Mallett Backs Boks For Tri-Nations
Italy coach Nick Mallett believes that South Africa can, once again, dominate in this year’s Tri-Nations competition.
Mallett, whose team was thrashed 55-11 by the Springboks in East London on Saturday, predicted that the confidence currently streaming through the Springbok camp would stand the South Africans in good stead when they kick off their Tri-Nations title defence against the All Blacks in Auckland.
“We’ve seen this team really mature over the past couple of years,” Mallett said.
“They really respond well to challenges. Back in the 90s it was tough to go over there on tour and win matches but now the players don’t fear [the Wallabies and All Blacks] and they believe they can beat them. In fact, they think they are better than them and, after last season’s performance and the success of the Bulls in the Super 14, they’ve every right to be confident.”
The Boks’ first Test performance against Italy, in Witbank last weekend, was widely criticised after the team’s lacklustre performance resulted in a flurry of tactical errors and a general inability to score tries. However, after the return of some of their top players, including skipper John Smit, there was little room for manoeuvre for Mallett’s feeble chances on Saturday.
“It was a shoddy performance by the Springboks last week and it wasn’t a great performance by us but you have to put in the work before you can knock over a team, even one like Italy, and this week they did that,” Mallett expressed.
“This is a really strong Springbok side, the best they can put out – give or take one or two players – and they showed it this week as normal service was resumed.”
With thanks to SA Rugby.com
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