The Wallabies and Springboks have played out their second draw in as many matches. The 27-27 scoreline befitting of a wonderful game of international rugby.
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The game started at a frantic pace, and that kept up throughout the game. The very first action of the match was a 10 phase rumble from the Springboks who looked intent on holding the ball and throwing it round – Fijian style!
Despite having none of the early possession or any territory, it was the Wallabies who registered first points through none other than Israel Folau. The set move off a 22m scrum saw the fullback register his 11th try for the season, a new record for a Wallaby in an international season – surpassing the previous mark of 10 set by Lote Tuquiri.
Kurtley Beale nearly won it for the visitors in the 75th minute when he busted a tired Boks line, but Sean McMahon’s knock on 5m out saw a reprieve for the hosts.
Elton Jantjies had a penalty in the 79th minute, but couldn’t knock it over, and that’s how the score remained. 27-27 in one of the best matches in recent memory.
The Wallabies will be looking to win back to back games when they take on the wounded Springboks, who fell to their heaviest ever defeat at the hands of a fired up All-Blacks outfit last start. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match from 1:05am AEST.
Round five of the Rugby Championship sees a lot at stake for both sides. The Wallabies, who have shown as much promise as they have frustrated, will be looking to record back to back victories after their last start win over a dogged Pumas outfit.
Cheika’s men, and Wallabies fans alike, have been continually frustrated at the Wallabies inability to string together a consistent 80-minute performances.
In every match that they’ve played this Rugby Championship, they’ve gone through periods of dominating games, and despite being desperately unlucky not to record a win in Dunedin, their inconsistency, and tendency to “go to sleep” for extended periods of matches, has hurt the Australians massively.
The Springboks, on the other hand, are at their lowest point. A 57-0 capitulation to the All Blacks last week was listless, uninspiring, and left a lot of unanswered questions as to the state of rugby in South Africa.
However, beware the wounded Springbok! They hop fast and frantic, and Coetzee’s men are perhaps at their most dangerous when their backs are against the wall.
Yes, they lost to the Wallabies last time they played them in Bloemfontein, however their overall Head to Head record at Free State Stadium spells trouble for the visitors.
In team news, Michael Cheika has turned to his inexperienced bench to fill starting vacancies.
Jack Dempsey and Izack Rodda earn their first starts in the Green and Gold, pushing Ned Hanigan and Rob Simmons to the bench. Lekhan Tui is also set to debut off the pine.
In the backs, Reece Hodge comes on to a wing, with Marika Koroibete taking his place on the other.
The Springboks have made few changes to the 23 that tackled the All Blacks, Ross Cronje returns at scrumhalf, while Dillyn Lleyds starts on the right wing in pursuit of better finishing, and pace out wide.
Where the game will be won
The set piece. The Springboks were awful at line out time against the Kiwis, and not much better in the scrum.
If they can sort the issues that plagued them a fortnight ago, this will solve most of the problems they faced in that loss.
The Wallabies have been (in patches) surprisingly strong at scrum time, and could use this to their advantage in the early exchanges.
Whichever side can get clean front foot ball to their outside backs will win this one.
Prediction
I want so badly to say the Wallabies, and I think they’ll give this game a major shake up.
However, the Boks record at home is irresistible and I think they’ll be deeply embarrassed and looking to make amends from their last match.
Don’t rule out a 55m penalty from Reece Hodge to win it, though.
Boks by 5
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1:05am AEST.
DavSA
Guest
Correct BB . Australia were the first overseas team to work out that the worst thing you can do is to base yourself at altitude for as long as possible to acclimatize. far better to stay at sea level and go to the altitude venue preferably on the day or as close as possible. SA domestic sides knew that forever.One should remember that a significant percentage of any Bok side contains players who live at sea level so are also disadvantaged at altitude and that yes the SA players feel the lung burn in equal measure to their opposition.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Nicely said Armand, am much the wiser now. I had heard there were stadia in SA where most of the locals just didn't have the money to attend but I was never sure where. Would it be a smart idea for the SARU to play the occasional International in Free State and those areas against the lower drawing nations and lower the prices significantly, then bombard the airwaves to try to drum up more rugby fans in those areas? I was basing my proposal more on how I saw the Crusaders tank in the last 15 minutes of the SR final (think it was at Ellis Park) so I assumed the AB would pretty much tank it also as (a) half the AB pack are from the Crusaders and (b) in stark contrast to the WB, I don't think the AB training can get them much fitter than they already are during the SR season. So its likely they would be affected, and especially after all the travel for the AB to Argentina and then to SA. I just felt the SAFU missed a chance to give the AB a good black eye by putting the match at Loftus or Ellis Park, but of course the stadia would have a rotation policy for the really big matches. Silly me! :)
Sandy
Guest
WOW...just WOW
Wills
Guest
I don’t think the Saffas would be too upset with a draw. They didn’t look too good, that’s for sure.
