Wallabies are playing better than us, says former All Blacks star

FORMER New Zealand winger Stu Wilson has hailed the performances of the Australia backline ahead of the Bledisloe Cup triple header, claiming the Wallabies are favourites.

The southern hemisphere heavyweights have both kicked off their 2006 international campaigns with three victories, although while Australia have put in powerful performances against England and Ireland, the All Blacks have looked anything but convincing against Ireland and Argentina.

“We’ve both won three out of three, but [Australia] are playing better than us,” Wilson said.

Echoing the comments made by Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll that Australia’s backs are more intelligent than New Zealand’s, Wilson added that the Wallabies backline has thrived under the new coaching regime of John Connolly and Scott Johnson.

“Something has happened with the Wallabies backs,” he added. “I see a little more freedom and a little more happiness.

“A happy backline is able to run when they want, and they take risks — now they see a chance and they’re going for it and they’re causing mayhem.

“The backs are winning the game. The All Blacks don’t have that rhythm at the moment.”

Wilson is also concerned who will be given the formidable job of filling the shoes of the enigmatic Tana Umaga, who retired from international rugby last year.

“What happens (in New Zealand) is that everyone expects whoever replaces Tana to play like him, but that doesn’t happen overnight; it’s experience,” added Wilson.

Meanwhile, former captain Reuben Thorne has admitted a New Zealand recall was the last thing on his mind.

Thorne turned down the opportunity to lead the Junior All Blacks in their Pacific Five Nations championship earlier this month and was shocked to then be handed a senior call-up by Graham Henry with Troy Flavell needing shoulder surgery.

Thorne had returned to his Canterbury farm ahead of the province’s Air New Zealand Cup campaign, attempting to recover after the Crusaders’ Super 14 triumph.

Thorne was feeding hay to his cows when his wife, Kate, told him Henry was on the phone. It was the call he had seldom dared to dream would come.

Thorne has not played a Test under the current coaching regime after being captain for the 2003 World Cup.

South Africa coach Jake White has named four new caps in his squad for the forthcoming Vodacom Tri-Nations tour to Australia and New Zealand.

Winger Akona Ndungane, full-back Jon-Paul Pietersen, flanker Pierre Spies and hooker Mahlatse ‘Chiliboy’ Ralepelle have all been drafted in as White looks to inject some young blood into his squad.

The Springboks’ opening Tri-Nations clash sees them face Australia in Brisbane on July 15.

South Africa squad: Forwards: Eddie Andrews, Bakkies Botha, Os Du Randt, Victor Matfield, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Lawrence Sephaka, John Smit (Captain), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies,Albert Van Den Berg, CJ Van Der Linde, Joe Van Niekerk, Jacques Cronje, Danie Coetzee, Solomzi Tyibilika, Danie Rossouw.

Backs: Jean De Villiers, Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen, Jaque Fourie, Enrico Januarie, Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Breyton Paulse, JP Pietersen, André Pretorius, Brent Russell, Fourie Du Preez.