Joe Schmidt: Springboks ‘tend to get a bit of luck’ with officiating decisions
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt and James Lowe's disallowed try against the Springboks.
Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt insists that not only are the Springboks an exceptional side but they also benefit from some contentious officiating calls.
The Australia head coach was referring to the recent Test series against Ireland and specifically the disallowed try for James Lowe.
It proved crucial as South Africa went on to claim a 27-20 triumph in the opening encounter before Ireland hit back in the second match.
Schmidt was effusive with his praise for the Boks but felt that the double defending world champions didn’t need any more help.
Controversy
“South Africa, they look pretty impressive. The level and intensity of that Irish series, it was entertaining,” he told reporters. “I think most people would have been entertained by the one-score results, and particularly Ciaran Frawley nailing those two late drop-goals to win the second Test.
“There was a bit of controversy with James Lowe’s try being disallowed. It’s not the first time for South Africa, they tend to get a bit of luck from that perspective.
“They don’t need too much luck to fall their way, they make a lot of their own luck with the quality of player and the connectedness they have.
“They have guys who have played a lot of Test match footy together and that breeds confidence and almost an unspoken trust among players – they know what each other are going to do.
“They have an expectation of them doing it well and I think based on the way South Africa have played, they’ve done things well.”
Springboks v Wallabies: Predicted line-up as ‘frightening’ pack look to overpower Australia
The Springboks have a poor record in Australia, and particularly at Suncorp Stadium, which is the venue for the opening game of the Rugby Championship, but they are heavy favourites for next Saturday’s match.
New attack
Rassie Erasmus has spoken about developing their style, especially in attack, and there were signs of evolution in the Ireland series.
It was not perfect, however, and there could be an opening for the Wallabies with the Boks still getting used to the ideas of new attack coach Tony Brown, but Schmidt believes that the visitors will play similarly to their World Cup success.
“I’m not sure there’s too much difference. I’ve worked with [previous Boks head coach] Jacques [Nienaber] and Rassie when they were at Munster and I was with Ireland,” he said.
“I know them both well and they’re very tight. Jacques and Rassie would have worked closely together. With Rassie continuing, there would have been the same emphasis in the manner in which they do things.
“They’re certainly defending in a very similar way. It will be more of the same. They really try to put pressure on, whether they have the ball or whether they don’t.”
