Pressure on Springboks says Reece Hodge

Wallabies utility back Reece Hodge told the media in Port Elizabeth that the Wallabies are happy to enter the clash with the Springboks this weekend with the underdog tag and says that the home side is under 'a fair bit' of pressure.

Following the Springboks' massive effort on defence against the All Blacks, Hodge said Australia would need to have some variation on attack to break down the Springbok defence.

‘We’ve worked on some interesting plays this week that we’ve designed around how the Springboks have defended, and that’s an exciting prospect for myself and some of the other outside backs in terms of creating some pace and go-forward for the team.

‘They did very well to deny the All Blacks time and space. New Zealand obviously have backs who can create something from nothing, and I think the fact that they didn’t give them a chance to get moving in the first place is a huge part of why South Africa won that game,’ he added.

‘Teams that use that kind of defence have to be very fit, and you have to keep it up for 80 minutes, so the pleasing thing for them would have been that they didn’t have many defensive lapses over that time. It’s something that I’m sure they’ll look to bring against us, but the challenge is for us to find holes in their defence.’

Hodge acknowledged that the odds would be stacked against the visitors.

‘From their perspective, they will be a lot more confident, but I also think there’s a fair bit of pressure on them. Of course, they’ve had a great game against the All Blacks, but their fans will want to see some consistency, so it’s a huge occasion for both of us. The two teams really want to start building some momentum, and don’t want to let another opportunity slip.’

Story via: SArugbymag