Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies are set for a significant challenge, with the reigning World Champions, the Springboks, arriving in town for a back-to-back Test series. The first match is set to take place this weekend in Brisbane and the final one next Saturday in Perth. Despite being the odds-on favourites, Australia could leverage their home ground advantage in tandem with some innovative new rules to flip the game’s dynamics.
After eight years, Suncorp Stadium will host its first sell-out Wallabies game this coming Saturday. The last time the South Africans seized a victory at this venue was in 2013. Since then, the home side has triumphed in all four encounters held in Brisbane, the most recent being a 30-17 victory over the Springboks in 2021, effectively sweeping the series 2-0. The Wallabies succeeded in retaining the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate the ensuing year, albeit suffering a 43-12 thrashing in July of the same year.
The fact that 52,000 spectators are eager to purchase tickets amidst economic hardships indicates that Australian Rugby is gradually recovering. Despite the financial challenges the sport faces, and both the men’s and women’s Olympic Sevens teams finishing fourth, there is optimism about reaching the “golden era”, coinciding with the upcoming 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and hosting duties for the 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cups.
Under the guidance of their new coach, Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies are hitting their stride, enjoying a four-match winning streak, the longest in the IRB top 10, and boasting a flawless 3-0 record this season.
Beginning the 2024 season on a high note was critical following the ill-fated 2023 season under Eddie Jones, and Schmidt has successfully ushered in a wave of confidence with victories over Wales and Georgia.
However, those victories came against teams only ranked 11th and 12th globally. South Africa, on the other hand, rank first in the world, are the reigning World Cup champions, and have gained invaluable experience from a tied series with Ireland, the second-best team in the world. With both July Tests against Ireland being closely contested affairs, it’s clear that the Springboks are a formidable challenge.
In theory, Rassie Erasmus’s South African squad should have little difficulty defeating the 9th-ranked Australian team. Yet, there is a steadily increasing sense of optimism in the home camp in anticipation of the 94th encounter between these two countries at the Suncorp Stadium. This venue is seen as a fortress for the Wallabies, with the proximity of the audience to the pitch adding to the intensity of the game (which will be starting at 5:30am Irish time).
Giving his match-day squad an infusion of both continuity and freshness, Schmidt refers to the recall of Noah Lolesio for his 21st Test as outhalf, following Ben Donaldson’s unsatisfactory performance against Georgia. He will be working in tandem with Jack Gordon, the number 9, and the Queensland pair, Tom Lynagh and Tate McDermott, are expected to wrap up the game in front of their local supporters.
In a surprising move, 59-cap Marika Koroibete was beckoned from Japan to join the team. Despite his legendary theory against Makazole Mapimpi in Australia’s 25-17 victory in the Adelaide game in 2022, Schmidt opted not to select him. Instead, he relied on his back trio of Tom Wright, Filipo Daugunu, and Andrew Kellaway.
The other contributor to victory in Adelaide, through two tries, was Fraser McReight. The skilled flanker’s fractured thumb, however, will open up a debut opportunity for junior player Carlo Tizzano from West Australia. Following the death of his father, Taniela Tupou has been relieved of his duties, leaving Allan Alaalatoa to lead as the tighthead, with Isaac Kailea and hooker Matt Faessler forming the front row.
The South African side is indeed formidable, but speed could come into play as the decisive factor in the Saturday game. This test will be used by World Rugby to experiment with a faster-paced game aimed at enhancing viewership. Time restrictions will be enforced on 30-second scrums and lineouts, and 60-second conversions instead of 90. These modifications could extend play time, decrease lagging and result in more player fatigue (but potentially excluding fans).
Schmidt voiced his thoughts this week, pondering whether the newly established laws could tame South Africa’s robust “bomb squad”– the formidable operators Erasmus usually utilises during the latter stages of matches to ensure victories via first-phase assaults originating from set-pieces and intermissions. This could indeed be a possibility, however, Schmidt’s concern lies in the fact that these Springboks boast powerful players at the frontline and on the flanks.
South Africa has historically relied upon an aggressive physical approach and an unyielding defence in their game play. With the arrival of the new attack coach, ex-All Blacks outhalf Tony Brown, they have now adopted an all-round offensive strategy. Despite roping in a fresh 9-10 duo including half Cobus Reinach and flashy outhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Australia’s rear trio are sure to be subjected to a strategised aerial offensive, whereas the on-field juggernauts barrel towards the central axis.
Hindering this hulking force demands a blend of bravery and tranquility. Schmidt has enhanced Australia’s capabilities through speedier passing and more powerful set-pieces, upping their average to 33 points per match this season. Yet their conduct remains subpar. In view of the 20-minute red cards being debuted on Saturday, the Wallabies will need to keep their composure in order to pull off a surprise win against the reigning world champions.