The Wallabies will resume their campaign in The Rugby Championship with back to back away fixtures. They will make history when they face Argentina at Twickenham as The Rugby Championship hosts its first ever match in Europe. Before the glamour tie in London, Australia faces a daunting trip to Loftus Versfeld in South Africa. A venue at which the Springboks have not lost since the All Blacks visited in 2006. The Wallabies will be looking for a first win in seven attempts this weekend.
Rejuvenated Wallabies Head to Loftus Versfeld
Two victories on home soil over South Africa and Argentina has alleviated some of the pressure on the Wallabies. After a dismal start to 2016, albeit against the two top ranked teams in the world in England and New Zealand. Australia was under mounting pressure to not only win but to put on a performance. They ground out a win against the Springboks but then showed signs that a restoration was nearing fruition against Argentina. Against the Pumas they once again looked dangerous out wide and ruthless at the breakdown. It is now a huge test to reproduce the goods on the road.
Discipline the Key
The Wallabies currently have the worst discipline record in The Rugby Championship during 2016. With 53 penalties and three yellow cards they top the table of the naughty list. Australia’s frustrations with referees has been well documented in recent months but the statistics don’t lie. Whether that is due to a bias against the Wallabies is unlikely but debate will no doubt continue to rage. Wayne Barnes is never one to shy away from the spotlight and he may have a key role to play this weekend. David Pocock is the most penalised Australian player with six penalties in four games. His absence through injury may be a blessing in disguise.
One Change in the Backrow
TEAM | Sean McMahon to start against the @Springboks #RSAvAUS #StrongerAsOne https://t.co/XnLNkQwgqb pic.twitter.com/vzOZM8fylL
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) 29 September 2016
Sean McMahon’s promotion to the starting line up at number eight is the only change to the side that faced Argentina. Pocock’s absence has provided a golden opportunity for the Melbourne Rebels’ star man to prove his worth on the international stage. He will have to match the work rate of Pocock who is ranked second for number of tackles with 43 to only 5 missed tackles. McMahon certainly has the potential but Loftus Versfeld has not been a happy hunting ground for the Wallabies in the past.
Springbok Half Backs Sacrificed
A first start for Rudy Paige and Morne Steyn returning to the 10 jersey, with Pat Lambie at 15… https://t.co/yJSfMWzYBe Full release here pic.twitter.com/MWZPP8muJ2
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) September 29, 2016
The Wallabies can hold some hope for this match with the Springboks seemingly in disarray. Elton Jantjies and Faf de Klerk who both started the last match against the All Blacks have been dropped from the 23 entirely. Rudy Paige and Morne Steyn replace them in the starting XV to face Australia. The advantage of Loftus Versfeld being at altitude and the Wallabies indiscpline may be one reason why they have gone for Steyn. A man with a huge boot that could well punish the away side from range.
Seemingly this year’s The Rugby Championship is the All Blacks to lose. Meaning that these fixtures between two power houses of international rugby, become all the more important to their growth as fledgling sides looking to compete with New Zealand’s might. Both the Wallabies and Springboks are in the process of evolving following the Rugby World Cup. As ever they have begun the cycle to next tournament in Japan but winning now is just as important.
South Africa: Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana, Jessie Kriel, Juan de Jongh, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn,Rudy Paige; Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Louw, Teboho Mohoje, Warren Whiteley
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Stephen Kitshoff, Julian Redelinghuys, Lood de Jager, Willem Alberts, Jaco Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Willie le Roux
Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley, Reece Hodge, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (capt), Scott Sio.
Replacements: James Hanson, James Slipper, Tom Robertson, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Lopeti Timani, Nick Phipps, Tevita Kuridrani, Sefa Naivalu (With one to be omitted)
Statistic courtesy of Opta Sports
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