Rugby Championship 2025 : South Africa v Australia Round 2

[TSR]

Giddy Up.

Within a week it seems like Sth Africa have gone from a peerless team of power & pace to a bunch of over the hill plonkers.

The Wallabies are suddenly an emerging force.

I think it’ll take about 5 minutes for the Boks to put the first sentence to bed - expect them to come out firing but this time maintain the rage.

The second bit though just might be true. The Wallabies are still 6th in the World and have plenty of mountains to climb but self belief must have grown enormously fhrough their last two wins.

Assuming Wilson will be okay, if Valetini is fit he comes back in and pushes Hooper to the bench for Gleeson. If either of the above are out then Hooper retains his spot. Dunno who for Pietsch. My preference is probably Daugunu - but given he has only just joined the squad you’d think Toole is the front runner and maybe this is a good timw to give him his chance. Can’t deny he’s earned it. It would be a long time since we’ve had a back 3 with the zip of Wright, Jorgenson & Toole.

Ross in for Slipper. Let him start and keep Bell upping the temp in the second half

In any case - bring it on.

 

[Heavyd]

Kolisi and Peter Steph Du Toit both out for Cape Town. They will be replaced by two huge 125kg+ monsters.

 

[Heavyd]

My RA contact tells me off the back of the Wallaby heroics ticketek was a popular app on Sunday where 7500 tickets were snatched up for the Sydney 2pm test vs Pumas on 13 September! The band wagon rolls on! RA are confident of a near sellout should members take up their options.

 

[Dctarget]

Kolisi and Peter Steph Du Toit both out for Cape Town. They will be replaced by two huge 125kg+ monsters.

And both their starting wingers are out too. Not the worst injuries for them because their backrow and wings were where we had them, so some new blood might change that.

 

[Dctarget]

Moodie and Kolbe will start who aren’t quite b graders.

 

[Mark Panga]

Giddy Up.

Within a week it seems like Sth Africa have gone from a peerless team of power & pace to a bunch of over the hill plonkers.

The Wallabies are suddenly an emerging force.

I think it’ll take about 5 minutes for the Boks to put the first sentence to bed - expect them to come out firing but this time maintain the rage.

The second bit though just might be true. The Wallabies are still 6th in the World and have plenty of mountains to climb but self belief must have grown enormously fhrough their last two wins.

Assuming Wilson will be okay, if Valetini is fit he comes back in and pushes Hooper to the bench for Gleeson. If either of the above are out then Hooper retains his spot. Dunno who for Pietsch. My preference is probably Daugunu - but given he has only just joined the squad you’d think Toole is the front runner and maybe this is a good timw to give him his chance. Can’t deny he’s earned it. It would be a long time since we’ve had a back 3 with the zip of Wright, Jorgenson & Toole.

Ross in for Slipper. Let him start and keep Bell upping the temp in the second half

In any case - bring it on.

Bit out of left field - but what about Flook on the wing for Pietsh ? He has so much rugby intelligence - and just throws himself into any game and gives 1000%. He has the ability to be just in the right place at the right time - and can score tries out of thin air.

 

[TSR]

I think Flook is a great player and a good option. Plenty of speed and very smart.

I think he’d be behind both Daugunu & Toole and is probably more likely to be a candidate for the bench. But I wouldn’t be disappointed to see him get a crack.

 

[Rugby Head]

Hoping to see:

1 - Bell
2 - Pollard
3 - Tupou
4 - Frost
5 - Skelton
6 - Hooper
7 - McReight (C)
8 - Valetini (Assuming Wilson is injured)
9 - White
10 - O'connor
11 - Toole
12 - Ikitau
13 - Sua'ali'i
14 - Jorgensen
15 - Wright

16 - BPA
17 - Ross
18 - Nongorr
19 - Williams
20 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
21 - Gleeson
22 - McDermott
23 - Kellaway

Think it would make sense to carry a 6/2 split to cover for Valetini. Would prefer Toole to come off the bench for his debut but Kellaway's versatility would be most beneficial coming off the bench.

Some slight injury concern for Ikitau from the weekend so might be smarter to carry 3 backs on the bench instead.

Either way, feeling good about this one!!

