We have buried the 57-0 of Albany, says relaxed Bok boss
BLOEMFONTINE: Allister Coetzee says the Springboks have taken “on the chin” the 57-0 hiding inflicted on them by the All Blacks 10 days ago and are now ready to move on.
They face the Wallabies on Saturday in a Test they simply have to win if they’re to put behind them the defeat suffered in Albany. Coetzee’s Boks kicked off their preparations for the match with a light training session yesterday.
“We have buried Albany,” insisted Coetzee. “We know we had a sub-standard game, but we have put it behind us and are busy with our turn-around strategy.
“The players and management have had a meeting and we all want to make things right this week. The reality is the All Blacks were unbelievably good last week, everything worked out for them. We were poor in the set-pieces and we turned over ball and basically hanged ourselves,” said Coetzee.
“But that defeat won’t define us. We’re not going to sweep it under the carpet, but so far we have won five out of seven this season and at times we’ve played outstanding rugby.
“What is key now is our response ... it’s massive,” said a relaxed Coetzee.
He added he was confident his players would respond positively to the challenges facing them in the coming days. “We have a huge responsibility as the Bok team. We’re hurting, just like the fans are hurting, so the next two weeks are very important. It’s going to show what the character is of this team, the next two weeks will reveal if the youngsters have learnt and improved ... the next two weeks are about digging deep. That is what will define this team.”
Coetzee said the Wallabies would be hungry to inflict more pain on the Boks, especially with the match being played at altitude in conditions that will suit their running, phase-based game.
“It rained just before our match in Perth, but they’ll fancy their chances with their ball-in-hand approach this weekend. The Wallabies are never easy at altitude, and they’ll back their strong setpieces and back division to get them over the line this week ... with their phases and quickball approach.
“We are certainly going to have to be a lot better than we were the last time we faced them. We were maybe a bit too passive then so will need some urgency in our game this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Coetzee explained his reasoning for not selecting fan favourite Ruan Combrinck and why he preferred 21-year-old rookie S’bu Nkosi for the two remaining Rugby Championship matches.
“The big criteria for me this year has been form,” said Coetzee. “Ruan has not played a lot of rugby since Super Rugby and that makes a big difference, especially at this crucial stage of our campaign. We might not be in it to win it, but we still want to finish second, and end well.
“I’ve coached in Japan (where Combrinck is playing club rugby) and I know the step up from there to Test rugby is big. If a player’s not playing how can I expect him to perform at Test level ... and his condition a year ago, or three months ago, compared to now is also different.”
Regarding Nkosi, Coetzee said: “He’s shown great confidence playing for the Sharks, and is a player for the future. He’s consistently performed well, he has pace, good feel, aerial skills and brute strength, and he’s a good finisher.”
Coetzee though said wing Raymond Rhule – who was heavily criticised for his poor defensive effort in the defeat by the All Blacks – was still a key man in his squad.
“We forget quickly how good he was against the Aussies, he was outstanding,” said Coetzee. “I’m not going to chuck a player away after one game ... after seven Tests and then start all over again.
"Part of this team’s make-up is about owning up and taking responsibility and we’ve all done that. We learn from the past and we help each other improve and that’s what we’re doing.”