Taniela Tupou has been called up to start for the Wallabies against France with Allan Alaalatoa ruled out.
Tupou replaced his teammate at halftime of the 16-15 win over Scotland and it was first thought it was a tactical switch. On Thursday the Wallabies confirmed the Brumbies prop had failed a HIA during that game and is out of the Paris match.
Tupou made a decent impression except for the final moments when a careless penalty concession gave Blair Kinghorn a chance to snatch the game away from the Australians.
Tupou was a relieved man when the shot drifted wide.
“There were a lot of things going on in my head,” Tupou told the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday.
“I got to the ruck and I went for it. Lesson learned. We were down by one point and they were close to the goal. I’ll just leave it to Hoops [Michael Hooper] and all those guys next time who are made for that.
“I was really nervous. I was ready to cop it.”
Tupou was brutally honest about his form and the load he would have carried this week had the Wallabies lost.
“I was like ‘thank god for that’,” Tupou said. “Everything would have been different this week if we’d come away from Scotland with a loss because of my mistake. I learned a lesson there. There’s been a lot going on in the last two or three months. My form hasn’t been up to where it needs to be. Just to get that win and not give away that win at the end … I needed that.
Taniela Tupou reacts as his teammates celebrate the win over Scotland. (Photo by Robert Perry/PA Images via Getty Images)
“I haven’t been up to it in some of the games, especially the last three games I’ve played,” Tupou said.
“I just didn’t perform and I think I let it get to me. I tried to [play my best] and I nearly ruined it with a bloody penalty at the end.
“It’s hard sometimes when you lose games and you don’t perform and you’re under pressure. When you’re not performing, you’re scared of making a mistake. There’s a lot of things going on in my head. I just want to be better.”
The Wallabies will name their team at 11.45pm AEDT on Thursday.
Coach Dave Rennie has flagged rotation in the No.9 jersey meaning Jake Gordon is likely to return either from the start or off the bench.
Will Skelton returns to the squad but his comments suggest he’s going to be used off the bench, rather than a replacement for Cadeyrn Neville or Nick Frost, both of whom excelled in Scotland.
Meanwhile French media is reporting that influential South African born lock Paul Willemse is going to miss the match because of a thigh injury.
MacDonald names strong XV
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Braydon Ennor will start in the centres for the All Blacks XV against Ireland A in Dublin on Saturday AEDT.
The pair, who were demoted after the Test win over Japan, are two of eight capped All Blacks in the 23 for the All Blacks XV’s historic first match, with Damian McKenzie, named to start in the No 10 jersey.
Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the side, while veteran halfback TJ Perenara has been named vice-captain.
All Blacks XV: Ruben Love, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, AJ Jam, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Luke Jacobson, Dominic Gardiner, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Dickson, Tevita Mafileo, Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Finlay Brewis, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Cam Roigard, Josh Ioane, Alex Nankivell.
Rassie back in the box
South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is relishing being back in the coaching box for the international against Ireland in Dublin following his controversial role as water carrier.
Erasmus has completed a match-day stadium ban for his video critique of Australian referee Nic Berry during last year’s British & Irish Lions series and, three years to the day since lifting the World Cup with the Springboks, reckons he’ll be delighted to be involved again on Sunday.
He used a loophole in regulations to act as a water carrier during the Lions series, getting messages to players on the pitch, a role that has since been outlawed by World Rugby.
(Photo by Clive Rose – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
“It was within the protocols when I was water carrier, but now I’ll be back in the coaching box,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“I missed it a lot. I love rugby, being with the guys, it’s going to be nice to be around the boys in the changing room.”
South Africa’s last match against Ireland was in 2017 when they were thumped 38-3 in Dublin during one of the side’s lowest ebbs. Erasmus took over the following year and revitalised the team’s fortunes.
“We got a proper hiding that day, but in the next two years things got better and we managed to win the World Cup,” he said.
“Both teams have changed dramatically in terms of how they play. Ireland, with the teams they have beaten and where they are currently (as the top-ranked side in the world), they are doing a lot of things right on and off the field.”
Erasmus is expecting a tense clash in Dublin, with the Boks likely to run the ball more, weather permitting, having selected fit-again Cheslin Kolbe at fullback and Damian Willemse at flyhalf.
“Ireland has a physical and tactical edge. If you take the experience of Johnny (Sexton) and some of the other guys in the team, it is well balanced.”
The Boks will also face Ireland in their pool at next year’s World Cup in France.
“It spices it up,” Erasmus said.
“We have also not beaten them in Ireland since 2012. Our last World Cup win was three years ago, and it was wonderful and great, but we are now thinking about the next one and trying to gain momentum.”
Farrell and May set for Pumas clash
Owen Farrell is on course to start England’s autumn opener against Argentina at Twickenham as he closes in on making a full recovery from concussion.
Farrell only has Thursday’s return to play protocol to complete after being knocked out against Exeter on October 22, placing him on the brink of being able form a midfield trio alongside Marcus Smith and Manu Tuilagi for the first time in Sunday’s clash.
The Saracens playmaker took a restricted part in training on Wednesday and England are increasingly confident he will be ready for the visit of the Michael Cheika-coached Pumas.
“Owen is just going through the last bits of his return to play but everything’s gone according to plan so far,” said attack coach Martin Gleeson.
“He looked good in training, full of enthusiasm. Just his normal self really.”
England are keen to reprise the Smith-Farrell playmaking axis that was first seen last autumn only for successive ankle injuries to sideline the senior member of the attacking brains trust until the July tour to Australia.
England coach Eddie Jones is investing in the duo with next year’s World Cup in mind, although they have fired only in glimpses as a partnership.
