Boks seek response
BACKLASH: HOSTS DESPERATE TO BOUNCE BACK FROM KIWI HUMILIATION
Battle between Louw and Hooper could be key.
Captain Eben Etzebeth has urged his team to regain their hunger and intensity in today’s Rugby Championship clash against Australia.
After taking a major knock against the All Blacks two weeks ago, Etzebeth said that result didn’t sit well with the players and they just have to respond.
“The last result won’t define us as a team and we are looking to bounce back as a team,” said Etzebeth during his captain’s conference yesterday.
“The guys are really excited, we just have to play to our ability, for the whole 80 minutes.”
With wing Dillyn Leyds getting a first start and scrumhalf Ross Cronje returning to allow Elton Jantjies some freedom at flyhalf, more urgency on attack and defence is high on the menu.
In that regard, the return of flank Francois Louw will be massive and the duel with Wallaby skipper Michael Hooper could be decisive.
“It’s been a tough week last week to get over that result,” said Etzebeth.
“But at the start of this week we said to ourselves we want to put that behind us and the preparation has gone well this week.”
Etzebeth said it was always difficult to come back from 17 points down in the first 20 minutes against a side like the All Blacks.
“We are always looking to start well, to come out firing in those first 10 minutes, it’s about job-forjob and minute-by-minute and then all would go well,” he said.
Etzebeth admitted they don’t know an awful lot about the three debutants in the Wallaby side – lock Izack Rodda, flank Jack Dempsey and wing Marika Koroibeta.
“They have to be good players if they play for the Wallabies; looking forward to see them,” he said.
While the teams played to a 2323 draw in their last encounter in Perth, it’s the first time they will meet since the Wallabies won a close encounter 41-39 in the City of Roses back in 2010.
“It’s just another Test match to be part of and put the Bok jersey on, but very important to get the win,” he said.
“And we are also playing for the Mandela Cup ... and of course we would like to finish at least second in the Championship.”
Kick-off: 5.05pm.
All-rounder risks missing out on tour after suspension.
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell believes England “haven’t got a hope in hell” of winning the Ashes if all-rounder Ben Stokes is sidelined following a street brawl outside a Bristol nightclub.
Stokes, vice-captain of the Test side, was named in England’s 16man squad for the Ashes tour starting in November, but was suspended on Thursday for further investigations into the incident.
“They can’t win without him (Stokes) for a number of reasons,” Chappell told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.
“Obviously his ability is the main thing, but also, he’s a match-winning player and those sort of players drag the rest along with them and make them better.
“He’s probably one of those players inspired by playing against the better teams and again that has a flow on effect to the fellas that don’t have that sort of confidence. I don’t think they’ve got a hope in hell without him.”
While Australia may consider the suspension of Stokes a significant boost to their chances, former captain Allan Border believes the series would be spoiled without the firebrand all-rounder.
“He is one of those cricketers you would pay to watch play,” Border said. “He’s just got something, the aggressive nature of his cricket is exciting and it would be a real blow if he doesn’t come.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said whatever the outcome of the case, Stokes has let himself down.
“I am all for players having a bit of downtime,” Vaughan told the BBC. “In the world of cricket, with the players travelling all the time, you do need a bit of downtime, but he has to look in the mirror.
“He can have as many talks from the England management, from his wife and his agent, but he has got to understand now what he’s doing and what he’s been involved in in the last few days,” Vaughan added.
“I just don’t understand why he would want to be in a bar at 2.30 in the morning on the Monday, before a game on the Wednesday.”
Stokes has been a match-winning figure for the England side since making his debut against Australia in 2013.
In 39 Tests, Stokes has scored 2 429 runs and picked up 95 wick-