Rugby Championship 2025: South Africa v Australia

[Wilson]

Wouldn't be too surprised to see a 6-2 split in this game to help with the altitude, particularly if the want to manage Valetini's minutes. Donaldson starting and O'Connor in the 23 jersey offers more coverage than we had in Melbourne, while Tate was also really capable when forced to the wing. We could then go with Salakaia-Loto, Williams/Hooper and Hopper/Gleeson on the bench and have a lot of flexibility in how we change the forwards up in the second half.

 

[Blue]

Case could be made to play both Skelton and Valetini off the bench to counter SA's bench (in which case I would start LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) with Frost and Hooper at 6)

 

[BDA]

Not the worst call given that theoretically the wallabies should be a bit more polished in the first half coming off the lions series...i say theoretically because the wallabies historically stuggle to find rhythm after a few weeks off and the boks are a pretty well oiled machine at this point

 

[emuarse]

I really don't think there's anywhere near that level of certainty behind Joe's statement

Didn't I see somewhere that Taniela Tupou's father passed away & that he's returned to Tonga for the funeral?

 

[Wilson]

That was almost exactly one year ago:

Wallabies dealt fresh blow as star flies overseas

After heavy Springboks loss

www.nine.com.au

 

[TSR]

Case could be made to play both Skelton and Valetini off the bench to counter SA's bench (in which case I would start LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) with Frost and Hooper at 6)

I think start them both and run them until they’re done. If it’s 40 minutes, it’s 40 minutes - although given Skelton played 50 in both of the last 2 Lions games you’d hope we could get the same here, even at altitude. If it means we have to go 6 - 2 again then okay.

 

[Mark Panga]

Robertson is a solid loosehead, but he got absolutely chewed up at tighthead quite a few times in super rugby this year, particularly when he came up against test level props.

Nonggorr is probably better than Robertson (as a tighthead) at his best, but he's still pretty variable at this point in his career and it's going to be a massive ask for him to perform at altitude. We're a long way from the old days when these guys would usually get a few trips to the Highveld in super before having to rock up there in gold.

Variable - Nonggorr is only just 24 - it’s true - he’s still got some body development to do. But he’s got rugby smarts and is seriously fit and has a high work rate. And that’s what we need particularly in the second half to complement Tate’s energy along with Angus Bell. That third game against the Lions - the bench came on and brought the energy.
We’re not going to beat SA with Braun - we need to do it with intelligence and agility.
And agree 100%. Need SA teams to be back in Super Rugby for Aust to get that experience - travelling to the Highveld - and also against that raw strength.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Sheesh, only 24? For some reason I figured he would be 28 or something like that. Him partnered with TT, Bell, De Lutiis, Ieli and 7A and suddenly that propping crop is looking pretty sweet for RWC 2027

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

My humor or my fat fingers making typos?

Anyway. What does everyone here think? Can the Aussies upset the boks in Johannesburg? If so, where will the game be won?

The humour of course!

I think we can win but more likely to do it in Cape Town I reckon. The key to victory is pretty simple: match the Bokke pigs in the physical battle. They're hard enough to stop when we're playing well, but when they get some momentum you get steamrolled. The game in Brisbane last year especially we just couldn't get any momentum through the gain line. We ended up going sideways and getting picked off. We simply must bend the line and play down their end of the park.

 

[Ignoto]

Sheesh, only 24? For some reason I figured he would be 28 or something like that. Him partnered with TT, Bell, De Lutiis, Ieli and 7A and suddenly that propping crop is looking pretty sweet for RWC 2027

Loose head we're fine if you add in Aidan Ross and Hodgman. Tight head is where we're thin if one of Taniela or Alan go down.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Loose head we're fine if you add in Aidan Ross and Hodgman. Tight head is where we're thin if one of Taniela or Alan go down.

Would you think Trevor King and Tevita Alatini might be ready for the 27 RWC?

 

[Ignoto]

Would you think Trevor King and Tevita Alatini might be ready for the 27 RWC?

Hard to say, Trevor reminds me of a young Slipper. But we all know props need a lot of time to learn the dark arts, so 2031 would be their time if you ask me.

If Massimo cam stay fit for the next two seasons I think he could be ready. His development progress and handling reminds me of what they did for Taniela; measured and considered.

 

[Wilson]

Would you think Trevor King and Tevita Alatini might be ready for the 27 RWC?

It's pretty unlikely, and it would probably require the guys in front of them at the Reds/Brumbies to spend a fair chunk of time out injured. De Lutiis and Van Nek are much more likely to be in a position to make an impact in 27.

The other big question mark is probably Harry Johnson-Holmes - he could absolutely be there and there abouts if he has a good 2026, but he could just as easily choose medical retirement with the injury run he's had.

 

[TSR]

Would you think Trevor King and Tevita Alatini might be ready for the 27 RWC?

I think it’s enough of a stretch for Ieli & De Lutiis to be ready - although I guess it depends on what you define as ready. It’s quite conceivable both could be in the squad. De Lutiis already looks well on his way to that. But it’s still a very big step forward for them to get from where they are now to be consistent performers at that level.

I haven’t followed Alatini as much but I reckon King is at least 2-3 yrs from us even being able to form an opinion of whether he is capable of contending for a Wallaby spot.

 

[Major Tom]

LHP
Lington - yes if given time in the squad.
Marley - same as Ieli but not sure his scrummaging is that strong.
THP
De Luttis - yes if able to stay healthy
King - not enough time and needs a fair bit of work with his scrummaging
Alatini - not enough time and wouldn’t want to rush coming off acl. Also pretty raw with scrummaging
Goddard - same as Alatini. But has been scrummaging for longer.
HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) - no point. Not up to it.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Thanks for all your comments. I agree that RWC 27 will be a bit too soon for the likes of King and Alatini, though Tevita is the same age as Ieli and already 125kg. Certainly has the size to make a fist of THP in time. Same comments would apply to Ed Langi who seems to have surpassed King as the preferred THP at U20s.

The other option who is game ready now is Rhys Van Nek. Doesn't get much recognition but is handy at scrum time and very involved in play.

EDIT : Of course none of this is relevant to TRC tests against SA.

 

[Major Tom]

Thanks for all your comments. I agree that RWC 27 will be a bit too soon for the likes of King and Alatini, though Tevita is the same age as Ieli and already 125kg. Certainly has the size to make a fist of THP in time. Same comments would apply to Ed Langi who seems to have surpassed King as the preferred THP at U20s.

The other option who is game ready now is Rhys Van Nek. Doesn't get much recognition but is handy at scrum time and very involved in play.

EDIT : Of course none of this is relevant to TRC tests against SA.

King, Alatini and Langi all tip the scales at 125kg. Very exciting to size some size coming through. Leota over in France is listed at 130kg, which is even more impressive given his height.

I do wonder if Van Neck has what it takes to get to test standard. Perhaps a bit on the light side.

 

[Yoda]

Back on topic. Motto for South Africa tour by our boys. "Take no sh.t" !

 

[upthereds#!]

Case could be made to play both Skelton and Valetini off the bench to counter SA's bench (in which case I would start LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) with Frost and Hooper at 6)

If you were to do that, then you would leave the same starting team that won v the lions. So Skelton starting, then have LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Williams & Valetini