Inga Tuigamala: Things certainly happen in Hamilton...

Opinion

Peter de Villiers and his South African team spent much of this week on Australia's Gold Coast to avoid, as he put it, "boring" Hamilton and negative rugby reporting.

For a man having a dig at negative press, he wasn't being overly positive himself. I'm sure Hamilton will survive the de Villiers onslaught. It's not the first time that he has burst forth with his oddball comments and it undoubtedly won't be the last.

So Peter de Villiers says nothing ever happens in Hamilton. I'd like to relay to him something a friend pointed out to me this week. In 1981, a load of New Zealanders stood their ground on the very pitch that de Villiers' team will play on tomorrow night.

They were protesting against the abhorrent apartheid system in South Africa, and these ordinary New Zealanders stopped a rugby game to do it.

Hamilton was the most visible starting point for the protests that divided this country, to provide what I believe was invaluable support for a cause that I'm sure de Villiers would believe in, and one which has helped him get to where he is today.

So Hamilton isn't Paris or London or Bloemfontein. But just every now and then, interesting things do happen in Hamilton. Maybe given the history, de Villiers might have paid this anti-apartheid landmark a bit more respect.

De Villiers loves to stir things up in the media. But what I think he really loves is to grab attention for himself.

Until now he has been able to get away with it because of the high quality of players he has to choose from. The calibre of his players have enabled him to increase his own profile.

I'm wondering when it will backfire, though. A coach must be mindful of his words, so there are no repercussions on his players.

Yes, the Boks are our traditional rugby enemy but New Zealand has enormous respect for South Africa's world-class players, men like Bryan Habana, John Smit, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.

That respect is stopping short of their coach who seems intent on grabbing the limelight from the very players who are letting him bask in it.

Blurting out anything and everything, with no consideration for the main goal, is a big risk to take.

I'm sure de Villiers and the Springboks are going to get a hostile reception when they emerge at the Hamilton stadium and hopefully it will help the All Blacks achieve what should be their goal - a four-try victory and deny South Africa a bonus point.

Until Australia upset South Africa in Brisbane, the tournament looked to be over as a contest. Now, it has dawned on everyone that the scenario which would give the title to the All Blacks again is not such a far-fetched one. Yes, it is a tough ask, but certainly not impossible.

Tomorrow night is one of those situations for the All Blacks where simply winning may not be enough.

I'm sure the All Blacks will be mindful of the points situation. The best way to achieve what they need will be through a fast start.

Getting a lead, and perhaps an early try or two, will be a much safer way of going about things than having to chase the situation in the final quarter.

The big selection call by the All Blacks has been placing Stephen Donald in the unfamiliar position of second five-eighths.

Donald will be helped by playing in front of his home crowd, on a ground he knows well. I have some reservations about the move, but I also think it's best to see how it turns out because Donald has proven me wrong before.

My own preference may have been to bring Mils Muliaina into the midfield and leave Ma'a Nonu at No 12, with Cory Jane being given a chance in his proper position of fullback.

Playing Dan Carter and Donald in the five-eighths is a conservative move but then again, Nonu might revel in the chance to play with a bit more freedom at centre rather than second five.

For a first five-eighths, Donald does have a strong, physical game which will help him in his new role.

The last All Black clash against Australia was a terrific confrontation, like a test match of old. The All Blacks will need to win the battle up front in Hamilton if they are to win.