Our Bok-bashing record counts for nil, warns Deans

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has told his players their record against South Africa is meaningless at a World Cup.

The Wallabies have won five of the last six meetings between the Tri Nations rivals. They also enter tomorrow’s quarter-final (6am Irish time) at Wellington Regional Stadium with three successive victories against the Springboks in the bank.

Deans, however, insists the World Cup is a different stage with different demands.

“All that matters is Sunday. The winner goes on, the loser goes home,” he said. “Taking comfort from previous games is the quickest pathway to the airport. The knockout phases of the World Cup are completely different to every other type of rugby we play — the stakes are higher, the intensity greater and the margins between success and failure smaller.

“We’ve seen that to some extent already in the tournament through the key pool matches and you can pretty much guarantee that it will only intensify from here.

“History will be created this weekend and we desperately want our piece of it. There’s no tomorrow, unless you create one for yourself.”

South Africa’s last World Cup defeat was by Australia in the 2003 quarter-finals and Deans insists the defending champions are adept at prevailing in pressure-cooker situations. “South Africa still have the core group from the last World Cup together,” he said. “They know what it takes to be successful in knockout rugby and know how to close out the tight games.

“They’ve already shown that in this tournament when they came from behind to beat Wales by a point. They have a group which has the knowledge and belief that it can get things done.

“They will bring that mentality forward with them on Sunday.

“If we are going to earn the right to advance to the next round, we have to match it.”

The Wallabies have been strengthened by the return of full-back Kurtley Beale and winger Digby Ioane.

Beale and Ioane have recovered from respective hamstring and thumb injuries, enabling Deans to re-select all but one of the XV that opened the tournament against Italy.

Pat McCabe, who has been in the treatment room with a shoulder problem, is selected at inside centre with Berrick Barnes dropping to the bench.

James O’Connor switches to the right-wing with Ioane replacing Radike Samo in the number 11 jersey. Samo is restored to his preferred position of number eight.