Springboks coach Jake White says the Wallabies could struggle against the All Blacks in tomorrow's Tri-Nations test without playmaker Stephen Larkham but he's hoping for a draw.
Fresh from 22-16 home wins over both Tri-Nations series rivals, White and his South African team have already arrived in Perth to prepare
for next week's match against the Wallabies.
They will have a keen eye on tomorrow's test in Sydney, where White believes injuries to leading players in both the Australian and New Zealand camps make squad depth the key factor.
White notes Australia has a dominant record at Telstra Stadium against the All Blacks, although New Zealand handed out a 50-21 mauling in the leadup to the 2003 World Cup.
"Australia have won six of their last eight games in Sydney and New Zealand have struggled in Sydney, so that's one area," he said.
"But then again when New Zealand did get it right they won by 50 points.
"The other thing which is very important from our point of view [is that] without Larkham they [Australia] could struggle.
"But [for NZ] Tana Umaga's doubtful and Byron Kelleher's doubtful, so I think it all adds up in terms of depth in the rest of the squad."
Larkham has been replaced at first five-eighths by youngster Matt Giteau, and injuries to fullback Chris Latham and winger Wendell Sailor have handed Wallaby starting debuts to 21-year-old Drew Mitchell and Mark Gerrard.
"I'll just sit back and hopefully there's a draw, that's probably what you really want," White said.
"You don't want anyone to win [tomorrow]."
Springboks captain John Smit said the match would help clarify what his side needed to do in their two away matches to retain their Tri-Nations crown after both losing sides collected a bonus point in South Africa.
"It'll help us do the math in terms of going forward and realising what needs to be done," Smit said.
"It'll also help us to see how the two teams fare against each other and it'll be great to watch from the sideline and not being out there being bashed around."
Smit also backed Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, whose position has been questioned following Australia's disastrous tour of South Africa.
The Boks skipper confessed he has admired Australia's ability to remain at the top of world rugby over a long period.
"It's quite tough for any coach," he said.
"To come under fire after a couple of losses when you're only playing the top three or four teams in the world all the time, it does put a lot of pressure on everyone whether you're a captain, coach or a player.
"Australia are a fantastic side. They have been at the top of world rugby for the last five or six years and played in two World Cup finals.
"We had a bad patch two, three years ago when we were really at a low point.
"They're playing at home [over the next fortnight] and it'll be good for them."
- AAP
Springboks coach Jake White says the Wallabies could struggle against the All Blacks in tomorrow's Tri-Nations test without playmaker Stephen Larkham but he's hoping for a draw.
Fresh from 22-16 home wins over both Tri-Nations series rivals, White and his South African team have already arrived in Perth to prepare
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