Bench to play a big role - Jones
August 13, 2002

Wallaby coach Eddie Jones says the bench will play a crucial role if they are to secure the big victory needed against the Springboks on Saturday and retain the Tri Nations Trophy.

The Wallabies must win by 26 points and score a bonus point with four tries if they are to keep the trophy from the All Blacks.

But history is against the Wallabies - they have never won at Johannesburg's Ellis Park and just once have they managed a 26-point victory, in Brisbane in 1999.

Jones said there would be no major changes to the side in a bid to play more attacking rugby, as that was the team's approach in every game. But he stressed the bench would need to perform as it did during the 16-14 win against the All Blacks at Stadium Australia.

Mat Rogers and forwards Matt Cockbain, Ben Darwin and David Lyons all came on during the game to play key roles.

The same squad is expected to be retained for Saturday's Test with the exception of prop Patricio Noriega, who was unable to travel to South Africa due to an ear infection.

"With an increased emphasis on attacking, we'll need to be looking to use the whole squad," Jones said.

"One of the significant things of the last game was the contribution of the bench.

"The three forwards which came on, their work-rate in that last 20 minutes far exceeded that of the All Blacks and Matty Rogers came on and gave us a bit of an edge with his running skills."

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