Wallabies opt for bulk, White sticks

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 25 September 2013 | 20.47

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THE Wallabies have beefed up their side in readiness for another brutal clash with the Springboks in Cape Town, with hooker Stephen Moore conceding the unvarnished gameplan of their rivals will be "bashing us".

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Big lock James Horwill will return from a hamstring injury to lead a Wallabies side with six changes from the one-point win over Argentina two weeks ago, courtesy of injury and James O'Connor's suspension.

Mr Versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper has been given the job of covering O'Connor's right wing, with Brumbies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani selected to make his run-on Test debut.

Nic White retains the No.9 jersey ahead of Will Genia and Joe Tomane has been recalled on the left wing for the injured Nick Cummins, giving the Wallabies two extra 100kg-plus backs to help with the physical combat set to unfold at Newlands Stadium.

After the Springboks "physically dominated" the Wallabies in their record win in Brisbane, Moore said there was little doubt what basic words would be scribbled down on the Boks' whiteboard this week.

"If they're talking about playing us, they're talking about bashing us physically and not too much else outside of that," Moore said.

"They're talking about field position, getting penalties, building a score with [Morne] Steyn being a very accurate goal kicker. And then when they get into our half they're going to look to drive when they get opportunities.  The game plan will be pretty simple, they just do it quite well."

The Springboks fancied they could bully the Wallabies physically in Brisbane, and that's how it unfolded; with the men in green constantly belting the gold ball-runners behind the advantage line.

But knowing it is coming again and not only stopping it, but reversing it, is far, far easier said than done.
"I think a lot of it is mental," Moore said.

"You've got to go out there with that desire and drive to impose yourself physically against these guys.

"They play a very direct game plan, their forwards run straight and hard, they tackle hard, they have a presence on the ball, they maul.

"There's no secrets to the way they play, and in terms of how you prepare for that, we don't spend too long talking about the tactical side of it, it's all the mental and physical side of things and that's going to be key this week."

With Sitaleki Timani on the bench, and experienced prop Benn Robinson also suiting up, the Wallabies forwards have sizeable and experienced cavalry in the forwards. The potential for a bulky Timani-Horwill lock partnership could add plenty of starch at both set-piece and in the loose.

"I am not too sure on how Ewen plans to use that, but I thought Sita was outstanding against Argentina. It is great to have someone come off the bench and make that impact," Moore said.

Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss said Horwill was an "exceptional player" and would ensure a grittier Wallaby effort.

"It will definitely make an impact. He is inspirational for them and will help them up their performance from last time," Strauss said.

"It is Test rugby. It doesn't matter if they are out of it, they will always be a passionate nation as well. They will be coming out firing."

With Fourie Du Preez back in the Boks squad, the experience of Ashley-Cooper in defusing high balls on the wing was seen as crucial, particularly given the alternatives were uncapped wings Chris Feauai-Sautia or Peter Betham.

There's been big personnel changes on and off the field but Moore takes confidence from the success the Wallabies have had in South Africa in recent years. They won a historic clash in Bloemfontein in 2010 and then beat the Springboks in Durban in 2011, as well.

"We know we need to play well to win. Any time we've come over here and won we've played well and that's what we've got to do," Moore said.

"You've got to get on top physically, your set piece has to function well, your kicking game has to go well, those things have to be spot on and then you give yourself a chance," Moore said.

Full squad: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Quade Cooper, Nic White; Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Will Genia, Matt Toomua, Chris Faeuai-Sautia.


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