It’s round three of the Rugby Championship and we’ve moved to Suncorp Stadium, in Brisbane – the Wallaby Fortress of recent years, as the Wallabies take on the Springboks. Join us for live scores and commentary from 8.05pm AEST.
The men in gold are attempting to snap a three match losing streak, while the Springboks are hoping to overcome their Brisbane hoodoo, a city they haven’t won at in 42 years.
The big stories before this game were about stars returning to the starting lineups. The Springboks welcome back big Bismark du Plessis, while the Wallabies have brought Quade Cooper into flyhalf.
Both teams have made changes at fullback too as Israel Folau and Sideshow Bob, oops I mean Zane Kirchner, take over the custodian roles.
News broke on Thursday that Wallaby captain James Horwill had been ruled out with a strained hamstring in a blow to Wallaby hopes.
The other notable change for the Wallabies is the recall of Nick ‘the honey-badger’ Cummins to the wing – let’s hope he gets some more Test meat just so we can see another classic post-game interview from him.
James O’Connor has been kept on the other wing; the question remains as whether he will remember to stay on his wing in defence though.
As one witty fan put it “JOC on the wing is a good move, he just has to take one step over the sideline and the problem is solved.”
For the Wallabies this match will be won and lost on discipline and defence. They need to make their defensive line a wall again, not the tissue paper it has been against the All Blacks.
The Springboks will drive from the lineout and probably the scrum and use Alberts and Vermuelen as the tip of the battering ram in general play with players binding on to drive them through tackles and over the advantage line.
Unless the Wallabies can stop the Spingboks generating forward momentum the game will be lost.
Similarly if they give Morne Steyn too many shots at goal the game will be over very quickly.
For the Springboks the danger comes from two places, Michael Hooper’s influence at the breakdown and the Genia-Cooper-Folau axis in attack. Both can be nullified by aggressive forward work and winning the tackle contest.
If they let Hooper create turnovers or give the Wallaby halves too much front foot ball they could be huddling behind the goal posts frequently trying to regroup.
The major concern when running the eye over the lineups is the bench. The Springboks have a vastly superior set of reserves.
The bench front rowers of Adrian Strauss and Coenie Oosthuizen are arguably better than their starting counterparts, while Siya Kolisi and Jan Serfontein offer the kind of punch off the bench that no-one has offered for the Wallabies since Robbie Deans used Scott Higginbotham as an impact player in 2011.
So many questions will be answered after 80 minutes tonight:
And who will win? My head says Springboks, heart says Wallabies. Join the pre-game discussion from 7.30pm AEST and then watch the action unfold.
Brett Susan
Guest
Definitely at Forries or at my joint- the woodcutter's Arms in Hout Bay
Roy
Guest
So? whats your plan mate?
allena shen
Roar Rookie
where to watch it ?
Bob
Guest
If you chose to migrate to South Africa for genuine reasons and lived there for 4,5 or 10 years would you start supporting the Springboks with all your heart? And when the Wallabies came over to SA to play you wouldn't be conflicted in the least? Grow up mate.
Yeah, but a wet ball will stifle the natural running game of the All Blacks which will level the playing field a bit.
ZaphodBeeblebrox
Guest
Ha! Believe the Bokke will be competitive, but where does this ideation that wet conditions favour them come from? The majority of the players come from the Highveld, and man in winter it's bone dry, as an SA fan I shudder each time I see them play in the rain, they hate it!
GotHim Yeah
Guest
And Beau Robinson is killing it for Bay of Plenty !! He only has one speed - flat out ! When we talk about Wlbys forwards needing to harden up, show vigor, be enforcers - Beau is the epitome of what we need right now. Beau and Radike towled up everyone in 2011 SR and won the Comp. Beau has never, ever left anything on the field and is exactly what the Wlby forwards need - someone to lead as aggressor and give 110 per cent !!!
Tpania
Guest
Yeh seemed everyone was playing their individual game with totally no cohesion. QC, now I know why Deans didnt use him, hes got a LOT to learn, Moores gotta shut up and play the game stead of back chatting, hes been a good player in the past, Genia plays his heart out normally (the last two major games b4 Boks played), were tops. Folau s got a LONG LONG way to go. Hes gotta stop talking to Jonah Lomu. Games changed since JL payed. lol
Tpania
Guest
Hm dont know if boks will be favored by wet as by all accounts its was pretty wet against the Pumas Sat nite and Blacks still won by a margin. but have to agree about the 2nd row. May the BEST team win.
crusader fan
Guest
+1 Agreed KiwiDave Go the Mighty ABs, it will be tough but fingers crossed we'll get up
richard
Guest
KiwiDave,why are we always hearing about allowing Aussie players into the ITM Cup? I'm not interested in propping up Aussie rugby. Haven't we done enough for them already?
IvanN
Guest
This picture says it all - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151889798074282&set=a.196024369281.160360.192840089281&type=1&ref=nf
IvanN
Guest
Is it not obvious how the law works ? IF you take the man past the horizontal, then you come down after him in teh tackle, if you dont, you come to ground at the same time. Hooper came down after Habana, which makes it quite obvious that he drove down on him. The intent was maybe not there, but the result was dangerous and a yellow was the right decision.
IvanN
Guest
dairy ?
IvanN
Guest
ARno Botha will still come back, and the coach can still use danie rossouw from overseas, then theres a small matter of a schalk burger thats on the comeback...
SandBox
Roar Guru
:)
SandBox
Roar Guru
I understand your frustration Dale. I once thought as you until I read some research that shows someone like a Bok supporter (first generation immigrant) will come to Oz and still support Boks, with Oz as number 2. Second generation might see it more as equal. It takes until the third generation immigrant before they feel some full ownership of the adopted country and then would support Wallabies as number 1. This might seem frustrating to someone proud of our country, but once you realise converting to being Australian is a slower process, it becomes a lot more understandable. Current Wallabies, maybe it will take 4-5 generations
Andre
Guest
@Dale Who says they're not supporting Australia when Australia plays against other teams? A bit naive to think that just because you take up home in another country you'll suddenly abandon all loyalty, history, memories and allegiances built up over many many years - don't you think? Would you have done so?
Dale
Guest
I was at Suncorp. We played terribly. Ball control was poor. Backs played disjointed rugby. Sin bin of hooper was a farce. Like the irishman felt he had to even out the springbok binning from first half. What was most disappointing was all the SA refugees in the crowd. Dont understand how ypu take hospitality off another country and dont support them.
Batdown
Guest
Acknowledged Atlas it was indeed Beau Robinson. Thanks ;)