Barring any late mishaps, the Wallabies will go into Saturday’s second Test against the Springboks with an unchanged starting XV for the first time in more than four years – in stark contrast to the embattled Springboks.
It is the first time in Dave Rennie’s tenure, and the first time since the first and second Tests against Ireland in 2018, that the Wallabies have named the same starting team two games running, according to RA stats.
The only change to the matchday 23 sees Jake Gordon replacing Tate McDermott on the bench in fropnt of his home crowd.
The game, the first international event at Sydney’s new Allianz Stadium, is officially a sell-out.
Rennie has shown faith with the team beat the Boks in Adelaide last weekend and for good reason.
Although the concession of two late tries came as a blow, depriving the Wallabies of a bonus point that allowed Argentina to go top of the table, it was an impressive performance by his starters.
Although expected, the retention of Noah Lolesio at No.10 backs up the praise he received from Rennie post-match, and assistant coach Scott Wisemantel.
Wisemantel said the coaches wanted Lolesio to start showing more aggression on the field.
“The one thing that we wanted from Noah was to be a bit more aggressive because he’s such a nice bloke,” Wisemantel said.
“I want him to be filthy if he’s not selected. I want him to come to me and go ‘why’? And ‘how are we going to do this and what are you going to do for me.’
“It’s not being rude. In that role as a player who touches the ball more than most players in the team, he has to have that authority and that command.
“You actually have to practice it daily. Talking in wants and needs. ‘I need you here, I want you here, if you don’t show up, there’s going to be consequences’. It’s aggressive language. And off the field Noah is nothing like that. But that’s that’s part of his development, controlling men.”
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Wisemantel acknowledged that the Wallabies were upset at squandering the bonus point.
“You’re filthy that you missed that point. You’re absolutely livid,” Wisemantel said. “We’re really disappointed with that last eight to 10 minute period. We had chances. Even when it was three tries to one we had another chance off a set piece to do something.
“That’s another part of our development as a team. We’ve got to be a little bit more cut throat, a little bit more ruthless in that regard. So it’s definitely something we’ve spoken about and worked on.”
The Wallabies have suffered a season of injuries and late withdrawals but this week it is the Boks who have been devastated with injuries as Jacques Nienaber rang eight changes to his starting side.
There will be a lot of eyes on teenage wing sensation Canan Moodie who has been sledcted for a debut.
“We are excited to get him in the mix,” said Nienaber.
“He had an awesome series in the URC and we followed him closely and we are excited to see him put his skill set into a Test match. He has been with us I think a month and we are really happy to see his progress within the team and how comfortable he became in the team.
“He is a very coachable guy. He has obviously got the skills and I’m very excited to see him. When you work with him you won’t say he is a 19-year-old. He is very mature for his age and he has got a good rugby maturity and a good rugby brain on him.”
Flyhalves Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies both succumbed to injury in the 25-17 defeat to the Wallabies at the Adelaide Oval, meaning that Damian Willemse will start at No.10.
He will partner Jaden Hendrikse, who starts at scrum half with Faf De Klerk left out of the squad after his yellow card for striking Nic White.
“It is unfortunate for the two guys that got injured, but it is fortunate for Damian. He has played for us at flyhalf this year in the first Welsh Test in Pretoria – he played there in the second half,” Nienaber said.
“We are looking forward to seeing him in that position again, and the combination between him and Willie (le Roux).”
“With me and (Willemse), it is just building a good relationship and understanding each other during the week,” Hendrikse said.
“It is just sitting around each other and speaking about rugby, just getting to know each other. That is the main thing between me and him.
“We need to be on the same page and know what we have to do in each situation.”
Lord
Guest
80% of the time a 6-2 bench is like a redback bite on the bum
Rugger
Guest
Brian Westlake thinks he knows what he’s talking about but sadly he doesn’t. Just as he likely thought Phil Waugh was better than George Smith, he thinks Jake Gordon is better than Tate McDermott. May as well ignore Tate’s super rugby form, his test form against the Springboks in our back to back wins last year. Also ignore his form as one of the Wallabies best players when taking over as starting half from an injured Nick White on last season’s EOYT. Also, Kalani Thomas has been talked up but has rarely impressed in any of his cameos at the Reds. Like Jake at test level, Kalani looks a little overwhelmed at Super level.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
All good, its hard to work out who is trolling and who is serious on here sometimes ;)
numpty
Roar Rookie
I think I'd rather have two 2nd row subs in that case and Samu as backrow cover. At least against a big team like SA.
howridiculous
Roar Rookie
both even money i note will do my best to encourage my good wife to invest her parents inheritance on the boks prices should be sa $1.50 and aus $2.70
howridiculous
Roar Rookie
"... looks very uncomfortable in front of the media ...", doesn't bother me. don't care if he pulls his pants down and ... as long as he is a good manager which i think he seems to be as for cheika returning, please never ...
