Captain Michael Hooper expects the Springboks to come hard at the Wallabies’ under-pressure lineout made all the more brittle by first-choice hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau’s late withdrawal.
The experienced No.2 was a late scratching for Australia on game-day eve in Port Elizabeth after tweaking his hamstring in training on Thursday, continuing the Wallabies’ wretched run of luck during the Rugby Championship.
Hooper (hamstring), David Pocock (neck), Israel Folau (foot), Taniela Tupou (hamstring) and Adam Coleman (family) have all been pulled from the side in previous after the initial team announcement this year.
Folau Fainga’a will earn a run-on debut in Polota-Nau’s absence on Sunday morning (AEST), while fellow greenhorn Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been added to the bench for what will be their fourth Tests.
The pair collected rubbish together in Sydney before their big rugby breaks and will be charged with providing clean service from set pieces on what could be a windswept Saturday afternoon in the hyped east-coast city.
Hooper admitted the lineout had been a main point of concern this year that needed to improve for them to be a chance to snap a seven-year winning drought in South Africa.
“It hasn’t been a functioning part of our team,” he said.
“At times it’s been okay, but not up to a standard that we’re pleased with.
“It’s obvious that the Africans are going to come at us there and we’re wanting to get some clean ball there to really launch our attack … it’s something we haven’t really hit our straps with yet.”
Port Elizabeth’s trademark wind howled on Friday but it has otherwise been a magnificent stay for the visitors, who are a world away from the pain of losing to Argentina on the Gold Coast two weeks ago.
Hooper even snuck in a surf at the nearby Jeffreys Bay on the team’s day off and can’t wait to run out in front of 46,000 hostile supporters.
“There’s been good intent around training this week, on and off the field their detail has been outstanding,” he said.
“Not perfect, we’ve been working things out on the run, but moving to a point where we’re happy with how things have gone and excited to go out there against a really good South African team coming off a really good win.”
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
There is nothing in the rules that requires the Hooker to throw in the ball. It’s just fashion. It used to be done by the blind wing.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Have to agree, Rhys. Cheika has to bite the bullet, with Hooper at 7, a regulation 8 is needed not an effort to squeeze in Pocock.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I reckon the lineout will improve with TPN out. He is an excellent player around the park and in the scrum, but the lineout has never been his strong point. Personally I reckon one of the travesties of the last year, was the lack of effort made to keep James Hanson in Australia. He is technically a better hooker than any of the newbies. Hannigan and Simmons should improve the lineout, but whether that is enough to offset the short 8 remains to be seen.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
Wallabies/Australian SR teams etc have two basic weaknesses.....accurate lineout throwers AND goal kicking. Perhaps three if you add accurate/precision punting. SA to win going away in this game (20 points+)