Duo lead Tri-Nations charge

Coach and captain confident of winning Tri-Nations decider

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 4th September 2008

Duo lead Tri-Nations charge

Leaders: Confident of revival

It was disappointing, disappointing and disappointing.

Robbie Deans.
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Australia's Robbie Deans and Stirling Mortlock insist they have everything to play for with the Tri-Nations decider looming.

The Wallabies face New Zealand in Brisbane on September 13 to determine who will take the Tri-Nations title but they will go into the match as underdogs after their record 53-8 loss to South Africa.

However, Deans and Mortlock are confident that Australia can bounce back from the defeat against the Springboks and claim the Tri-Nations crown.

Head coach Deans has been quick to dismiss the impact of the Johannesburg defeat, insisting the loss has done an injustice to the progress made by his side since he took the helm back in June.

"I'm not too concerned about the numbers to be frank," Deans said.

"It hurts when you lose. You can chase the statistics all you like."

As frustrating as the loss was, Deans maintains his side have developed during the series and the top prize is still within their grasps.

"It was disappointing, disappointing and disappointing," Deans said.

"We have genuinely started something this season.

"We've picked up something to show for it along the way, but the thing we'd really like to show for it is ahead of us."

Positives

Wallabies captain Mortlock is convinced the decider is the Aussies' chance to show their championship-winning qualities.

"There's nothing we can do or say that'll change that result (against South Africa), we get an opportunity now to have a few days off and then a real genuine chance to do something special in a week and a half," Mortlock said.

"I guess as a group we have proved that we can come back from disappointment so that's one positive thing.

"But certainly at the moment we'll be licking a few wounds and taking this time to reflect and re-energise so that when we get back into camp on Sunday we're ready to go.

"We have so much to play for next week.

"I think everyone will be absolutely mentally where they need to be, in the right place."