Coach Connolly expects bruising battle

John Connolly

Australia coach John Connolly expects a more confrontational South Africa side in Sydney on Saturday than the team that was thrashed 49-0 in their first Tri-Nations encounter in Brisbane last month.

With Australia licking their wounds after last week's 13-9 loss to New Zealand resigned them to a fourth straight Bledisloe Cup defeat and further lost ground in the Tri-Nations, Connolly said the Wallabies must step up a gear.

"I don't think we're complacent," Connolly told reporters on Thursday. "I definitely don't expect what we walked into in Brisbane.

"They will be a lot more confrontational, a lot more physical. We know what to expect. The game definitely got away from the Springboks last start."

The 49-0 hammering of South Africa followed Australia's 32-12 defeat to the All Blacks in the opening match of this year's tournament in Christchurch.

Connolly's side were then undone by superlative New Zealand defending in Brisbane last weekend as the All Blacks took pole position in the standings on 13 points following three wins from as many matches.

Australia (one win from three) are in second place on six points, while table-propping South Africa (two losses) have yet to register a point.

The Wallabies have named two changes to last week's side, with Wycliff Palu earning a first start at number eight in place of Scott Fava, and Tai McIsaac coming in for Jeremy Paul at hooker.

Connolly said he was fully confident in stand-off Stephen Larkham despite Springbok coach Jake White naming the aggressive Butch James at number 10 in a bid to stifle the influential Brumbies back.

"Whether it be (New Zealand's Dan) Carter, Larkham or Butch James, the fly-half is very much the quarterback. He directs a lot of the play," Connolly said.

"James is not always the one who is man-on-man (in defence), he could be sliding onto (centre Matt) Giteau at times so that's what you've got to referee for."

* * *

Connolly added he intended to take 37 players on the tour of Europe in November for the tests against Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and he quashed speculation he would rest several key players ahead of the World Cup in 2007.

"A squad of 37 will go away and, at this stage, I would be very surprised if many were rested," he said.

- REUTERS