SYDNEY, 22 July 2003 — Australia coach Eddie Jones is confident that playing at home will give the Wallabies the edge over New Zealand in Saturday’s Tri-Nations championship match.

The Wallabies were unimpressive two weeks ago losing to South Africa who were in turn trounced 52-16 by New Zealand on Saturday.

Australia have struggled against South Africa in the past six years but have won eight of their last 11 matches against New Zealand, including four of their past five encounters in Sydney.

“That’s an advantage for us. We know we can do well in Sydney — if there is any ground that’s a home one in Australia, it’s that one,” Jones said yesterday.

“We are certainly very comfortable playing the All Blacks in Sydney.”

Jones said he could not pinpoint why Australia underperformed against South Africa yet consistently improved against the All Blacks who have beaten the Springboks in 14 of their last 19 matches.

“I think New Zealand sides tend to play a lot more ball on the ground and perhaps we tend to play better against teams that do that,” Jones said.

Jones signaled that he was likely to move Matt Burke back into the centers after the New South Wales Waratahs captain had a nervous return to Test rugby at fullback against the Springboks.

The move would pave the way for the return of Chris Latham to fullback.

With Joe Roff injured and no other regular goal kickers available, Jones is committed to starting either Burke or Elton Flatley.

Jones said he had yet to make up his mind on fly-half between Stephen Larkham and Flatley. Jones was also weighing up whether to start both openside flankers George Smith and Phil Waugh.

The move would add to Australia’s presence at the breakdown but would leave the lineout without another experienced jumper. The Wallabies had good news on Monday when winger Lote Tuqiri and reserve prop Ben Darwin were passed fit.

Tuqiri, who will take over from Roff, had a strained hamstring while Darwin has recovered from a knee injury.

Springboks Add Two Uncapped Players

In Cape Town, Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli yesterday added two uncapped players to an enlarged squad for the away leg of the Tri-Nations series.

Western Province wing Gus Theron and Lions utility back Jorrie Muller join the 28-man squad for the first time.

Western Province scrumhalf Neil de Kock and Natal hooker Lukas van Biljon, who have both been out of favor this year, were also named in the group.

Center Andre Snyman is the only member of the squad that lost by a record 52-16 against New Zealand on Saturday to be omitted from the tour.