with Slade the pasty girl or Weepoo the fat diabetic at flyhalf.

  • 35.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:48 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-28: I don’t think Samoa ever came within a win scoring range? 13-0 then 13 – 5… yes it wasn’t the big margin everyone was expecting but I don’t think anyone thought the loss was on.

    Wales we could have lost…

    Why are you focussing so hard on SA?

    The Carter injury got you worried?

  • 36.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:48 am

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-29:

    You couldn’t dominate the Samoans or the Welsh.

  • 37.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:48 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-28:

    Wales yes. Samoa, no. We had an 8-point lead through pretty much the entire game, and their only try came from a forward pass.

    P.S. You’re an idl0t. Come back when the All Blacks choke.

  • 38.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:49 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-33: one person speaks for a whole nation? Jeez you are irrational :lol:

  • 39.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:49 am

    NZ are HUGE favourites to win the Cup. Just wonder if they can deal with the pressure?

  • 40.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:50 am

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-35:

    When you lose the worlds best 10 and one of if not the best player in the world you have to be worried, life goes on we’ll be fine there is class all over the park the game plan will have to be adjusted to suit a player of lesser ability at 10.

  • 41.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:51 am

    Awkward wins over Tonga and Canada, quite a few tries scored by the minnows against them, Carter out… no wonder the kiwis are focussing on other teams’ problems!

  • 42.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:51 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-33:

    Wow, I’ve got faith. Should I be concerned rather?

    Are you really a kiwi? Most of them don’t carry on like you running your mouth.

  • 43.cane: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:51 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-26:

    Too many easy games NZC.

    Bit of a worry. They do nothing for a Team IMHO.

  • 44.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:51 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-40: yeah your back up 10 had a great game in PE this year.

  • 45.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:52 am

    @hendrikp(hendrikp)-37:

    So you honestly think SA are playing good rugby?

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-38:

    You’ll see later in the week around here.

  • 46.JL1: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:52 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-15: KNOCK OUT RUGBY

    Say it with me KNOCK OUT rugby, you dont need a backline you need a pack of forwards and a solid defense

  • 47.cane: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:53 am

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-41:
    Awkward wins. Come on Spooner get real.

    Awkward is SA over Wales.

  • 48.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:53 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-45: we have learned that it is a marathon, not a sprint.

    RWC 2007 comes to mind :-)

    NZ always sprint straight out of the RWC :lol:

  • 49.Michael: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:54 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-10: It’s simple, the loser of next week’s match will be a choker. The two countries holding the most trophies are meeting each other.

  • 50.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    2 Oct 2011, 11:54 am

    @cane(cane)-47: comparing Wales with Canada, Japan and Tonga now? :-)

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