PERTH - Springbok coach Harry Viljoen has warned New Zealand to expect a vastly different Australian outfit in Saturday's Tri-Nations clash at Carisbrook than the one that stuttered to a 20-15 defeat at Loftus.
"I believe Australia will be much more focused and dedicated. It will be a completely different game. Australia are a world-class side when they put it together and it's a matter of doing it on the day," said Viljoen.
Indeed, nothing should be taken away from South Africa for the victory they achieved over the world champions, but Viljoen is clearly mindful that the Wallabies came off the emotional high of a series win over the British Lions.
Eddie Jones had also just taken over from Rod Macqueen as coach. South Africa will nevertheless be hoping for a Wallaby win at Dunedin on Saturday, as it will throw the Tri-Nations race wide open with each of the teams sporting a win and a loss.
Yet history counts heavily against the Wallabies as they, like South Africa, have never won at New Zealand's "House of Pain".
In the first match between New Zealand and Australia in Dunedin was played at Tahuna Park in 1905, the All Blacks won 14-3.
Since 1913 the Wallabies have lost 11 games on the trot at Carisbrook, the last being a 36-24 defeat in 1997.
Springbok skipper Bob Skinstad said the All Blacks could not be underestimated.
"I think New Zealand always have an aura about them. They certainly didn't look as if they're in a critical rebuilding state when they took us on at Newlands. I thought they were defensively outstanding," he said.
"On attack they were perhaps not as slick out wide as they could have been, but it was a wet field and a difficult situation."
- INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS (SOUTH AFRICA)
Rugby: Springbok coach warns All Blacks
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.