Wales skipper Sam Warburton admits that he's had enough of losing to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and is determined for his side to buck the trend by beating the Wallabies in Cardiff on Saturday.
Their record against the 'big three' makes for painful reading since they beat Australia at the 1987 World Cup - Played 58, Won three, Drawn one, Lost 54 - a woeful success rate of just over five per cent.
Their rare wins came at the opening of the Millennium Stadium against the Springboks in 1999 and twice against the Wallabies in 2005 and 2008.
24-year-old Warburton said their failure to match the game's leading teams is something which bothers him.
"It frustrates me," he told the Western Telegraph.
"Scotland have beaten Australia, they've done well against South Africa. It is doable and that's what really frustrates me.
"It think it is getting to the stage now where, you know, like it's 'enough is enough' and we have got to beat them."
"I've only been involved for three or four years and it's already getting on my nerves, this whole southern hemisphere scalp.
"I don't know how the players feel and people like Ryan (Jones) and Mike (Phillips) who have been around ten years or so.
"I'm definitely feeling like that (frustrated) and I think the rest of the squad feel the same way as well."
Comments
geoff332 says...
As long as they continue to blame the calendar, they're unlikely to win. Remember, the big SH teams peak in August and September most years for the rugby championship. When they tour the NH, they know it wont be quite as tough (look at the long run win/loss ratios and you'll see the same) and they're at the end of the season with one eye on the break. To beat the SH teams consistently, they NH teams need to:
1. Improve the basics - kick, catch and pass at speed.
2. Learn how to score a lot more tries (against good defenses).
3. Learn how to cycle the ball faster through the breakdown (and stop wasting effort accusing the opposition of cheating because they're good at doing this).
4. Improve their decision making - knowing where, when and how to attack.
Posted 13:36 01st December 2012
Oceansnz says...
@Melkdave
Sorry mate, but as long as football is the major sport in European countries, the "southern hoodoo" will continue.
Posted 07:22 01st December 2012
jonesrp says...
Won 3...drawn 1...lost 54..and the calendar is being blamed ??
Posted 01:30 01st December 2012
Mikeyj9 says...
I think what the problem is for the NH teams, is the SH teams are quite a lot better , therefore will usually win.
Posted 22:47 30th November 2012
melkdave says...
LOL i think he isnt alone in his desire to end the SH hoodoo they appear to have over NH teams.In the past the calander worked for the SH teams ,now its more balanced and eventually the hoodoo will end .As a NH team supporter im hoping sooner rather than later lol
Posted 10:49 30th November 2012