The Wallabies and Springboks are about to face off for back-to-back Tests that will make or break their Rugby Championship campaigns.
But who has the upper hand? The Herald and The Age takes a look at both squads and delivers its verdict.
Australia
1. James Slipper. The Wallabies captain is one of the most reliable players in the country, and the all-Brumbies front row should be able to withstand the Boks’ early scrum heat. 7
2. Folau Fainga’a. Fitness has improved to the point that the Wallabies clearly missed him in San Juan. 6.5
3. Allan Ala’alatoa. A straightforward choice at tight-head as Taniela Tupou battles for form. Has a big job on defence when the Boks forwards start coming around the corner to bash their way to the try line. 7
Allan Ala’alatoa will have a big job in defence against the Springboks.Credit:Getty
4. Rory Arnold. Yet to really dominate at Test level and Adelaide would be a good place to start. More is expected from the big second-rower. 7
5. Matt Philip. Confrontational nature of the Test should suit the Rebels second-rower, who would have noted the Springboks’ lineout issues against the All Blacks in Johannesburg (three throws stolen). 6.5
6. Jed Holloway. Looks set to be part of a “mirror defence” strategy at lineout time, shutting down the option to Pieter-Steph du Toit. Yet to impose himself and needs a big game in coming weeks. 6
7. Fraser McReight. David Pocock’s performance against the Boks at the 2011 RWC is still triggering for South Africans. McReight needs to play right on the edge, but his potential pest value at the breakdown is very high. 6.5
Rob Valetini will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.Credit:Getty
8. Rob Valetini. Big burden on the Brumby to carry the fight to the Springboks, with his back-row comrades very inexperienced at Test level. Tends to rise to the occasion, though. 8
9. Nic White. Niggle between White and Faf de Klerk could reach world-record levels. All Blacks attacked the Boks off No.9 with success, inducing fatigue. Koroibete must get on his shoulder. 7.5
10. Noah Lolesio. Must mix up his game and be prepared to play deep to counter the Boks’ rush defence. Crossfield kick can be a weapon. 6.5
11. Marika Koroibete. Opportunity knocks against Warrick Gelant, who is effectively the Boks’ fourth-choice option at No.14. Knows how to score against SA. 8.5
12. Hunter Paisami. Looms as a major part of the Wallabies’ attacking strategy with his short kicking game of wide passing. 7
13. Len Ikitau. A tough assignment against the world-class Lukhanyo Am. Must also work hard to get around his back three when the Boks go high and try to win the race for the scraps. 7
14. Tom Wright. Most of the high kicks will not come his way due to de Klerk’s left boot, and has the footwork to trouble the Boks’ big men close to the ruck. 6.5
15. Reece Hodge. Pragmatic, opposition-specific selection won’t set pulses rating but will prove invaluable if the Wallabies win the territory battle. 7
Reserves: Dave Porecki, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Andrew Kellaway. 7.5
WALLABIES TOTAL: 112
South Africa
1. Ox Nche. Struggled to impose himself against the All Blacks and was replaced after just 35 minutes. 6
2. Joseph Dweba. The Boks are missing the excellent Bongi Mbonambi, who is injured. Dweba’s lineout throwing was poor last time out and he was hooked early. 6
3. Frans Malherbe. The rock of the front row. Rarely beaten at scrum time and probably underrated overall. 7
South Africa’s Lukhanyo Am.Credit:AP
4. Eben Etzebeth. Would be in my “World XV”. A modern Springboks great who mixes athleticism with an iron will to win. 9
5. Lood de Jager. Not at Etzebeth’s level but a terrific Test player nonetheless. Hard to stop with ball in hand. 7.5
6. Siya Kolisi. Has sacrificed his mobility for size as part of the Boks’ strategy but can be a seriously destructive breakdown presence. 7.5
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit. Injuries have hurt the former World Rugby Player of the Year, although there have been recent signs that the athleticism is returning. 7.5
8. Duane Vermeulen. Looked badly short of a gallop against the All Blacks but class is permanent. 8
9. Faf de Klerk. In and out of the side this year as the Boks try to manage players coming off European seasons. Possibly not at his sharpest. 7
10. Handre Pollard. A Rugby World Cup winner – enough said. Extremely astute game manager. 7.5
11. Makazole Mapimpi. Possibly the world’s greatest exponent of regathering his side’s box kicks. Doesn’t need much space to hurt teams. 8
12. Damian de Allende. Powerful No. 12 was outplayed by David Havili in Johannesburg and will be seeking a response. 7.5
13. Lukhanyo Am. Lost part of the middle finger in his left hand in a childhood accident, but it hasn’t stopped him becoming the world’s best centre. 9
14. Warrick Gelant. Best known in Australia for booting the ball into a teammate’s backside in a Super Rugby game against the Rebels. Has improved since then but a potential weak link. 6.5
15. Damian Willemse. The talent has always been there, and the performances are now matching it. A threat. 7.5
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn. 8
SPRINGBOKS TOTAL: 119.5
Watch every match of The Rugby Championship on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Continues this Saturday with Wallabies v South Africa (Saturday 3pm AEST) and New Zealand v Argentina (Saturday 5:45pm AEST). All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
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