As the Wallabies attempt to win their first Tri Nations match in South Africa in eight years, it's time to learn the Dirty Dozen ways to succeed in this wild part of the world. Greg Growden reports.
1 Have faith that what worked in Perth can also succeed in hostile territory. The Wallabies succeeded in the first Springbok Test because their midfield defence was solid, their work at the breakdown exposed South African inadequacies, and their finishing was good. The Springboks were caught out by limiting numbers to the breakdown, preferring the big plays. By going one-out the Springboks were exposed. They have learnt from those mistakes, but the overriding thought remains - pressure them, as the All Blacks did last week, and the world champions are vulnerable. The Springboks are not as good as they think they are.
2Take advantage of the Springboks rush-up defence.
The Springboks love charging out of the line, looking for the massive body smash. Tight, accurate chip kicks aimed just behind them can counter that. Timing attacks perfectly exposes space between their defenders, who sometimes would be better served by adopting more of a shepherding role. It takes patience and intuition, but they are penetrable.
3 Hold onto the ball.The Wallabies discovered against the All Blacks that they look good with ball in hand, but their midfield kicking is suspect. Australia's kicking game has improved but it is nowhere near as good as the New Zealanders'. The Springboks are not exactly masters of kicking either, with Butch James nowhere near as competent as Daniel Carter or Matt Giteau. So it would be wise if Australia restricted that option, especially as their only moment of joy in Auckland was when they trusted their instincts and scored when Stirling Mortlock got outside of Conrad Smith to set up his fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper. It is crucial the Wallabies show confidence in their attacking capabilities.
4 Dan Vickerman exacting revenge on his old country. It is no surprise Nathan Sharpe was dropped as he lacks the aggression of Vickerman, James Horwill and Rocky Elsom. The Wallabies lineout man opponents respect most is Vickerman, and he certainly gets fired up before Tests against his land of birth. In his formative years that aggression would at times overflow, but no longer, and if he is on song tonight he can succeed in nullifying the best in the business - Victor Matfield. This will be a key contest. The Springboks skipper said this week that Vickerman "is most difficult to face at the lineout; he's better than Nathan in that department."
5 Keep the pressure on the referee.As shown in the past two Tests, All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is a master of keeping the referee honest. His banter has the desired effect of ensuring not much went the other team's way. Springboks captain Victor Matfield took the opposite approach last Saturday, constantly querying referee Matt Goddard - and it didn't work. It appeared that this got Goddard's back up, and with it the penalties and free kicks kept going the All Blacks' way. The Wallabies may not have a McCaw, and their skipper Stirling Mortlock is often well away from the breakdown. So it is up to the other Australian forwards to keep referee Lyndon Bray on side.
6 Ignore the babble coming from the mouths of the opposition.When football officials start talking absolute gibberish, you know it's Test week. Every country does it, but South Africa lately have turned it into an art form, with their coach Peter de Villiers working on various agendas. His latest campaign is putting intense pressure on referees by insinuating they are dudding the Springboks at the breakdown. This week he has been spruiking the fact the Springboks want to be an entertainment machine by running the ball at every opportunity. The Wallabies are expecting the opposite, and they are on the right track, because whenever South Africa are under pressure, they go back to what they know best by playing a remorseless, power-packed, forward-based game.
7 Take advantage of the absence of Springbok winger Bryan Habana.The Springboks are not the same without Habana. Nothing more needs to be said.
8 Keep the pressure on the Springbok scrum.It is not often that the South African media query the manhood of the Springboks pack. But that has occurred the past few days after a sequence of average Tri Nations performances. One of Australia's best scrummaging efforts occurred in Perth, and it is time for the next step by using the scrum as an attacking weapon. It will be difficult, but only when they achieve this can the Wallabies claim they have a good scrum.
9 Don't be spooked by the surroundings.King's Park is far from the most intimidating stadium in South Africa, but it can have a claustrophobic effect on opposing players. The Wallabies should try to enjoy the atmosphere, especially as match day in Durban involves car park parties, the smell of braiis, bourewors and biltong wafting across the ground and a general carnival atmosphere. So many Wallabies say that King's Park is their favourite South African venue. They should make the most of that.
10 If you are offered anything by a South African waitress named Suzie, politely decline, and leave the premises.Remember how the All Blacks fared before the 1995 World Cup final.
11 Sam Cordingley takes his chance to step up.The long-time Wallabies back-up halfback now has his chance in the absence of Luke Burgess. He should shine, as he possesses a great long pass that will have the desired effect of giving five-eighth Matt Giteau plenty of time to set up play. And if the hot-headed Brett Sheehan gets onto the field, it is crucial that he does not get carried away. A sinbinning would be unforgivable.
12 Watch the Dirty Dozen before running out onto the field.That will really get the juices going, but forget about the camouflage gear. And then try to work out who should play the Trini Lopez character. Our favourite is the swarthy Victor Matfield. As for Lee Marvin, you couldn't go past Rocky Elsom; Telly Savalas - Stirling Mortlock; Ernest Borgnine - Wycliff Palu; George Kennedy - Brett Sheehan; and Charles Bronson - Beast Mtawarira.
THE TIP: This will be the easier of the two Tests for Australia to win - but when South Africa is under intense pressure, they always retaliate. The Springboks to win by three points.
