Australia coach John Connolly expects a more confrontational South Africa side in Sydney today than the team that was thrashed 49-0 in their first Tri-Nations encounter in Brisbane last month.

With Australia licking their wounds after last week's 13-9 loss to New Zealand resigned them to a fourth straight Bledisloe Cup defeat, Connolly said the Wallabies must step up a gear.

Connolly said: "They will be a lot more confrontational, a lot more physical. We know what to expect."

The All Blacks are in pole position in the standings on 13 points. Australia (one win from three) are in second place on six points, while table-propping South Africa (two losses) have yet to register a point.

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