Wed, 26 Aug 2009 rugby365.com

Australian forward coach Jim Williams believes the way to dismantle the Springboks’ effective game plan is to attack them at source – the set pieces.

Speaking at a media briefing in Perth on Wednesday, ahead of the Tri-Nations crunch match at the Subiaco Oval on Saturday, Williams made it clear that the only way to stop the table-topping Boks is to deny them possession.

And with South Africa’s kicking game having proved highly effective this year – both in the 2-1 series win over the British and Irish Lions and their three-match unbeaten run in this year’s Tri-Nations, the Wallaby and All Black coaching staff have all been searching desperately for a way to halt the South Africans’ progress.

So far the Aussies and Kiwis’ attempts at playing an expansive game – both against the Boks and against each other – have proved a futile exercise.

Not only has the Bok defence looked near impenetrable, but the Aussies and Kiwis have lacked the skills sets to play the high-paced game that they feel will counter the Boks’ basics-first approach.

Not surprising then to hear the Australian forwards coach, Williams, speak of the need for his forwards to put in a “mighty effort” to rattle Springbok pack and ensure the pressure is filtered through to kickers Fourie du Preez and Morné Steyn.

Williams told the media in Perth that it was up to his forwards to end the Boks’ unbeaten run in this year’s competition.

“We want to put pressure on their kickers,” Williams said, adding: “Because that is where the pressure on us comes from and if we make life difficult for those guys, they might change their game.”

Williams agreed that this was easier said than done.

“To get to their kickers we have attack the Boks at the set pieces and the breakdowns and the challenge here is that they are in excellent form in those areas.

“The strength of the Bok pack is their athleticism, where they have an edge over the All Blacks, too. They are strong in the set pieces and then have the ability to get around the park. They have stepped up their breakdown work this year. They are very efficient and aggressive there.”

Another aspect that needs urgent attention, according to Williams, is for the Wallabies to start playing for a full 80 minutes.

The wounded Wallabies are also attempting to overcome their bad habit of surrendering leads.

Australia have been criticised for a lack of second-half energy in their two Bledisloe Cup defeats to New Zealand.

In both matches, the relentless All Blacks overcame half-time deficits to triumph, including their 19-18 win in Sydney last weekend after trailing 12-3 at the break.

Williams, however, felt it wasn’t a fitness issue – rather a case of the Wallabies’ inability to win the territorial and possession battles, particularly due to inaccurate kicking.

As in their 16-22 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks in Auckland, and certainly the recent 17-29 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town, Australia spent much of the second half tackling themselves to a standstill.

“I think maybe the fact we had to defend so much last week that some people thought the boys weren’t fit,” Williams said. “That does take a lot out of you.

“We were running a lot and they were stretching us wide but the boys were defending magnificently.

“I thought the fitness was excellent and that showed through in the latter parts of the second half, we just had to defend so much in the 22 and in our own half.

“We certainly don’t see fitness as an issue at all.”

Williams said the team’s fitness levels had improved significantly since Robbie Deans took over as coach last year and identified them as a key area for work.

“I thought there’s been excellent strides through that area,” Williams said.

Williams attributed the side’s fade-outs to a lack of experience.

Australia have never been renowned front-runners.

When Williams played his 14 Tests around the turn of the century under John Eales, their success was built on winning big games at the death.

“The experience of the players was a lot different – Eales, [George] Gregan, [Stephen] Larkham, [Matt] Burke and all those guys – and we’re building towards having that,” Williams said.

“We blooded 13 players last year and there’s a lot of young guys.

“They’re still learning the trade.”

With Nathan Sharpe (shoulder) and Berrick Barnes (concussion) sidelined, head coach Robbie Deans will be forced into at least two changes when he names his side on Thursday, and possibly more with Rocky Elsom (ankle) and James O’Connor (knee) still in doubt.

Elsom was on Wednesday walking around without the moon boot he had been wearing and Williams was quietly confident both would be able to train in the morning.

Mark Chisholm could be rushed straight back into the second row for Sharpe ahead of Dean Mumm while Ryan Cross is likely to play at outside centre, forcing a backline reshuffle.