Summary
I think that will do for one day.
Thank you for joining me this afternoon. Stay tuned for Angus Fontaine’s match report and all the post-match reaction during the week.
I’ll be back to do it all again next week, but at the later time of 7.35pm as international rugby returns to the Sydney Football Stadium. See you then.
More from Rennie: “We had a lot more experienced guys back out on the park. Our scrum was excellent today – and that is really important against South Africa. The lineout has been excellent for us all year and they nicked a couple off us, so we have got things to tidy up but I think attitude wise was spot-on…We look to back it up next week.”
“Disappointed with the finish, but rapt with the win.” Dave Rennie sums things up neatly.
It was a good week for Dave Rennie. The change of staff in the defensive coaching ranks paid immediate dividends, his inexperienced back row not only stood up but McReight found a couple of tries to boot, and Lolesio was calm and precise in the No 10 jersey. Plenty to reflect on positively in the coming days.
A lot of big moments went Australia’s way this afternoon, from the backs-to-the-wall defence before half-time, Koroibete’s cannonball try-saver, and De Klerk’s marginal sin-binning. But around those the Wallaby forwards matched their much vaunted opponents, Lolesio’s kicking game was sharp, and there was more threat in open play, especially from the unstoppable Koroibete.
It might have been a disappointing ending for Australia, but it was a long disappointing day for South Africa. Tactically they never asserted themselves up front, the kicking game was poor, and when they were forced to chase the game there was little spark. Handré Pollard in particular had a shocker, pounded at first receiver and guilty of missing two early penalty kicks.
Bev Schmidt is unfazed. “Good day from South Africa,” she emails. “Our boys will be back. Watch this space next week. Go Springboks.”
A disappointing climax from the Wallabies but they bought themselves the breathing space courtesy of a superb 70-minute performance. They started at a blistering pace, defended incredibly before half-time, and capitalised on their man advantage after the interval. For a while a bonus point victory looked on offer, but Dave Rennie will not be too upset.
Full-time: Australia 25-17 South Africa
Massive victory for the Wallabies.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 25-17 South Africa (Smith, 80)
In the dying seconds South Africa cross again! Tap and go from Smith from the Valetini yellow card, but that’s pretty much the final action of the match.
The very final moment is Jantjies dabbing over a Sevens-style drop-goal.
Updated
Yellow Card - Australia (Valetini, 80)
80 mins: South Africa run it back and find some room on the right to hit the 22. There’s a nice combination in midfield to put Etzebeth through and the momentum builds. A penalty revives the impetus and the Springboks are in sight of the line. Valetini does his best to repel the inevitable – illegally – and he has to leave the field early.
79 mins: The Springboks work through the phases past halfway and show some rare inventiveness in possession. It undoes them eventually though with one pass too many picked off by Samu and Australia clear.
78 mins: It’s a scrappy lineout and clean-up though with South Africa defusing the attack and clearing their lines.
77 mins: Soon after the restart the Wallabies gain an attacking penalty. Hodge kicks to the corner in search of that bonus point.
76 mins: That try might not do much on the day, but it does deny Australia a bonus point, for now.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 25-10 South Africa (Smith, 75)
That was a messy, chaotic passage of play. In amongst it all Kolisi turned Paisami over, the Springboks pounced, Koch busts into a gap, Smith is on hand in support and he crosses unopposed under the posts. Jantjies can’t miss the extras.
74 mins: Big scrum victory for the Springboks near halfway. It provides a platform for Mapimpi to dash outside on the left but his chip and chase is dealt with by Kellaway and the Wallabies are happy to slow things down. Too slow, as it happens, and South Africa earn a penalty, which they use to hit down the right wing. There are dead ends left and right though and it’s little surprise when the turnover is conceded.
72 mins: McDermott has been busy since replacing White and he goes to work in midfield after Paisami hits the line at speed. The attack breaks down when Tupou gets ahead of Lolesio’s pass and knocks on.
71 mins: Off walks Marika Koroibete to the applause of coaches and teammates. What a performance. What a career. He is so important to the Wallabies.
70 mins: South Africa again make no ground with ball in hand so are forced to kick from deep. Hodge deals with it effectively and responds with a sharp counter. The Springboks look out of options defending slow ball on their own line.
Updated
68 mins: Australia are far more dynamic in attack, hitting the line hard through Samu and finding cute angles through Lolesio. The Wallabies force the Springboks into a kickable penalty, but this time they elect to find touch in the left corner. A decision they soon regret after making a meal of the lineout.
