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+---- Thread: White looks forward to the Kiwi game (/Thread-White-looks-forward-to-the-Kiwi-game)
White looks forward to the Kiwi game - mcamp999 - 01-08-2005
By Craig Ray
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Springbok coach Jake White said a victory over the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday would be similar to winning the Rugby World Cup.
"If we beat the All Blacks on Saturday it must come close to the achievement of winning a World Cup," White told a news conference on Monday.
The Springboks beat Australia 22-16 in the Tri-nations opener in Pretoria on Saturday, which followed their 33-20 Mandela Challenge Plate win over the same opponents at Ellis Park in Johannesburg a week earlier.
"To beat Australia on two consecutive weekends and then beat the All Blacks the next Saturday would be special and I don't think too many sides can get that right," White said by way of explaining his earlier comment.
"One of the things we must be aware of is that if you want to win the World Cup you are going to have to play three big Saturdays in a row.
"We have England in our pool in 2007 and if we beat them we could have to play a quarter-final, semi-final and final in consecutive weeks.
"It could happen that we end up playing, say, France in the quarters, Australia in the semis and New Zealand in the final, or whoever. To win the tournament you will have to win those three weekends in a row.
"Winning the World Cup is massive and you can't take that away from anybody but for us this weekend is part of the plan and something you can use when preparing for the World Cup."
The Springboks will be playing their third test in three weeks while the All Blacks have not played since July 9 when they beat the British and Irish Lions 38-19 in the third test to clinch the series 3-0.
White was not sure who would be better prepared for the Tri-nations match, the weary but confident Springboks or the rested but match shy All Blacks.
"I'll tell you on Saturday afternoon if it was an advantage to play two weekends in a row before this match or not," White said with a smile.