Experience returns as Wallabies prepare for Springbok test

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has confirmed his 23-man squad to take on South Africa at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday.

Joe’s men will be looking to redeem themselves after falling hard to the visitors in the first-round match. Speaking ahead of their rematch, Schmidt said: “There’s some continuity and freshness in this team after a very physical test last weekend.”

“The players have rolled up their sleeves and worked hard again this week. The reality is that we need to be more combative and accurate this Saturday.”

Wallabies team to play South Africa at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday 17 August at 5:45pm AWST
1. Angus Bell (28 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
2. Josh Nasser (3 Tests) – Easts Tigers
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) (71 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
4. Angus Blyth (3 Tests) – Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (33 Tests) – Randwick
6. Rob Valetini (43 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Carlo Tizzano (1 Test) – University of Western Australia
8. Harry Wilson (14 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (68 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
10. Noah Lolesio (20 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Marika Koroibete (59 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji
12. Hunter Paisami (28 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
13. Len Ikitau (30 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
14. Andrew Kellaway (30 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (29 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes
16. Billy Pollard (3 Tests) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. James Slipper (137 Tests) – Bond Pirates
18. Zane Nonggorr (7 Tests) – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Tom Hooper (9 Tests) – Bathurst Bulldogs
20. Seru Uru* – Wests Bulldogs
21. Tate McDermott (32 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (9 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
23. Max Jorgensen* – Balmain Wolves

*denotes uncapped

Three key takeaways from the opening round match

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu factor
Taking over the reigns as chief playmaker from Handre Pollard, the highly touted Stormers flyhalf was magnificent in his first start. Bringing a running threat on the level of Manie Libbok but with the control of Pollard when needed, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the perfect conductor of Tony Brown’s attack. From the kicking tee he landed four from five whilst his kicking from hand was generally very good. Given his physical make up at 6’1″ and 95kg, his threat at the line both in attack and defence (11 tackles) had the Wallabies on the back foot.

Men against boys
As many feared coming into the contest, the Wallabies simply could not match the Springboks in the physical stakes. Starting with the attack, the Wallabies struggled to break the gainline with a total of 136 total post contact meters from 103 carries which was less than half of the meters gained by their visitors. Defensively, the Wallabies missed 29 tackles and conceded 14 penalties which will be the stuff of nightmares for a coach in Joe Schmidt who takes major pride in his teams being uber clinical. Away from the stats, the eye test did not lie and the Wallabies simply are not at a physical level where they can compete with the top sides in the world at the moment.

Predictable attack
Interestingly the Wallabies were looking to employ a narrow approach to their attacking game in an attempt to mitigate the rush defence of the Boks. This approach back fired on account of their inability to break tackles through the centre of the Bok defence which in turn meant they never managed to find a crease on the outside. Of course, South Africa deserve major credit for their clinical approach here with an 88% completion rate for first up tackles. When this first option was cut off, the Wallabies looked completely out of ideas in what will be a worrying sign for Schmidt and his coaching staff ahead of next weekend’s clash against the same opposition.