Aggrieved Boks spoiling for battle

By WYNNE GRAY

When Tri-Nations rugby breaks out tonight in Wellington, assessing the merits of the All Blacks and Springboks will be a respite from debates about racial selection, patriotism, scheduling and World Cup blame which have infected the sport.

Unless there is a rare draw, the test will be only a brief interlude for John Mitchell or Rudolf Straeuli before one has to dissect the first defeat of his brief international coaching career.

The Springboks are aggrieved with the perception that the series is merely a Bi-Nations competition between the All Blacks and Wallabies, and had the usual patter about being most dangerous when they were underestimated.

"When we pull the Springbok jersey on we feel like we have special powers," captain Corne Krige said.

Coach Straeuli weighed in with his gamesmanship, suggesting it was far easier for him to prepare his side because he had only to look at videos of the Crusaders. He is much more astute than that.

From the All Black camp, Mitchell claimed he had spotted different methods used by the Springboks in their four tests this season, although he felt traditional tendencies would recur in the heat of test rugby.

His side had been "thorough" and "specific," were ready to create a ninth straight win, and noted the Springboks' earlier assertion that Andrew Mehrtens and Mark Hammett were two weak links in the All Black group.

Abrasive aggression will be the initial mantra from both packs, with the Springboks feeling they have an edge in power and experience in the tight five. Their lineout is good; the All Blacks have been varied there.

New man Simon Maling was just out of hiding last week after being officially revealed as a late starter for the injured Norm Maxwell and he will be targeted by the Boks.

Maling, the one outsider with the Crusaders pack, has been upfront this week, saying there will be no hiding from the Springbok onslaught.

"In the lineouts we just have to get things right - catching, lifting and throwing - making sure our options are not too complicated. The Boks are big units, they are very aggressive and very physical, so we have to knuckle down to it like last week."

The visitors have scored 21 tries in four tests, but have not had to face the most organised defences from Wales, Argentina and Samoa.

The All Blacks have yielded just four tries in five tests this season, and held out while a man down in the final stages against the Wallabies last week.

But they have seen how Andre Pretorius burned the Crusaders in the Super 12 and they have big men in midfield to take the punishment and pace from Stephen Terblanche and Werner Greeff.

If the All Black defences are in order and the weather behaves, then the inspection will be about how they create tries. Rolling mauls may be tougher and any loose passes in the backs may be fodder for Joe van Niekerk who is probably quicker than Richard McCaw.

Aaron Mauger and Christian Cullen look the best attackers, but if the All Black backline arsenal is depowered, the reserves bench with Jonah Lomu and Tana Umaga may have to be primed earlier.

The Springboks have shown a weakness for conceding penalties at the breakdown where the rulings of Australian referee Stuart Dickinson will be critical. So far the All Blacks have been disciplined in that area, but there will be even more pressure tonight from Krige, Bob Skinstad and Co to push the boundaries.

Mehrtens' goalkicking and the defence the All Blacks have shown this season should work to a win, but the Springboks suggest enough of a mix of grunt and unorthodox plays to make it a tough victory.