66 mins: South Africa need a miracle now, and they begin the process of finding one with a kick-off restart reclaim on the 22 on the right. They link the phases infield but without gaining territory, and the move fizzles out with an obstruction.
PENALTY! Australia 25-3 South Africa (Lolesio, 65)
Noah Lolesio extends the advantage. This is becoming a statement scoreboard.
63 mins: Australia feed the scrum on their attacking 22. From the first attacking play off the back there’s a penalty advantage for Jantjies not rolling away in contact. The Wallabies make a half-hearted shift to the left but are not disappointed when play is recalled for the shot at goal.
60 mins: Pollard’s day to forget is over. He takes a spell for the final 20 minutes. The carnage on-field continues though with Steyn making an absolute hash of an awkward bouncing clearing kick.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 22-3 South Africa (McReight, 57)
Champagne rugby! The Wallabies are flying at Adelaide Oval! Another try – McReight’s second – and it comes from a perfectly executed training ground set-piece. From the restart Slipper shaped to go outside, instead he times his pass inside to Lolesio to perfection and the No 10 bursts through the line and into open space. He could go for the line instead but he has McReight for support and the communication is good enough to confirm the five points.
Make that seven – the easy conversion is dabbed over by Lolesio. The Wallabies have a scoreboard beyond their wildest dreams.
Updated
55 mins: South Africa continue to apply the pressure but they remain unable to find an opening. From a defensive scrum Australia clear to halfway and the Springboks get back into work in midfield with De Klerk busy at the breakdown. It’s uninspired stuff, the Wallabies are undaunted and eventually they pummel the hapless Pollard at first receiver, forcing the turnover, kicking immediately downfield, and again the visitors are forced into a line drop-out. Handré Pollard has not had a day to remember.
Adrian Moore (and others!) have emailed in: “You likely have 100 more comments along similar lines but on the “incredible try saving tackle”, that looks like no arms, yellow card and penalty try territory to me (and almost everyone who has responded to the @wallabies tweet).”
I considered the same on first view, but the TMO had a look at it, and with the view from behind Koroibete they determined he extended his arms to attempt to make a legal tackle. Did he get away with it? I’ll leave others to decide!
53 mins: It’s a solid scrum and De Klerk changes the point of attack from right to left but Mapimpi slips into contact and the drive stalls. De Klerk is busy trying to keep the phases alive but Australia’s line defence is stout. Eventually the Boks find a penalty advantage, De Klerk box kicks and play is recalled.
51 mins: South Africa are back to 15 players and they have a big half hour to rescue something at Adelaide Oval. Faf de Klerk will begin with a scrum feed after the Wallabies – who had the initial feed – were penalised for a technical infringement by the front row.
While all that is happening the benches are being cleared as the replacement forwards are given their minutes in the sun.
Lolesio misses the touchline conversion, just clipping the outside of the left post. However, Australia will be delighted to have made their man advantage count at the start of this second half.
TRY! Australia 15-3 South Africa (Koroibete, 48)
Lovely from the Wallabies expanding through the backs. From the scrum on the left near halfway White spins a long pass to Wright on the right touchline. He scampers down the flank before flicking a superb pass infield. The ball is recycled to the left and that man Marika Koroibete leaves Pollard for dead with a swivel of his hips then hammers to the line to score a marvellous second try for the Wallabies.
Marika Koroibete is doing it all today 🔥
— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 27, 2022
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/gIFqnxqmGs
#AUSvRSA #Wallabies #TRC2022 @eToroAU @CadburyAU
📺 @StanSportAU @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/1hJdv0oxuX
Updated
46 mins: From the restart Valetini hits the line hard but the set play off the back of it is well read by the South African defence who clatter White and think they have a loose ball to chase but it’s ruled a knock-on and the Wallabies escape.
45 mins: Australia win their own scrum feed with ease and off the back Lolesio kicks superbly deep in behind forcing South Africa to concede the line drop-out.
44 mins: That lineout is stolen by Vermeulen. Off one phase Pollard opts for the garryowen but it’s knocked on in the marking contest.
42 mins: A good kick chase by Paisami has Australia on the front foot early but Ikitau returns possession with a poor kick straight to Gelant. Neither side seems overly interested in taking the game on and after an exchange of ineffective kicks Australia will have a lineout on halfway.
