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Victor Matfield questioned South Africa’s batting strategy after the Springboks lost the aerial battle 42-38 to Australia in Perth on Sunday, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii repeatedly coming out on top under the high ball.
The former Bok captain felt the Wallabies had won South Africa in an area where they have traditionally dominated, something he admitted was unusual for a team that has built so much of its success around pressing and competing in the air.
What Matfield was particularly perplexed by was the decision to throw multiple punches at Suaali, who was difficult to contain and was one of Australia’s most effective mediums.
Matfield likened the approach to facing the former Wallabies star Israel Folau, claiming teams once had to come up with special plans to avoid giving one of the best aerial players in the world repeated opportunities to compete.
Speaking of his Rugby Rivals podcast, Matfield said South Africa’s batting strategy did not explain Suaali’s strength, with the former All black people winger John Kirwan also highlights the Australian’s athleticism and aerial ability.
“Well done Australia, they came at the Boks in that first half. They dominated a lot of things. For the first time in a long time the Boks lost the aerial battle,” Matfield said.
“The only thing I couldn’t understand was – we say we’re a detailed coaching staff – but a lot of our shots went to Suaali, who’s one of the best guys under the high ball.
“It’s almost like the old days when you played Australia and (Israel) Folau was there. You had to have a plan not to kick at him because he was the best in the world under the high ball. So you had to have a plan.
“It kind of felt like all our shots were going to Suaali and he was fantastic on the wing – maybe that’s his position?”
Kirwan added: “I think Suaalii on the wing, coming from rugby league, I think he’s had a bit of time in Australian rules as well, and I think his reception of the high ball and the first try after South Africa started so well, where the center scored, he just went up in the air and competed. He’s a big man, he’s a great athlete.”
