We can still win Tri Nations, says Connolly
Australia coach John Connolly believes his side are still in with a chance of winning the 2006 Tri Nations title after they edged out South Africa in a nail-biting 20-18 victory in Sydney on Saturday night.
That win puts the Wallabies on 10 points from four games, three points behind leaders New Zealand who have played one game less.
The Springboks, who have also played three times, are well adrift on one point.
“I guess we are still in it,” said Connolly after his side’s latest win.
“The game in Auckland in two weeks time [when Australia face the All Blacks] is very important for us.
“The All Blacks have to play two games at altitude and then we played the Springboks on the end of that,” explained Connolly.
“The Springboks have three home games three weeks in a row and it will be tough for them but it will be a fair challenge for the All Blacks to go over there at altitude and win both games, so for us, Auckland is everything to play for.”
If Connolly is to guide his side to victory in the tournament he admits he will need to work on the line-out which was comprehensively overwhelmed by South Africa.
“They (the Springboks) have got an outstanding line-out, probably the best in the world,” said Connolly.
“Ours was a little bit off and that didn’t give us a platform at times. Every time we got there we were very creaky and that definitely affected our attack.”
