Halfback Nic White has kicked his way into the Wallabies line-up for the rugby Test against South Africa and again booted Will Genia back to the bench.
White will wear the No.9 jersey in their Rugby Championship Test at Newlands on Saturday, rewarded after his stand-out performance in the last-start, one-point win over Argentina.
White’s inclusion against the Pumas was initially thought to be based around giving Genia a break, but McKenzie was impressed with his work in the wet and windy conditions in Perth.
The Wallabies need to counter the Springboks’ pressure game, particularly with rain predicted for Cape Town on the weekend.
The Australians are looking to turn the tables after their disappointing 38-12 loss earlier this month in Brisbane and earn their first win in Cape Town since 1992.
Australia has also bolstered its backline against the physical Boks by including imposing outside centre Tevita Kuridrani for his run-on debut.
Kuridrani, who has played two Tests this year against New Zealand off the bench, will give their backline extra presence with his hulking 196cm, 102kg frame.
He will take the place of Adam Ashley-Cooper, who will move to wing following the axing of regular winger James O’Connor and injury to Nick Cummins.
Brumbies teammate and Wallabies No.8 Ben Mowen said White could help beat the Springboks, who have super-boot Morne Steyn, at their own game.
“Any time you play against a South African side you have to be able to take them on in the kicking battle because that’s a huge part of the way they play,” Mowen said.
“Particularly when Morne is at 10 both with the Bulls and South Africa, that’s been a huge part of their game so you’ve got to understand that it’s coming and be able to take it on and challenge them in the same area.”
Mowen believed the combination between White and five-eighth Quade Cooper, who has retained the starting jersey, would only get better in its second outing.
“That was the first opportunity to play together against Argentina and previous to that they’d had two or three training sessions.
“You get a lot of confidence out of getting a win like that with your combination.”
The only other change in the line-up to the side that overcame Argentina is the inclusion of skipper James Horwill, who has overcome a hamstring strain that has kept him put the past two Tests.
Horwill has pushed Kane Douglas out of the 22 while veteran prop Benn Robinson has been named on the bench for his first Rugby Championship appearance of the year.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Quade Cooper, Nic White, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Will Genia, Matt Toomua.
atlas
Guest
scroll my way down the home page NINE articles about a departing Super franchise coach resigning Yet tomorrow there is this test match Springboks v Wallabies Where's the hype? the comment? team analysis? predictions? Has everyone given up? Ali Williams in his role as would-be CEO of NZRU seems to get more attention, as does Ma'a Nonu's latest shade of eyeliner..
JP
Guest
Zero gain zero knowledge.....says it all
Ra
Guest
Yeah I like Pyle; getting close to Rettalick-type 2nt row now; Sio looks the goods too. The big Island boy Auelan is it (?) Should have No8 spot tied up but he needs to go away and join an erobics class. He needs a 70 game minimum then build from there. That pushes Higgy to 6. Now Iits lookin better.
Ra
Guest
That team wouldn't beat the ground with a stick. Giteau is found out. A great runner with the ball: but he doesn't know how to set up play; a weak link that the All Blacks know about. Wing is his best position and the same for AAC. Pocock+Smith= 3/4 McCaw so getting close; and 2 lineout jumpers; ok lineouts look containable; then there's that front row. A front row not going forward is a team not going forward. Hmmmm .... sorry but you gonna have to find another stick. The ABs don't fear the one u have.
Ash
Guest
To me it's important to get the balance right in the back-line as much as the forwards. I'm happy that AAC is playing on the wing this weekend. AAC's best positions are 12 and winger. At 2nd fivehe has to pass the ball (which he doesn't do enough of at 13), and on the wing he can hog it as much as he likes.
Pick & go..!!
Guest
"True, and we have been accepting sub par performances from Genia for the better part of a year now." I agree.. But my opinion on Whites performance wasn't to push for Genia to start. :D
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Simmons is 6'6. Vermuelen isn't 6'6.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Vermulen and Alberts are bigger men than Simmons. Simmons 115 Vermulen 116 Alberts 120 Louw 112
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I would agree that they're more powerful. Simmons is aggressive, he's just a poor athlete.
Magic Sponge
Guest
We need Kimlin and GS . Send out an SOS, Worst wallaby pack Ive seen. 50 point loss is coming our way. Nick White or Nick Farr Jones could not help us against this Tsunami , run for the hills. Where is Lordy and co writing an article on how we can win this test?
PeterK
Roar Guru
it is a slow side. IMO Kudriani would be the quickest, and I believe he can run 100m in under 11 secs (he would be the only one).
Dannie Blixem
Guest
Looking at this Wallaby side, it isn't only AAC who is lacking in pace. That is a very slow team... I doubt any of them could even run the 100 in under 11 seconds to be honest.
shahsan
Guest
It's good that AAC is on the wing, as he is the worst outside-centre I have ever seen at this level. He is a good runner and makes good breaks and is a decent defender. But he is uncreative and cannot pass, and rarely if ever puts his wingers away. I suspect he is one of those you have to have somewhere in your lineup, as he is "good for the team". Was probably considered a winger originally but found to be not fast enough, except as a last resort. I guess, with all the injuries and suspensions, this is a last-resort situation.
Chan Wee
Guest
Dont know about grunt, but IMO they shud have selecte the entire Brumbies midfield. White Tomooa Lio Kuri. The success of a line depends a lot on familiarity - playing together for a reasonable period together. That is why u will not see an entirely new backline with MIB or Boks. Changes are minimal so that any disruption can be covered by the others. Anyway Boks IMO will unleash the fury carried forward from NZ on the OZ. then they will be in a better mind-frame to play the Blacks. One thing OZ shud focus on the most: H MEYER is not PDV !!!
PeterK
Roar Guru
Forwards - THP Alexander has failed and failed. Surely it is time to try Slipper at THP and Robinsons at LHP. Simmons has been useless, however horses for course. It will be a wet game. The ball will be kicked a lot, a lot of lineouts will be set. Simmons is being picked to strengthen the lineout against the great Boks lineout. Personally wrong choice. We can just throw to no 1 rather than the back, Boks do not defende no 1. Give up on trying to steal lineout ball. Then Timani would be of more use in rucks and mauls and scrum than Simmons. White who has a better kicking game than Genia is probably the correct decision over Genia in the wet. Mind you White kicked far too many out on the full against Pumas. White only has a fair game (not good) against Pumas but still better than what Genia has been providing. AAC has been the death of the ball getting wide so I am happy he is not at 13. He is good in the air and in the wet I do not expect Habana to get much ball in space so his lack of pace should not be that much an issue. I really hope that Kudriani has a really good game and when JoC is back AAC can be put to the bench.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Am with you Dannie. Not quick enough and no sidestep/footwork, not enough at top level anyway.
Dannie Blixem
Guest
I know AAC has played wing before, but this reminds me of when the Waratahs put poor Morgan Turinui against Habana in 2007. Yes, Habana isn't as quick as he was back then, but he will still round AAC very easily.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Mowen, Simmons AND Fardy you mean. That's three of our back 5 with little physical presence. You just can't do that. Fardy and Mowen are both good players, but it's a luxury to have all those 3 in our pack. I really think they need to bring Pyle on. I can't think of anyone else with any physical presence at all. Maybe MMM I guess, but I ever get to watch him much.
Jerry
Guest
Speed isn't the only thing though - Cory Jane would get burnt by Habana all day long too in a straight line sprint, but he makes up for that with other talents.
Paul
Guest
He's alot smarter in defence than Folau, Habana will never get outside him unless AAC is left to defend a 3 man overlap on his own