Last year John Smit stated that “Excuses were for losers”

After a horror Tri-Nations 2010 thus far and a remarkably similar year to 2006, Smit had this comparison to make.

“It’s always hard talking after the game when you are the loser. To be honest, we had very little to take out of the first three games” said Smit.

“If we get a little closer to our intensity levels we want every week, we know we can make any team ordinary”

“On Sunday I woke up with my wife and children and realised the biggest positive is that if we play right we will win any game every time.”

“Suspensions haven’t helped us, and as much as we have excuses, we only have ourselves to blame. There is hurt and this weekend will highlight that. We’ve felt this feeling before.”

“You want to reflect back on this in a year’s time when you need it — when you’re 20-all against Fiji. You want to remember this hurt. You want to reference back to this moment when you feel like actual death to get you out of that.”

“Hopefully we can do that and keep our intensity like that for seven weeks in a year’s time.”

With all the experience, World Cup winners, Super 14 and Currie Cup winners in the squad, I’m surprised they need these lessons.

LIABILITY IN MIDFIELD

Fourie reunites with Jean de Villiers to form the Springbok midfield for the first time in a year.

Jaque Fourie assured the Springbok rugby public that the centre combination will not be a liability in this weeks clash against the Wallabies.

Both Fourie (4 weeks) and de Villiers (2 weeks) have served suspensions for recent spear tackles.

“No, it’s not a risk to run out with two centres that recently served suspensions for spear tackles. It won’t happen again.” said Fourie.

“We spoke about it and will also remind one another during the game to complete the tackles. We both made the mistake of wanting to go upwards with the opponent too quickly. It happens in the blink of an eye, but I don’t think we will make the same mistakes again” said Fourie.

Just how much can we trust the word of Fourie? He was suspended for a spear tackle against the All Blacks after the final Tri-Nations test in Hamilton last year.

Did Fourie not his lesson after that incident?

It will be interesting to see this week just what lessons the Boks have learnt. Let’s hope we can smash the Aussies, because I for one won’t be forgiving if we lose, and I certainly won’t be tolerating excuses or apologies!