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Hi mate - not sure if it's just me but ads/pop-ups are now appearing in the middle of comment threads. It's a pretty horrible user experience so if you can, this should really be removed.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Appreciate your response, Arm. I find the H word a tad extreme, that’s all. It suggests a moral weakness. Puzzling, Inconsistent, incongruent, or confusing are less laden with insult for mine. But back to selections. I was never a great fan of gentleman Jim at 10. At other periods of his career I may have felt differently. But in this context, we have a lack of young 10s, and we need 3 in development. JOCs game time last outing was not only a win/loss disappointment, it was also a waste of development minutes. Hindsight is usually clearer, but his dropping was no surprise to me. To be clear, I share your frustration with FF. He is paid good coin to practice throwing straight, for his nation. If he worked for me he would be doing some unpaid overtime this week. BUT, the set piece has other considerations. Tight 5 combinations being just one. Again, I am uncertain of DMac in the selection group, and am a tad ‘puzzled’ by Swain before Frost. Wilson and Wright exclusions seem to my eye as either a lack of ticks in boxes, or a need to optimally compliment the Bobby V/ 7 dujour mix. But still, I sense benevolence and intelligence in the coaching team, even in their ‘mistakes’. It is said that construction is less about perfection, than it is about correction. This Rennievation is not perfect, but it seems to be ‘correcting’ adequately for mine. Noah’s inclusion last week a case in point.
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
Thanks Pass. I was wondering if he had an explicit policy of rotating the back up halves. I disagree with this approach. I think there should be a clear hierarchy in all positions as to who is the backup and who is the guy who misses out. I'm fine with paying different halfbacks depending on the opposition, e.g. McDermott may be better against SA and Gordon against NZ, but not rotating for the sake of it.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Oh, I didn’t know that (I’m not a reds fan). Nice to see we have good depth at 9 though.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
You are right Ken, I shouldn't have used JOC as an example here as his situation is a bit more complex than just playing poorly. So can I sub in Wilson or Wright when they were dropped? It just seems like double standards to keep a guy like FF in the team even though he can't consistently perform one of his core roles yet bush someone else who doesn't do theirs. I'm open for you to suggest another word for it.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
He is already there playing Oz 20's Kalani Thomas
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Well, I probably shouldn't have used it conjunction with "following the game plan" maybe should've just used -played poorly. Yes, FF throwing in the previous game was the best he's ever done in about the last 10 games then he reverts to type & has a shocker again. He is just too inconsistent & has been given many chances. It is then hypocritical of Rennie to drop someone for a poor game e.g. JOC, then to not do the same to another player who has a shocker. I can't find a better word for it, sorry.
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
I see Dave Rennie doesn't think the little fracas between little faff and actress nic warranted a yellow. I'm surprised. I thought faff deserved the yellow just for stupidity. Dave Rennie looks very uncomfortable in front of the media, weird
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
Day 1 034 of 1 449 as WORLD CHAMPIONS ????
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
And nice meeting you Tony. Thanks for all you do in getting rugby news to your followers When all is set up you’ll receive the invitation referred to ‘in the noisiest bar in. Adelaide’ .
savant
Roar Rookie
Keep it up Tony. Great work. It’s nice to have an intelligent and fearless discussion about the game we love with the coach. We all profit from hard questions and from coaches fronting for answers too. Kudos to Rennie for engaging. The previous coach played a game where hard questioners were locked out of opportunities to talk to team with the aim of starving that media outlet of content for their platform. The message was write positive pap or be locked out of the inner sanctum. So all power to you Tony. And the readership you serve is significant and totally invested in the success of the game.
West Aussie Exile
Roar Rookie
Great news that the starting team stays the same and only one change overall. Let’s get some of those combinations tighter, especially line out. I am seriously excited and think another good start will deliver a famous Wallabies win.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Holloway not get replaced and he moves to lock. Leota to 6. Valetine gets replaced by Samu and McReight stays on.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Is there a new 9 coming to the Reds?