Rugby: Wallabies target perfect start

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell says the Wallabies will look to silence the Newlands crowd by starting well on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

CAPE TOWN - Winger Drew Mitchell says the Wallabies are intent on silencing the ravenous Newlands crowd in Sunday's (NZT) Tri Nations clash with the Springboks.

Mitchell is one of the few Wallabies to have experienced joy of any kind at one of the world's great rugby venues, having helped the Western Force to a Super 14 victory over the Stormers at Newlands in 2007.

He knows it can be a hostile arena for visiting teams if the home side is allowed to bring the fans into the equation.

There's no better way to keep parochial Boks supporters in check than an early strike from the Wallabies, says Mitchell.

"Starting well is definitely a key for us," he said.

"The crowd there at Newlands, it's built so they're right on top of you. The atmosphere's fantastic.

"If we can try to quieten that down a bit by starting well, they won't come into it as much.

"Aside from just doing that, getting the crowd out of it, we just want to get off to a good start to get that momentum and then hopefully we can go on with it."

Mitchell says it's also crucial the Wallabies restrict the world champions' scoring chances.

"We can't afford to give the Springboks too much opportunity. They've got guys - your Bryan Habanas, your JP Pietersens - who can run the length," he said.

"Not only that, but discipline is a big thing for us with the goalkicking we've seen of Morne Steyn and I guess the ability to drop a field goal from anywhere from Francois Steyn.

"So we've just got to make sure that discipline-wise we're really up to mark and that we just really limit there opportunities because they're very good at capitalising on them."

Although they have a game in hand and will be the only side to have played their first two matches on foreign soil, the Wallabies sit last on the Tri Nations log and can ill-afford to fall too far behind the unbeaten South Africa and New Zealand, who beat Australia 22-16 in Auckland three weeks ago.

"It's really essential for us to get a win on the board and especially an away win; they're so vital in this competition," Mitchell said.

"With all three teams being so tight, anything we can get will certainly go a long way in helping our Tri Nations campaign.

"So we're looking forward to getting a good result this weekend.

"Everyone's ready and raring to go."

Coach Robbie Deans will tonight name the same Wallabies starting XV that lost to the All Blacks, with possibly one change to be made to the bench.

Winger Peter Hynes may replace one of the forwards, most likely Phil Waugh or fellow openside flanker David Pocock, to give the bench a 3-4 split of backs and forwards.

- AAP