South Africa v Australia
Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
1:05am Sunday 1 October 2017
Here are the talking points looking ahead to a pivotal Rugby Championship showdown between the Wallabies and the Springboks.
Highveld hoodoo
What is it about altitude that so worries the Wallabies? Perhaps a better question is how do the Springboks grow an extra leg when the air gets thin? Truth be told, there is nothing in the conditions stopping the Wallabies playing well, but clearly they struggle to match the intensity and physicality the South Africans bring when playing at home. That is the challenge for Michael Cheika's men this weekend. There will be times when they will be on top, and there will be times when they are under the pump. That much we know. What we don't know is if this team has the intestinal fortitude to withstand the onslaught, or the skill level to take their chances when they appear. Coming off a disappointing draw last meeting, the Wallabies will know that another loss on African soil will not only consign them to the bottom half of the ladder, but also confirm to fans that this work in progress team still has much work to do.
Consistency is key
Bad. Good. Ok. Better but unconvincing. Such has been the Wallabies’ recent run of form. If they were a horse you wouldn't touch them after being teased and burnt by their up and down form too many times. It must be infuriating for the coaches, but they are as much to blame as the players. Some will argue that all the experimentation is worth it for a few good weeks at World Cup time, but what good is that if we lose Joe Public for three years out of four? This team needs to win back the hearts and minds of the fans, and they can only do that with consistent performances that show improvement each week. So far, that had eluded them. A history beating win in South Africa this weekend could start to change that.
Pick and stick?
What does seem to be improving each week is the consistency of our selections. The team is as predictable as it has been since the 2015 World Cup, and we can slowly start to see the benefits of combinations working together over a period of time. There is still much disagreement amongst fans as to our best XV, but at least Cheika seems to be slowly making his mind up. It will be interesting to see what happens when Karmichael Hunt returns. His versatility probably makes him a great bench option, but he will be pushing for a starting spot. Beale to 15, Folau to 11? Sounds good, but won't happen on Cheika's watch. Marika Koroibete gets a chance to grab a wing spot, and Henry Speight will be nervous after failing to make a huge impression during his recent opportunity.
Having said all that, there are a couple of key positions in the pack that remain somewhat unsettled. Izack Rodda and Jack Dempsey get opportunities to start in the key lock and flanker positions respectively, with Rob Simmons and Ned Hanigan relegated to the bench. These two spots are just waiting for someone to jump out and grab them by the scruff of the neck, and demand selection. So far no one has been able to do this consistently, but the added physicality of Rodda and Dempsey will be fun to watch.
It's always a tough night to get up for a midnight kick off, particularly the night between two grand finals, but this one just might be worth it. Come on you Wallabies!
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Words: Cameron Stokes
