Pressure on Mortlock to improve goal-kicking as rain becomes a factor

WALLABIES sharpshooter Stirling Mortlock has vowed to improve his mediocre strike-rate as rain is set to make goal-kicking a key factor in this morning’s Tri-Nations clash against South Africa.

Mortlock has been kicking at 70% for Australia this season and was particularly disappointed with his one-from-three effort in last weekend’s loss to New Zealand in Christchurch.

Forecast Brisbane rain will play into South African hands at Suncorp Stadium as they plan on squeezing the Wallabies with a tight, set-piece game.

As well as helping their powerful pack, wet conditions give them a distinct advantage with the growing possibility of a penalty shoot-out.

South African full-back Percy Montgomery has a boot and can slot three-pointers from anywhere in the opposition half and beyond.

Mortlock has this week spent extra time on the training ground trying to rectify his kicking, which can be disadvantaged by a natural hook.

“At this level all goalkickers can knock them over from a 50 metre range and that’s certainly the case against the Boks this weekend, so I’ll be doing my bit to ensure I can do it for us as well,” he said.

“I was a bit unhappy with the way I hit the ball last week and I’ve been doing extra work this week and I’m pretty happy with the way I’ve been toeing the ball.”

Although Brisbane is in the grip of a drought, the rain couldn’t come at a more awkward time for the Wallabies.

The Springboks pack has a 30-kilogramme weight advantage and will attempt to dominate Australia up front and nullify its exciting backline with its fast-rushing defence.

The Boks also possess five genuine lineout jumpers, while Australia have three plus part-timer Scott Fava, starting his first Test at number eight.

“If it does rain, it will play more in the favour of the massive South African pack,” Mortlock said.

“We know it’s going to be a very physical battle and if it’s wet, even more so.”

However, Springboks coach Jake White denied they would just use their size and strength.

“I think the one thing that is nice about this team is that there is lots and lots of pace. I probably haven’t picked a faster Springboks side,” said White.

South Africa have never seriously threatened to win a Tri-Nations match in Brisbane and go into the match under as much pressure as the Wallabies.

White said Australia could easily fall back into the rut of 2005 if it followed up the 32-12 defeat to the All Blacks with another failure.

“Any team that goes back-to-back [losses] starts getting into a downward spiral,” he said.

“It’s very difficult to get out of that rut.”

AUSTRALIA: C Latham, M Gerrard, S Mortlock, M Giteau, L Tuqiri, S Larkham, G Gregan (capt); S Fava, G Smith, R Elsom, D Vickerman, N Sharpe, G Shepherdson, J Paul, G Holmes.

Replacements: S Hardman, A Baxter, M Chisholm, P Waugh, S Cordingley, M Rogers, C Rathbone.

SOUTH AFRICA: P Montgomery, A Ndungane, J Fourie, W Olivier, B Habana, J van der Westhuyzen, R Januarie; P Spies, J Smith, J van Niekerk, D Rossouw, V Matfield, CJ van der Linde, J Smit (capt), O du Randt.

Replacements: D Coetzee, E Andrews, A van der Berg, J Cronje, F du Preez, M Bosman, B Paulse.