Ken Borland www.supersport.com
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has defended the decision to fly the starting XV over to Perth only in midweek, saying Wednesday was normally the squad’s day for some knees-up relaxation.
“It’s obvious why only a few players arrived yesterday [Tuesday]. Today is normally the players’ day off and we wanted to keep the week’s preparation exactly the same as any other week,” De Villiers said on Wednesday, shortly after his arrival in Western Australia with the remaining 27 members of the squad, including all of the senior players.
De Villiers said the proximity of Perth to South Africa and the similar conditions as to those in South Africa had also played a role in the delayed arrival of the key members of the squad.
“We did all of the hard work on Monday and Tuesday. We’re trying a new thing and reducing the tour to two-and-a-half weeks. It was definitely a major factor in our decision that we were playing in Perth – it’s similar to Pretoria and the flights are shorter.”
De Villiers added that history suggested there should not be any hoo-ha over the late arrival.
“We went into history, and even when the players came early and spent five weeks away from home the tour was not a success. Maybe because it’s too long to be a long way from home.”
While Saturday’s match at the Subiaco Oval is very much do or die for the injury-hit Wallabies, the Springboks have come to Australia riding high after three straight victories in the Tri-Nations and need just six points to claim their third southern hemisphere title and first since 2004.
But De Villiers said the team would not be getting too far ahead of themselves and had not discussed how many points they needed to win the competition.
“It has worked for us in the past to concentrate on one match at a time, that’s how the team like to prepare. We will put everything into this weekend’s game, target one match at a time and then think about next week,” De Villiers said.
Mmm yesterday there was a problem with the tickets, today it was all planned…can’t wait to hear the story tomorrow…
“..and she corners well too” (famous last words)
I am confused … So are Boks going to white wash the 3N & slay all before them or trip up on their first overseas leg & blame … err .. “travel” ?
Come on … make up what you call your mind Mr Coach …
“…saying Wednesday was normally the squad’s day for some knees-up relaxation.”
Say what? Knees-up relaxation…I think they doing it wrong…or is it referring to the small seat on the airie?
RP, tis a white wash…well at least till the slip-up!
First a ‘knees-up’
Then a ‘balls-up’.
Watch this space!
Twee vroumense is aan die golf speel. Die 1ste een slaan af en kyk in afgryse hoe haar bal reguit na ‘n ander groepie mans trek daar naby. Die bal tref die een man en onmiddellik slaan hy sy hande tussen sy bene saam en val grond toe.
Die vrou hardloop onmiddellik oor en begin sommer al op ‘n afstand verskoning aan te bied vir die ongeluk.
“Ek is jammer, Ek is ‘n Fisio en as jy my toelaat kan ek probeer om die pyn te verlig”
“Dit is OK ek sal oor ‘n paar minute dalk weer reg wees” kreun die man, terwyl hy steeds opgekrul lê met sy hande tussen sy bene.
Die vroutjie voel baie sleg en op haar aandrang laat hy haar toe om te help. Sy neem versigtig sy hande weg, maak sy gulp oop en sit haar hand in. Sy gee hom ‘n baie sagte, lekker massering en vra hom later: “Hoe voel dit nou?”
“Ek voel baie beter, maar ek dink nog steeds my duim is gebreek”
@Pietman – dont be so negative, first a province supporter next a bulls suporter, whats next…becoming a ab supporter?
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