Wallabies go all wobbly

The South Africa coach, Nick Mallett, has antagonised the Northern Hemisphere powers further by describing the Tri-Nations series as the proper world cup tournament.

Mallett, celebrating his 10th successive Test victory and South Africa's first on Australian soil since 1993, argued that the close nature of the Tri-Nations and the overwhelming strength of the three Southern Hemisphere nations make it the true guide to the best team in the world.

This Test at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night was hardly one of international rugby's great spectacles, with the Springboks relying on the Wallabies losing the plot in the final quarter to win 14-13. Western Australia's first Test match was ruined by wet weather, endless kicking and substandard play by both teams.

Still, Mallett said it was way ahead of anything on offer in the Northern Hemisphere, especially the Five Nations tournament. This followed the threat from the Australian Rugby Union chief executive, John O'Neill, last week that, if the home unions continued sending substandard teams on tour, the Tri-Nations would be turned into a six-nations, with France, Argentina and Western Samoa invited to join an extended tournament, possibly as soon as next year. Argentina have already been approached.

Mallett said that the Tri-Nations was "a really tough competition . . . I think this is the world cup, to be honest.

"Australia have improved by 20 per cent, as have South Africa, while New Zealand have lost a couple of key players," he said.

Mallett could afford to be cocky after watching Australia lose the Test rather than South Africa winning it. Australia, who could have gone well ahead on the Tri-Nations ladder, handed the game to their opponents through inept play, abysmal goalkicking, disorganisation in the line-out and lack of intelligence in the final minutes.

In the 63rd minute, fullback Matthew Burke had the chance to put Australia 16-14 ahead but missed a penalty from 25 metres in front of the posts. Unlike in Melbourne, where he scored all Australia's points, he had a horror night in Perth, missing four of his five kicks at goal.

Then, in the final minute, Australia had an attacking scrum only 15 metres from the South Africa line. The logical option was a drop goal from Burke or out-half Stephen Larkham, but the Wallaby backs lined up in an ACT Brumbies-like attacking formation and the moment was wasted when the ball was lost at the back of the scrum.

South Africa travel to New Zealand today for next Saturday's Test in Wellington, and this time next week all three teams are likely to boast one win from two matches.

Brian Baister yesterday beat previous incumbent Cliff Brittle by 520 votes to 345 to become the most powerful man in English rugby union.

Retired assistant chief constable Baister is the RFU's new management board chairman, replacing Brittle who had been in office for 30 months and had fought off challenges for his post in each of the last two years.

Baister (58), intends "to restore relations with the International Board, the Five Nations, the European Cup organisers, the England management, the clubs, sponsors and TV companies.

"We are in dispute with all of them," he said.