Rugby Championship 2025: South Africa v Australia

[Blue]

Heck of a battle-hardened A team. Boks are the underdogs for sure.

 

[whitefalcon]

I don't think so, it's a silly selection to only have one ten in the 23 and to have NCDC over LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) on the bench

Otherwise, almost identical to the 3rd Lions test

backup 10 will be kellaway or wright i suspect

 

[rugbyAU]

backup 10 will be kellaway or wright i suspect

yikes

 

[Linerunner2023]

I don't think so, it's a silly selection to only have one ten in the 23 and to have NCDC over LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) on the bench

Otherwise, almost identical to the 3rd Lions test

Yes I do agree lukhan should be in the bench for Nick or Williams
And surprised no 10 backup but still prefer the 6-2 as a point of difference

 

[rugbyAU]

"The Roar can reveal that Ben Donaldson, who was slated to be included on the bench, picked up a lower limb injury at training on Thursday.

It’s understood Donaldson is having scans."

 

[Yoda]

Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper flying over!

 

[BDA]

"The Roar can reveal that Ben Donaldson, who was slated to be included on the bench, picked up a lower limb injury at training on Thursday.

It’s understood Donaldson is having scans."

Must have been a really last minute injury; the wallabies insta account momentarily had a different team listed with donaldson in it with a 5/3 split

 

[TSR]

Stubbed his toe kicking the dog?

 

[Slim 293]

Unfortunately Schmidt isn't doing it for the lol's...

Schmidt confirmed Andrew Kellaway and Nic White will serve as playmaker cover behind the returning James O’Connor after an innocuous kick in the second-last play of training caused an injury to Donaldson.

The Wallabies coach revealed O’Connor was slated to start before being replaced by the Western Force playmaker at half-time as part of a 5-3 bench split.

 

[John S]

View attachment 23085

The important question is who set that out? Can we list our team normally and not like the NH pukes ( I'll stand corrected if it was pulled from a SA or NH website

 

[Strewthcobber]

Having 35 year old James O'connor play a full 80 min test at altitude against the World Champs, so Kellaway doesn't need to slot in, is just incredible

 

[Tomthumb]

Yet another training injury, simply bizarre

 

[KOB1987]

Maybe he is trying to out-rassie Rassie. He said he’d change to a 6:2 bench if we had one, so he’ll let him do that and then CDC will get food poisoning and Ben will have a miraculous recovery and get reinstated just before the warm up.

 

[Namerican]

I think it is fair to say that whoever they pick at 10 is not an outstanding option at this point in time. None of these guys would even be on the radar of England/NZ/SA.

 

[KOB1987]

At the end of the day the team he had originally selected (prior to the Donno injury) is the same team that just beat the Lions but with one - yes, one - injury forced change. There have been several pages of arguments about that one change but no-one can argue Joe's not trying to build a team.

 

[KOB1987]

Heck of a battle-hardened A team. Boks are the underdogs for sure.

Mock all you like, but as I just pointed out it's the same team that just beat the Lions 2 weeks ago except for one injury forced change. Your lot played Italy a month ago. I'm not tipping us to win, but it won't be battle-hardness that beats us, it will be altitude.

 

[Slim 293]

The important question is who set that out? Can we list our team normally and not like the NH pukes ( I'll stand corrected if it was pulled from a SA or NH website

That didn’t come from the Wallabies….

They always list the team 1-15:

O'Connor starts as Schmidt opts for consistency, bulked up bench to break Ellis Park hoodoo

For the first time in three years, James O'Connor will be back in Wallaby gold as the Wallabies name their starting team to play the Springboks in the 2025 Rugby Championship opener.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Red Runner]

Joe has said he may change the team after captains run. Assume he had a media deadline to hit and as Donaldsons injury happened late he just put it in.

hes having scans and I guess they’ll see. But if he isn’t cleared I wouldn’t be surprised if Edmed comes onto the bench for Gleeson or Nick CdC.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The disappointment to me is the absence of LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto). I thought his recent form was worthy of a bench spot to continue the work of Skelton in the second half.

The biggest concern I have otherwise is with JOC (James O'Connor)'s ability to see out a large part of the game, maybe even the whole game if another 10 isn't added before the game. Given his age and very restricted game time this year, I am fearful he is at high risk of injury forcing an early departuere from the field.

 

[wamberal99]

Tom Wright could play 10 in an emergency.