Slipper keen to end Newlands drought

Editor

Australia prop James Slipper is hopeful of a victory on Saturday, thus ending a 22-year losing run at Newlands against South Africa.

Wallaby loosehead prop James Slipper is hopeful of claiming a victory this Saturday, thus ending a 22-year losing run at Newlands against South Africa.

The Wallabies left on Monday for South Africa, aiming to build on the decent momentum they earned from beating the Boks and Argentina.

Both Australia and South Africa sit on ten points, six points behind New Zealand with two games remaining, but Slipper is content with their efforts.

“We're pretty happy with the way we're going but I think ever since that Auckland game we lost a bit of momentum,” prop Slipper told reporters.

“And (the Championship) probably is New Zealand's to lose.

“In saying that they have to do this trip as well. It's one of the tougher trips you can do as a rugby team.”

New Zealand will play the Pumas this weekend in La Plata before taking on the Springboks in Johannesburg for their finale on October 4.

But the Wallabies must first end the Springboks' dominance at Newlands where the Australians have not won since 1992.

“I think we've been a bit frantic (in the past),” Slipper said.

“But I think with our game (and) the players that are in our team at the moment, we're shutting down games.

“Obviously, we didn't do too well on the Gold Coast (against Argentina) — but I feel like we're scoring enough points, we just need to step up our defence.”