Wallabies go big against besieged Boks

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is making no apologies for going big - and young - with his selections for the Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks.

Wallabies Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey says he is pumped for the challenge of his run-on Test debut for the Wallabies. (AAP)

The Wallabies are banking on a beefed-up forward pack and the fearless aggression of youth to deliver a rare Rugby Championship victory on the South African Highveld.

Three new starters and a possible debutant in Lukhan Tui will give Australia a fresh look in their clash against the Springboks in Bloemfontein early on Sunday morning (AEST).

And the hulking trio of Tui, Izack Rodda and Jack Dempsey gives them something else: size.

That will come in handy against a big Springboks outfit, which is physical at the best of times, and will dial up the aggression even further after they were blitzed by the All Blacks in New Zealand two weeks ago.

It's all part of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika's plan to ensure he has as many options as possible at his disposal at the 2019 World Cup.

"I know that people might say 'why do you do this with younger guys in this environment?'" Cheika said.

"But at the end of the day I see these as our talented players. I want to get them time now and give them the experience now.

"I want the opportunity to play with a big pack that has experience. I don't just want to ship them in there last minute."

Rodda, Dempsey and former NRL winger Marika Koroibete will make their run-on debuts at Free State Stadium.

Tui, meanwhile, is in line to become Australia's 24th debutant in the past two years.

The Queensland Reds rookie has been retained on a bench featuring six forwards and two backs, with winger Henry Speight culled from the team on Friday.

"(Tui) has had a good season with the Reds and in a game like this, where forward play is going to be ultra-important, there is no better place to get that Test out," Cheika said.

Cheika was toying with giving former skipper Stephen Moore a starting role but decided it would be better to inject his experience late in the game.

"We have nearly a whole forward pack on the bench there, and that sets a precedent," Cheika said.

"It doesn't have to be perfect but we have to work as hard as we can."

The Springboks have also made three changes, with Dillyn Leyds to make his Test debut on the wing, Ross Cronje named at halfback and the Francois Louw returning at openside flanker.

Australia have won just three times at altitude in South Africa but the last time they did was in Bloemfontein, with a last-gasp Kurtley Beale penalty sealing a famous result in 2010.

Wallabies: Israel Folau, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Kurtley Beale, Reece Hodge, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, Jack Dempsey, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio. Reserves: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Ned Hanigan, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi.

Springboks: Andries Coetzee, Dillyn Leyds, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Uzair Cassiem, Francois Louw, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Rudy Paige, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende.


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world