Second-Half
We’re back into it at an Adelaide Oval that is now a patchwork of shadows.
Updated
In case you missed Marika Koroibete’s incredible try-saving tackle:
Marika Koroibete out of nowhere 💥
— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 27, 2022
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/gIFqnxqmGs
#AUSvRSA #Wallabies #TRC2022 @eToroAU @CadburyAU
📺 @StanSportAU @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/HPfR1ic5I6
Half-time: Australia 10-3 South Africa
Australia’s rapid start has them ahead at the break, but South Africa will wonder how they only have three points after squandering 20-minutes worth of scoring opportunities. Big ten minutes coming up after the interval with the Wallabies set to enjoy a man advantage after withstanding immense pressure.
Yellow Card - South Africa (De Klerk, 40)
There’s a pause in play while the TMO reviews an incident behind an Australian scrum where White is clipped in the face by De Klerk trying to clip the ball out out of his opposite number’s hands. It’s the merest of touches but it is head-high contact, and the TMO calls for a yellow card!
Updated
38 mins: Another 5m lineout, another maul, but this time the Wallabies withstand the pressure. The ball comes free, De Klerk sees the opportunity and play shifts quickly from right to left. There’s an overlap. Try time, surely…. NO! WOW! What a tackle from Koroibete! That was extraordinary. Mapimpi was free in the left corner but as he dived to cross Koroibete flew like a Patriot missile to intercept and detonate the ball out of the winger’s hands. That was ballistic and breathtaking. Unbelievable escape for the Wallabies. How have South Africa not scored!?
Updated
37 mins: Another successful attacking 5m lineout, and this time the maul forms and the rumble takes shape. Fainga’a brings it down and is very very lucky to remain on the field. Australia are clinging on desperately.
36 mins: The lineout is solid but for the umpteenth time there’s no cohesion in midfield. Pollard has not had a great half. But yet again play is recalled for an Australian infringement. This time it’s McReight. The Wallabies will soon be lucky to have 14 men on the field with so many repeat penalties.
35 mins: Yet again the Springboks can’t take advantage and after the combination behind the scrum fails play returns to a penalty advantage and Pollard kicks to the right corner.
33 mins: The clearance to the right results in a neat lineout combination that sends the Wallabies away, but the follow-up is wanting and South Africa can counter – but they do not look at home expanding with ball in hand and du Toit throws away possession. Not to worry, Fainga’a is pinged for an errant lineout throw and we’re back packing down with the visiting team feeding an attacking scrum.
32 mins: But that period begins with a huge win! From the latest 5m scrum Australia resisted the early shove then ground their way to parity before earning their own clearing penalty. Massive for the Wallaby pack.
Yellow Card - Australia (Wright, 29)
30 mins: The second scrum follows the pattern of the first but this time Vermeulen uses it and de Klerk has a sniff. It’s all a bit scruffy and the Springboks get a tap penalty, keep the ball alive and shift it to the left where Nché bulldozes his way over the line – but he can’t touch down.
Play is then recalled to the tap where Tom Wright infringed egregiously enough to be yellow carded. South Africa loading up the pressure here. big 10 minutes before half-time for Australia.
Updated
29 mins: The Springboks shove hard in the scrum but just as a rumble threatens to build, their’s too much rotation and they’re forced to reset.
27 mins: A scruffy couple of minutes from both sets of players ends with South Africa kicking a penalty near halfway to the left corner. The Springboks are beginning to succeed from their tactic of aerial bombs dropping just in front of Australia’s back three looking up into the sun. The lineout is secured, South Africa build, and Slipper is penalised. The Springboks kick for another 5m lineout – but they are denied by a superb intervention from the giant Arnold, swatting the throw away behind his own try-line. There’s a scramble to secure the loose ball but it’s touched down by a gold jersey. 5m scrum to South Africa. This is suffocating pressure.
PENALTY! Australia 10-3 South Africa (Pollard, 24)
This time he makes no mistake, from bang in front, 30m out. The Springboks are finally on the famous old scoreboard.
23 mins: It’s all South Africa for the time being though and straight after the restart the Springboks get another shot at goal for obstruction.
22 mins: Pollard misses his second penalty! That one was much more straightforward but again he drags his effort low and left. Very costly from the visiting No 10.
Updated
21 mins: Attacking scrum to South Africa on the left and they earn a penalty before de Klerk spins the ball infield. The drive doesn’t get far before play is called back for the shot at goal.
