Boks get roasting for dirty tactics

SYDNEY - Australia's Sunday papers concentrated their headlines on Springbok rugby thuggery yesterday but there was plenty of space given to the Wallabies' improved display before their acid test against the All Blacks in two weeks.

Foul play by some Springboks dominated after-match reaction in the Sun-Herald.

"What A Disgrace" it blared on its back page, with sub-headings of Gouged, Bitten, Spat Upon and King Hit.

Other headlines in their pages included "Triumphant Wallabies slam dirty Springboks" and "Victory marred by Springboks' spite".

Writer Greg Growden said the Wallabies were seething, describing the Springboks as the "disgrace of international rugby" after making accusations of eye gouging, biting and spitting.

The Sunday Telegraph focused on the Wallabies ending a losing stretch with a front page headline of "We're Back" followed by "Wallabies burst out of slump for World Cup".

But on its sports page ran the headline "Wallaby fury at gutter tactics", over a story angled on the king-hit by Springbok prop Robbie Kempson which sent Australian No 8 Toutai Kefu from the field with a spinal injury. Kefu was later cleared of serious injury.

The paper also hailed the return to form, but rugby writer Peter Jenkins said it was a performance that would not have troubled New Zealand or England.

He said the Wallabies' attack was "again a stuttering mess" and that their kicking game was again lacking.

In his column in the Sun-Herald, Wallaby centre Mat Rogers said it was exciting for the team to be playing somewhere near their potential.

"Despite our recent form, we always felt we were on the right track and last night showed something of what we can do."

He said the team would spend from today onwards preparing for the return Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks on August 16.

"And I'm confident by that time we will have the game to test New Zealand in both attack and defence."

- NZPA