JWC: Knockout game between SA & Australia - Liebenberg
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JWC: Knockout game between SA & Australia - Liebenberg
South Africa U20 skipper Hanno Liebenberg has said that Wednesday’s clash with Australia will be an early taste of knockout rugby for the Junior Boks.
Only a single point separates the two sides going into the final group game, with the top spot in Pool B on the line.
The Junior Boks were finalists in last year’s championship in New Zealand and are looking to regain their crown for the first time since 2012, while Australia’s best finish was as runners-up in the 2010 competition.
Opening up on how his side would approach the contest, Liebenberg backed his forwards to make a mark in what is set to be a tense clash between the two Southern Hemisphere giants.
“We see this as a knock-out match, a must win game for us and we will approach it as if it’s a quarter-final. Only a single point separate us from Australia and we want to win so that we can progress to semi-finals,” said Liebenberg.
“Australia is a quality side and will definitely pose a different challenge compared to Samoa or Italy. Our forwards will have to stamp their authority on the match and provide the platform for our backs to be more involved.
“Our backline wants to see more ball going out wide and they showed in Argentina and here in Italy that they can strike very well when we they are in attacking positions.
Only a single point separates the two sides going into the final group game, with the top spot in Pool B on the line.
The Junior Boks were finalists in last year’s championship in New Zealand and are looking to regain their crown for the first time since 2012, while Australia’s best finish was as runners-up in the 2010 competition.
Opening up on how his side would approach the contest, Liebenberg backed his forwards to make a mark in what is set to be a tense clash between the two Southern Hemisphere giants.
“We see this as a knock-out match, a must win game for us and we will approach it as if it’s a quarter-final. Only a single point separate us from Australia and we want to win so that we can progress to semi-finals,” said Liebenberg.
“Australia is a quality side and will definitely pose a different challenge compared to Samoa or Italy. Our forwards will have to stamp their authority on the match and provide the platform for our backs to be more involved.
“Our backline wants to see more ball going out wide and they showed in Argentina and here in Italy that they can strike very well when we they are in attacking positions.