“Owen’s partnership with Marcus is a big part of where we want to go as a team. They are four games in together and we want to build on that this autumn,” Gleeson said.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and wing Jonny May have yet to be ruled out for the first of this month’s Tests but they have not taken part in full training as they recover from respective knee and elbow injuries.
Less than a fortnight ago, May needed oxygen on the pitch after his arm contorted into an alarming position on club duty for Gloucester against London Irish.
“He’s Jonny May! That’s what he does. His healing powers are unbelievable,” Gleeson said.
“He’s in a good spot and is potentially available for this weekend, but we’re not 100 per cent sure on that yet.”
(With AAP)
Wigeye
Guest
nic bishop says Neville is 7th haha and skeltons his failed old draft horse is his number 1 choice for ages now. I rate Neville too at least he shows up and does a fair amount of the hard yards in defence etc with a few caps each thats the future....the supposedly building faze :thumbup:
PeterK
Roar Guru
mo - not questioning that THP's, in fact every tight 5 position is valuable, however THP is no longer THE most important position anymore.
Mo
Guest
Yeah pk but aaa is one of the few top class tight 5 guys we have and he does work guys like frost need him to do so they can do their thing. Can’t with less than 8 top forwards
jameswm
Roar Guru
I know 70kg guys who can parallel squat more. Sprinters. As the season goes on, they don’t go that deep though. They can’t bench anything like that, though I do know the Aust U16 shot putt record holder who benched 150kg or so - yes aged 15.
James584
Roar Rookie
Single rep, guys who weighed 120kg plus. To parallel, ie, a proper squat.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Hi PeterK I get the need to see what Skelton can do with a starting spot. Some of what I saw from Neville: Most of Frosts lineout wins had Neville lifting. Does it matter who is jumping or lifting when the lineout is as successful as it was? Is Skelton as agile in performing lineout moves? When Tate made his break early on, Neville was the first one there chasing the kick even ahead of Wright. When Banks and Kellaway made a break early on and kicked ahead it was Hooper and Neville there first. Skelton can’t offer that pace and athleticism. Neville has great defence and cleanout. Skelton doesn’t make as many tackles and his cleanout is strong but again he doesn’t get off the ground quickly for repeat efforts, Neville works himself to a standstill. Do we get enough from Skelton? Both are strong scrummages. Neville hands for Slippers try showed his soft hands. Skelton is skilful with hands too of course and has a strong offload game. Neville was great at attacking mauls and maul defence. Skelton offers a lot there too. Neville is very disciplined. He’s rarely penalised. Can you say the same for Skelton? Last game I watched for Barbarians he was red carded. Just offering some reasons why I think Neville is liked by Rennie. I do think if we want to see what Skelton brings he needs to start. But I also love the Frost/Neville combo. Many are looking around for Skelton/Rodda/Arnold etc but the best and most athletic combo might be the one right in front of us. Will be a good test this weekend regardless.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to all the matches this weekend, but especially the Ireland v SA one. Going to be great to see Cheslin running out again. Not sure what we will get for our Wallabies 23 - I'm counting down the minutes until team announcement. That match could be a real humdinger.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
It's poor coaching. Shuffling the deck until someone has an outstanding game and claming that was your plan all along. Players need game time. It's no different now to the dawn of time. And yet positions we could shuffle for opportunities....nope. Really looking forward to Foley and Lolesio again at 10. Two of the greats.
jameswm
Roar Guru
200kg squat. How deep? parallel? 1/4? Surely not ass to grass.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
That’s an exciting looking All Blacks XV that has been selected. No time together of course to build combinations, especially against a tight Ireland A team. Looking forward to it. Love the concept of touring concurrently. Go the XV’s !
Daggett
Roar Rookie
Great DD, Brett. :thumbup:
scubasteve
Guest
Geoff can you and Tooley get a room. FFS.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Dean, as much as I like your analogy, I don’t feel like Rennie is the sort of bloke to take much notice of focus groups - or Roarers. I think it’s simply a way of getting some interest (and clicks??) to draw attention to the team announcement. Having said that, I wonder if he reads Nicholas Bishop.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
GFP. “that game awareness to know when is the right time to go for it and when is the right time to play it safe.” I believe this is just the quality that Nic Bishop was attributing to Hooper a week or so back. I guess it’s something that only comes with time on the field. But it would be good if Hooper could help other potential jackals to learn.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Connor, that raises an interesting question - would it be better to do as you say or to bring in Ollie Hoskins again and leave Slipper at loose head? But I actually think bringing in Sio would be the better move.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Pete I suspect DR will go for a 6:2 split with Hodgey and Tate McD on the bench since French flair has a big pack of forwards..NL will start with Campbell at 15..
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Dean that is because McKellar will push for Neville to start..Also DR is inconsistent in his selection if it turns out Big Willy is benched..His willingness to rush both average players Neville and Banks into the starting team but his not doing the same with Big Will...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
I think DR will go with Campbell at the back with hodgey and Tate McD of the bench..it will be a 6:2 split since French flair has a big physical pack..NL starting the game..
Rocco
Roar Rookie
James584, You could also ruck bodies in those days too. It`s a bit softer for fellas at the breakdown the last 15 years. If you fall on the wrong side accidently or illegally back then, you got some tap dancing for your troubles either way. Nothing these days for players to fear :boxing: :rugby: Rucking also kept the serial ruck cheats in check too. :thumbup:
Packerd
Roar Rookie
Geoff You missed David Porecki . Which 3 hookers will make that Rugby world cup ? For me it`s out of BPA Lonergan Faaiinga a' Porecki and Latu ? Then Nasser Asiata McInerney Pollard Uelese Katu'u are still around. But i reckon Dave will pick his 2 favourite hookers. It would be Porecki and Latu. He loves Porecki and Latu. BPA and Faainga a' will fight it out for the remaining spot.