 

[KiwiM]

And both their starting wingers are out too. Not the worst injuries for them because their backrow and wings were where we had them, so some new blood might change that.

I would say Kolisi is a big injury for them. It made a big difference when he left the field early second half - not to mention the leadership.

 

[Dctarget]

I would say Kolisi is a big injury for them. It made a big difference when he left the field early second half - not to mention the leadership.

I know it's absolute heresy but I think Kolisi isn't in their best set of backrowers. I'd get their young guns in like Hanekom and Roos. Hanekom I believe is injured but Roos offers more than a 34 year old Kolisi.

 

[Tomthumb]

I know it's absolute heresy but I think Kolisi isn't in their best set of backrowers. I'd get their young guns in like Hanekom and Roos. Hanekom I believe is injured but Roos offers more than a 34 year old Kolisi.

He's certainly not a number 8, but he's a far better 7 than van Staden IMO

And is Evan Roos even in the squad?

 

[noscrumnolife]

I know it's absolute heresy but I think Kolisi isn't in their best set of backrowers. I'd get their young guns in like Hanekom and Roos. Hanekom I believe is injured but Roos offers more than a 34 year old Kolisi.

Hanekom is excellent and will be a mainstay once fit for years to come. Roos is nowhere near it in my opinion

 

[Yoda]

I suspect the Boks will be flogged this week for losing and come out breathing fire. If we can somehow beat them again it will be absolutely HUGE. I dare say a repeat victory by us will be remote, but I always live in hope. Go boys, make more history!

 

[LeCheese]

My RA contact tells me off the back of the Wallaby heroics ticketek was a popular app on Sunday where 7500 tickets were snatched up for the Sydney 2pm test vs Pumas on 13 September! The band wagon rolls on! RA are confident of a near sellout should members take up their options.

It has me looking up flights to Townsville…

 

[Dctarget]

Fellas and fellaettes, are we back?

I had a mate message me about the game on the weekend, asking whether it was worth watching a replay. He played rugby with me in high school, but has never been engaged with it since. Doesn't watch super, doesn't watch Wallabies, wouldn't know any of the players. Would have to download and sign up to Stan.

and yet:

 

[chasmac]

Can you imagine the stuff Rassie will be saying to his players.
Will the Boks be overcoached for this next outing ?
There is a line of thought that they will revert to their kick chase game and have the forwards play like absolute maniacs.
I think the coaching battle here will be fascinating.
The kicking game of the Wallabies has come a long way and is a strength for the team right now.
It feels like the smartest team wins this next one because the Wallabies have now proven that they are skilled enough to carry out a game plan. There is no doubt the Boks will improve from last week. I cannot wait.

 

[Wilson]

Fellas and fellaettes, are we back?

I had a mate message me about the game on the weekend, asking whether it was worth watching a replay. He played rugby with me in high school, but has never been engaged with it since. Doesn't watch super, doesn't watch Wallabies, wouldn't know any of the players. Would have to download and sign up to Stan.

and yet:
View attachment 23154

No one can resist the charms of Big H.

 

[Blue]

I know it's absolute heresy but I think Kolisi isn't in their best set of backrowers. I'd get their young guns in like Hanekom and Roos. Hanekom I believe is injured but Roos offers more than a 34 year old Kolisi.

Hanekom is injured.

There are issues in the backroom with Roos. All sorts of rumours about discipline and attitude. Rassie operates a no-dickheads policy, so it could be that.

Apparently his dad is a big problem for coaches and he has been told to sort it out. Like I say, Rumours.

 

[Blue]

Can you imagine the stuff Rassie will be saying to his players.
Will the Boks be overcoached for this next outing ?
There is a line of thought that they will revert to their kick chase game and have the forwards play like absolute maniacs.
I think the coaching battle here will be fascinating.
The kicking game of the Wallabies has come a long way and is a strength for the team right now.
It feels like the smartest team wins this next one because the Wallabies have now proven that they are skilled enough to carry out a game plan. There is no doubt the Boks will improve from last week. I cannot wait.

I think expecting some sort of overreaction from Rassie is not going to happen.

Of course we will revert more to type. We should have with a 20 point lead but kept swinging for the fences.

 

[Slim 293]

Rassie operates a no-dickheads policy