Wills
Guest
How fascinating, thanks for that.
Sandy
Guest
Did Beale get MOTM? They should have have called you first...obviously!
Taylorman
Guest
Gee I wish we could have tired players setting up three tries. Get your point though, Foley, Folau, Hooper, Genia could all do with a break, Argie could just tip them if theyre running low on batteries. Cheika needs to manage these guys better or he'll burn them out.
Taylorman
Guest
Foleys two passes for the first two tries looked forward, Folau looked in front when he took the short pass. And its a question of whether it came out of the hand forward for the first Koro try because he took it two meters in front of where it left Foley, but that can happen. Both were close though so all round fair calls.
aussikiwi
Guest
Can you two get a room??
Taylorman
Guest
I see the snakes slithered in again...
TheSnake
Guest
All Blacks 1. Kane Hames, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read ©, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Anton Lienart-Brown, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Damian McKenzie Reserves 16. Codei Taylor, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Ardie Savea, 21.TJ Perenara, 22. Ngani Laumape, 23. David Havili
Taylorman
Guest
And so what if he had a 7/10 performance? Tests are about winning and losing, not putting in a 2 or 8 out of 10 performance. When did 7/10 ever win a test or lose a test match? But I can sure tell you when setting up three tries did, and this draw, rather than loss was directly a result of Foleys performance more than any other single player. Saying he did good and bad so comes up with 7 where others might rate more is dumb. Do you think Cheika says to every player..." I want you to get 7/10 today boys... cause Fionn says thats whats important here. " You cant hide a players impact on the game through his rating. Geez youre getting close to portraying why Oz rugby is in the dumps. You cant even tell whats important in an individuals perfirmance..
Taylorman
Guest
Yes, you included him, where Foley wasnt one of, he stood out, easily. Whatever, Fionn, if youre going to dominate the forum, stop writing rubbish. Cant be bothered with someone who gets it so wrong every time, nor am I going to spend a million posts on it only for you to back down at the end again as others politely point the obvious out. Is that right that Beale was man of the match? If thats true someones really lost it. All yours Fionn, rubbish away...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think Beale's defence this game showed that we need Hunt back into 12 ASAP, or else Kerevi or Hodge moved in there. That missed tackle on Kolisi was embarrassing. His best moment in attack wasn't attacking from 12, but running the ball back from deep anyway, as it almost always it.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Nope, for some reason you dont like him, or are unable to assess a good performance. Im going with both. Weird, I think that I did assess it and say he had a 7/10 game. But then again, here is where you'll tell me he was objectively a 9, and it is just my bias that doesn't put him there (eyes roll). I dont care whether he plays well or not, but I wont sit around and read ill informed comments on any player. That's funny, because you're quite happy to write a lot of them.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I thought Sio, Coleman, Hooper, Genia, Foley, TK and Folau were the better performers. I included Foley in that list if you bother to read it. They're the better performing Australian players in my eyes. Comprehension, mate, comprehension.
Taylorman
Guest
Nope, for some reason you dont like him, or are unable to assess a good performance. Im going with both. I dont care whether he plays well or not, but I wont sit around and read ill informed comments on any player.
Rand Curtis
Roar Rookie
Connor33 here is the link in USA. http://www.espn.com/watch/schedule/?categoryId=66 if your cable, satellite or internet provider carry espn3 you're good to go... just have to log in.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
You make up your mind Foley is the best contributor before you watch the match. That's the third match in a row you've said that. You've no credibility as to claiming on this, Taylorman, I'd go so far as to say that you're the most biased poster on this site towards Foley, even surpassing Riddler (I love you, Riddler, and, I said, Foley had a good game). I'm a blind man because, what? I thought Hooper was the best Aussie on the field? Because I've pointed out factual instances of Foley's errors as well as his successes? I'm not quite certain how my pointing out things that factually occurred (missed tackles, touchfinder kicked long, ball straight out) can even technically be 'blind', but then again, logic isn't your strong suit at times.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah I have watched it, and yes I made a mistake, Foley set up three tries, two to Korobeite and Folaus as well...EASILY the best contributor to the result, so easily the best player on the field. Youre a blind man Fionn. If not for Foley they would have lost, for certain. No one else gets that description, not even close. Comprehension? " Sio, Coleman, Hooper, Genia, Foley, TK and Folau were better performers"...than Foley? Aah no. Miles off.