South Africa have studied Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou and probed World Rugby in an effort to win the scrum duel in an intriguing Rugby Championship clash where their number one ranking is at stake.
A loss to Australia on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium and another New Zealand win over Argentina in the second match of the double header could see the All Blacks jump back into top spot.
The Wallabies beat the Boks 28-26 on the Gold Coast on Sunday, with substitute Tupou central to the decisive penalty after pushing over the Boks’ scrum in the final seconds.
Tupou will start on Saturday with Allan Alaalatoa leaving camp for the birth of his child, presenting the Queensland Reds’ wrecking ball a chance to establish himself in the number three for the rest of a busy 2021.
“He carries well, scrums well, counter rucks around the 22s, the pick-and-goes,” South African captain Siya Kolisi said.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“We don’t focus on one person, but you can see by the stuff I’m telling you we’ve done our research.
“He can step, run over you, is good with his hands and is scrumming very well.”
A “hungry” Trevor Nyakane is back from injury at loosehead prop for South Africa while James Slipper will start in the number one for the Wallabies to give both packs a fresh look.
But the visitors expect more of the same tactics at scrum time and earlier this week sent clips to World Rugby to seek “alignment” with officials over what will be rewarded or penalised.
Coach Jacques Nienaber also addressed the obstruction rule with officials, claiming his men had been blocked off the ball from marking high kicks.
The correspondence is normal procedure but follows an hour-long video critique of match officials from Rassie Erasmus during the recent British and Irlsh Lions’ tour of South Africa that was leaked online.
South Africa’s director of rugby is not with the squad as he awaits a date for his World Rugby disciplinary hearing. Kolisi though gave credit to Australia and challenged his men to look within for a response.
“We knew exactly what went wrong and it’s very upsetting to lose like that,” he said.
“Some of the mistakes we made… it was difficult to see and I’ll say we are more determined (not desperate) this week.”
Australia will be hunting a tenth straight win at Suncorp Stadium while the Springboks have won just one from 12 Tests in Brisbane in the last 40 years.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will break George Gregan’s record when he captains the side for the 60th time.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Ah.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I think he made more than enough up Harry .... Hoping for a cracker tonight. Fancy your lot to deliver some payback.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
It makes it near impossible to combat the maul if the attacking team can get set before the opposition is even allowed to make contact.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
A Team that cheats....has a Water-boy who is the de factor coach.....the medic who is in the in-goal area barking out instructions....now they want the rules changed to suit them....the No1 Team....everyone is chasing them and they don't like it...well welcome to the real world noddies....
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Agree. And when the coaching bosses and the Captain think its all going against them guess what the rest of the team start believing? Its a slope and they need to get off it. Particully the Captain.
Harry Jones
Expert
The lighting was poor, too. Needed a makeup artist.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
JN, now you know how us Kiwi supporters feel.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
JN, they have short and selective memories. How many times have we heard the refs being blamed for OZ loses in the past. Just ignore the small minded few, they are the minority that are looking for bites. Most Australians who have Rugby knowledge know better
Blessing
Roar Rookie
:laughing: , I understand that it’s part of the process (sending videos). What I don’t understand is why Kolisi is mentioning it during the press conference. Hopefully this ref remembers to talk to him throughout. We don’t want him crying about the ref not worshiping at the Kolisi altar again.
wre01
Roar Guru
This is spot on. Particularly interested in whether Bok chasers are obstructions themselves- as you say, many leap from meters back a long time before the ball arrives. That has the effect of impeding those with a realistic chance of catching the high ball which in turn causes no more than a 50:50 contest as the ball must hit the ground and the bounce could go anywhere… exactly what the Boks want.
PeterK
Roar Guru
players join before the hindmost player on some the lifters wrap around in front of the jumper before he lands.
PeterK
Roar Guru
it is , and the reason for the wallabies being penalised, the issue is the earlier infringement of the bok players being held up and not brought down.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Ah yes Harry. But is this one 1:02:31 long featuring Rassie's cheeky chappy face under his Bok cap sporting a dayglo training top I wonder? Or would that be too 'unofficial' for purposes?
pm
Roar Rookie
It's basically the same side that won the world cup in 2019 though. They are good. Pollard kicked poorly last week - they could have won. They also beat the Lions 3-2 despite basically no attacking play from their centres and outside backs.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
You are of course and Im certain you cannot possibly be unaware.. Can you? ….. that sending reviews/requests to World Rugby for rule clarities post and pre match is totally standard practice by all teams. Just checking.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Once you earn the reputation Harry it just sticks. "That Video" has damaged SAs reputation and wont be forgotten for a long time. It is what it is. Kolisi is taking bad advice and buying into the whole "its bad reffing against us ALL the time" and needs to be careful or maybe "Needed to be careful" is more appropriate as its now a constant in all press conferences. SA didnt win the WC by playing like they currently are. You dont score 40 points like this.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Their seems to be lots of crying around.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
And its a very hot and blustery wind..
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Boks would be quite worried about this game I think. Lose again to the Wallabies then they are very likely to return from the tour with a 0-4 balance sheet. Then the RWC and Lions wins, along with the #1 ranking, will be nothing but a distant memory.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
So true Harry, they have a certain time frame to send them in. England did it during the 6 Nations, time that people moved on from that talked about video.