Wales versus South Africa

Defence could be suspect

Coetzee believes Wales do not have a very physical team because of injuries to the main players (at least four first-choice players are nursing long-term injuries).

Their backs are fleet of foot, but quite small, which means their defence could be the creek.

On Saturday, the All Blacks also found gaps in their first line of defence and they battled to match the brute strength and speed of Joe Rokocoko.

That is why there are rumours that De Wet Barry (inside centre), who usually follows the shortest route over the advantage line, could be considered to play against Wales.

Where the Boks want to fall back on a basic game plan, there is no talk whatsoever that the welsh will deviate from their near-Barbarians-style rugby.

Against the All Blacks, they tried to play the ball wide at virtually every opportunity, but more often than not they were stopped behind the advantage line.

Coetzee said Wales played like that in an attempt to get the ball as often as possible to the small, quick players like wing Shane Williams who is very fast.

"Even their forwards, with players like Adam and Duncan Jones, are mobile and they like to carry the ball."

Welsh coach Mike Ruddock did not make any excuses and said this was the way Wales wanted to play,good for him.










South African Rugby homepage