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Coetzee wants repeat of Wallabies 'dog fight' against All Blacks
South Africa coach Allister Coetzee is aiming to drag New Zealand into another “dog fight” after clawing back a 10-point deficit before drawing 23-23 with Australia in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
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The Wallabies took a 20-10 lead early in the second half of the clash at nib Stadium, but the Springboks turned the match around through Malcolm Marx’s try and eight points from the boot of fly-half Elton Jantjies.
Bernard Foley’s penalty 10 minutes from time saved a share of the spoils for Australia, but Coetzee was delighted by the fighting spirit shown by his team in sodden conditions.
The Springboks coach is hoping similar weather in Albany next weekend when they take on the All Blacks – who have won all three of their matches – can lead to a repeat performance and keep their dreams of victory alive.
“[There were] two good sides who were really desperate tonight and you could see that things had to change, whatever plans you had with the weather conditions it allowed it to become a bit of a dog fight and we adapted well,” Coetzee said in a post-match interview.
It is a draw in Perth – 23 after a good second half comeback by the #Springboks! @CastleLagerSA Well done both teams @qantaswallabies @MTNza pic.twitter.com/iyBjjYXtVb
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 9, 2017
“I’m really pleased with the fact we could claw ourselves back into the Test match from 10 points behind in the second half, so I’m proud of this team we’ve got. Things that we’ve worked on have paid off.
“We let ourselves down in the first half with a little bit of indiscipline, we do concede a bit of yards against Australia but once they get in your half you need to stay out of the rucks and I think there we could have done better.
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“In general, I’m really pleased with this – you’re never pleased with a draw, but I’m pleased with the result.
“The mindset was different this year. In terms of the past we’ve been thinking about the All Blacks way too early and forget about a tough and a good Wallabies side.
“Next week is a different challenge all together. We have to up our discipline, keep the physicality and it will be similar weather I think next week and we had a taste of how we should be able to change the game into a dog fight.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
45 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
45 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
45 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
45 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
45 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
45 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
45 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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