It's going to be interesting to see how Australia react on Saturday after the walloping they took against us. We gave them a record 53-8 Test defeat and even though it might not have mattered in the Tri Nations table, it mattered to our pride because we hadn't done well in the tournament. Now Australia have to fight for their pride in the finale with New Zealand and I think our win will actually spur them on to their first title since 2001.
They have had two weeks to recover from that, prepare and get the loss out of their system. Even if it might not have affected the final table, no one likes to lose like that, but I don't think many teams could have coped with us that day. I was out injured, but I could see how frustrated our boys were with how they had played in the tournament and any team would have struggled to cope with us. We had not done ourselves justice and wanted to finish on a high. Everything was right, we hit all the right switches, did all the small things we hadn't done previously, and when you hit all the right switches, this is the kind of result we are capable of.
I have noticed in this South African team that they are horribly dangerous when they are in a corner and the pressure is on. Nine times out of 10 they produce, and they did this time. I'm sure the Australia coach, Robbie Deans, will motivate his players with that result and use that performance to get them fired up in his pep talk. They will be playing at home and that's a major factor; they will be up for it. It's for the Tri Nations title and it's against New Zealand, what more do they need to give it everything?
The games against South Africa are always hard fought, but they don't have the same history or rivalry as Australia against New Zealand. Of all the countries I have played against, Australia have the strongest mental resolve. It's like this in most of their sports; they want to be the best and they spend money to be successful. They are driven and focused and we have seen the benefits of this policy with what they have achieved in the past in sports like rugby and cricket for example. They are tough enough to bounce back from their worst defeats.
Ryan Cross has been called up at centre, No13, and if there's one guy who could be the surprise then it's him. Stirling Mortlock has been moved to second five, No12, to cover for Berrick Barnes and that's a big decision by the coach. It's not a gamble and Ryan has the support of his coach and that should give him the lift he needs for the game and help his side win the midfield. Their flankers will also have to step up and I think they can do more damage than the All Blacks back three. In George Smith and Rocky Elsom, they could have the upper hand.
