Deans aims to add to Boks' pain

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Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is determined to continue Springbok rival Peter de Villiers tough initiation to the international arena.

The new coach of the World Cup-winners is steering down the barrel of three test losses in a row and a head-to-head meeting with irate International Rugby Board referee's boss Paddy O'Brien.

The Wallabies take on the Springboks in Durban on Sunday morning (New Zealand time), just seven days after the Boks were downed 19-0 by the All Blacks in Cape Town.

More questions have been asked about de Villiers tactical beliefs following the loss to the All Blacks, the first time the side has ever held the Springboks scoreless in South Africa.

Deans expected the Springboks to change their game-plan, despite comments to the contrary from de Villiers.

And he said the key to continuing the Boks' losing ways was to start in emphatic style in Durban.

"I think the Boks will do a bit of both, although they'll see the Wallabies as a different proposition to the All Blacks and have different plans," Deans said.

"I have no idea what they are.

"If you can strike while the iron's hot and take advantage of field position and pressure and momentum, then the game has a fair amount of chemistry to it.

"If you get on the front foot it makes it tough for the opposition."

O'Brien went public on Wednesday with his feelings regarding ongoing criticism from the Springbok camp, including coach de Villiers and his stand-in captain Victor Matfield.

He is set to meet with de Villiers next month following the ongoing moaning from the Boks.

O'Brien said if the Springboks had concerns, they should raise them in the accepted protocol, not by hitting out at post-match press conferences.

While Deans said he was unsure what tactical approach the under-pressure Springboks would adopt against the Wallabies, he was adamant the rival first-fives held the key for both sides.

All Black No 10 Daniel Carter had a bad day with his goal-kicking last Sunday, but dictated play with other aspects of his game.

In contract Butch James continued his flat showing in the Springbok No 10 jersey during the 2008 international season.

The Wallabies will be guided by the impressive Matt Giteau on Sunday.

"The fly-halves are always at the heart of what happens, but they are also reflective of what happens around them," Deans said.

"As good as Carter and Giteau are, they can't play the game in isolation of what's happening elsewhere.

"But if you present them with opportunities and front-foot ball they'll reward you for that. That's what you saw in Carter this past weekend. He's an amazing kicker of the ball and he was able to keep claiming field position with precision that was remarkable.

"But we've also seen the All Blacks lose to the Boks with him on the field and that was a result of what was happening around him."