20 mins: I did not expect such an open and entertaining start.
18 mins: The Springboks keep pressing and finally gain good attacking territory before a turnover halts momentum. Australia boot clear but it’s returned with interest by Mapimpi. His incursion is augmented by a Nché’s chase following a dink over the top. Hodge and McReight are then forced into desperate tackles as the Springboks look destined to score, but as the inevitable begins to materialises de Klerk is penalised for a high clearout tackle and the Wallabies survive.
17 mins: South Africa are growing into the contest and even put a couple of phases together in midfield, utilising Mapimpi’s dash, before the obligatory kick in behind is dabbed down for a line drop-out by Koroibete.
15 mins: It’s taken 14 minutes but finally South Africa have a point-scoring opportunity. From a sloppy penalty just inside Australia’s half Handré Pollard has a sight of three points but he absolutely butchers his penalty attempt.
14 mins: The Wallabies can’t capitalise and again almost as soon as they lose possession South Africa try to kick in behind towards the corners. Good scramble defence from Australia snuffs out any danger.
13 mins: Malcolm Mark gets an early taste of the action while Dweba gets patched up. He’s part of a Springbok pack that’s penalised for pushing too early at the first scrum. Australia kick early and benefit from an awkward bounce that wrongfoots Willemse and forces South Africa into a hurried clearance.
11 mins: A better attacking lineout from the Wallabies but it’s soon turned over at ground level. Immediately South Africa kick in behind Koroibete but the big winger saves the possible 50-22 and returns with interest to halfway. Superb defensive work. The Springboks are then penalised for failing to deliver their first lineout in a straight line. Now, what will the first scrum of the day reveal?
10 mins: Australia get away with their first lineout throw and the forwards get to work in the corridor just inside the 22. It’s a drive that lacks precision and the Springboks muscle the ball back and kick clear to touch.
9 mins: White box kicks to halfway, Koroibete absolutely hammers the chasing tackle and seconds later Australia have a breakdown penalty. This is phenomenal from the Wallabies.
PENALTY! Australia 10-0 South Africa (Lolesio, 7)
Australia’s dream start continues to improve. South Africa haven’t turned up yet.
Updated
6 mins: Australia are determined to keep the ball alive in open play, but they risk inviting the proactive South African defence onto them. Following the drop-out, play stalls on the 22 and the Springboks look set to force a turnover, but when the ball goes to ground there’s a penalty advantage called and the Wallabies have another point-scoring opportunity.
4 mins: Australia continue their hot start with Ikitau driving the ball hard out of defence. An exchange of kicks favours the home side thanks to some fierce defensive pressure and the busy Nic White again gets to work in midfield. A kick in behind secures territory and the Springboks are happy to concede a drop out. This is a fast start from the Wallabies.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 7-0 South Africa (McReight, 2)
Australia contest the kick-off and win the ball back on South Africa’s 22. They get to work cycling through the phases early and Valetini makes ground down the right wing. Fainga’a then busts the line and is within a sniff of a try. White is up in support quickly, gets to the ruck, two passes later and McReight squirms through two tacklers to cross next to the posts! What a start from the Wallabies!
Lolesio opens his account from the tee with ease.
Updated
Kick-off!
We’re underway at Adelaide Oval…
Updated
The Welcome to Country and anthems are superbly delivered and observed. Watching Siya Kolisi close his eyes, throw his head back, and belt out Nkosi sikelel’ Afrika is a special sight.
And now comes James Slipper at the front a line of Wallabies in their famous gold jerseys, trimmed by green shorts and socks.
Here come the Springboks, led out onto Adelaide Oval by the inspirational Siya Kolisi. South Africa are wearing their traditional green jerseys, white shorts, and green socks.
It is dry, warm, and sunny at the majestic Adelaide Oval this afternoon. A northerly breeze is receding but conditions are not perfectly still. It’s the first time the Wallabies have played at the venue since 2004.
Paul Williams from New Zealand is the man in charge of today’s contest. He was in Australia recently, taking care of the final Test of England’s tour in Sydney.
🥵 Getting ready for the big one.#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #AUSvRSA #CastleRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/4pIwPTJY9z
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 27, 2022
There was collateral damage in the Wallaby camp after the trip to South America. Defence coach Matt Taylor has been let go with veteran Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher returning to the fold. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will only benefit our playing group,” Rennie said.
