Wallabies wary of South African backlash

SYDNEY - Australia are bracing for a much tighter encounter with South Africa when the teams lock horns in the fifth round of the Tri-Nations at the Olympic stadium this evening.

The Wallabies romped to a 49-0 win over a weakened South Africa side at Lang Park three weeks ago but are expecting a much stiffer test this time.

"They'll be a different team than what we played in Brisbane," Australia captain George Gregan told a news conference yesterday.

"They're a very proud nation and ... we're predicting and expecting a much better performance from them."

The Springboks showed a marked improvement in a 35-17 loss to New Zealand in Wellington two weeks ago while Australia's resurgence was halted with a 13-9 loss to the All Blacks last week.

Victory on Saturday is crucial to both teams' hopes of catching New Zealand in the Tri-Nations standings, with a loss almost certainly ending South Africa's chances.

The Springboks have yet to register a point after two matches but have not given up hope of turning the series around with three matches still to play at home.

The South Africans will also be in a better frame of mind for the game after getting a motivational talk from former England cricket captain Tony Greig.

"We haven't done well in the first two tests, that was a poor display we had in the first one and we just wanted to rectify that," coach Jake White said.

"It's not a case of whether the players are good enough or not good enough, it's a case of whether they are mentally going to be ready for it.

"I think you just need to talk to them and reassure them of the things we've done and look back at what they've achieved over the last two and a half years, it's not all forgotten."

Both teams have made changes to their lineups and the forecast of heavy rain has raised the prospect of a tense forwards battle.

The Australian pack has struggled all season but coach John Connolly has boosted the scrum by recalling hooker Tai McIsaac and awarding a first cap to 120 kilogram flanker Wycliff Palu.

"There are a couple of positions we haven't settled on and the back row is an area we are looking very closely at," Connolly said.

The Springboks also made two changes with lock Johann Muller replacing Albert van der Berg and winger Akona Ndungane coming in for Breyton Paulse.

"A lot of our top players are still at home and we haven't had them this year but stranger things have happened in the world of sport and if I don't believe it can be done, then it won't be done," White said.

South Africa's prospects will depend largely on their ability to dominate the set pieces while shutting down Australia's explosive backline.

In their first encounter, South Africa used a rushing defence, which backfired as they were repeatedly penalised for offside.

Wallabies skipper Gregan warned they risked another defeat if they employed the same tactics.

"It's an all-or-nothing defence," Gregan said.

"If they pick the right target and they make the good tackle, it can become very, very productive but the margin for error is very, very small."

- REUTERS