Rugby Championship LIVE updates: Wallabies take early lead against Springboks in Adelaide

McReight scores in the first minute

Wow. What a start for the Wallabies.

The men in gold get great front-foot ball, with Rob Valetini making a break down the right edge.

With South Africa backtracking, Fraser McReight barges over close to the line.

It’s a great little pop pass from Allan Alaalatoa to set him up.

Noah Lolesio’s conversion is good. What a statement this is from a team hurtly deeping after their big loss in Argentina.

AUSTRALIA 7 SOUTH AFRICA 0

A final tip as national anthems get under way

By Tom Decent

South Africa are coming off a win and a loss against the All Blacks. I look at their bench and it’s just astounding the calibre of player they’ve got up their sleeve.

The big test today will be Australia’s cohesion. Will it be up to scratch? The men in gold need to go to another level to prevail in Adelaide.

Don’t underestimate the loss of regular captain Michael Hooper either against a team of this quality.

Springboks by 12.

The final Wallabies team

James Slipper (c) (119 Tests)
Folau Fainga’a (30 Tests)
Allan Alaalatoa (56 Tests)
Rory Arnold (30 Tests)
Matt Philip (24 Tests)
Jed Holloway (2 Tests)
Fraser McReight (4 Tests)
Rob Valetini (23 Tests)
Nic White (52 Tests)
Noah Lolesio (12 Tests)
Marika Koroibete (47 Tests)
Hunter Paisami (18 Tests)
Len Ikitau (17 Tests)
Tom Wright (14 Tests)
Reece Hodge (57 Tests)
David Porecki (3 Tests)
Scott Sio (71 Tests)
Taniela Tupou (42 Tests)
Darcy Swain (13 Tests)
Rob Leota (10 Tests)
Pete Samu (24 Tests)
Tate McDermott (17 Tests)
Andrew Kellaway (14 Tests)

Noah Lolesio warms up at the Adelaide Oval.Credit:Getty

Wallaroos suffer defeat to New Zealand

By Caden Helmers

Shannon Parry will lead the Wallaroos to the World Cup with a clear picture of the gap that stands between themselves and international rugby’s crown after being swept in a trans-Tasman showdown.

Bienne Terita scored a double on debut but it wasn’t enough as Australia fell 22-14 against New Zealand in the first match of Test rugby’s double-header at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

The Wallaroos arrived for their first Test in Adelaide looking to atone for a 47-point defeat at the hands of the Black Ferns in Christchurch one week ago.

It wasn’t to be.

It’s a big game for the Wallabies

After an atrocious loss in Argentina at the end of their recent South American tour, the Wallabies will be desperate to bounce back in emphatic fashion.

Australia hasn’t lost to South Africa on home soil since 2013. That’s quite a remarkable statistic, considering the depth of the Springboks.

The Wallabies have been decimated by injuries recently and this will also be a big test of their depth.

It’s a huge game for No.10 Noah Lolesio and fullback Reece Hodge. Both were third-string at best when the international season kicked off this year and now find themselves in important positions in the back line.

Wallabies fans at Adelaide Oval. Credit:Getty

Slipper’s Wallabies ready for Springboks side trying to ‘bash us up’

By Caden Helmers

Wallabies captain James Slipper says the Australian pack must brace for a brutal battle from the opening whistle or risk letting the Springboks “bash us up” as Test rugby returns to Adelaide.

Slow starts have been the Wallabies’ Achilles heel this year; Dave Rennie’s side has lost the first 25 minutes in each of the five Tests they have played.

Only twice have they managed to mount a successful comeback, and Slipper concedes another lacklustre opening could prove costly against a star-studded South African side.

“It’s been spoken about, the start of the game. Hopefully, we can put South Africa under a bit of heat early,” Slipper said before the Wallabies’ first Test in Adelaide since 2004.

“It comes down to creating opportunities and taking them. We’re a team that, especially in these last five games, we’ve created a lot but probably haven’t had the polish to put them away and take points when they’re on offer.”