Springboks vs Wallabies: How the Wallabies pulled off a miracle with iceman Quade Cooper

	81	Q. Cooper
M. Marx	71
	62	Q. Cooper
H. Pollard	59
M. Marx	58
	52	Q. Cooper
H. Pollard	45
	40	Q. Cooper
	32	Q. Cooper
B. Mbonambi	27
	17	Q. Cooper
	16	A. Kellaway
	13	Q. Cooper
H. Pollard	11
	7	Q. Cooper
H. Pollard	5

3	Tries	1
1	Conversions	1
3	Penalty Goals	7
0	Field Goals	0

Show Preview

World Champions South Africa and Australia go head to head in the second of today’s Rugby Championship double-header. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 8:05pm (AEST).

In a match that has grabbed the headlines thanks to some controversial selections, there are more than Championship points at stake – arguably careers could be revived or ended by the performance and result. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog starting from 7:40pm (AEST).

So is it a genius or desperation? Dave Rennie’s decision to give Quade Cooper his first start since 2017 has generated plenty of debate and Rennie himself had to spend plenty of time trying to persuade reporters that the Cooper selection was nothing to do with panic. Time will tell of course – this could go horribly wrong or incredibly well.

Other selection news sees skipper Michael Hooper both overcome injury concerns as well as equalling George Gregan’s record for most Tests as captain when he runs out for the 59th time.

Up front is where the Boks will be looking to destroy the Wallabies and the men in gold who have got the chance to fight fire with fire include impressive youngster Anugs Bell who gets his first international start. Izack Rodda completes his full return to the Wallabies after his year overseas and will join Matt Philip in the second row. Lachie Swinton and Rob Valetini will join Hooper in the back row.

The back row battle will be huge. On the Springboks side, things look scary if you’re a Wallabies player or fun – Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert and Duane Vermeulen all start. This is Vermeulen’s first game since the World Cup Final and after missing the Lions series to recover from surgery, he will be eager to get back into the contest.

Jacques Nienaber has made six other changes to his side with Faf de Klerk, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi starting. The final change sees Sbu Nkosi coming in for injured Cheslin Kolbe.

Prediction
It will be exciting to see Cooper play again at this level. Arguably the Wallabies need his game management more than they need his rare creative talent but can he still cut it at this level? Against the World Champions?

The Wallabies just don’t have the power up front, the game management or the control to compete with South Africa and Dave Rennie is going to have a very tough press conference after the game.

Springboks by 7.

Game information
Venue: CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 8:05pm (AEST)
TV: 9Gem
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Australia $3.70, South Africa $1.27 – odds via PlayUp

Referee: Luke Pearce

Teams
South Africa
1. Steven Kitshoff. 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Siya Kolisi, 7. Franco Mostert, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Faf de Klerk, 10. Handré Pollard, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Damian de Allende, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 14. Sbu Nkosi. 15. Willie le Roux

Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Ox Nché, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Marco van Staden, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Jasper Wiese, 22. Herschel Jantjies, 23. Damian Willemse

Australia
1. Angus Bell, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Samu Kerevi, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Tom Banks

Replacements
16. Feleti Kaitu’u, 17. James Slipper, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Rob Leota, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Nic White, 22. Reece Hodge, 23. Jordan Petaia

Hide Preview

1403

Join the conversation

Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.