13-08-2005, 08:04 AM
Perth - The Springboks are feeling pretty good about life. Ensconced in the lap of luxury at the five-star Burwood Casino complex in the Perth city centre, they have been given the weekend off by their coach as part of a new approach to beating the overseas hoodoo.
A month ago, when they came to Sydney for the Mandela Plate match, also 10 days before the match, they were hammered, literally until they puked, on the first two days after arrival, before tapering off on the physical side of training.
"And we were diabolical in that match," White said.
"We are changing a few things in our approach in an all-out effort to get the correct mindset to win next week."
'Whatever it takes to get these guys into a zone that makes them comfortable'
White was only half joking when he suggested the team-room should show video tapes of SA TV programmes and that bottles of Mrs Balls Chutney and Koo tomato sauce be placed on the breakfast tables.
"Whatever it takes to get these guys into a zone that makes them comfortable. We're having a team meeting with (team shrink) Henning Gerrike on Monday and we will go over every last thing that can be done to get these guys to feel at home."
South Africa has not won a Test match in Australia since 1998, the year they also beat New Zealand away from home. And Australia have felt just as lost on their trips to South Africa - they have lost their last six Tests away to the Boks.
The Boks arrived in Perth on Thursday morning and immediately got into the swing of things by hitting the casino golf course.
This was to ensure they did not fall into the trap of sleeping during the day, a fatal mistake when trying to beat jet lag.
The Boks have been enjoying their respite from the pressures of Test-match rugby.
After playing Tests on three consecutive Saturdays, and winning them all, the Boks can now sit on their laurels and watch the drama unfolding ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney (noon SA time).
"We look forward to them giving each other a good few 'klaps', while we relax with a quiet beer and watch on the big screen," smiled White.
What would be the ideal scenario for the Boks?
"I guess if Australia win then it sets us up nicely for next week's match, because if we then beat Australia, it will be all over. The title will be ours.
"But I have a feeling the championship will be decided the following week in Dunedin, when we play the All Blacks.
"I reckon the All Blacks are going to be too good this week, after losing to us, and the Wallabies have been hurt by the loss of Stephen Larkham and Chris Latham.
"We do not want to be in the situation where we finish our matches and then the championship is decided the following week in the final match.
"At this stage, our destiny is in our hands.
"If we win in Perth and again in Dunedin, nothing the other teams do can affect the destination of the championship.
"We have never been in such a rosy position. Two games, two wins, top of the log.
"We would really be very disappointed if we did not make the most of this situation."
Meanwhile, the Wallabies' quest for rugby redemption became that little bit tougher with Friday's confirmation that inspirational skipper Tana Umaga was fit to lead the All Blacks today.
The warrior centre was given the all-clear from an ankle injury, which had threatened to keep him out of the trans-Tasman clash.
"The captain's available, fit and well, I'm pleased to announce," coach Graham Henry said last night.
A month ago, when they came to Sydney for the Mandela Plate match, also 10 days before the match, they were hammered, literally until they puked, on the first two days after arrival, before tapering off on the physical side of training.
"And we were diabolical in that match," White said.
"We are changing a few things in our approach in an all-out effort to get the correct mindset to win next week."
'Whatever it takes to get these guys into a zone that makes them comfortable'
White was only half joking when he suggested the team-room should show video tapes of SA TV programmes and that bottles of Mrs Balls Chutney and Koo tomato sauce be placed on the breakfast tables.
"Whatever it takes to get these guys into a zone that makes them comfortable. We're having a team meeting with (team shrink) Henning Gerrike on Monday and we will go over every last thing that can be done to get these guys to feel at home."
South Africa has not won a Test match in Australia since 1998, the year they also beat New Zealand away from home. And Australia have felt just as lost on their trips to South Africa - they have lost their last six Tests away to the Boks.
The Boks arrived in Perth on Thursday morning and immediately got into the swing of things by hitting the casino golf course.
This was to ensure they did not fall into the trap of sleeping during the day, a fatal mistake when trying to beat jet lag.
The Boks have been enjoying their respite from the pressures of Test-match rugby.
After playing Tests on three consecutive Saturdays, and winning them all, the Boks can now sit on their laurels and watch the drama unfolding ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney (noon SA time).
"We look forward to them giving each other a good few 'klaps', while we relax with a quiet beer and watch on the big screen," smiled White.
What would be the ideal scenario for the Boks?
"I guess if Australia win then it sets us up nicely for next week's match, because if we then beat Australia, it will be all over. The title will be ours.
"But I have a feeling the championship will be decided the following week in Dunedin, when we play the All Blacks.
"I reckon the All Blacks are going to be too good this week, after losing to us, and the Wallabies have been hurt by the loss of Stephen Larkham and Chris Latham.
"We do not want to be in the situation where we finish our matches and then the championship is decided the following week in the final match.
"At this stage, our destiny is in our hands.
"If we win in Perth and again in Dunedin, nothing the other teams do can affect the destination of the championship.
"We have never been in such a rosy position. Two games, two wins, top of the log.
"We would really be very disappointed if we did not make the most of this situation."
Meanwhile, the Wallabies' quest for rugby redemption became that little bit tougher with Friday's confirmation that inspirational skipper Tana Umaga was fit to lead the All Blacks today.
The warrior centre was given the all-clear from an ankle injury, which had threatened to keep him out of the trans-Tasman clash.
"The captain's available, fit and well, I'm pleased to announce," coach Graham Henry said last night.