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Boks need defensive wall against Australia: Meyer

Dunya News

South Africa coach Meyer said Robbie Dean's charges still had the ability to hurt the Springboks.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyersaid the Springboks will have to put up an impenetrable defensive wall against Australia when they meet in their Rugby Championship match in Perth next week.Australia are a dangerous side when they get quick ball, especially their backs, who are unbelievable. If our defence is not 100 percent, they will punish us, Meyer told reporters in Johannesburg on Saturday.While the Australian public are tearing into their team after two straight losses to New Zealand, including a 22-0 defeat in Auckland last weekend - the first time in 50 years that the Wallabies have not scored a point against the All Blacks - Meyer said Robbie Deans charges still had the ability to hurt the Springboks.Australia are a very good team and we dont have a good record against them. New Zealand are just a way ahead of everyone at the moment and nobodys giving us a chance in Perth next weekend.South Africas new coach is not expected to make radical changes to either the Springbok game plan or personnel despite the disappointing 16-16 draw against Argentina in Mendoza last weekend.While Australians are bemoaning their run of 14 defeats in 17 matches against the All Blacks, the current Wallabies can make history against the Springboks in Perth. If they win, it will be their fifth successive triumph against South Africa, improving on the four straight victories achieved by the world champion 1999/2000 side.Meyer said he was expecting a much more fluid game in Perth after the forward-dominated arm-wrestle in Mendoza, which saw the Springboks struggle to obtain any front-foot ball.Australia have scored just one try in their two matches against the All Blacks this year, while South Africa managed four in their games against Argentina, but Meyer said New Zealand and the Wallabies have greater vision than his side.
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