Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has shrugged off criticism of both himself and Springbok counterpart Heyneke Meyer as "part of the territory."
Both coaches are in desperate need of a win in next weekend's Rugby Championship clash in Pretoria as they face widespread discontent following disappointing recent reseults against runaway tournament leaders New Zealand and newcomers Argentina.
Deans said Australia's entire traveling group would face up to the pressure in South Africa.
"You just concentrate on what you've got to do," Deans said in Johannesburg after his squad arrived from Sydney.
"It is part of the territory for players and coaches, but when you're part of a team, what you want from your teammate is to be there when it matters. We're (coaches) no different to the playing group from that end."
The hosts are arguably under even more pressure with Meyer's choice of tactics coming under fire and being criticised for relting too much on kicking.
Deans disagreed with that take on South Africa on Friday and said the Springboks were neither conservative nor predictable.
"It's never that straightforward," he said.
"Those sorts of suggestions come about, I guess, when people's needs aren't met. I guess we're talking about win or lose. All of a sudden everything's wrong.
"They've been creative, they've been innovative, they scored a great try last week (against New Zealand), and when you look at the detail of them, which we spend a lot of time doing, you can see some of those little points of difference and the aspirations within their game. It (the criticism) is wide of the mark."
Stand-in captain and second-rower Nathan Sharpe echoed his coach's thoughts. South Africa would combine typical forward strength with the ability to attack out wide at Loftus, said the veteran, who has been handed captaincy duties in his final season of international rugby.
"They're always dangerous, particularly at home. It's one of the challenges of world rugby you want to take because you don't get to do it that often ... South Africans have spoken about it for years but if the game opens up, they'll play that kind of rugby," said Sharpe.
"I don't think we're concerned about what it means for them. It's what it means for us."
Comments
ben7 says...
Why does everyone keep saying "the wallabies have a big injury list"?? Yes theyre missing horwill, pocock, genia and o'connor but look at who the boks are missing through injury. bismarck du plessis, schalk burger, juan smith, pierre spies, bjorn basson (i think), jp pietersen. Not to mention chilliboy and kolisi
Posted 00:21 24th September 2012
letsgoboks says...
Time will tell...
Posted 13:50 23rd September 2012
Mace says...
Boks been creative? Missing goal kicks indoors, kicking the ball back to the opposite team each chance they get, passing the ball to the touch judge? WTF is Deans on about. Stay in oz Robbie we dont want you back, and maybe the only creative thing to do is bring back PdV to add abit of colour in the Bokke team. Bokke, Wannabies LOSERS!!!
Posted 09:16 23rd September 2012
bloemboy says...
Of course he wants HM to stay, it makes his job easier.
Posted 06:50 22nd September 2012
scot_rsa says...
For a start I don't agree both sides need a win, all games have been pretty even and even the ABs aren't firing on all cylinders. Secondly, I think Meyer knows what he's got in players like Habana. That try was rehearsed and once Goosen slots in we should see a lot more if forward domination is gained. Not exactly the offload game but progress I think.
Posted 20:09 21st September 2012
melkdave says...
Have to agree with @Daibok,Habanas try was totally a solo effort,and had very little to do with the bokke gameplan.Infact it most probile worked because it was so unexpected,and caught the ABs defence at sixs and sevens.R.Deans problems are also alot different than H.Meyers aswell,the wallabies have a big injury list of what would be 1st team starters and are struggling to find players of quality,while the bokke just arnt using the best players available in certain positions or players who can give some creativity to the gameplan.They may seem similar but theres a vast difference,ones enforced the other is self inflicted.
Posted 19:02 21st September 2012
daibok says...
I think Deans is having a laugh. He is doing the best with a long Australian injury list. The Boks are frittering away any chance of creativity with bad selection and tactics.
Habana's great try was completely out of sync with the rest of our play.
When in doubt, talk up the opposition.
Posted 14:06 21st September 2012