In the first match of the day on Adelaide Oval, New Zealand’s Black Ferns ran out 22-14 winners over Australia’s Wallaroos.
Dave Rennie has had a word with the host broadcaster during the warm-up. “It has been a tough two weeks waiting for redemption,” Rennie said. “We have to be far more clinical than we were, and we gift wrapped a couple of tries to them. We have to eliminate errors.”
He was then asked about the challenge facing stand-in fly-half Noah Lolesio. “He is a good young man and played a lot of footy for us, played against the All Blacks, the English, the French. He is in a good mind set and we expect him to control the game and implement the plan.”
And here are the details of South Africa’s defeat last time out to the All Blacks.
Angus Fontaine ran the rule over the Wallabies after their capitulation to the Pumas.
South Africa XV
Two changes from Jacques Nienaber with star scrum-half Faf de Klerk returning from concussion and Warrick Gelant replacing the injured Jesse Kriel on the wing. And there’s intrigue on the bench too with the trademark 6-2 ‘bomb squad’ shaken up in favour of an extra back.
“It doesn’t have a massive impact,” replacement lock Vincent Koch told reporters. “Each one of the Bomb Squad has a certain role, so if it is a 6-2 split or 5-3, we all know what to do when we get onto the field. Once we get a chance to go on the pitch we just have to perform and keep the intensity where the starters left off.”
TRC RD#3: Wallabies v Springboks
— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) August 25, 2022
Teams have been announced for the clash in Adelaide - Springboks make minor changes while Wallabies welcome back reinforcements.#AUSvRSA
Team news: https://t.co/9BbHqNS9Hv pic.twitter.com/ooz8q2XmH5
Australia XV
Dave Rennie has made six changes following Australia’s record 48-17 loss to Argentina. Reece Hodge has captured plenty of attention for his recall at fullback with the Wallabies benefiting from his long kicking game, while Noah Lolesio will have a major job controlling the tempo from five-eighth.
An indication of Rennie’s strategy can be seen on the bench with only two backs selected. The home forwards are going to be put their paces against the mighty Springboks, with the inexperienced back-row in particular – without skipper Hooper – looking an area of vulnerability.
👊🏽 Here's how we'll line up for today's massive clash with the @Springboks.
— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 27, 2022
🗓 Saturday 27 August, 3:00pm ACST
🏟 @TheAdelaideOval
🎟️ https://t.co/FkBweilCJf
📺 @StanSportAU & @Channel9 @eToroAU #TRC2022 #AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/K1Heo1yUVt
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia vs South Africa in round three of the Rugby Championship. Kick-off at Adelaide Oval is 3pm (3.30pm AEST).
Both teams head into today’s clash on the back of pretty chastening defeats, knowing another poor performance could significantly damage their spring campaigns.
The Wallabies have the most to prove after an understrength touring party were hammered in Argentina. That result pus the Pumas in the unlikely position of topping the table after two rounds.
“That Argentinian tour was one of the toughest I’ve been on,” stand-in skipper James Slipper told reporters this week. “We had plenty of blokes drop out of the team after it was named so there was a fair bit of adversity there but from adversity, you grow stronger and that’s where I’ve pushed the team.”
Dave Rennie welcomes back some familiar faces for back-to-back clashes with the Springboks, but he is still without crucial players, including skipper Michael Hooper (personal reasons), powerful centre Samu Kerevi (knee), and playmaker Quade Cooper (Achilles). The remainder of this Championship will be a major test of Australia’s depth.
“After a tough two weeks in Argentina we’re extremely pleased to be able to welcome a few men back into the mob,” Rennie said during the week. “To have their experience on deck will be invaluable in what’s going to be a massive challenge coming up against South Africa two weeks in a row.”
The Springboks will start as favourites but their last victory over the Wallabies in Australia was back in 2013, and Australia won the last two head-to-heads in 2021. On top of that they shipped 35 points at home last time out to the under pressure All Blacks.
However, their methodical game plan of tactical kicking, territorial ascendancy, and forward domination looks tailor made to counteract a Wallabies side eager to run.
“We know South Africa are going to come with a big set-piece focus, trying to really bash us up in the middle and they’ll kick a lot so it’s about nullifying their kicking game,” Slipper said.
As always there’s plenty to chew over before kick-off. If you want to be a part of it you get in touch via email or tweet me @JPHowcroft if that’s easier.
